Wichita, Kansas United States.
Victoria Clark
"Kim, Kimberly!" I shouted as Kimberly pulled me too forcefully, causing me to stumble on my black heels, my purple dress was too tight around the legs so I couldn't walk faster.
I didn't know what had her in such a rush. I didn't know why I had to follow her to attend a party like this when I should have entered this party venue with my little daughter. She must be waiting for me in the room with my mother.
We Stopped and looked at the ballroom atmosphere with white-blue nuances, yellowish-white lighting, and red with beautiful flowers chandeliers, and other decorative items, even the furniture looked very beautiful. It was already filled with elegantly dressed elite people, slow music echoing, like music for dancing.
"Victoria, I think I'm late," Kim said with a face that couldn't hide the sadness. "It seems like the selection session is over, and that handsome man has already found the girl he wants to be his wife," she said again, making me understand her purpose for coming to this party.
Now my eyes were drawn to the numerous girls dominated by them, leading me to theorize that they were showing their beauty to that man, Kimberly planned to be one of the contestants, but she was too late.
"We better go home."
Kimberly turned to leave, but reflexively I held her by embracing her.
"I think there's still hope as long as that man hasn't married his chosen girl," I said, looking at her beautiful self in a red dress with bare shoulders and her hair tied up, wearing long needle-shaped earrings. "You should give him a chance to see you... Who knows, maybe he'll change his mind," I said again, raising my eyebrows, and trying to convince her.
Kimberly just sighed heavily and turned to face the crowd, folding her arms.
"Alright, let's wait until this dance event is over," she said, pouting her pretty lips with red lipstick.
I sighed, looking around and seeing my little daughter coming with my mother. I couldn't help but smile; she was so beautiful with her long hair tied up like a ponytail, then wearing a purple dress with silver beads, making it look radiant when hit by light.
"Mommy!"
I immediately greeted her by bowing, then picking her up and kissing her cheek softly so as not to smear my peach-colored lipstick.
"Why isn't Kim joining them?" My mother asked.
"Oh, she's too late... But I asked her to stay so that the man had a chance to see her... Who knows, he might change his mind." I explained with a little laugh.
"Well, in that case, I'll leave now. Take care...."
I just nodded, kissing my mother's cheek and letting her leave the hotel. Slowly she disappeared from my sight, making me feel sad imagining that she would have to return to her employer's house in Portland to work as a house assistant.
That had been her job since my father passed away; usually, I always stayed with her wherever she worked, but not anymore since I had Sophia.
"Victoria..."
Kim's voice brought my attention back. I turned to her, but my attention was diverted to the people who were no longer crowding around, so I could see a man standing with a girl hugging his arm.
My heart felt like it was about to jump out; those hazel-blue eyes were sharp on me, almost unblinking, his handsome face looked tense, and now it was time for me to step back. He must not know about me!
"Victoria!"
I ignored Kim following me. With Sophia in my arms, I hurriedly passed through the crowd of people who looked at us in surprise, continuing to walk until we finally arrived at the parking lot where my white mustang was.
"Mom, why are we leaving?"
"It's okay, mommy suddenly feels sick!"
I sat Sophia in the specially designed toddler seat, as she was 4 years old.
"Victoria... what's wrong with you? Why do you suddenly want to leave?"
I closed the door and stood up straight, facing Kimberly who looked at me with frustration.
"Sorry, Kim... I really can't be here anymore," I said nervously, occasionally glancing at the wide hotel door, making sure Brandon wasn't following me.
"I don't know what you're thinking and why you're like this..." Kimberly clenched her hands. "But okay, I can't force you. I'll try to meet that man!" She affirmed, then hurriedly re-entered the hotel, clutching her dress.
I sighed deeply, unable to divert my hazel eyes and that handsome face from my mind now. The beautiful memories of the past replayed like a tangled cassette, evoking longing and regret as to why we had to part, and why there was no strength to be together again.
"This is too painful," I said, quickly getting into the car; suddenly my hand was pulled by someone from the outside, making me quickly turn to face the man in a black suit.
"You're not allowed to leave," he said.
I frowned and immediately pulled my hand until he let go.
"What's your problem? I can come and go whenever I want!" I hissed, widening my eyes.
"But Mr. Smith didn't allow you to leave. You have to stay with me."
"Do you think I'll agree?" I asked, raising my eyebrows, then quickly pushing him hard until he almost fell.
I took advantage of that to get into the car and close all the windows.
"Hey, open up! You can't leave before meeting Mr. Smith!"
He banged on the window, but that didn't stop me, and I immediately started the car engine and then reversed slowly.
"Mommy, are you going to hit that guy?"
Sophia's question diverted my attention. I sighed heavily. 'She shouldn't see something like this!'
"Mommy, I'm scared!"
Sophia suddenly screamed, and it turned out the man had shifted to banging on his window. He didn't give up at all, but I immediately drove out of the parking area without caring if he would fall.
"Don't be afraid, he won't be able to catch us!"
"Yes, but he fell."
I glanced at the rearview mirror, showing the man's shadow rising to his feet and still staring at this car, making me worried that he was memorizing this car's license plate and might continue to chase us.
'No, he or even Brandon shouldn't see me again. It could be a big problem for Sophia,' I thought anxiously, recalling the moment five years ago when his mother kicked me out of their mansion without caring that I was pregnant with his child.