WEIGHTED 25

THIRD PERSON POV

Elize smirked when she heard her name being called, but didn’t bother to turn around nor did she respond. She continued on her way to the ballroom, unhindered.

He would see her when she wanted him to see her, and now isn’t the right time.

Was she an invitee, why would she be here if she wasn’t. His head raced with unanswered questions. Maybe after all those years he would finally have the chance to fix his past mistakes, there was never a day where he didn’t regret what he did to her.

He wished he wasn’t too late. Little did he know that ‘Too Late’ was an understatement when describing how late he is.

Elize made her way to Tyrone who got there before her, he immediately put his hand around her waist, and kissed her temple before whispering. ‘When will Devan be arriving?’ Since he was the guest of honour they couldn’t start the party without him being there.

‘He called saying he was trapped in a traffic jam, but he wasn’t far away.’ She responded, leaning in his embrace.

‘Who was that?’ He asked the question that was bothering him the most.

‘Who?’ She looked up at him.

‘The one you were talking to in the lobby.’

‘I wasn’t talking to anyone.’ She replied, suppressing a smirk when she remembered the semi - encounter.

Tyrone just nodded his head despite not being convinced with her answer, but he thought that their home, in the privacy of their bedroom is where these kinds of topics should be discussed.

‘Hey, guys!’ Devan’s voice caught their attention. ‘Sorry for the tardiness.’ He added approaching Elize to hug her, thinking her overly delighted facial expression was for him. However she walked passed him, leaving him hanging his open arms in the air, and went directly to those behind him.

‘My, my, look how big you two got, are you sure you’re my Cupcakes?’ She questioned playfully while playing with their cheeks, making them groan.

‘Auntie, stop doing that we’re no longer 9 years old.’ Complained Lina.

‘Yeah, you’re ruining my image, Aunty E.’ Agreed Jasper.

Elize rolled her eyes at the obvious reaction. ‘Yeah, Yeah, whatever. You’ll still be my cute chubby Cupcakes even when you’re 100 years old.’ She said. ‘Now where’s my other little one?’ She asked, not giving them the chance to retort.

‘She stayed with mom back home.’ Jasper answered.

Then she turned towards Devan who still have his hands up in the air with a dumbfounded expression on his face. ‘What?’ She asked.

‘Really, That’s just Pure discrimination. I was the one who dragged them all the way from Cape Town to surprise you, and this is what I get in return. Being treated like a third wheel?’ He pouted slightly, making Elize chuckle slightly.

She walked towards him, kissed both his cheeks, and hugged him ‘Oh, come on, you should’ve seen it coming. You know it’s been ages since I last saw them.’ She said.

‘Whatever.’ He mumbled, but hugged her nonetheless.

Tyrone watched in amazement how the Mafia just pouted, succumbing to his little cousin. He knew how Elize was able to work her charm in her advantage, he experienced it first hand multiple times, but never did he imagine she could make a ruthless mafia leader pout.

He liked how they interact like real siblings instead of just cousins, how tender Devan’s expression gets when talking with her. At least he knew she has someone outside their family whom she isn’t bitter with.

‘It’s about to start.’ He heard her whispering

Devan nodded his head in understanding before asking. ‘Where are the kids, by the way? I got something for them.’

‘They’re on the games and theatre floor.’ She responded.

‘It’s time.’ Tyrone gently whispered in Elize’s ear. She looked at him before nodding her head in understanding, and took his hand. They made their way to the platform stationed in the center of the room. Tyrone climbed the few stairs, and helped her up.

‘Hello, everyone.’ He said after slightly tapping his glass with a fork to get their attention. ‘Thank you for being here to celebrate our moment with us. The dinner will be served shortly please enjoy.’ He said, his lips stretching in his business smile, same did Elize while nodding her head slightly, silently agreeing with her husband’s words.

However that fake smile soon turned into a smirk when she noticed something from the corner of her eyes, or rather someone.

He was looking at her dumbfounded, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes and ears, that she had actually moved on. He was informed that this event was the 9th Wedding Anniversary of the boss of the company with whom he just signed a contract with, he never bothered to ask more details about the said boss because based on what he got on the internet on her, she appreciated her anonymity.

Never in a million years did he think that it would be Elize. The same naïve and gullible Elize he knew all those years ago, so he just stared at her retreating back with disbelief until he was nudged out of his thoughts by his wife.

He knew, however that he needed to talk with her before this night ends, no matter what.

‘Are you okay, Honey? You’re pale.’ Tyrone asked.

‘Yeah, just a bit dizzy.’ She replied.

‘We can call it a night if you wish.’ He suggested, he was really worried since Elize rarely gets sick, but when she does it stays for awhile.

‘No, it’s about to finish anyway. I’ll just go out to get some air, maybe then I’ll’ get better.’ She said.

‘Okay then. I’ll get the guards to bring the kids back home, then I’ll come to you.’ He said kissing her forehead.

‘Okay,’ She said before heading towards the exit.

‘Hello, Elize.’ Said an all too familiar voice behind her.

‘And here I thought I’ll be getting a breath of fresh air in peace.’ She mumbled rolling her eyes.

‘What do you want, MASON?’ She faced him glaring venomously.

He was caught off guard with her tone, she was through and through a changed woman. ‘I just want to talk.’ He responded ignoring her tone.

‘About?’ She cackled amusedly. ‘Oh wait, I know! You heard that I own the world’s second largest company, so you have some papers you want me to sign so that you can take over it, and if I don’t a person dear to me shall die.’ She mocked. ‘But I’m curious, who would it be this time since my 'Fuck Boy' is already dead.’ She added venomously with a look in her eyes that could scare beasts. ‘Will it be my husband since his company is ten times bigger than mine, that way you’ll be killing two birds with one stone?’

‘III - I.’ he stuttered, no longer able to form a coherent word anymore. How could Jason be dead? What happened to her that every trace of the woman he once knew and loved got wiped out? She loved her Gummy Bears! What changed her to this venomously bitter person standing in front of him. ‘I would never do that! I just wanted to talk.’ He finally declared.

A cruel, heartless, and cold laughter resonated through the air. ‘Would never do what? You almost got me there.’ She said gathering Tyrone’s jacket around her shoulders preparing to leave. ‘Better luck next time.’ She said before walking out on him still maniacally laughing.

Elize, please, just two minutes is all I’m asking.’ He pleaded. ‘PLEASE, Elize!’ He shouted desperately, when she showed no signs of stopping nor considering his pleas.

Only one thought was playing on Elize’s mind like a broken record. I’m so gonna enjoy this.

When she made her way into the lobby, Tyrone was fuming with rage. He grabbed her hand, and guided her to the Limo where their four kids were laying fast asleep. She didn’t know what’s gotten into him in the span of five minutes, but she decided against voicing her thoughts.

She would wait until they’re home, and the kids in their rooms before asking anything….