It was an extraneous event and though I have a never ending dread of making any sort of public appearances that aimed at putting me on the spot light, I had to be there . I'll never get used to entertaining exclusive events. But we've reached the highest peak of marketing expansion and the share holders of my late mother's textile companies wanted to host a luxurious event to celebrate our global achievement.

"Why so tense?" April inquired thoughtfully as she sat next to me at the highest table. Her green eyes lingering on the wealthy guests as they interacted with each other. They held themselves at great regards, sensual smiles on their faces as they attended the biggest financial event of Malibu's year.

"I hate my father." I reached to loosen the necktie that threatens to choke me. "He will be here tonight." The event was hosted in Malibu for obvious reasons. The company's headquarters are located here. Mother loved this place with all her heart because she grew up here. The amount of energy she invested in successfully building the company's headquarters in Malibu was massive. You'd be surprised that not so many infrastructural companies are found in Malibu. People come here for vacations, hotels are the economy's holders.

"Don't tell me Mister Andrew Scott is a terrible man?" She turned her gaze on me. Strands of her wavey peach hair fell on the temple of her face. I reached out to move the lose strands to her ear.

"Thank you." She smiled.

Leaving April in New York alone wasn't an option. Doctor Phill strictly instructed me to keep a careful watch over her. She wanted to stay in the city, but with her never ending personality shifts, I wouldn't risk anything happening to her. Phill diagnosed that the drugs are giving her depression episodes, it could be a bipolar effect. I can't have her remain alone for longer than a day. Not until she's completely clean.

"You're welcome."

"About your dad....." Her hands grabbed a glass of water.

"We have issues that can't ever be solved. Let's just say we aren't very fond of each other."

April nodded intuitively. "Can I survey the hall?"

It took me seconds to figure out on whether it would be safe to let her wonder off alone.

"If you'll let me accompany you."

She lightly giggled, "Are you obsessed with me?" Her voice was teasing.

"Can you blame a man?" I fed to her humor and a spontaneous laugh escaped her red painted lips. It was a rare sight to see her so optimistic these days. Getting out of that house was doing her greater good.

As April stood up from her seat, her ruby red dress matched perfectly with the lighting of the crowded dome. Her pale skin glowed despite her condition and I wondered why she bent her head low nervously because she got shy. The woman had nothing to be self aware for because she looked stunning. If only her drug induced mind did not enjoy lying and playing tricks on her. She'd see just how perfectly that dress fits her body.

I escorted April.

Her curious mind made her woe at the beautiful textile fabric sample pieces portrayed on the walls. Inez did not miss on the opportunity to display her own designs created from the company's most expensive fabrics. Her impressive outfit designs were uniquely scattered in the enormous dome.

I hate drawing attention.

But with April by my side, distant calculated stares and whispers were aimed at our direction. Following the rumors of my sudden break up with Mister Maxwell's daughter Merissa, it was no surprise that some people were curious on whether April was a spouse. But I was sure the bigger question was, what family did the girl come from?

I avoided as many interactions as possible to spear us the multiples of uncomfortable questions. But then again, you can never avoid your best friends.

Callum and Adrian arrived at the event as fashionably late as expected. Adrian just enjoys grabbing everyone's attention. Without a doubt, anyone could tell that the fabrics used to create those perfectly handmade suits by whatever brand were the most expensive in the room. After all, there's alot that money can buy and Adrian Stevenson and his brother had alot of that.

They found their way to us after the media was out of their faces. Adrian and Callum seemed taken aback by me bringing April along. Figuring I never brought a woman to an event like this. Not even Merissa though we were announced.

Adrian carefully grabbed April's hand with both of his, "It's a pleasure to meet you. James has been telling us about this beautiful woman he was living with but I never imagined he was referring to an actual Angel."

For the love of God! Does he ever stop?

April returned his compliment with a smile and a simple thank you.

Callum on the other hand gave both I and April a cold stare with neither greetings nor any other type of formality. "Can we talk outside?" He said to me. "In private."

"You can go ahead James. I'll keep your gorgeous woman company so you have nothing to worry about." Adrian articulated. I didn't appreciate that he kept holding onto April's hand because she seemed rather uncomfortable.

"I'll be back soon." I assured her.

"Alright."

Callum lead us to the flower gardens outside. Ever since I returned from Tennessee, we barely talked about anything aside from work. Mainly because I refuse to apologize for ever sleeping with Elisabeth behind his back. He should've known better than to enter into a relationship with Betty while being very well aware that her and I had history.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He uttered as soon as we stood outside, far from everybody's view.

I doubled back, Callum was upset about something that I obviously had no clue about.

"Don't give me that face James. You know exactly what I'm referring to."

"I clearly don't."

He pinched the bring of his nose. "Are you with that woman?"

I raised a confused brow. Why does he seem upset with the idea of that possibility?

"And what does that have to do with you?"

Why was callum getting furious about I and April? Even if we were in a relationship, there's clearly no reason to rant over that.

"It doesn't, but I assumed since you went after Elisabeth, then she'd be the woman beside you."

Of course he found out about everything. That's the problem with keeping things from Callum. He has ways of searching the truth out no matter how good you cover the tracks. As soon as he suspects something isn't right, he doesn't bother to confront you, instead, he finds other means to bring facts to the surface.

"Why hasn't Elisabeth returned to New York with you?" He questioned.

"I thought you hated Betty and I for betraying you?"

"What the both of you did to me still sickens me." Callum confirmed. "But I also know you love that woman and she clearly loves you back. Don't think I haven't noticed how miserable you've been since you returned. And now you're parading this other woman and you are even living with her. What's going on with you?"

I wasn't sure anymore what Callum was truly angry about. The fact that I didn't bring back Elisabeth, which is shocking to think he'd want us to be together, or the fact that I'm miserable without her.

"Elisabeth doesn't want me."

He stared at me.

"She doesn't want you?" Callum asked in disbelief.

"I did everything to bring her back, trust me." The memory of her rejection still pierces a blade deep inside me. "She moved on, found someone new and the rest is history."

Callum's wide eyed gaze was profound but it eventually turned to a pitiful stare.

"Don't give me that look." I said to him. "I deserved it for the shit I put her through."

He stayed silent for a while, as if unable to believe what I was saying to him. I couldn't believe it either when she threw me out of her life like we meant nothing.

"You didn't try harder."

What?

"You weren't even there Callum. What makes you so damn sure I didn't try as hard as I could?"

He held my shoulder, "Because Elisabeth would be here right now if you did."

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The huge extravagant event proceeded as planned. Callum and Adrian eventually joined I and April at the table together with our exclusive share holders and their wives. Inez didn't make an appearance but Evans was there to represent her fashion house. She was obviously avoiding our father. But the man she was avoiding never showed up, thankfully. I wasn't in the mood of putting up with him. Not when he has turned into this different person.

When the celebration was over, I drove us back to the Hotel. April was beyond exhausted and she fell asleep immediately after taking a shower in her own room.

I spent the rest of my night laying on bed and contemplating on Callum's words. Did I really give up so easily? Were my efforts the bare minimal? What else was I to do? I couldn't force her to return with me. Betty wanted nothing to do with us anymore. She was happy with that man. Was there anything more I could've done?

She was right! If I wasn't ready to love her, why was I fighting to pull her away from somebody who was ready to do exactly that?

I've been hurt before, and I hid my heart someplace nobody could ever find it. But it's starting to feel as though she managed to dig it from the grave. Leaving it out in the open.

Could I be in love with this woman?

Has she really managed to steal my heart away?

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