Eleanor's POV
"What are you doing? Ci let her go." I scream as I try pulling Ciara's hands off Sisi's hair.
"Let her go!!". Ciara let's go of the hair to look at me.
"Of course, you worried about her. You always care regardless. This bitch doesn't need your sympathy." She points to Sisi, who is on the floor, breathing hard with her hand on her chest.
"What are you saying, Ciara? What are you doing? People are watching." I ask as I notice Amber by the corner, looking tattered also, but not as severally as Ciara and Sisi.
"Sisi sponsored her. The anonymous agency that sponsored Amber's paintings for the award is owned by your sincere Sisi." She says in almost a breath and I can hear my heartbeat increasing.
"I know you are surprised. I was too when I saw them entering a VIP section together.
I overheard them chatting about how they played you. They fucking played us." She's shouting now and the crowd seems to be enjoying the free entertainment.
I look at Sisi, her pale white skin stained with smudges by layers of foundation. Next at Amber who smiles at me feeling no remorse.
"Come Ciara, people are staring," I say as I grab her by the hand, trying to lead her out of the crowd.
" No," she says with bitterness.
"She didn't win her paintings, we all know she couldn't have. She registered your paintings instead." She forces her hand out of grip and walks back to where Sisi sat.
" This bitch stole your ideas and gave them to Amber. All the paintings she said were awful and needed retouching were giving to this devil's vice."
I take involuntary steps back, every eye on me. The sobs in my throat disrupt airflow. I'm not gonna cry, not gonna give them the pleasure of seeing that.
I look at Sisi, waiting for her to at least say a word, to defend herself for the sake of it. But she was too busy rearranging the wig on her head.
"Let's go, Ciara, please.". I hold her by this hand again, leading her to the exit. This time she is not objecting in any way.
We get to the hotel and as expected, our pictures are all over the news. On every blog and almost every Instagram story.
This is what I fear more than failure, causing my father Shame. He had high hopes for me.
I'm certain Dad must have seen the news now, good thing I switched off I and Ciara's phone.
I stare at Ciara, who's peacefully asleep. I had to pretend to be asleep to get her to sleep.
The nail scratches on her neck and arm are visible. The fact that she went ahead to wrestle with those women made my eyes tear.
I turn to the other side of the bed finding sleep, but confronted by more thoughts.
My mind drifted to Alexander, his demeanour was frightening. Such kind eyes but bitter tongue. I hope I don't get to cross paths with him, I have many rivals already.
I switch on my phone as we arrive in New York. With messages popping in, I brace myself for the worst. I feel quite better, maybe because Ciara was there to fight for me or because Sisi's intentions were exposed.
Either way, I don't feel that gloomy sob in my chest, the normal feeling I get after losing.
"Welcome ma'am" Lisa greets me as I enter the house, with compassion in her eyes she helps me carry my load out of the car's trunk.
She probably knows, well everyone probably does.
I walk into the sitting-room and meet Dad sitting on the couch looking into a book.
"Good afternoon Dad", I say hurrying to the stairs.
"Come over here, Eleanor." He says in a very low-pitched voice.
I walk towards him and sit on the couch opposite him.
"I'm really tired Dad, I would like to freshen up and then come down to talk." I try to avert his gaze as I look at my long nails.
"What do you want for yourself?". I'm taken aback by his question with surprise written all over my face.
"Do you want to be a miserable girl who's sobbing begging her boyfriend to stay with her?" His face turned red as he spoke, he must be really angry. I have never seen him this pissed.
"You do not care about us, you do not care about this family. All you care about is a silly recognition as a global artist. You couldn't get that either, could you?"
My heart began to race, every heartbeat making it seem as if my heart was falling out.
"Have you ever cared about the family business, have you ever asked how it was going? No!!! All you care about are some silly paintings, and that moron of a boyfriend." He snaps, causing me to shake.
"We are losing the business, the empire, my legacy all on the verge of destruction." He shouts now, on top of his voice, causing Mom and Lisa to come down from their rooms.
"What's wrong dear?" Mom asks as she hugs me.
"I will tell you what's wrong, we are going bankrupt. The company is in debt and your precious daughter doesn't care." I can hear Mom's heartbeat as I diddle in her embrace.
He walks towards us and takes off his glasses. "We're gonna lose everything, Aurora. You know how much debt we owe. Our house, our company, we are going to lose everything."
I remove myself from my mother's arms to look at her. Surprised at her pleading face I turn and face my father, wondering what the fuck is happening.
"Why didn't you tell me, Dad, Mom you knew too. Why did you both keep it away from me? We are family right? Why did you keep it to yourself?".
He rakes his hair with his fingers in frustration. Continuously kissing his lips, he also wonders where I got the courage from.
"I tried to Eleanor, your mother wanted it to be in a nicer tone." He snaps, turning to look at Mom.
" How would you have changed the situation if I had told you? You never intended to get involved in the company."
Mom stands up as if escaping a trance. "You should calm down Philip, we will talk about this calmly."
He begins to pace the room to and fro as if waiting for my answer.
"It's not too late, we can still save it. I will put some calls through to a few friends and we will be able to get investors.
My paintings are worth a lot. I have made a fortune from them already.
Trust me, Dad, I won't let the company die."
He stops his stroll and looks at me " Your little fortune can't save the business. You better find investors Eleanor, or we will save the family business my way."
What does he mean by his way?
"My way will be you leaving this house for good."