Dark Paradise

Adios Morgan

Adios, Morgan

Adriana's P.O.V.

The amount of time I had to react was devastatingly limited. I was in need for organizing my thoughts thoroughly. So, I was all dolled up for some event Ryder's father was hosting and his beloved son just happened to be a billionaire known all over the world.

I was such an idiotic human. But when was I never? Of course there would have been pictures taken, of course there would have been important people, and of course I was going to make a fool out of myself. My nerves were electrified with worry and began tingling as if they were being tickled by a feather. Countless thoughts roamed my mind at that moment, which resulted in me losing my concentration. The deathtraps that secured my feet managed to step on my long, extravagant gown. I, thankfully caught myself before anything bad were to occur. Ryder on the other hand, hasn't noticed a thing and continued pulling on his facade.

My arms stiffened as we marched  inside the double lustrous glass doors. The incredibly awestruck expression my face held demonstrated my exact thoughts. The building that stood in front of me defined glory. The beige coated walls were complimented by the golden chandeliers whose glass twinkled and radiated the room, destroying the darkness that usually settled. The marble floors held an intricate pattern that allowed you to stare at your own reflection. There were countless bar stools acquainted by various types of drinks, from martinis to water. The neatly adjusted tables placed in every spot in the room for the guests were covered in white cloth and the silver cutlery designed it in a nice way.

That fake smile remained plastered on my face and the whispers were still alive and well. I despised attention and the hundred pairs of eyes on me at that moment was surely not helping.

"You didn't tell me there were going to  be pictures taken," I wheezed in a very low tone. Ryder resumed flashing everyone his billion dollar smile and I tried to mirror his actions but it was quite difficult considering I was plotting his slow and painful demise.

Since the gentlemen himself ignored my words, my attention focused elsewhere. The venue was quite crowded, many people roaming around and mingling with one another. They were all dressed in very expensive attire whose price could probably end poverty. The women looked utterly gorgeous and the men looked dashing. I resembled that one ugly duckling in the midst of beautiful white swans.

"It's fine, they always snap pictures of me with random models but rarely leak them because they know I don't take anything seriously." he decided on answering a minute or so later. Okay, that kind of made me feel better. So, I didn't have to worry about anything, right?

Wrong.

I still had people to meet, including his oh so important father. Eyes were still glued to Ryder and I, and they made me want to hide in a whole and embrace my ending.

We came to a halt in front of a circular table that had two women and two men seated, elegantly slicing the food placed in front of them with their burnished silverware. A man with sleek black hair gelled backwards with a hint of grey in his roots, olive colored skin, and honey tinted eyes stood up and greeted Ryder. He looked like an older version of Ryder, excluding the eyes. I immediately assumed that was his father. Their resemblance was incredible. My senses came down to the conclusion that the man gave out a scary and dangerous aura. As if he had no mercy whatsoever.

Ryder removed his arm from my waist and I released a sigh of relief. "Son, I haven't seen you in awhile," Ryder extended his arm for his dad to shake but he ignored it and pulled him in for a hug. Considering the analysis I conducted on the man, his actions said otherwise. Ryder taken aback, stiffened but wrapped his arms around his father. He patted him softly on the back then released him. His father's smile never dared to escape his face, and I wondered how his son turned out to be the exact opposite.