∆17. The Reveal
Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩
*checks his watch, looks towards the door* With that Everyone, Please welcome the CEO of Avian Enterprises, Ms. Rialta Flores!!!
Almost as if in sync, the doors open and a lady dressed in her best formal wear walks inside. Smiling and walking confidently, as everyone gets up to look at her
Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩
*looks towards the door, eyes widen* y-you---
Rithika now had the aura of a CEO. Charming, confident and absolutely stunning. No one could take their eyes off her.
As she smiled and walked in, she looked to her sides and kindly nodded to all the people there. Everyone started clicking photographs and the reporters were almost ready to leap at her to ask questions
And soon, she looked towards the stage. And suddenly, it felt as if the world had frozen. She saw two people there. One, who she knew would be there. And the other was the last person she'd wanted to be there
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
*slows down, staring at Alpha who seemed more than just surprised. His expression screamed confusion, anger and hurt*
Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩
*hands began to tremble, still staring* *internal thoughts: N-no way... Why is Rithika... there... W-wh---* *grip on the panda soft toy tightens*
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
*internal thoughts: w-why is Alpha on the stage... shouldn't he... but why didn't Reggie tell me... Why...*
Rithika looked at Regulus, her face asking the questions she had very clearly. She looked distraught and anxious and Regulus's heart twinged in little guilt.
Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩
*looks back at her* *internal thoughts: Trust me, I know you may get angry and fight but..
Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩
But this is the best way out. You already have enough secrets from him. Besides...
Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩
I don't want you to live a life filled with lies. I don't want my reality to become yours too. This is the best way I can help...*
Regulus calls her over to the stage, all while looking at the crowd. Rithika understood his message. She couldn't look disturbed because there was a whole crowd witnessing this.
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
*looks down, swallows, closes her eyes* *thoughts: I'll talk to Reggie later about this*
Rithika immediately returned back to her CEO persona. No one had noticed the small change apart from the three of them. As she walks up the stage, Regulus passes the mic to her to make a small speech
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
Greetings to all our Delegates and Participants. We hope you've enjoyed this event as much as we enjoyed organising it. This year saw many creative people entering the expo and outstanding speakers.
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
I am glad that the expo was a success and that we could all learn from one another. Thank you all!!! As for the HackHour, we had a tough competition and the winners are truly worthy of their awards! With that, please give a huge round of applause for Mr Jones!
As Rithika takes the trophy and the gift, her heartbeat quickens. She doesn't want to look at Alpha like this. He looked... He looked so upset. But she was forced by the circumstance. She took a big breath, smiled and spoke to Alpha
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
Well Done... Well Done Alp-- Mr. Jones
Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩
*still in shock, staring at Rithika in disbelief*
Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩
*nudges Alpha so that he takes his trophy*
Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩
*snaps out of his trance, drops the panda soft toy he was holding* ah... Right... *walks towards Rithika, and holds the trophy. He looked at her for just a second, before breaking eye contact and looking forward, expression blank*
The reporters take photographs as they both pose, everyone clapping in enthusiasm. The entire room was in awe, apart from the three people on stage
Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩
*looks at Rithika one last time with a blank expression, walks off the stage. The panda soft toy was still on the stage, as he got down and walked out of the hall*
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
*starts to go after Alpha* Wait Alph---
Before she could continue, Regulus held her back and shook his head slowly, telling her she couldn't go after him or the paparazzi would know something is off
Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩
*halts, stares at Alpha's back as he slowly leaves the hall, mumbles* please... don't let this be the end....
Alpha's mind was clouded, he was confused. He couldn't properly understand anything. The noise around him was muted, distant, and irrelevant. It felt as if everything was losing colour. He felt himself going numb.
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware.
"Numb" by Linkin Park
Comments
𝑴𝒔. 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕
What reality is he talking about? 👀
~reader from HBC
2024-08-10
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