Chapter 37: Chapter 37
At Blue Moon hotel
Brandon's P.O.V.
Xander and I have been waiting for Evelyn and Aunt Maria for the past 30 minutes but there was no sign of them. Xander kept glaring at his shining Rolex now and then impatiently while I was also getting fretted as to what was taking them so long.
This hotel was none other than mine. I choose this venue as it would avoid unnecessary hassles and also avoid my sick friend, Dylan Black. The hall was festooned with golden and black color balloons and a golden chandelier was dangling from the ceiling whose golden rays were illuminating the whole area. The stage was decked with pink and purple curtains. Only Evelyn's close friends that are Lily, Ian, and Rose were invited to the party and the decorations were kept simple and beautiful, just the way she wanted.
I was waiting eagerly for Evelyn. Since our heated argument, Xander was giving me a cold shoulder. I know Xander was boiling from inside. His clenched jaw and balled fists were enough to tell me that he was just controlling himself from attacking me. After all, I have ruined all his efforts of eloping with Evelyn.
I was watching Xander quietly through my peripheral vision. His glum eyes, ticked jaw, brooding face were enough to tell how pissed he was at the moment. Frankly speaking, I was not at all angry at him. I was only trying to save him because of the fire and a tint of madness, I had seen in his eyes, I knew it could be disastrous for Xander and would leave him in regret all his life.
Xander was a reticent and intelligent guy. A bookworm, a perfect son, and a hardworking student. Hailing from a renowned and wealthy family, Xander had everything in his life, but still, he had spent sleepless nights establishing his own company without his father or anyone's aid. Where boys of his age used to party and goofed around, Xander used to spend time with books and polishing his skills. He was a quick learner and an ambitious kid who was also a gentleman. In our college days, the girls used to drool over the three hottest bachelors on the campus. Xander was no exception. Though Dylan was brawny and the strongest amongst us, Xander was a head-turner because of his handsome face and his mesmerizing eyes which was enough to make any girl crazy.
I know I was a Greek God but Xander possessed the most beautiful eyes amongst us. He was famous in the college for his killer glare. Girls always used to wander around him like bees but Xander would simply ignore them as he was engrossed in books 24/7. But they used to keep pestering him, dying to get his attention. Frustrated by their annoying remarks, Xander would then shoot them a threatening glare but to his dismay, his fangirls would go more frantic and berserk. They would then start throwing flying kisses at him because they considered his glare as their lucky charm.
Dylan and I even used to make fun of Xander's helpless state. We also used to tease him that he would marry his books in the future. The hottest and most beautiful girl Sophia also couldn't resist herself to go head over heels for Xander. Xander knew about her little obsession but he always gave her a cold response.
But that brilliant and handsome man fell for an ordinary girl. It was almost an impossible fact for me and also for Dylan to digest as our geek friend for whom his company, his reputation, and his principles mattered more than his life, he was going ballistic for a girl, who was the wife of his best friend.
His words, his action, his rage, his tears had left me bewildered. But if I look from a broader aspect, Evelyn and Xander, both have many similarities. Passionate, arduous, thrilled, compassionate, clever, and intelligent, they both will make a perfect couple. Maybe that's why Evelyn had endeared herself to him in such a short period. I have seen the love and admiration in Xander's eyes for her. I know he is my friend and to be honest, he is the calmest amongst us.
But till I have understood him and perceived the situation, Xander has no control over his feelings. Either he loves someone the most or he hates someone the most. On today's date, Xander loves Evelyn and hates Dylan. And after our last conflict, he has bitter feelings for me too as he thinks I might be a threat to him.
I needed to stop Xander as I can see that he is slowly transforming into someone else. He is simply letting his anger and madness overpower his senses. That’s why I can’t stay quiet. I also have to save Evelyn from Dylan but what I saw last night left me in a dilemma. I am a good observant and I have seen that Dylan was genuinely guilty but as ‘it is said, you can forgive a mistake but not a sin.’
"FUCKING HELL!!!"
My heart lodged in my throat hearing an ear-piercing growl. I snapped my head with such a force that would have given me whiplash.
My eyes widened when I saw Xander breaking the glasses on the floor, one after the other. Rose and Lily were looking at him in horror while Ian was trying to calm him down.
"XANDER"
I yelled and immediately dashed him. I gripped his right forearm and instantly pulled him towards me.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!!"
I screamed but flinched when Xander snapped his head towards me and shot me a death glare. He snatched his arm away from me and pushed me back making me stumble backward. I grabbed the table for support and somehow maintained my balance.
"HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY?", I glowered but Xander grabbed my collar and shouted on my face.
"YES, AND IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. DO YOU EVEN HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW?"
I tried to pry his hands off me but it looked as if he was not at all in his senses anymore.
"Xander. What are you-"
But before I could complete it, Xander beat me to it as he finally exploded in anger.
"EVE IS WITH DYLAN RIGHT NOW WHO IS CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY IN HIS FUCKING HOUSE!!"
'What?'
Meanwhile
Inside Black's Palace
"Happy birthday, Eve."
Dylan chirped as he fed a piece of chocolate cake to Evelyn. She fake smiled at him and ate it from his hand. Dylan smiled and wiped the cream that got smeared on the corner of her lips with his right thumb. Evelyn again gave him a light smile while she forced the cake down her throat. Although she wanted to push him away and smack his handsome face hard at the moment she refrained herself from creating a scene in front of all the employees of Black Estates.
Yes, Dylan had thrown a grand party to celebrate Evelyn's birthday in his mansion. Well Blacks' house itself was no less than a palace. A large crowd was assembled in the hall while Evelyn and Dylan were currently on the stage. Luminaries, famous entrepreneurs, top businessmen, media, and Blacks' relatives and friends were invited to the party. Evelyn was clad in beautiful purple velvet full sleeves gown with a round neckline that was embellished with diamonds at the neck and wrists. Her long waist-length hair was flowing gracefully in the air. She was wearing a diamond set, her lips were stained with red matte lipstick, her cheeks glowing with blush and her hazel eyes were looking appealing and tempting. All the men in the party were gawking at the drop-dead gorgeous young woman like hawks while women out there were envying her beauty. Dylan was sticking close to Evelyn, his veiny, muscular arm was wrapped around her waist possessively while his expressions were genial. He looked too calm and composed as he was talking with his business partners casually. On the other hand, Evelyn was a nervous wreck.
Evelyn was jumping with excitement when she received a gift from Brandon in the morning. He had sent a dress for her which was a beautiful pink lacy gown with pearls embroidered on it. Brandon didn't tell her much, only requested her to get ready in the evening for a surprise which Evelyn could guess very well what it was. She then went to call Maria but as soon as she stepped out of her room, her eyes widened to see the mansion getting cleaned and decked up. But before she could question, Maria appeared from nowhere. She grabbed her hand and told her to stay inside the room till she says. Although Evelyn wanted to argue out of deference to her mother, she kept quiet and obeyed her.
After being confined in the room for nearly around half of the day, her patience finally broke. But before Evelyn could take a step out, the door itself burst open revealing Maria along with a bunch of stylists. Without saying anything, they immediately pounced on Evelyn like predators and started getting her ready. Evelyn was frightened to her core. She tried to ask Maria for help but she only requested her to comply which again compelled the poor girl to oblige silently.
Evelyn had no idea what was happening around her and she could bet the same for the guests too. Dylan's relatives already knew that she was his wife so Evelyn automatically didn't need an introduction but to his business partners and friends, Dylan had told them that she was someone very close to him. And the rest of the crowd was enjoying the scrumptious meal and exotic liquors, not giving a damn as to why they were invited.
Well, you see, the Blacks are famous in America for their grandeur and exorbitant luncheons and parties. They never wasted a second to show off their wealth and status to the world. Some people even attend their gatherings only for enjoyment as they arrange the most delicious menu for their guests. Dylan was a man who strove for perfection. Being the most successful and powerful man in the US, he never failed to impress people and always performed his tasks up to his best.
The rich and successful businessmen were busy showing off their power while some boot-licking starters were trying their best to capture the attention of the most powerful businessman of America. Everyone was busy in their important jobs as they wanted to take the best advantage of their opportunity and didn't give a damn about the purpose of the party. However, some curious cats were glaring at Evelyn making her squirm in discomfort while the media was trying their best to tell them the identity of the beautiful lady standing beside him. But Dylan would simply turn down them with a single sentence.
"I will reveal it soon."
Although Dylan was shrugging their curiosities casually his one line had stirred the peaceful living city. In a few hours, it eventually started trending as the 'Dylan's Black mysterious lady'. It had become the breaking news of tonight, hitting all the news channels and Evelyn became the talk of the town without doing anything.
Evelyn was now and then glancing at the entrance, her hazel orbs waiting for her saviors because she was confirmed by now that Dylan had purposely not invited them. And this mere thought was fabricating scary scenarios in her mind. She looked at Dylan and clenched her jaw watching her relaxed face. He had committed numerous crimes so it was confirmed that this psycho is again planning something vicious which would not end well for her.
All of a sudden, the hall swathed in darkness. Evelyn was startled and looked around nervously. She gasped when she felt a gentle touch on her right hand. Suddenly lights were flashed on her face making her blind. She squinted her eyes a little and as soon her vision got cleared, she gasped in shock.
Dylan was kneeling in front of her while holding her right hand in a tight grip. The hall was covered in black and the lights were only being flashed on the couple. It may look romantic for others but Evelyn, it was another harbinger of a deadly storm.
A pin-drop silence prevailed inside the hall. Evelyn could only hear the sound of her uneven breaths and erratic heartbeat. Her eyes widened when she saw tears shining in Dylan's eyes. His face has loomed with guilt, sadness, hurt, and pain.
Dylan smiled with teary eyes and planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand before uttering the words which left every soul present in the room shell shocked.
"You all wanted to know about this beautiful girl, right? She is an innocent beauty with a beautiful heart and is gifted with an intelligent brain. A girl who is full of principles and has always worshipped her work and her self-esteem. A pure soul who even after getting deceived by her parents never stepped back to protect their lives. A strong warrior who is the asset of my company, an Angel with a Midas touch who is also the project manager of my company and is solely responsible for turning my empire, the Black Estates into the top-notch company of America. She is a jewel of my crown, the reason for my life. I want to introduce you all to the girl who came as a light in my life. She is none other than the queen who rules my heart, my wife, Evelyn Black."
*****