My Father In-Law and the Betrayal

Jayla

Today was Naya's birthday, she had put me in charge of designing her dress. I have always taken the honor of doing it every year as my contribution to her birthday. It has been a busy week putting her dress together while also preparing for my own upcoming event.

My boyfriend was also coming around. I hurried to the venue after sending out my staff to deliver Naya's dress.

At Naya's birthday hall, the lights glowed and sparkled of birthday activities. I sighted my friend and client Naya.

"You look so beautiful." I said to her while admiring my own artful creation.

Her smile broadened as she turned around to let me have a full glance.

The celebration continued, people were drinking and having fun to their full. I kept looking around for my boyfriend. It's been more than three hours since the party started, and I haven't seen him.

I stared at my phone again, no calls and no message from him. Maybe he got caught up with something, but he could have left a message behind.

It was almost the end of the event when I started to feel tired and needed to rest a little.

I quickly pulled out of my chair with the little strength in me, I stood up to search for a room to lay down my head a bit.

The fullness of my bladder also reminded me it needed to be emptied.

I walked past some old friends, exchanging smiles and laughter. Naya had invited numerous people capable of starting a community.

"Oh I'm sorry." I said to the lady I had interrupted in the room I thought was free.

I headed for the next room, but it was occupied. I sighed, frustrated and eager for a bed to lay my head.

Likewise, I opened the other room and the sight that welcomed me left me speechless.

"Blake." I called out my boyfriend, but he was too busy to hear me.

My boyfriend whom I have been waiting for all day lay entwined in bed with another woman, their sweaty bodies exuded a smell that filled the room. He was thrusting into her with all his strengths.

I stood there watching for minutes while he was so oblivious of my presence. He grabbed her to a passionate kiss, the tears threatened to drop, but I held myself and called him again.

How did he even get here?

"Blake!" I called out his name loudly, which startled him. He quickly got off her in shock while he searched for his.

The tears which I have been holding back had no mercy and flowed easily. I swallowed the giant lump in my throat, wiped off the tears that had dropped, and left the room.

After everything I have done for him, this is how he chose to repay me, the weight of the betrayal dangled in my heart and I gently shoved it off.

It was over, and I was going to withdraw everything linked to him.

I tried opening my eyes and the sunlight radiated through the window casting a very bright view across the room.

I lazily stood up from the bed while stretching my hands and legs. As my eyes fully opened, I tried to remember where I was, the unfamiliar environment, the sharp headache that found its way to my head.

The room looks expensive, the sheets, the smell of a rich cologne.

I turned, and my gaze caught the sight of a man sleeping beside me on the bed, his bare chest attractive and hairy.

How did I end up in bed with a man twice older than me? What happened, the alcohol had brought me here. How many did I have?

The questions kept running through my mind as I scanned through the room for my phone. I was not one to have a random thing with a stranger, but here I was.

My phone ringing gave me a pointer to where it was.

"Finally, Jayla, hope you're okay." Naya's voice said through the phone, her voice laced with worry.

"I can't remember what happened, and he is older than me." I said, trying to keep my voice low.

"We lost you and I have been trying to call you for hours, Blake was also looking for you." she said.

The mention of Blake brought back the memories of last night, the anger, the drinks, the talks, the kiss and this.

I sighed. What a rough night.

I ended the call with Naya and went to the bathroom to quickly freshen up.

I would leave quietly and pretend this never happened.

Stepping out of the bathroom I saw the man I thought was still sleeping all dressed up and waiting for me.

"Good morning pretty." he said with his deep husky voice and I felt intimidated for a moment.

"You don't remember last night again." He was taking a closer step towards me.

His hands cupped my face and I felt my wet body shiver from his touch.

"Not again." I muttered. I was not going to let anything happen now. I had targets to meet, and I needed to hurry to my office.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked again, and I nodded, heading to get dressed.

"What happened was all a mistake, I wasn't in my right state of mind after I caught my boyfriend cheating." I said sharply to him.

"Yes I remember you mentioned a boyfriend." I ignored him and continued to dress up.

"It was a mistake for you, but I would like it to happen again but first, can I buy you breakfast first?"

"Please I have made it clear to you." I said quickly in a rush.

He watched me for a moment before reaching for his pockets, he brought out a bundle of cash and dropped it on the table.

I stared at it with irritation, as if that wasn't enough, he brought out a pen and paper then scribbled down something.

Did he think I was a prostitute? The anger in me was already stirring up.

He opened the door and left.

I picked up the paper. He had written down his number and beside it "This should not be over yet my pretty Jayla".

A chill ran down my spine.

My first thought was to trash the paper, but instead I shoved it into my purse.

Jayla

It's been four months since Blake and I broke up, and I have declined every one of his desperate calls and messages.

The big exhibition day was here, and I had to make sure everything was all smooth as big names were arriving with a strict instruction not to let Blake inside.

"Good morning Ms. Jayla."

"Ma'am we need your signature on this."

"Okay let me have it."

"Why do you keep doing the same thing?"

My body ached from preparation, signing a few paper works while the event planner juggled between the stage and the red carpet area.

Today was my first exhibition show. Investors, celebrities, artists, fashion designers were coming and everything had to be perfect.

My design had always spoken for themselves and so today would not be an exception for new clients.

"Here we have our founder Jayla Carlton, can you tell us the inspiration behind this." the reporter on the red carpet asked me and I proceeded to answer her followed with more questions.

After the interview, the main event started, the mannequins placed on each platform of the stage while the gleaming floor shined across the hall. The lightning and decor, the eye-catching brand logo carefully crafted by the best in the city of Los Angeles all stood out.

I gazed at everything, marvelled by the efforts I had put to bring all this to life.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all, we are starting right away, but first make a round of applause for Jayla's Be-Spoke Couture." a loud roar of applause filled the room.

The presenter said, and the auction began. He pointed to one of the dresses on the mannequins.

"Five thousand dollars." a voice from the crowd said, then another one followed.

"Fifty thousand dollars." The room that was once quiet began to get noisy.

I was praying so hard in my mind. I looked across the crowd and received a thumbs up from Naya, her support meant a lot.

The last standing auctioned dress was a masterpiece and the best of the best.

"Two million dollars." The crowd flared up before everyone went quiet.

"Anyone going to counter this." the presenter asked, followed by silence.

My heart beat increased.

"The J-Aurora Luxe carefully curated and crafted has been sold to No. 14." My eyes widened as I realized what had just happened.

I just sold out my most expensive craft.

People trooped in around to serve their buffet, and I walked around greeting everyone I could greet that had arrived.

Going through my phone while seated in a corner, Blake appeared behind me.

"What are you doing here and how did you get a pass in?" I said while trying to keep my voice low.

"I've been trying to live since you cut me off everywhere." Blake said, and a chuckle escaped from me.

I stared at him, the memory of that day coming back to my head, but I shrugged it off and answered him "You get what you sow." I hissed and stood up to leave.

"Jayla, it's okay, I am here now." Naya met me halfway and attempted to calm me down.

"Blake, just leave now." I heard her say that to him.

"Scumbag." she let out a sigh.

I asked her to inform the security to walk him out and never let him in.

I saw a well-dressed woman approaching me, and I excused myself from the other guests.

"Megan Garrison." She extended her hands to greet me and I smiled while also reaching out for a hug.

She was my biggest client and I instantly recognized her.

"I am impressed by the J-Aurora Luxe, I couldn't let it pass me by." she said cheerfully.

"I'm happy you do not regret your money, time, and investment, Mrs. Megan." My smile was unable to contain my face. This was a big chance.

She shook her head without taking her gaze off me.

"Call me Megan, well, I would like you to meet my son, he is currently out of the country but once he gets back, I will introduce you to him." She said, and I silently hoped he was an investor so I could add to my list of investors.

"May I ask what he does." I said politely, not wanting to screw anything.

"That will be his to talk about, I'm leaving you in suspense" she giggled at me.

"He is not on the internet, so be patient." She continued.

"I would also like you to meet my husband." Meeting the husband of my billionaire client.

"It will be a special honor for me".

"Excuse me for a while, let me get him, I left while he was on a phone call." she quickly said and left.

"Sure, Megan, I will take the honor to wait. I replied while maintaining a smile on my cheek. The day couldn't have gotten any better.

A few minutes later, Megan came back to me.

"He's coming right now." she said as she reached over to my side.

She gestured at someone, and I turned around to take a look at the person coming.

My gaze landed on a familiar figure striding towards us.

Immediately, my stomach twisted and my body froze. My throat filled up with lumps.

This can't be happening now. I said silently to myself.

He took off his glasses. I was right, It was him. The man I woke up next to four months ago.

"Hello darling." The man dropped kisses on Megan's cheek before he faced me.

"Jayla, meet Richard, my husband." Megan said with a proud smile and I smiled back at her.

He stretched out his hand and for a second my palm became sweaty and red.

I swallowed the lump that had built up in my throat and tried to keep my composure.

I worked so hard to reach this level only to have slept with my client's husband.

Megan kept on talking but I heard nothing. I took a glance at Richard and a smirk claimed his face.

What the hell have I just walked into?

Jayla

I woke up to the sound of the bird chirping. The two days vacation I gave myself came to an end today. I got up from the bed, showered and checked out from the hotel ready to go back to the office.

"Remember the meeting with the car dealer" my driver Tony said as we arrived at my office.

"Okay, just give me a ring by noon and I will call him." I said to him.

The air condition in the office welcomed me, my eyes dashed to my personal assistant Naomi, the sounds of her keyboard clicking loudly as she focused on her computer.

My office has been very busy right after the exhibition, tons of orders and walk-in clients since the event was publicized and televised. I had a big client whose wedding dress I have been working with the deadline approaching.

"Ma'am, your meeting is scheduled to be held in five minutes' time, and it's all set." Naomi interrupted my thought.

"Perfect, thank you."

After the one-hour meeting session with a top client, I was taking a break when Naomi called my attention to a potential visitor here to see me.

"Hi Mrs. Megan, what a surprise visit, I wasn't expecting you until Friday." I said with a broad smile on my face.

"Yes, I just stopped by to look around and see if something else will catch my attention." she said as her gaze averted to the showroom section.

"How was your short break?" she continued.

"It was worth it, thanks for asking."

"This is so beautiful, better than in pictures." Megan murmured with an impressed look on her face.

"Oh, thank you, do well to look around to your satisfaction."

A few minutes later, she looked at her wristwatch and her eyes widened.

"Let me get going, I would rather not be late for my meeting."

I saw her off to her car and said my goodbyes.

"Do you need your drink now?"

"Not yet." I said to my PA.

I had earlier ordered apple juice but had forgotten about it.

"Call the car dealer, set up a review meeting with the architect." I quickly added.

Two hours later, Naomi gathered my files for another meeting in Temple city.

I had put on my seatbelt, waiting for my driver to move when a knock on the window startled me.

I rolled down the window, before stepping down, my eyes fell on Richard.

My eyes darted to his hair shining under the sun and his obvious sharp jawline.

He looked so intimidating.

"You must be in a rush." He said, reaching for a handshake while smiling.

I stared at the neatly manicured hands before taking it, he took my hand.

"Yes, Mr. Richard, Megan just left a few hours ago."

"To what honor do I have this visit from you, would you like me to tell my staff to give you a tour around." I said in a rush, giving him the hint I had something to quickly rush to.

His lips twisted up in a fainted smile before it gradually faded away.

"Is this what I get for putting so much money into J-Aurora Luxe." He said unimpressed.

"Forgive my manners Richard, I will spare ten minutes if that is okay with you".

He agreed, and we got inside the office, I quickly excused myself to use the restroom.

In the restroom, I sighed heavily and loudly. Why was he here in my office? I had tried to be very professional and real out there now, but I was getting paranoid.

I hope he was not here to talk about what happened months ago. Not only that, but I thought to myself then mustered enough strength, dabbed my makeup and went outside.

I showed him around each section down to the other side of the office that I was developing.

When I was done with the showings, he signaled Naomi to give us some privacy.

"You're a fortune yourself." he said while putting his hands in his pockets.

"Thank you, Richard."

"Listen, what happened then is in the past, do not be hard on yourself." I wasn't expecting him to say that to me, but it was a relief.

"Well noted." I replied to him.

"We host a monthly family dinner with close friends and a few acquaintances. Megan has asked me to invite you for Saturday, she forgot to mention it earlier."

I quickly checked my calendar with Naomi, but I had planned a karaoke night with my friends.

Richard noticed my sudden change of mood and cut me off before I had the chance to decline.

"Saturday we will be expecting you, Fabian, my son will be there, he's looking forward to meeting you, do not reject our invitation at 7pm."

I couldn't say no to the Garrison's dinner request.

"You have my words" I finally said and saw him off while I rushed to my meeting.

Saturday arrived faster, my cleaners were doing the laundry, and I was sleeping on the couch in my pajamas when a call woke me up.

"Hello mum." my voice low as I yawned out of sleep.

"How's my baby doing?" I heard my dad's voice from the background.

We spoke for a few minutes, giving them a little recap of how my week went and the surprise visit from the Garrisons including the dinner.

As the evening approached, I wore a silver long dress, with a red clutch purse to go with.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, satisfied, I called my driver.

The Garrisons' estate was a sight to die for, from the gate to the long driveway to the main building. I wasn't expecting less.

Getting down from the car, I heaved a heavy sigh after adjusting my dress with a quick glance at my makeup.

Reaching the entrance, I pressed the doorbell.

"Hello." the door swung open.

I instantly felt goosebumps climbing it way gradually to my skin.

My heartbeat began to pound, the figure standing before me left me speechless.