His Influence

Chapter 7

Lara screamed but the music playing at the party would not let the people hear her. 

She took a quick glance at the ladies who were perplexed by her outburst. Running out on her colleagues, Lara rushed towards the place where every face was smiling except for hers. Some hours ago, she was over the moon but a phone call had just changed that mood.

Searching among the crowd of jubilating people, Lara could not find Kyle. She scanned through the whole place but there was no sign of him. Lara was confused. She had no idea what was happening. 

Apart from Molly and Avery who saw her receive the distress call, no one else smelled any rat. Even the media didn't see any suspicious movement. They also had no idea when Kyle left the place.

As she was searching for her fiance, many of her colleagues met her and congratulated her. She only managed to fake a smile and nodded at them.

Kyle's parents didn't come to the engagement ceremony, they had other duties to attend to but promised to be there at the wedding. They were not aware that Kyle stole someone's wife. If they were, they would not have approved the union.

She was still scanning the place when she bumped into her mother. "Lara, where have you been? And where's Kyle, I don't see him around."

Lara was about to ask her mother if she had seen Kyle but she beat her to it. She only wondered if Kyle had also received a distress call that made him run off with letting her know. 

Tilting her head, Lara said to her mother who was waiting for an answer to her question. "Mom, I just received a call and want to go and find out what is happening. I'm sure Kyle also received the same, that was the reason he isn't around."

Lovelyn was perplexed when she heard what Lara just said.

"Hold it right there. Is there something I should know? Did anything happen to his parents? If not, why would he leave his engagement party and run off. Wait, don't tell me he's trying to ditch you because of Prince. It's going to be a big scandal if this wedding isn't held." 

Lovelyn was more concerned about the wedding. She was already enjoying the publicity and would want it to stay that way.

Bringing down her voice, Lara said to her mother. "Mom, find a way and dismiss these people. I gotta go find out what the problem is or my career is over."

With that, Lara left her mother in a more confused state and made her way to the exit door. However, she was approached again by the media.

"Miss Lara, why are you leaving the venue of your engagement party? The celebration is not over yet or is there something more important than your engagement party that you want to attend?" A lady asked her but she didn't reply to them. She just waved at them and disappeared into her car.

***

Prince was in his sitting room watching the engagement ceremony with his mouth curved into a sneer. George walked in and he directed him to sit close to him.

He sat down with his friend and was about to say something when his gaze fell on the television screen. His mouth fell apart in awe. George hadn't heard about the engagement party. He was too busy with work and running Prince's errands to notice.

The thought of what Prince said to him the previous day came running back to him. 'The peak of their celebration.' That's right. It was the engagement party Prince was talking about.

He just did as he was instructed without asking much questions. Moreover, Prince was not in a good mood the previous day. But looking at the man before him, his countenance was different from the previous day. He seemed elated as he watched the engagement party of his ex-wife. 

"Boss, I've done as you asked me to do. As we're speaking, they've gotten the news you want them to and must be wondering what was happening." George reported to his friend who only laughed.

"Hmmm." He took the remote and turned off the television after heaving a sigh. Turning to George, he said with a large smile plastered on his face.

"You have done well George. Now, I can celebrate my birthday. Get a maid to bring a bottle of champagne, let's pop and celebrate friendship, my revenge and many more adventures to come."

George gave him a questioning look. He was looking at his friend like he was a stranger. Something had definitely changed about him. Since he came back the previous day, George could not find the lively and ever cheerful Prince he knew before and gossipped with.

George did not move an inch, he adjusted himself on his seat and said to Prince. "We've been friends for a long time, talk to me. What really happened? How did it get to this?"

Prince's face suddenly ruffled into a frown with the questions. He threw a glance at his friend and tilted his head. Stretching out his index finger, he started drawing invisible traces on the ground.

Letting out a deep sigh, he said. "I was betrayed. My wife was cheating on me while we were still married. She was sleeping with his colleague right under my nose. Now she's pregnant with his child." As Prince spoke, George could feel the pain in his voice. It was evident that the betrayal hurt him so much.

"Can you believe that she gave me a gift yesterday after they made a surprise for me. I knew it was too good to be true. I got into the house and my in-laws wished me a happy birthday. Lara went ahead and presented me with a pregnancy test result as a birthday gift. I was so elated but my happiness was cut short when she took the result from me and introduced Kyle as his fiance and the father of the child."

George was dumbfounded.

He didn't know the right words to use in replying to Prince.

Lifting his hands, he settled it on Prince's shoulder and patted it lightly. "I'm so sorry about everything you went through in the hands of that woman. However, I believe that you were quite fortunate to see her real character before it was too late."

Prince suddenly jolted up from the chair. A wide smile plastered on his face. "You shouldn't feel sorry for me. It is them that needs to be pitied."

Turning to face George who also stood up, he said. "In the spirit of my birthday, I'd like to treat you to dinner. Now tell me, would you want your meal served hot or cold?"

George was trying to make meaning out of what Prince just said when someone approached from the door. Turning around, Prince hissed when he saw the person walking towards them.