"Waittttttttttttt!" I yelled just as the men and women in the hall began to stand and leave.
Zane and Xena froze. They looked troubled especially Zane.
My eyes caught the rings on their fingers, and I almost laughed.
Stupid fools.
"You're late, Calliah. What rubbish do you even have to say?" Zane snapped.
I ignored him.
"It's just a few minutes. Sit. All of you." I said firmly.
People grumbled, but slowly, Lester's wife sat down, then others followed until the hall became quiet again.
"I'm Calliah," I began. "The girl who lost her voice because of the man she once loved. You all know my story."
I paused just as Axel and Josh walked in, looking effortlessly calm and cool.
"Every creatures knows me . The girls whoose husband to be didn't attend her wedding because she cheat on him"
My eyes flicked to Axel. He held my gaze.
I smiled faintly.
"But that was all… a lie."
Cameras were already rolling. Every angle. Every second. Good.
"Then who is he to you?" Zane shouted, pointing at Axel.
"All of you look at him! Didn't you sleep with him?!.Didn't you fuck him??" Zane yelled
If he could yelled it so loud that the entire universe could hear it he would
"Yes. I did."
A wave of gasps shook the room.
"So what do you have to say now?" Zane barked. "You're the one who cheated!"
"I slept with him," I said clearly, "and I don't regret a single thing we shared."
Josh leaned toward Axel, whispering, "So we're telling the men you took her virginity, right ? Hahaha.". he whispered "and she dis virgin you haha"
I continued, "On my wedding day the day that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life he destroyed everything. He stole my father's company."
The crowd murmured loudly. Xena looked like she might faint.
"He was dating my maid rumored to be his sister. Tell me, Zane…"
I smirked.
"Do you sleep with your sister at night?"
Xena was astonished
jaw dropped.
I played the voice note Rue had sent. The speakers echoed the betrayal across the hall.
"Rue…" Zane whispered in shock.
"And because I refused to sleep with him before the wedding," I said, "he and his girlfriend drugged me and forced me to sign this contract."
I pulled the contract from my bag, ripped it to pieces, and threw it in his face.
"He tried molesting me in corners, tried killing me in my own house. He even bribed him "
I pointed straight at Mr. Lester.
His wife turned to him sharply.
"What part do you have in this?!"
"He tried molesting me too," I added, then played the sex tape Rue had given me.
"Ahhhhhh! Lester!" his wife screamed, slapping him repeatedly more than eighteen times in seconds.
She yanked his shirt. The worker in the video hid in shame.
Josh leaned to Axel, "He's a terrible kisser."
I sent the video at the cafeteria
Axel looked away immediately after one glimpse.
He didn't need further trauma.
"I, Calliah, have no partnership with you," I said to Zane. "And this company? You will never touch it again."
Raine's secretary stood, face pale, and walked out. His eyes brushed Axel's before leaving.
"These are all lies!" Zane shouted.
"No. This isn't even everything."
Police rushed into the hall.
Handcuffs snapped onto Zane's wrists.
"I promised I would ruin you," I said calmly. "Your pride. Your money. Everything."i slapped him hard
Another pair of handcuffs locked around Xena.
And then around Lester.
Camera flashes burst everywhere, hitting my face like tiny explosions.Fear flickered inside me but I swallowed it.
Let my dad see this. Let the world see this. I'm done hiding.
Fuck fear!!!!
Axel walked up to me and took my hand.
"Let's go," he said, dragging me away from the reporters shouting questions.
"You two make a perfect couple!" someone yelled.
"Mr! Mr…!" They called Axel's name, but he ignored them.
A reporter shouted, "Can I have your number?!"
"That Mr is busy," josh said, pointing to Axel
"But you can talk to this Mr over here."
The crowd swarmed Josh instantly.
"Boss ! Why would you ?! Ahhh!" Josh ran as reporters chased him down the hall.
He escaped into an office and found us there.
*******
Inside the quiet room, Calliah exhaled shakily.
"Thank you… for everything."
Axel nodded. "You should go meet your parents, not me."
But before he could step back, she suddenly jumped wrapping her arms around him.
He automatically grabbed her waist to steady her.
She hugged him tightly.
He froze… then slowly placed a hand on her back.
"I…" she began, but stopped herself.
"Were you injured?" she asked, grabbing his wrist.
Her eyes widened at the sight of blood.
Her phone rang.
"Answer it," Axel said.
"No."
He sighed. "Josh, stop hiding."
Of course he knew I was there. Perfect hearing.
I stepped out, hands raised. "My bad."
Calliah moved to sit Axel down.
"Go. I'll treat it," Axel said
Josh blinked.
Lies, he thought.
This dude will NEVER let her touch that wound.
But Axel didn't say a word.