Revenge in Red

Three years. That's how long it took to kill Melanie Monroe and give birth to the new me, Adrianna Sloane. Three years of plastic surgery, training, building an empire from Enid's investments and my own ruthless ambition. Three years of watching Davon from the shadows, learning his patterns, his weaknesses, his desires. And today, all that patience would finally pay off.

I tucked a strand of my now long hazel brown hair behind my ear and puckered my lips in the mirror. Green eyes adorned by diamond jewelry stared back at me as I straightened my black backless dinner gown. I gave myself one last look over in the car before taking a deep breath and frowning. Some years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to wear this custom dress because of my weight and now here I was a completely different person, a size small and all because of a man who didn’t want me.

I swallowed the anger and resentment that built up inside me and forced a smile. It was show time.

The car doors opened and I stepped out, taking purposeful strides into the building. Security didn’t even bother checking if I was on the list or not for this private function. They knew who I was and I didn’t tolerate nonsense. I moved past the lobby, whispers of admiration, praise and jealousy reaching my ears and I reached the room where things were going to change.

The man at the entrance gave me a subtle nod before he handed me a numbered pad and stepped aside for me to walk in. Like always I arrived fashionably late, the auction already in full swing by the time I walked in.

“Two million,”

“Four,”

“Five million for the Livingston estate,” voices shouted out at the coveted piece of real estate but that was not why I was here. My target had blonde hair and blue eyes.

I swiped a glass of champagne from a waiter just as I heard his voice ring out.

“Seven million for the estate.”

Murmurs filled the room, no one ready to contest his bid but I was not just anybody, not now anyway. I took a step forward, a coy smile on my face.

“Twenty million for the estate.”

The murmurs stopped and then eyes turned to me, mouths agape as they wondered who would make such a bid. My eyes stayed glued on him though. Davon. My ex-husband. His lip twitched and his jaw flexed in anger as he realised someone bid against him but when his eyes landed on me, his demeanour changed completely, eyes widening as if he just discovered a rare jewel. Good.

I raised my glass to him and sent him a wink before moving forward as the auctioneer spoke up.

“And who should we thank for this generous bid?”

I cocked my head.

“Adrianna Sloane.”

The auctioneer blinked and stepped forward, his hand outstretched.

“I’m so sorry madam. I didn’t know that you were THE Adrianna Sloane.”

“Of course you didn’t.” I replied, handing him my drink and smiling. “Give the details to my assistant, she’ll handle it.” I said before I walked out of the room, my illusion quickly pulling in my target. I had set the bait now all that remained was for him to take it.

I didn’t even make it to the door before a hand rested on mine and held me from moving. Bingo. I turned around, a brow raised as I eyed Davon Blake. He chuckled nervously and let go of me, running a hand through his hair, that sickly charm of his already pooling around him.

“Hi. I’m Davon. Davon Blake. COO of Blake Industries. Nice to meet you Adrianna.” He introduced himself. I licked my lips and gave him a stoic look.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I asked with a pointed look. If there was one thing I had learned while studying my murderous ex-husband it was that he was drawn to unattainable women and that was what I had become.

“Uh, you winked at me in there. Well, you did outdo my bid so…” He stuttered before I cut him off.

“If I outbid you then you don’t need to be speaking to me. Good bye.” I mused, spinning around to leave without missing a beat but Davon, the fool was a determined man. He sidestepped me and blocked my way, a playful smirk on his face.

“Come on. Give me a chance to get to know you. I can be very good company. What do you say? Dinner at The Opal tonight and then you can decide whether I’m worth your time or not.” He bargained, his brow raised matching mine. The Opal. A popular and expensive restaurant. He was pulling out all the stops huh.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, seemingly giving in.

“Fine but just dinner and mind you I don’t like my time being wasted.” I warned, my words making Davon even more bold.

“I promise you I won’t. Can I have your number then, or do I just pick you up from your home tonight? Wait, I don’t even know where you live.” He spouted his little trick, wanting to get either my number or home address but I was prepared for that.

“No need, I’ll see you there. 7:00pm sharp. Don’t be late Mr. Blake. Good bye.” I let him know before finally walking away from him, no doubt leaving him stunned.

The door was opened for me once more and I got into the car, the breath I was holding leaving my lungs as soon as the car zoomed off. I had played the role I had curated for three years well. A wealthy and no nonsense socialite, adept in the world of business and rumored to have only dated billionaires in her lifetime. I had made myself the perfect catch and he had fallen for it.

I took out my phone and texted the one person I trusted in this world, Enid.

I’ve got him. Dinner tonight at the Opal.

She replied almost instantly.

Great. I’ve got the perfect dress for you.

With that sorted out, I dropped my phone and looked out the window, lost in thought.

To the world I was Adrianna Sloane but in reality I was still Melanie Monroe. The murdered wife, back from the dead to haunt her husband. Oh, and haunt him I will. Right into the grave with me.

•••••

Hours flew by and true to my word, I stood in the lobby at The Opay while the waitress looked up my name.

“Yes, Ms. Adrianna Sloane on a table for two under the name Davon Blake. Right this way, miss.” She insisted as she stepped away from her station and showed me around the room.

Eyes roamed my body as the mostly red sheer Jovani dress hung to my curves and swayed as I moved. With Enid’s help, I looked like a runway model. I looked hot. And soon Davon would see that too.

Like I expected, as I reached the table, already laid with complementary glasses of champagne, Davon stood up and approached, his mouth slack as his eyes could barely contain the hunger I could see brewing in him. He scoffed lightly.

“Adrianna you look stunning. My God, where have you been all my life.” He complimented as he pulled a seat for me. I took it, crossing my legs to expose my thigh to his view.

Davon liked his lips and took his seat opposite me, waving a waiter over as soon as he did.

“A bottle of your most expensive wine please and…”

“Not wine. Bourbon for me. And a filet mignon, medium rare with a side of garlic and saffron vinaigrette. He’ll have the same.” I ordered for Davon and I, not wasting a breath.

The waiter paused before finding the words to say, unsure of what to do here. I didn’t blame her. I was acting like a snob.

“We don’t do those kinds of combinations here. If I can recommend some…”

“I thought your establishment catered to all needs, yes?” I countered, pursing my lips.

“Yes, we do but…”

“Then cater, Alice.” I muttered, eyeing her name tag before looking back up to her eyes. “Or else I’ll have a talk with your manager and you wouldn’t want that now would you?”

Mentally, I frowned as I watched the girl squirm under my gaze before conceding. God, I would leave a huge tip and a note for her by the end of this dinner to apologize.

“Of course I miss.” Alice whispered before stalking away, leaving Davon and I alone once more.

“Wow, I’ve never seen a woman take so much charge before. It’s somewhat refreshing.” Davon mused, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

“Well you better get used to it if I choose to keep you around, Mr. Blake. I like my things a certain kind of way.”

My right leg went up, lightly brushing his as I took my glass in my hands. Davon seemed to light up before he followed my lead with a grin and raised his glass for a toast.

“Well, to new beginnings and maybe something more.”

I met him halfway, our glasses clicking together and smiled.

“To something more.”

I took a sip of my drink, my eyes never leaving the man I had once promised my entire world to. I dropped the glass and licked my lips so he could see.

“So, Mr. Blake,...”

“Please, call me Davon.” He interrupted but I let it go. I needed him to think that I was now somewhat comfortable with him. I placed my hands on the table and leaned in, the gaze of him making me feel sickened but keeping it under control.

“Fine then, Davon, tell me more about yourself. I want to know all the dirty secrets you have.” I purred just like how Enid had taught me, eliciting a smile from him.

Davon swirled his drink around, his eyes taking in the show of cleavage I was putting on display for the briefest second before actually focusing on my face.

“Well, if you insist.” He mused, raising his glass to me again. I chuckled, fighting the urge to curse him out. Regardless of how much my blood boiled sitting next to him there was one thing I could not deny. Davon was smitten.

The man was a goner.