[ Five Years Later… ]
"It's been five years since she died, why do you keep visiting this place? Don't tell me you loved her for real. Do you miss her?" Ashton teased his best friend, Dominique, to lighten the mood.
The two men were standing atop the concrete bridge, the exact spot where Sabrina jumped off five years ago.
Dominique pursed his lips and glowered his eyes at Ashton, ignoring his remarks. He was not in the mood for jokes. "Why are you here? Can't you leave me alone?"
Ashton sighed helplessly, shrugging his shoulders. "It's because I'm concerned about you. Today marks Sabrina's death anniversary, and I want to uplift my best friend's mood. Are you still being bothered by those nightmares?"
"My nightmare has nothing to do with her," Dominique snarled at him, unable to mention Sabrina's name.
Ashton just watched Dominique's figure. He could tell that his best friend would never admit his real feelings for Sabrina. He was still in denial.
"What if she's alive? Her body was never found." Dominique mumbled, his eyes staring at the flowing river beneath them.
"No one can survive that fall, Dom. It was raining heavily. The strong current might have drowned her to death. And why do you care if she's still alive? You already got what you wanted– your revenge against Albert Williams." Ashton paused for a moment. His eyes widened as he snapped his fingers in realization.
"If you don't have feelings for her… perhaps, you are scared that Sabrina will come back to life and seek revenge on you and Sasha?!"
"It'd be intriguing if she did come back. I'm curious about what she thinks she can do against me," Dominique remarked with a self-assured smirk. But his eyes already gave away his desire to see her once more.
"Sigh. I don't know if you are sadist or crazy!" Ashton gently tapped his back.
"By the way, it's time to go! We have a party to attend to! I need to see my idol! Athena is performing tonight at Circles." Ashton grabbed Dominique's hand, dragging him to his car.
Circles represented a unique gathering, an exclusive assembly that brought together CEOs and other distinguished figures in the bustling metropolis of York City. Attending Circles wasn't just about networking. it was an opportunity for the hardworking CEOs and businessmen to relax, unwind, and enjoy.
"Who is Athena?" Dominique asked, frowning.
"Oh, come on, Bro! You've never heard of her? Unbelievable! She's a global sensation on Ye-Tube. Her voice is like an enchanting melody that captivates audiences worldwide. Even though she keeps her face concealed with a mask, the allure of her singing is enough to mesmerize anyone." Ashton described her with his twinkling eyes.
"She's not only a vocal powerhouse but also oozes with hotness and an air of mystery! And guess what? Tonight, we have the chance to unveil the mystery and catch a glimpse of the face behind the mask."
Dominique chose to ignore his blabbering remarks. He wasn't interested at all. But since he had nothing to do, he decided to tag along with his best friend, attending the Circles. After half an hour, they reached the venue. Many bachelors were already gathered in the banquet hall.
Dominique and Ashton headed straight to the bar counter, avoiding the crowd. But someone had already noticed their presence.
"He is here. Your scumbag ex-husband. Are you ready for this reunion?" A blonde woman in a captivating black dress spoke on the phone, seated in the corner with a glass of red wine in hand. Her gaze remained fixed on the two figures at the bar counter.
"Yes, of course. You prepared me for this for the past five years. I can handle him," a voice filled with confidence was heard from the other line.
"Good. I'll keep an eye on him. Get ready for your performance. Break a leg! See you in a while."
After ending the call, she saw a woman approaching their main target. It was Melody Williams, Sabrina's cousin who had a big crush on Dominique. She was also part of the conspiracy five years ago.
"Hey, Dominique, your wife is still on an overseas business trip, right? No wonder you are here alone," Melody said, taking a seat next to Dominique. Playfully, she tapped and rubbed his leg, hinting at her desire to flirt with him. "I can be your date. Your wife's substitute tonight," she added.
"Correction. He is not alone. He is with me!" Ashton butted in.
Melody just rolled her eyes skyward, signaling Ashton to back off.
Meanwhile, Dominique didn't utter a single word, keeping his attention solely on the amber liquid in his glass. Unbeknownst to him, Melody was unbothered by his silence and seemed more determined than ever to make an impression on him tonight.
Her eyes gleamed with desire as she had long harbored a deep attraction for Dominique. Tonight, she saw an opportunity she couldn't let slip away. For five years, she tried to seduce him. She was utterly disappointed when Dominique married his secretary, Sasha, instead of her.
'I sense an issue in the couple's relationship. Despite being married for four years, they haven't been blessed with a child. Who knows Sasha is infertile? I can bear Dominque's child to satisfy him.'
Melody leaned in, her voice taking on a sultry tone, "Mr. Smith, have you been feeling lonely lately? Just tell me. I can provide some company." As she spoke, her hand continued its exploration, caressing and gently squeezing his leg, venturing closer to his nether region. With a deliberate touch, she reached his crotch, subtly testing the waters, hoping to elicit a response of arousal from him.
Dominique remained unaffected by Melody's flirting while Ashton could only shake his head helplessly as he watched them.
Unable to contain his irritation and annoyance any longer, Dominique seized her wrist, forcefully casting it away from him. "I'm leaving!" he declared, rising from his seat as he stormed out of the banquet hall.
Ashton immediately chased after him, stopping him from leaving. "Hey, Bro. Stop. I need you here. You can't leave just yet. Help me win the bidding first!"
With glaring eyes, Dominique asked him, "What bidding?"
"The bid to see Athena's face and spend a night with her!" Ashton responded exasperatedly. His desperation was evident in his eyes.
"You have your own money. Don't get me involved here." Dominique's mood had been ruined because of Melody. Though she became his accomplice five years ago, he still had resentment towards the members of the Williams family.
Dominique was about to leave when the host took the stage, signaling the commencement of Athena's performance. Applause and cheers filled the banquet hall, drawing everyone's focus to the stage. The lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight illuminating the center stage, and the music gracefully started to play.
An alluring lady, elegantly adorned in a vibrant red dress and concealed by a mask, gracefully stepped into the spotlight. As she started singing, Dominique felt an unexpected chill coursing through him, instantly halting his initial plan to depart.
'Sabrina?' The familiar voice stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him. He reflexively turned around, facing the stage, his eyes fixed on the lady in a red dress.