Chapter 2: The Man on the Screen
Nobody touched the cake.
Nobody seemed to know where to look.
Vanessa stood beside the ruined dessert table, silver gown splattered with white frosting, her jeweled tiara hanging crookedly over her dark hair.
Marcus couldn’t take his eyes off the phone.
The image showed Vanessa standing in a secluded corner of the same ballroom.
The man beside her wore a dark suit.
His face was partially hidden.
But Marcus could see Vanessa clearly.
She wasn’t wearing the nervous expression she had now.
She was smiling.
Intimately.
Like she knew him well.
Marcus stepped closer.
“Play it.””
Maya looked at him.
“Are you sure?””
“Yes.””
Vanessa wiped frosting from her mouth.
“Marcus, don't.””
He turned.
“Why?””
“Because this woman is trying to destroy us.””
Maya gave a quiet laugh.
“I didn't make the video.””
Vanessa glared at her.
“You've been spying on me!””
“No.””
“You followed me.””
“No.””
“You recorded me without permission.””
Maya held up the phone.
“You're worried about how I got the video instead of what's in it.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Marcus looked at Maya.
“Play it.””
Maya tapped the screen.
The video began.
The ballroom appeared from a different angle.
Vanessa was standing near one of the tall floral arrangements.
The unidentified man stepped into frame.
Marcus leaned closer.
The man handed Vanessa a small envelope.
Vanessa looked around before taking it.
The video audio was low, but still understandable.
The man said, “Did you get him to sign?””
Vanessa nodded.
“He signed everything.””
Marcus’s face tightened.
The man laughed.
“You're really doing this?””
Vanessa smiled.
“I'm marrying him tomorrow. What do you think?””
The video ended.
Marcus stared at the black screen.
“Tomorrow?””
Maya looked at him.
“It was recorded last night.””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“Marcus, please.””
He turned slowly.
“What did I sign?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“Nothing important.””
Marcus laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“Nothing important?””
“It was just paperwork.””
“What paperwork?””
“Our marriage documents.””
“That isn't what you said.””
Vanessa wiped her face.
“You're twisting everything.””
Marcus took a step toward her.
“You said you got me to sign everything.””
“I was talking about something else.””
“Then what?””
Vanessa couldn't answer.
A guest near the back whispered, “Maybe we should leave.””
Another guest said, “No. Stay.””
Marcus looked around the ballroom.
People who had come to celebrate him were now watching him like his life had become entertainment.
His mother stood near the head table with one hand over her mouth.
Marcus looked back at Vanessa.
“Who is that man?””
“I don't know.””
Maya raised an eyebrow.
Vanessa snapped, “I don't know who he is.””
Marcus stared at her.
“You were alone with him.””
“I wasn't.””
“We just watched you.””
“It was edited.””
Maya shook her head.
“No.””
Vanessa pointed at her.
“You need to stop talking.””
Maya didn't flinch.
“I've been quiet all night.””
“Then keep being quiet.””
Maya took one step closer.
“You should ask her why she was carrying an envelope.””
Vanessa’s eyes flashed.
Marcus noticed.
“What was in it?””
“Nothing.””
“Vanessa.””
“Marcus, I don't know!””
“You just said it was nothing.””
“I meant—”
She stopped.
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
The room felt unbearably warm.
Then Maya’s phone buzzed.
Everyone looked down.
Maya glanced at the notification.
Her expression changed.
Marcus noticed.
“What is it?””
Maya didn't answer.
“Who texted you?””
She locked the screen.
“Someone I don't want to involve.””
Vanessa suddenly smiled.
It was the first time she had smiled since the cake hit her face.
“You see?””
Marcus looked at her.
“What?””
“She has an agenda.””
Maya’s jaw tightened.
Vanessa continued.
“She came here pretending to be a waitress. She records people. She carries secret videos. Now she gets mysterious messages during my wedding.””
Maya looked at Marcus.
“You're allowed to believe whatever you want.””
Vanessa stepped toward her.
“No. You're leaving.””
Maya didn't move.
“I'll leave when I'm finished.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Finished with what?””
Maya looked down at the phone.
“Showing him the truth.””
Marcus’s pulse quickened.
“What else is there?””
Maya hesitated.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed Marcus’s arm.
“Marcus, come with me.””
He pulled his arm away.
“No.””
Her face crumpled.
“Please.””
“Not until I know what's going on.””
“I love you.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Then tell me the truth.””
“I am telling you.””
“No. You're telling me whatever you think will make me stay.””
Vanessa started crying.
Real tears mixed with frosting and makeup.
“Marcus, I made mistakes.””
He went still.
“What mistakes?””
She covered her mouth.
Maya watched her carefully.
Marcus whispered, “How many?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Maya’s phone buzzed again.
This time, the screen briefly lit up before she turned it away.
Marcus caught one line of the message.
*HE KNOWS ABOUT THE MONEY.*
His eyes narrowed.
“Maya.””
She looked up.
“Who sent that?””
Maya said nothing.
“Show me.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because if I show you, everything changes.””
Marcus stepped toward her.
“Everything already changed.””
Vanessa suddenly screamed.
“Don't show him!””
The entire ballroom went silent again.
Maya slowly turned toward Vanessa.
Then she looked at Marcus.
May you like
And unlocked the phone.
“There’s something you need to see.””
