A comfortable smirk sat on Paris's lips, explaining her joy. She dialed another number.'Mr Paul', her mother's ex.
"Mr. Paul," she called, almost excitedly.
"Paris, it's been a while. How are you doing?"
"Very well. How's your wife?"
"We're divorced now, Paris. How's your mother?" Paul responded.
"Divorced? And you didn't bother to inform me?"
"It's a recent divorce. We finalized the divorce three days ago, so it's still a bit fresh, and I'm trying to take things easy on myself."
"Oh, I'm sorry that happened to you, sir. May I know why?"
"She cheated." He replied like a lonely little child.
"Damn, that's bad. Well, I have news that could cheer you up. What do you think?"
"Cheer me up? Paris," he chuckled in clear disbelief.
"Yes. Why are you laughing?" Paris tried to make her tone sound serious, but it did not work.
"Okay, let me hear you out. What's up?"
"I have a dinner party at my place tomorrow; care to be there?"
"Your father hates me, Paris, remember?"
"This is not about my father! I am the host, and it's a celebration of my graduation. So I'm asking you again, Mr. Paul, do you care to be there?"
"Your graduation? When did you graduate?"
"Last week."
"Oh, that's lovely. Congratulations on that. Of course, I'll be there.
Tomorrow right?"
"Correct."
"What time?"
"8:00 pm sharp."
"I'll be there."
With that, Paris hung up the phone, more than proud of her accomplishments.
Madam Halsey is her father's ex, and at some point, they had to ruminate several DNA tests to confirm that Halsey didn't give birth to Paris. Her father kept her a secret, but Aurora was one step ahead and discovered the genius mistress her father kept for almost a year after giving birth to Paris.
And Mr. Paul? The sexy man, Aurora, dated for almost ten years. Orion still feels threatened by him because he is Aurora's first love.
Well, who cares? Tomorrow is going to go exactly as Paris planned; she must take revenge now, no matter what.
After fruitless efforts to reach Stephan, Paris threw her phone to the side, collapsed on her bed, and prayed herself to sleep.
*TWO HOURS LATER*
"Miss Paris," one of Paris's maids called, tapping her leg.
Paris, all rolled up in the blanket, opened her eyes, scared and shocked.
"What?" She jumped, breathing heavily, looking around like a ghost was out to get her.
"It's me; it's me." The maid repeated tapping on her chest in an attempt to calm Paris down.
"Well, what the hell do you want?" Paris shouted back for no reason.
"Your mother asked for you." The maid replied, unfazed by her shouting.
"Leave!"
The maid, in pretense, scrambled to the door before slamming it in annoyance. Every day is like this in Paris.
Trying to recover from whatever PTSD attack just happened, Paris sat there on her bed, trying to get a good grip on herself. Her mother sent it for her.
Whatever nonsense they have going on, it better be worth her sleep.
Slowly, she picked up one of the extra-large tees Stephan left a while ago and threw it on. A few sprays of her strong cologne were enough as she picked up her phone and walked out of her room, down the stairs.
It's almost as if she cannot catch a break because there the Leonards sat.
"What the hell?" Paris hissed, turning around to the stairs leading to her room.
"Get back here!" Orion snapped. Paris halted involuntarily, more out of reflex obedience to her father's voice. She turned around, very frustrated. Her dead stare greeted the Leonards well enough. Ivan looks swollen with both pride and anger. His red face bowed to the ground described enough of how he feels.
"Get dressed, Paris; we are going shopping." Aurora added much to Paris's disbelief.
"Shopping? Why?"
"For a wedding dress for you and a wedding suit for Ivan." Mrs. Jade said.
"A wedding dress for who?" Paris snorted, her fixed glare seeing through Mrs. Jade and her signature red lipstick.
"Did she stutter?" Aurora snapped.
"I'm not interested, thank you." Paris waved, turning around to walk upstairs.
"Nobody cares, Paris! Get dressed and come down here in fifteen minutes." Orion commanded with no emotion in his voice.
Paris hissed loudly before running up to her room.
Never for one day did she think her parents's controlling spirit would affect her this much. Now they are dictating who she will get married to. Of all the worlds to live in, she's living in this one.
Angrily, she pulled out her biker shorts, a bra top, and a large, comfortable, creamy-colored sweater. She put on her gold jewelry, perfume, and sandals.
Regardless of whatever may be wrong with her outfit, Paris switched off the lights in her room and slammed the door before sluggishly dragging her feet downstairs.
In a flash, the families arrived at the mall owned by Mrs. Jade.
"Go with her and make sure she picks the best," Mrs. Jade ordered one of the staff as Paris walked in the direction the staff pointed.
"Come with me, boy, let's go pick out something for you." Orion said, pulling Ivan and James in the opposite direction from where Paris walked.
Paris stood before the mirror, dressed in one of the most glamorous wedding dresses a man ever made. A tear dropped from her face.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" The staff calmly said, gently walking up behind Paris.
"Uh? Sure sure." Paris replied quickly, wiping her eyes, lost in admiration for the dress.
"Are you okay?" The staff asked softly.
"Yes." Paris nodded, throwing her head to the other side.
"It's forced, isn't it?" The staff asked again. Paris, very shocked, turned her head toward the staff. A beautiful Latina lady. "My name is Alejandra."
"Hi!" Paris smiled warmly, to her surprise.
"Don't worry, Paris; one day, you will be getting married on your own will. You will stand before this mirror and cry for true joy at the gorgeous beauty of your wedding dress, I promise. For now, just endure and try to enjoy the moment." Alejandra said, standing behind Paris with her hands on Paris's shoulders.
"Thank you." Paris weakly turned around, throwing herself on Alejandra for a deep, cozy hug—in fact, a much-needed one.
"Awnn, she's crying. You look beautiful, Paris, my dear," Mrs. Jade said from a distance as she and Aurora approached Paris.
Paris stood erect, quickly wiping her eyes.
"How many have you tried out?" Aurora asked, standing before Paris, adjusting yet admiring the dress.
"Just this one," Paris managed to say.
"You love it?" Aurora asked again.
Paris nodded, holding back floods of tears.
"Package it and send it to the residence before nightfall." Mrs. Jade ordered Alejandra.
Pairs took off the dress and handed it to Alejandra. Her and Paris held a brief eye contact before she walked away.
"Ladies, are you ready?" James shouted from a close distance, walking with Ivan and Orion.
A few minutes later, they entered their cars and drove to their respective homes.
"Oh, that reminds me, Paris," Orion called the second they got home. Paris, already on the way to her room, turned around and stared blankly.
"There will be a pre-wedding photo shoot tomorrow evening, so get ready."
Without thinking, Paris nodded and walked to her room.
Slamming the door, her thoughts scattered all over the place.
What a waste of her day. But maybe Alejandra was right. One day she will get out of this mess and be truly joyful again, but unfortunately, today is not that day. So till then, she will have to create her own happiness, which is why she is hosting her very own dinner party tomorrow. Her idea is nothing but a chef's kiss.
She closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to fall on her. Dinner and everything else can wait.
What an eventful day tomorrow is going to be! At the crack of dawn, Paris will unravel.