---
As Kayla watched the scene unfold before her, confusion clouded her mind. She had never expected to witness such a public display of intimacy. What had gone wrong? What had happened to the atmosphere she had once known?
"Ummm, are you guys okay?" she asked awkwardly, her voice faltering as she saw Chelsea and Aaron turn their gaze to her. Before she could process their expressions, Chelsea's voice broke through the air. "I feel hot," she murmured, her lips still brushing against Aaron's. And then, Aaron kissed her with such intensity that Kayla knew it was her cue to leave. Quickly, she turned and walked away, trying to gather her thoughts.
Later, she would need to ask Akim what exactly had transpired between them, but for now, she couldn't bear to be a part of the scene. As she rushed away, the couple's actions only seemed to intensify. They were now caught up in a passionate frenzy, tearing each other's clothes off in a desperate haste. Their lips met hungrily, and their bodies rubbed shamelessly against one another, oblivious to the crowd watching them. The gasp of the onlookers seemed to fuel their wild behavior.
Kayla could feel the shift in energy as more guests turned their attention toward the couple. The room, once filled with excitement and celebration, now felt charged with a sense of discomfort. The couple didn't notice. They were lost in the heat of their lust, unaware of the judgmental stares and whispers that spread through the crowd like wildfire.
Aaron had already ripped Chelsea's dress, exposing her to the room. Without hesitation, he pounced on her, and they collided in a frenzy, their bodies moving in sync to a primal rhythm. Chelsea moaned loudly, her voice filling the space, and Kayla felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. This was no longer a celebration; it was a public spectacle.
Before Kayla could fully process the unfolding chaos, she saw the rushed figures of Chelsea's family, including her mother, Jane Chelmsford, storming toward them. A group of paparazzi had also appeared, eager to capture every moment of the intimate chaos. Flashbulbs lit up the room as they filmed, unbothered by the uncomfortable situation.
"Get lost, all of you!" Jane yelled, her voice trembling with frustration. "I said, get lost!" But the paparazzi ignored her, driven by the insatiable desire for more salacious footage. Kayla could feel her own shame rising as the scene continued to unfold.
"Are you guys daft?" Morgan Taylor, another family member, shouted, pushing against the crowd, but to no avail. The paparazzi remained focused on their cameras, snapping away with relentless energy. A few of the guests, unashamed, pulled out their phones and began taking pictures too, contributing to the growing sense of chaos.
"Oh my baby boy, honey, tell your men to throw them out!" Jane cried out, desperate to stop the madness. But before anyone could act, a heavy roar echoed through the hall, and the chandelier above them suddenly crashed to the ground, sending shards of glass scattering in all directions. The sudden noise stunned everyone, and the room went dim, with the lights flickering erratically. The air grew tense as no one knew what was happening.
The doors, once a means of escape, had been locked, trapping everyone inside. People started to panic, searching for a way out. The lights continued to flicker, creating a surreal, almost nightmarish atmosphere. And through it all, the couple didn't stop. They continued their wild, unrestrained behavior, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around them. Kayla, along with everyone else, could only watch in horror as the couple spiraled further into their lust-fueled frenzy.
Suddenly, a thunderous bark shattered the tense silence, and the guests turned their frightened gazes toward the source. The couple's actions were momentarily interrupted as four lines of wolves stood in the doorway, barking aggressively. People screamed in terror, running frantically in all directions, unsure whether the wolves were real or a product of their fear.
Amid the panic, the hotel itself seemed to erupt in chaos. Flames suddenly engulfed parts of the building, and the smoke started to fill the air. The fire spread quickly, and the sense of urgency intensified. Everyone was desperately searching for a way out, but the locked doors kept them trapped inside. Meanwhile, the paparazzi remained fixated on their cameras, unconcerned by the danger around them, determined to capture every moment of the unfolding disaster.
This, Kayla realized, was a one-night scandal. It was a spectacle of the highest order, one that would be talked about for weeks, months, and maybe even years to come.
---
The next morning, Kayla woke up with a strange sense of satisfaction. For the first time in a long while, she stretched her limbs with a sense of contentment, her body still sore from the restless night. As she slid her feet into her slippers, her phone buzzed from the nightstand. She picked it up, noticing a notification in the corner of her eye.
Curious, she opened it, and her eyes widened as she saw the headline: "BREAKING NEWS! ONE OF THE GRANDEST FAMILY BALLS AFTER THE KORNELS..."
Of course, they would always put the Kornels first, Kayla thought, rolling her eyes. Legends, after all, never fade. She scrolled down, her finger tapping against the screen as she tried to make sense of the headlines. Her gaze locked on another story.
"The Taylor's Engagement Party with the Chelmsford Family Gone Rampant: The Unfolding of Everything Going Wrong That Day."
What nonsense, she muttered under her breath, cursing the media for sensationalizing the situation. They would stop at nothing. She scrolled down and saw a notification to play a video. Kayla's curiosity got the better of her, and she tapped the link.
The video began with the couple tearing each other's clothes off, an image she knew too well. But just as it was about to reach the climax of their reckless behavior, the video abruptly cut off, leaving her frustrated. She scrolled up, then down, but there were no further updates.
No, no, no, she thought, realizing her enemies were at work, trying to sabotage her. She dashed downstairs, her mind racing. Akim, as usual, was in the kitchen, chopping onions with a casual air.
"You're up so early," Akim remarked, noticing the urgency in her steps.
"I'm not okay," Kayla confessed, her voice trembling as she handed him her phone. "Look at this."
Akim smirked as he examined the screen, seemingly unfazed by the unfolding drama.
"Don't let that frown spoil your beautiful face," he teased, patting her cheek lovingly. "Smile, Kayla. Everything will be fine."
Kayla's frown deepened, but she couldn't help the flutter in her chest at his comforting words. He took the phone, walked to his room, and before shutting the door, he muttered, "DDM" — Don't Disturb Me.
With a heavy heart, Kayla grabbed an apple from the counter, sinking her teeth into it as she pondered the madness of the previous night.
---
Meanwhile, the internet was ablaze. Notifications flooded in, and the Netizens, worried about the unfolding chaos, began to wonder what had really happened.
"Sir, this is bad," someone reported nervously.
"GET TO WORK! WHAT AM I PAYING YOU FOR?!" Aaron Taylor yelled, his voice seething with frustration.
"Sir, there are so many viruses coming our way... The person we're dealing with seems like..." The man hesitated, terrified to finish the thought.. But eventually he managed to whisper, "... Like a ghost "
The scandal had only just begun. The repercussions where still unfolding, and Kayla was about to be pulled deeper into the whirlwind, the night's chaos would haunt them for a long time to come..