I'll Take What's Mine

Euni Vien Lamorte

It is a cold evening at the Cuervo Hotel. The huge glass-walled ballroom was illuminated by a huge chandelier hanging by the center of the ceiling. White and red roses were made into an arched passageway. A red carpet was laid on the floor from the doorway to the stage. Champagne tables were decorated with white and red satin tablecloths and ribbons. It exuded a sense of elegance and maturity.

Vien walked in and her guests greeted her with smiles and applause. Everyone she passed by congratulated her. Euni Vien Lamortes floor-length, strapless, Teal, A-line dress accentuated her smooth and pale ivory skin. Her long, thick, and straight black hair was half-up braided. Her teal-colored dress complimented the roses as if she was a leaf. All the guests wore gallant clothing appropriate for the event. Most of them were their business partners who she met often and their family friends. She scanned the room and saw some people she had never met. As expected of her mother, she thought, she mightve invited some people she was interested to do business with.

It was a graduation party meant for Vien. She graduated as a Summa Cum Laude from the most prestige university in their country, the Holden University. Her mother, Elisse Lamorte, prepared it for her and planned it for months. Vien never thought her mother would even use this opportunity to procure possible investors and business partners. Shes fine with it though, because at least there would be people in her party, and it wouldnt bore the guests so much. She saw some people from her school as well. Even the schools higher ups were invited.

After going around meeting people she recognized, Vien started to feel her feet getting sore and wanted to get some air. She took a glass and a bottle of champagne from the waiter and walked towards the garden. Only a few areas of the garden were well lit, and some areas only have dimmed lights. She went to a badly lit corner where she could slump down and not care about how she looks.

Vien slumped down on the grass while holding the bottle of champagne on her left hand and the glass on her right hand. She poured her own drink and set the bottle aside. She stared at the night sky. It has been long since she enjoyed looking at the sky full of stars.

She suddenly remembered her late father, Giordan Lamorte, who always took her to enjoy stargazing together. He was a sweet yet clever man. When at work, he was like a lion reigning over a kingdom. He was brutal and cunning. But once he was home, he was the kindest and humblest man she ever knew. He broke the stereotypical attitudes of fathers in the business world. He prioritized her and her mother over anything. He was always very attentive to their needs and wants. He treated them like royalty.

Although he spoiled her so much, he taught her not to take things for granted. He taught her a lot of things in life that she could use to survive. But the most important thing he wanted her to know is her worth. Her father became her standard of men. She had numerous suitors, but nobody could even get close to her standards.

She smiled as she remembered her father. Tears formed in her eyes; she immediately wiped it so it wouldnt ruin her make up. She sat there drinking for a few more minutes until she realized the bottle was almost finished. She wasnt a very good drinker; she only ever drank a glass every time, so shes surprised at how much of it she drank now. She stood up, straightened her dress and hair, and breathed deeply. She saw a few people were in the garden already. Her legs were a little wobbly while she walked and as she was about to enter the hall, she tripped and almost fell to the ground.

Luckily, there was someone behind her who pulled her when she was about to fall. It was a man; he was tall, and she couldnt see his face clearly because she was dizzy. Even though she is drunk, she can clearly smell his perfume. It was nothing like she ever smelled before. It is so masculine and fresh as if the man just finished his bath.

He held her on her shoulders while she was pulling on to his necktie. She was basically choking the man holding her up. The man angrily but slowly put her down on the floor and removed her hands on his tie and coughed.

Elisse saw the scene and ran hurriedly towards her. Oh my gosh, Vien! Are you okay?, Elisse shook her shoulders and that was when she passed out.