Ugly Duckling; Part II
Geraint’s Party
Everyone had wished Agatha and Heath well as they left the Geraint’s party. Marilyn would miss them both, dearly.She was happy it had all worked out for the two of them in the end and no real damage had been done. In no time the party returned back to normal and once again people were having fun. Once again Fanny had outdone herself and had thrown an excellent party, she thought. Everyone had gone back to dancing and socializing.
Fanny was dancing with her husband while Marilyn looked on. She had to admit to herself at least that this was the best party she had attended in a while. Austin had always made her plan his elaborate parties for his company and private family get togethers. They were always littered with deception and betrayal of some sort. He was Austin Brockston a well known bully in business. The drama seemed to dull down the good times to be had for her. Not tonight . Tonight the live orchestra played a lively beat and the crowd surrounding the large dancefloor clapped to the beat. Marilyn looked as stood a flight above them all leaning forward on the gold railing. The fun was infectious, and she took delight in how happy Fanny and Mr. Geraint were. She smiled, admiring their ability to captivate the audience with their swing dance moves. She recalled how the rules in she and Austin’s relationship forbid them to touch in public or even make eye contact with one another for too long. She shrugged it off. Still smiling to herself. She hadn’t heard his footsteps, or seen him walking towards her. It was too late when she did. He was standing beside her smiling down on the party goings on like her. Marilyn kept smiling, hiding the anger she was consumed with. Seconds passed before he spoke to her.
“Who knew the old man was such a great dancer and that his latest trophy wife was more resourceful in more ways than one.”
She said nothing, and still refused to look at him. She kept her gaze fixed on the party down below.
He spoke again.
“Heath and that girl sure made a clean getaway. Maybe we should do the same-”
“No, Austin.”
He almost thought she didn’t say it because she still wore her kind smile and was looking down at the party. He watched as confetti and gold glitter gently rained down on the crowd below. Fanny looked up and waved at Marilyn. She waved back. Austin watched her face light up. He recalled how many times it had lit up for him when they were alone, behind closed doors.
“Marilyn.” He began again, but she cut him off once more.
“No.” She looked at him then. Her eyes were cold. “I want nothing more to do with you. I have already given my resignation, and I have no desire to humiliate myself any longer by being your personal lap dog.”
Those harsh words felt like a slap in the face to Austin.
She backed away from the bannister and was turning to walk away when Austin caught her by her upper arm.
“Marilyn! This is nonsense! You are mine! What do you plan on doing? Where will you go?”
Marilyn was irritated. He was so accustomed to getting his way. She had done it for so long. She didn’t have to now. He had betrayed her.
“Let. Me. Go.”
He had never heard that chilling edge in her voice. He quickly did as she said and let her go. This was not the Marilyn he had known all these years. “I have listened to you, put up with your boorish attitude towards your family and employees for more more years than I care to say, but today, no more!”
She watched as his facial expression went from anger to surprise to fear as she spoke in a loud tone. No one dared speak to Austin like this no matter how upset he had made them. Marilyn didn't care. In the fourteen years he’d known Marilyn she had never lost her cool. “Whatever I choose to do with my life, Mr. Brockston it is absolutely none of your business! I am no longer your puppet!”
She looked around then and that’s when she noticed the music had stopped and everyone’s attention was centered on her yelling at Austin Brockston. If she hadn’t been so angry she would have been mortified. She walked away and exited the party.
Austin was the one left to the many stares. He backed away from the bannister and walked in the opposite direction of his ex lover. It was past midnight when he arrived at Brockston Manor, he was sure the Geraint party was still in full effect. Raging on like nothing had ever happened. His ex lover’s scornful and hurtful outburst meant nothing to them. The driver opened his car door for him while his housekeeper waited for him at the door.
“Isla, I’ve told you, you don’t have to wait up for me. I’m perfectly capable of getting in my own house.”
Isla nodded. As was her normal routine. She would agree with him and continue to do what she pleased. She closed the door behind him.
“Goodnight, Sir.” Isla said and went back to her room.
The large house seemed larger than usual tonight, he thought as he slowly walked through the foyer, down the hallway and to his study. He sat down in his chair then and grabbed the crystal decanter filled with scotch. He found an empty glass on his desk and poured himself a liberal amount. He too a large sip, welcoming the burning sensation in the back of his throat. The burn was nothing compared to Marilyn tonight. She was furious with him, he thought. The way she had recoiled from his touch hurt him the most. He was a man’s man old fashion and classic. He could admit that. It stung to see the coldness in her eyes and her complete disfavor for even his presence seemed to irritate her. It cut him deep and make his blood boil with what? He wondered.
