Despised at First Sight — Chapter TEN – CHANGING PARTNERS

My jaws dropped when I saw Tilda. She was like a shining light. Her beauty was stunning. She had the fairest skin and the most beautiful dimples I have ever seen. I could understand why Mark loved her so much.  I can't believe a woman can be this perfect and still be wealthy and famous too. I have never been envious of anyone but I was envious of her. Seeing her, I could not pay attention to the event anymore until I heard, can I have this dance?

It was Tom. His right hand was stretched to me as he bowed politely. Ofcourse, I said, as he led me to the dance floor.

"Maya, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he whispered."

Then you haven't seen Tilda, I whispered back. He gave me a surprised look as he pulled back a little and swang me around, then holding me close as before.

"You are smart and all, but you are still naive if you see Tilda to be more beautiful than you. Thirty plastic surgeries got her looking like that. How many have you had? He asked making me shocked."

That can't be true. If it is, how did you know"? I asked with utmost surprise.

"One day at a time, Maya. There's so much you don't know about me.

So much? What does he mean by that?

"I don't mean to scare you, he said looking at my confused face. I am not a serial killer and neither am I rapist, drug dealer or any bad thing on your mind. The things I know, are based on my experiences, he ended with a sigh."

He is getting me more confused. As he swang me around again to the rhythm of the song, I realized  we were changing partners as well, as I landed in Mark's arms. My heart started beating so fast so I tried to loosen my grip and walk out of the dancefloor. I don't want anymore troubles. I have had enough. But he held me tight and pulled me closer as he whispered.

"You don't mind dancing with him like this but why don't you want to dance with me ha."?

I was totally speechless by want he said, I hope he is not drank. How can he talk to me like that. I thought I was just a low life girl to him so why does he care who I dance with?

"Answer me," he grinned.

Okay, I will answer you, I said sarcastically.  My only responsibility here is with your company. Who I agree to dance with, is none of your business. Now let me go...I whispered angrily.

"Not until you tell me what is going on between you two. Because if you must know, I don't encourage office romance.....he whispered with his teeth clenched."

Office romance, since when did he start working here? As long as I know, he is an investor and not a staff.

"Then let me make it clear to you, Miss Jacobs, stay away from my friends.." he ended.

Everyone was staring at us and only then did I realize that the music had stopped. Excuse me, I said walking away. I saw Tracy running after me, then Tom.

"Where are you going, the party has not even started." Was Tracy now catching up to me."

It's over for me, I said walking to the elevator.

" Oh No, it's not" was Tom as he stopped me from entering the elevator. Throughout this event, you are not leaving my sight, he said as a command but it was comforting.

"I got this Tracy, hurry one. Marcus is waiting" he told Tracy, making her relieved.

Why does he hate me this much? I couldn't help complaining to him as we joined the others at the Dinner table. I don't know how fate keeps treating me this way. The spot Tom had reserved for us on the round table was the same one Mark and Tilda sat with Marcus and Tracy and then our CEO and his wife. My head started spinning with this arrangement. I know that Mark won't let me be but with Tilda around, he was being nice to everyone on the table but Tilda was uncomfortable and I was wondering why.

She constantly gazed at Tom whenever he whispered anything to me. Mark was also furious anytime Tom whispers anything that makes me laugh or smile. I wanted so much to ask Tom if he had anything to do with Tilda but this wasn't the right place and time. I felt very comfortable around Tom and totally ignored Mark and all his warnings of me staying away from his friends. Suddenly Tilda asked from the blue..

"Are you two engaged?"

I choked on my drink at the question but Tom was just relaxed as he said," not yet. Why do ask anyway."

"Nothing, it's great watching both of you. You really get along well."

Thanks, I said shyly.

"What about you Marcus, are you dating her?" Asked Tilda again.

"You mean Tracy, no we are not dating. Why do you even ask a question like that when you know I am engaged....he asked with an awkward look on his face.

"So tell me Tilda, how is your relationship with Mark? Have you decided on the date for the wedding?" Tom asked her

"No I have decided we hold on till I return from my tour. I can get new ideas on how I want the wedding to be from the tour. She replied with a sigh."

" Then why don't you go with her Mark.?"

"Who will take care of things here if I go with her on a two months tour? He replied annoyingly."

"That's what managers are mearnt for isn't it and you have tons of them"...Mark tried to reason with him.

"I still prefer doing certain things my way"..…he said warningly.

Afterwards, everyone ate quietly. Then Tom suggested that we step outside for fresh air. As soon as I got up, Mark rudely spoke again.

Why, are you bored at this dinner?

" No, we are not bored. We just want to have sometime alone."

"But it's a team bonding occassion so why will you like to  spend time alone?"

"I will not be alone, I will be with Maya so we still make a team" Mark replied with a crooked smile.

" We will join you as well, Marcus said, getting up and holding Tracy's hand."

But....Mark was about to say something again when Tilda interupted.

"  Let them be Mark, atleast we will also spend sometime together."

" Sure, Mark responded with a defeated look. "

So we headed out to the garden. It was very beautiful and was also set up as an extension of the party space so there were people here already.

As soon as we got a quiet place together, I didn't resist the urge as I asked.

How do you know so much about Tilda?

"She was my ex he replied without hesitation."

Why did you two break up? I asked with great curiosity.

"It's a long story" he said, looking at the sky.

"We have all night, I whispered."

Then he started...

"We attended the same high school and she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She was so stylish and a lot of guys wanted to date her. She was like a super star in school. My family wasn't rich and I didn't know her family background as well.

But I was so in love with her so I did a lot of research about her and realized she wasn't smart academically so I took advantage and offered to help her with her studies. We got close till she also confessed her love for me.

We chose the same college and decided to announce our relationship on our graduation day. When the day finally came, Tilda took me to meet her family and they outrightly rejected me. They called me all kinds of names and I expected her to defend me but she just stood there and watched them say all kinds of things to me.

Still, I loved her and forgave her and we kept our relationship secret until one day, she came to visit me and told me we had to end the relationship because her family doesn't approve of it because I was not from a wealthy home.

I begged her with all I had. I did everything in my power but she didn't change her mind. My heart was broken and could not be repaired till now.

But I was grateful to her because that heartbreak is what made me who I am today. I told myself that I will make it no matter what. I challenged myself by taking up three jobs and leaving on the income from only one, whiles saving the income from the two. Gradually I added the job as a real estates agent. Then with time I got accustomed to the work and started as a contractor and gradually expanding to the level I am now.

Fortunately, I don't hate her. I am grateful to her for making me challenge myself to be a better person, he ended with a smile."

Do you still love her? I asked