Dreamful

 

               

       DREAMFUL

                 CHAPTER 50

                 ...Edwin ran down the hallway to where the bouncer, Destiny, and the police lady were standing with the lady's grip still firm on Destiny's hand and as he came closer, Dez noticed he had an ID Card around his neck, quite similar to Destiny's, but one which read- Team Security.

"What's up?", he asked the bouncer after stealing a glance at Destiny who was quiet now.

"You see this mess, sir? This girl is smoking here, we have proof as well", he said, pointing toward the cigarette on the floor," and then she refuses to-"

"Edwin, I did not-", Dez started when he said,

"I'll handle this, cool? Let her go.", he said to the lady who was holding Destiny's hand.

"But sir-", the bouncer started.

"I told you I'll handle this."

"And listen?", he added, putting a hand on his shoulder,

"Not a single word out. Okay?", he said, handing some cash to both the bouncer as well as the police lady as they look pretty satisfied and Dez was left startled.

"Miss Destiny?", he said, looking at her, gesturing her to walk ahead. She quickly started walking ahead and he walked a distance behind until they were both, out of sight as well as out of earshot, he ran to match her speed,

"What do you think you were doing there, Miss Destiny?! Are you out of your mind? Do you know you could get thrown out, thrown out of this mansion as well as-".But Destiny turned to him as she narrowed her eyes and said,

"Miss Destiny? Really, Edwin? Do you seriously think that pathetic behavior was mine? Stephanie gave me the box, which had the cigarette inside and-"

"But, Dez, Dez! Excuses don't work at such huge events, and what if someone else was in charge of team security? What would you have-".That was it. Dez had it all.

"YOU THINK I'M MAKING EXCUSES?!", she shouted. He looked around, gesturing her to slow down, but she was in no mood,

"You know what, Edwin? I'll show you the truth.", she said, in a voice still loud as she held his hand with a tight grip and started walking very fast toward the hallway.

"Dez, calm down."

"No, I'm not, she thinks she can get me out of this competition but HELLO?! This is me we are talking about.", she muttered, still walking.

"Destiny, where are you going? The event has started and everyone's there."

"My event is done.", she said, stopping toward the door.

"Call her."

"Call who?", he asked, puzzled.

"CALL STEPHANIE, RIGHT NOW. RIGHT HERE"

"Dez, come on, she's at the event-"

"I don't care.", she said, looking away. Edwin let out a sigh, life was too much.

"Are you calling her or-"

"I don't have her number, Dez.", he replied.

"Oh, I thought you two were best friends, no number, no problem, we are facing the truth today.", she said, casually as she entered the hallway, the event was taking place at the auditorium inside and she could see that. But that wasn't what Dez was searching for. She was in search of the studio rooms. There was no way Stephanie would be attending the presentation part of the event and that was going on. And she was right. After searching three rooms, she saw her in the fourth studio room, where Stephanie was sitting, facing the mirror, with a makeup artist showcasing her some products. And she wasn't alone in the room, there were six other girls from the pageant in the same studio room, some on their cell phones, some on a video call, and some examining new makeup products. But Destiny did not care. She was aggrieved from the way the police lady held her delicate hand which now had a big red rash and it felt numb as well as the fact that Edwin said she was making excuses.

"Hello.", Dez greeted the makeup artist with a smile who smiled back at her, "Did she not tell you about the cut on her leg?".That made Stephanie look up at her, her eyes wide.

"EXCUSE ME?!", she shouted, and all eyes were on them.

"Why don't you stop shouting and tell the world your tricks on me?", Dez said, her voice was loud, rage in her eyes. Though she wasn't sure she was shouting or not, the intensity was high.

"You put the cigarette in my hand by some trick of yours so that I get thrown out?", she said. All eyes were on Destiny as she heard gasps, "Why Stephanie? Why would you do that?"

"YOU ARE LYING, WHY WOULD-"

"SHUT UP!", Destiny shouted back, "This bag? This is yours which even had a lighter! ", she said removing the sling from her shoulder in a mission to throw it at her face and onto all the glass makeup products kept on the table when she heard the beauty stylist gasp. Right, they were her products which were brand new and too expensive. The stylist looked like she had seen a ghost. But Stephanie just laughed.

"That bag isn't even mine, what you talking about?", she said, starting to apply the nearest nail paint on her nails.

"Oh, it isn't? Cool, cool. Truth comes out one day or the other, but Stephanie you know what?", Destiny said, leaning ahead and sort of whispering the last statement,

"You can't win. Neither the pageant, nor the man, got it?", and once again Stephanie looked at her wide-eyed and angry as Destiny walked out of the room to find Edwin leaning against the wall. His eyes closed, his head up, against the wall.

"Done proving yourself and creating a drama? Can we go home now?", he said, opening his eyes when he heard Destiny.

"I was not creating a drama.", she said, rolling her eyes and walking ahead as he followed.

"Dez, I knew it wasn't your cigarette, I believe you-"

"Then what was up with "no excuses work here?"

"'All I was trying to make you understand was these big seven-star fancy hotels have their bouncers as they are reserved for big events, no one gets an entry without a card as you must have seen and if you're caught doing something which is prohibited like smoking then you are out and out. Out of the hotel as well as out of the pageant."

"But it wasn't like it was my fault, was it? She said she had a cut on her leg and she cried for help, there was no one around, and she looked very needy, Edwin, that's why I went ahead to help when she handed me the box and this bag and asked me to follow her and help her with carrying the stuff. That's all. How would have I known, Edwin, tell me? How would have I known?" her throat hurt dictating the whole story as Edwin listened with patience.

"I'm not helping anyone ever again.", she said, looking away in pain.

"That doesn't sound very Dez."

"I don't want to be the old caring Dez, anyway."

"Are you going to change for her?"

"As I said, I don't care.", she shrugged.

"You encompass a tapestry of emotions that define who you are, Dez. Your infectious giggles, fiery anger, hearty laughs, and nurturing care are the very essence of your being. The way you lift people around you...that's what makes you, you. Please do not let anyone for that matter change that. Do not let the wickedness of others corrupt your heart or make you change your destination. Remember, Dez, petty tit-for-tats are the realm of the immature and childish. If you were to stoop to Stephanie's level and seek revenge, you would lose the very essence of what sets you apart. I hope that I won't lose the Destiny I've begun to cherish"

                                                                        TO BE CONTINUED...

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