I had had quite a few drinks already but I wanted to leave before I was too drunk. Elysa was busy dancing so I decided not to bother her and went straight out of the pub.

While I was just thinking about where I was going to stay, I heard someone laughing. Even in my tipsy state, I recognised her voice. I remembered that she had asked me to pull her out of the party so that is what I decided to do.

I went over to where the sound came from, just to find her in Blake's arms, slow dancing to I don't know what. Maybe if I hadn't had so many drinks, that were screwing with my mind, I wouldn't have reacted in the way I did. I pulled Vanessa away from him.

"Dude, what the hell?", Blake scowled.

"She asked me to take her back when I left.", I said placidly.

"She asked you?"

"Yes, she asked me.", I said, almost as if it was a badge of honour.

"I think you have lost your senses. If there is anyone she is going with, it's me. I don't trust your manwhore self with her."

"So much concern? You both dating or what?", I countered his insult.

"Actually, we are. I asked her out and she accepted."

"Uh! You take advantage of a drunk girl and then say she isn't safe with me?"

"She agreed to my proposal in broad daylight."

She did? She was going to date him, this jerk. I wouldn't have been so mad at her if she decided to even date Bryan, but him?

"I don't know about that. All I know is that she asked to get her out of here.", I said, tastelessly.

Vanessa and I really needed to talk about this. It spoiled me mood to even see her talk to him, let alone date him.

"You her bodygaurd or something? I mean that would be a profession you'd be the best at because I'll never take it up. ", he laughed.

He had no idea what it took me not to punch him in his face, square.

"Well, your dad doesn't have links in that line. Even if you took it up, you'd remain anonymous."

"Maybe I could ask your dad for help. You know, he would help me in that too, just like he helped me get the businessman of the year title."

That was it. I lost it. He pushed my buttons and I let him.

I just regretted using Vanessa as my shield, when I spat," Atleast I am not a fool to go around being two-timed and not realising it."

"Excuse me?"

"What? Oh! You don't know? Vanessa dearest, has been sleeping with me.", I said, pointing to the girl who was now sitting on the floor, about to pass out.

"You think I am going to believe that."

"Your loss if you don't. Go check the registers and ask the receptionist, who she checked in with.", I smirked and then lifted Vanessa in my arms to get out of there.

I didn't give it a second thought, the words I blurted out. No one should bring my issues with my dad up, it always brought out the worst in me.

■■■

The moment I opened the door, I knew I was in for trouble.

"How dare you?", she said, loud enough for it to echo across the hallway.

I motioned her to come inside the room.

"Nope. I am standing right here.", she said stubbornly.

"If you create a scene, I will shut the door."

She fumed, "Fine." and stomped past me to sit down on the bed, with her hands crossed across her chest and her brown eyes accusingly me of a crime I hadn't really given much thought...until now.

"How could you lie like that to Blake? That I...with you?"

She said it with so much disgust as if spending a night with me was the worst thing that could happen to her and it irked me.

"So what? You and I know nothing happened. Who cares about what he thinks? Even if he goes around telling this to people, no one will believe him because we are rivals and you can easily claim that he is purposefully defaming you."

"Why should I have to defend myself in the first place, Adrian?"

"Listen..."

"No, you listen. Very clearly. You do not get to use me, my name or anything related to me. Period. Do you get that?"

"Fine. I won't do it again. Happy?", I complied, hoping this ordeal was over.

"Are you jealous of Blake?", she asked.

"I am.", I replied, not giving a second thought.

Was I?

"Really?", Vanessa widened her eyes, shocked by my blunt honesty.

"You kidding me? I could have a thousand girls better than you.", I said, recovering from my previous statement.

"Like who? Rebecca? I am pretty sure I've got heels higher than your standards."

"Talking about standards, are we? You are so desperate to find someone that you'd let anyone use you and not even realise it."

She said, "What I do is none of your business."

"But it is. I did not sign up to see you kiss up to him. I hate him, you know that and you also know that his face pisses me off. I..."

"So you are jealous of him.", she stated, challengingly.

I irritably laughed, "You really think this is all about you, don't you? Get this straight into your head, you don't matter to me. All I care about is that I hate him and I don't want to see his disgusting face again. I don't give a damn if you date him, his dad or his entire company for that matter."

This had gotten way out of hand. I could only imagine her next reply.

But I didn't expect this one...

"I will glady do that and you know why? That is because he is twice the man you'll ever be.", she said spitefully.

My irritation slowly took the form of fury, the same one which had engulfed my relationship with my dad.

My dad and I had a rocky relationship ever since I first took over the company but what truly made me resent talking to him was that one statement.

Soon the realisation of what she had said, dawned upon her too.

She pleaded, "Adrian, I didn't mean that. I..."

"Leave!", I said acidly.

"Adrian, I swear I didn't mean tha..."

"Vanessa, Leave. Before I say something you are going to regret.", I warned her, clenching my fists.

Only I knew the insults that came to my mind right then, that I wanted to hurl at her but I held back until so long.

Vanessa was just about to go but then I spat out, "You don't get to judge people, to decide who is better, not when your entire family hates you. There must be a reason behind that, don't you think? Perhaps it is because you are a very selfish person. Maybe you did something and they realised what a horrible, thankless, pathetic person you are. Maybe you deserve all the hate that comes your way. Maybe you are not even half the daughter your father expected you to be."

Vanessa looked at me, visibly shaken, her eyes brimming with tears as she walked up to me and swallowed,"I hate you. I. Absolutely. Hate you."

"The feelings are mutual.", I replied, pressing my lips in a thin line.

As she stormed out of the room, I collapsed on my bed, closing my eyes shut.

Just like that, everything we had snapped.

Our relationship from now on was going to be much like the one I had with my dad. I cared for him but for every single time he said Blake was better, my hate for him grew. Our relationship was just - bitter.

He caught me offgaurd with his words. Just two days ago he had said that he believed in me and now this?

He induced the sense of doubt into my mind that I had shut for the past three years, that everything that had happened that unforgettable night was because of me. I was the unlucky one, I was the bad one, I was the guilty one and that is why my entire family hated me.

I sat on the floor by my bed for hours, clutching onto my knees, unable to cry, unable to speak, unable to process anything.

Hours later, as my thoughts began suffocating me, I picked myself off the floor with the intention of distracting myself.

Tonight, a ball was being hosted. There was going to be paparazzi, loads of them and everyone would try to look picture perfect since the best picture from the night, selected by Mrs. Sokolov found its home on the next cover of their prestigious international magazine, Eccentric.

There was nothing better than a noisy crowd that could help my block out my thoughts. So, I decided to attend the ball. I went over to a salon where I had a prior appointment. They caked me up with makeup and hairspray but when I finally slipped into my ball gown, I realised it was worth the money I spent.

The makeup was simple, to not distract the attention from my emerald green ball gown which flowed to the ground but was still light enough for me to easily move and dance. The off-shoulder neckline was everything. I wore a beautiful diamond encrusted emerald set along with it and left for the Najmat.

When I entered the hall, now decorated beautifully and illuminated with chandeliers. I was supposed to announce my name at the gate along with my title, which I honestly found very amusing.

I said to the person ,with a headpiece and mic, receiving the guests, "I am Vanessa Catherine Hudson, representing Hudson Enterprises."

The man announced it and the crowd momentarily looked at me. As I descended down the stairs, I realised that a lot of eyes were still on me. I internally laughed, thanking Charlotte. I felt much better now, after today's drama.

I took a glass of Champagne and went to congratulate Erik for arranging such a great party. I didn't know if I was going to be here next year. Maybe Adrian was right, maybe I did not deserve to be choosen but for now I was going to make the most out of tonight. I was not going to let him ruin this for me.

I smiled, hiding my inner turmoil and pretending to be happy. It wasn't all that difficult really, I had done it before and I had done it for so long. I could surely do it all over again.

As I was still meeting people, I suddenly caught sight of a tall man, shaking hands with Erik. I thought I saw his face but I wasn't sure. Nate was back home, with Olivia, right? I had too much trouble already with Blake and Adrian. I couldn't have him rain on my parade too. I shook my head, it was just an illusion, it had to be.

Before I could worry myself further, the slow music playing in the background became louder. The man with the headpiece announced the commencement of the ball. People took their positions with their partners while I, one of the single ladies, stood among the crowd of people waiting to be asked by someone.

An elbow suddenly nudged me and I looked in the direction, where it came from.

It was Blake!

"Hi.", I whispered, astonished.

"Care to dance?", He smiled.

"Sure.", I said, still not being able to believe what I was seeing.

I slid my hands upto his neck and he held me by my waist.

"So, a change of heart, was it?", I asked sarcastically as we began to dance to the music.

"No. I just realised I was too harsh on you and I wanted to apologise for that. Adrian can be an asshole some...who am I kidding, all the time."

"Nah. It wasn't the worst thing I have had to face today.", I rolled my eyes.

"You confronted Adrian?"

I nodded in reply.

"Well! That guy is good with words. I bet he won the end of the argument."

"He did.", I sighed.

"You look gorgeous by the way."

"Oh! Does that mean our date is still on?", I grinned.

He widened his eyes at my forwardness and then laughed as he twirled me around, "Depends on if you will still date me after knowing how insecure of a person I am."

"We all have imperfections. Dating someone is about accepting people's imperfections too.", I smiled.

This was probably the best thing that had happened to me today.

"Alright then. When we get back to New York, I'll pick you up from the Greys Mansion on 22nd."

"Wow! You really thought this through.", I grinned.

"I did. But I am not going to tell you where I'll take you. That's a surprise."

"Ok." I smiled.

We slow danced like we had done yesterday until the song changed and we switched partners. We were all dancing in a large circle and if I danced long enough, I could dance with every guy present here. The only problem was that I didn't want to dance with everyone.

Especially not with my sixth dance partner, a man with cold blue eyes and an equally cold heart.