Chapter 61
LAKE:
SATURDAY, 7:30 pm…
I looked myself over in my floor-to-ceiling glass mirror. My father used to say the size of a man’s portrait was directly proportionate to the size of his ego. For me, it was the size of a man’s mirror, my mirror. I stood in my cobalt blue three-piece tuxedo. My jet black hair gelled to the back of my head, my beards trimmed and neat. I knew I looked and smelt with a whopping trillion dollars.
Jojo was to be outside by now. I could only wonder what she would look like. I had never seen her in decent clothes before, it was why I instructed Neil to make sure he got her a dress, shoes, and accessories suitable for this event. I could not have her locked in my arms, looking like I picked her from the gutter and dragged her to the event. My reputation had more than enough mud smears on it. Even though I did not care, I could not make any mistakes that’ll affect my business.
Neil was outside my room when I stepped out. He glanced down at his wristwatch and bowed to me.
“Greetings, Alpha. I must say, you look particularly splendid. If I did not know better, I would think you have been looking forward to this party.” Neil stated. I was surprised he did not continue to rat about where and how he had gotten his suit. When I glanced over at him, I did like what I saw. It showed he was making proper use of my cash.
I was supposed to get dressed from home, but since I was to leave with Jojo, I knew I had to get ready in Rush Empire. The party was to begin by 9 pm, but I did want to be there early so my conscience would have nothing to say against me when I decided to leave early.
Neil and I walked out of the corridor and took the elevator to the last floor. Jojo would be there waiting for me, just as Neil had instructed her to. We would drive to the party, and I could get this silly night over with.
However, when we got to the underground garage, there was no sign of Jojo, just an array of empty cars. I could not help the frown that clouded my expression.
I turned to Neil.
“Did you not tell her the time to be here?”
He looked uncertain before he spoke.
“I did, Alpha. I swear I did.” He stated. But, his tone was not definite. I could not waste my time on him.
I picked up my phone and dialed Bentley’s number. Fortunately for Neil, of course, she picked up at the first ring. The distant sound of music blasting from the speakers told me she was busy in the club.
“Greetings, Alpha.” She started.
“Bentley, is Jojo ready for the party? She was supposed to be down here by 7 pm and…”
“Party? I am not aware of Jojo’s presence being needed at a party. I only know of Ashley because she was requested by a VIP, but for Jojo, there was no mention of such. She is about to climb the stage as we speak.” Bentley’s words rolled out with ease. It was obvious she had no idea how hard my hands gripped my phone, in annoyance.
I had waited all this while, and for nothing.
Was Red trying to make fun of me? Did she dare mock the singular chance I gave her to be among those who made the world go round?
“Alpha, are you there?”
“Stop her presentation. Make sure she is dressed for the exclusive party and in the garage in less than twenty minutes.” I ordered, jaws clenched in annoyance.
“But, Alpha…”
I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared down at Neil. Words could not describe the annoyance in my eyes.
“Did you not deliver the IV to her?” I snarled. He could sense my rising temper from where he stood, so he did not dare come closer to me.
“I did, Alpha, believe me. It was just at the top of her bedside drawer. There is no way her eyes could have missed a spot like that. I am very sure that…”
“Stop.” I cut in.
I could not take one more minute of the man’s unnecessary bickering.
I’ll sort whatever he was about to say out when I returned.
First, Jojo had to show up.
JOJO:
Bentley stepped into the dressing room. I already had my netlike pantyhose on, ready for the night, ready to make more money, and ready to change my life. I snapped on my gloves as I stared at the foggy mirror in the room. All I had to do was wait for my entry to be announced, then I could go out and…
“And just where do you think you’re going? Young woman?” Bentley asked her both hands placed on each side of her hip as she stood straight. I looked up at her, before my eyes darted down to my body, taking in a proper note of my appearance.
Was there something wrong with the way I was dressed? The girls were not here yet, so I had to get dressed without any external opinion. And I wasn’t exactly a fashion icon.
“Bentley, I don’t…”
“You’re hell-bent on getting me in trouble, are you not? Come here, follow me.” She snapped. Even though a trillion questions ran through my mind, I did not dare to utter a word.
I did not speak when she led me out of the club when we walked to a large dressing room meant for models who walked Versace on the runway, and not full-time strippers. I did not speak when she asked me to sit on the chair and face the mirror. I remained silent, even as she polished my face with her makeup kit. I was on that sit for more than thirty minutes, but when Bentley moved away from the mirror, giving me a full view of my face, I could not believe I was the one sitting there.
The makeup accentuated the softness of my facial features. I looked like I had stepped out of a magazine cover. There were no harsh colors used, yet, I was falling head over heels in love with myself.
My cheeks were red and rosy with the blush, and the eyeliner and mascara combined to make my green eyes even more alluring and beautiful.
From the mirror, I saw Bentley slip out a black dress, hanging from a hanger. She held it out to me.
“Here, wear this.”
I looked at the image of the gown in the mirror. It couldn’t be anything less than ten thousand dollars. My hands couldn’t reach up to take it. I did not understand what was happening, I did not even know if I was being prepared to be sold, like cows for slaughter.
“We don’t have time, young lady.” Bentley snarled. I wondered why she was being unnecessarily strict today.
I nodded, seized the gown from her hand, and worked it over my body.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Once Bentley drew up the zip at my back and tied my hair into a tight ponytail above my head, I turned to look at the mirror.
The emerald pendant and earrings matched the green of my eyes, my red hair matched the darkness of the black dress.
My heart began to pound against my chest but in a good way.
I stared into the mirror, I found myself blinking more times than normal.
I couldn’t believe it. Was this really me? Jojo Wyatt?
I turned to Bentley with a smile on my face.
“I look like an angel,” I muttered, my eyes still clouded with disbelief. She tried to fight back her smile but did not succeed.
“Were you really not aware of the party with the Alpha? The one you were invited to?” She ignored my comment and dished me her series of questions.
But, I was not aware of anything. This was still a shock to me.
A party with the Alpha?
“No, no I wasn’t,” I said out loud.
I could not tell if she believed me. But, she did nod and walk away.
“Give me five minutes.”