TWO YEARS LATER
Addison stood proudly in front of the crowd, having been persuaded by her brother Dalton to model for him.
"You look beautiful, do you know that?" Dalton said as he handed her a huge bouquet.
"You owe me!" Addison said.
"Don't you love your comeback to society?" Dalton asked.
"Oh please, we are in Paris, not New York!" Addison rolled her eyes.
"Dad and Nathaniel are outside!" Dalton said as they took a final bow.
"It's interesting how you easily gave up being in charge of the company," Addison said, waving at people.
"My gorgeous daughter!" Armani Powers exclaimed as he walked toward them.
"Daddy!" Addison shrieked.
"Look at my youngest, so glamorous, so beautiful," her dad said.
Nathaniel approached them and hugged the two.
"Are you ready to go to New York and help me out, Addie?" Nathaniel asked.
"Yes, are you excited, Addie?" Dalton grinned as they all got into the limousine.
"As model Addie, yes," Addison said, holding out her hand to her brother. She turned to Nathaniel and said, "As your director, I don't know."
"You can do it, my daughter," Armani Powers kissed his daughter's forehead.
Nathaniel took out his phone and showed it to Dalton first.
He then exchanged glances with their youngest sister. "We want you to know something before you board the plane back to New York tonight," Nathaniel said as he showed his phone.
"What is it?" Addison asked as she took the phone.
"Williams has been pestering me for two years now, asking how I know you," Nathaniel said. "He's emailed me a dozen times and even stopped by the office."
Addison arched an eyebrow; it was a name she hadn't heard for two years.
"Well, we have to plan," Nathaniel said.
"You know what?" Addison looked at him. "His ego was severely bruised. Don't worry, I can handle him."
"That's my daughter. If you need me to step in, just tell me and I know what to do," Her father added, squeezing her hand.
"Nate, as your director, who do I need to report to?"
"Alec Monroe, he's my vice president," Nathaniel said.
"He is your vice president now?" Addison scratched her head. One of her college best friends held a high position in the company. "Since when?"
"Just before Mom died."
"Oh, I am sorry, I don't remember," Addison said.
The limousine slowed down to their private plane hangar.
"Ready to go home?" Her father asked.
"Promise you won't leave me at a golf tournament?" Addison teased her father.
"Never."
🌹🌷
"Hey Williams, you never go out with us anymore," Hal walked into his office without knocking, followed by Amir.
He looked at them incredulously, "Why would I?"
"Ever since Addison left you and Ivy went to wherever you sent her to, you are nowhere to be found!" Amir stated.
"Do I really need to?" Williams looked at them and shook his head. "I don't have anyone to answer to except my company."
"And your friends," Amir added as he sat comfortably on the couch.
"Come on, Williams, be that cool university classmate and not just a workhorse when you own your own company," Hal came up to him and massaged his shoulders.
"What do you want?" He rolled his eyes.
"Ah, he catches the drift," Amir grinned.
"Well, as you can see, the news is going to cover a once-in-a-lifetime event!" Hal stated.
"And, of course, since our dear friend is a shareholder there, he is invited!" Amir added.
"It's the first time in a long while that a fashion model will walk the ramp, New York's very own."
"And we want YOU to come with us!" Amir stated. "We have to support Hal in his endeavors, right? That is what we promised each other when we were rooming in uni!"
"What is this event and when?" Williams asked, taking his phone to check his calendar.
"It's New York Fashion Week! Look at the details of the event; I sent you the link." Hal stated
"And it's at Design Plaza. It's an all-week event, but we are only attending Friday," Amir emphasized.
"Yipee, hooray!" Williams said dryly.
"You are no fun anymore, especially since Addison divorced you," Hal noted, looking at his friend.
He avoided his eyes. "It's not that. I am just tired, that's all."
"Lies! Absolute lies!" Amir exclaimed. "Don't tell me you have been tired for two years since she left you?"
Williams stilled; had it really been two years? "I won't go with you if you don't drop the subject," He warned as he stood up.
"Well, Hal and I have no clue why you are acting out over someone you do not care about," Amir answered back.
"Yeah, I don't get it, Williams. Weren't you just using her for her blood type?" Hal added. "There is something I have been meaning to ask you when you married her."
"Just spit it out," He said as he prepared three brandies for them.
"Why did you have to marry her if she did not mean anything to you?" Hal wondered loudly.
He didn't answer; instead, he handed them their brandies.
"I don't know. I saw her and there was a pull, maybe because she is a beautiful omega..." He trailed off as he sat back down.
"And you wanted her but had Ivy clinging to you, and you felt guilty because of your best friend's death?" Amir finished the sentence.
"You were attracted to her, Williams," Hal calmly expressed. "Whether you liked it or not, you are just an alpha who is very attracted to another omega. Well, to tell you honestly, you let a prized one slip through your fingers." He said as he took a sip of his drink.
Was that the truth? Was he actually hoping to have a future with Addison, which is why he tied the knot with her and used it as an excuse? He never expected Addison to divorce him, and up to this date, he had been contacting Nathaniel to no avail.
Nathaniel, the president and CEO of Powers Conglomerates, one of the biggest corporations in the country.
Williams even went to his office once, as a friendly visit, but unfortunately, he was out of the country.
Who he was to Addison was still a mystery, but Williams was relentless because he wanted to know why he picked up his ex-wife that day she left.
The Powers are a private family; despite their popularity and wealth, no one really knows them except for the patriarch, Armani Powers, and Nathaniel Powers. Society does not know their family, unlike his family, who are all in lifestyle events and parties.
"Williams, your sister is out of control," Amir stated. "I have to handle another individual wanting to sue her for slander and defamation."
"What did Winona do this time?" He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Well, she just spilled an entire bottle of red wine on the wait staff because it was not the year of wine she requested," Amir responded.
"In all honesty, your sister is a b!tch!" Hal exclaimed.
"Yeah, I am sorry," was all he could say.
"No offense, but how do your parents discipline your sister?" Amir asked.
"Dad usually expresses his distress to mum, but she tones it down more often than not," Williams said, frowning as he was frustrated as well.
He just learned after Addison divorced him that she would stop by his parents' place and do laundry, and he was simply appalled. Addison never said anything at all. She just swallowed her misery without complaints, which made him feel even worse.
He wanted to redeem himself with Addison, regret and remorse swimming in his chest for three years now, and if he's not given the chance, then the least he could do is apologize for all the misgivings he'd committed, only if Addison would allow.
Williams looked at the mirror, making sure that the bow tie was neatly placed. It was the first time he would be attending a formal social event. He looked at himself, somewhat satisfied with how he looked.
He was looking forward to tonight's fashion show.