The amount of champagne Mr. Terry Bucknor had gobbled down in the short span of twenty minutes was alarming, but it still wasn't effective enough to douse the fury and embarrassment he was feeling.

The choking ambience of merriment around him wasn't helping matters either. Terry wished he'd skipped the after party to get wasted in some other place. After all, they hadn't thought him, the eighteenth richest man in the continent, worthy of their stupid trophy for businessman of the year. Why should he be there?

The idea that a woman, of no ethics and morals, stole his thunder for the umpteenth time in a row enraged him. The hussy wasn't even a woman of respectable upbringing. She lacked virtuous character!

However, these heavy factors didn't hinder the CEO of Reggie group of industries from haunting his every nightmare. In fact, it was as though Regina was hell bent on ending the legacy for which he'd weathered storms and drought. For good.

The girl who was in her diapers when he started up his business hadn't only been stealing honours from him, she was also steadily snagging off his business associates and contract grants. Hence his numerous restless nights.

As he gobbled down another glass of the expensive liquor he'd been nursing, he recalled the embarrassment he had to go through in the event hall. Armed in his pristine tux and his pre-written speech, he had already walked halfway up the stage, only for the host to call out the name of his arch nemesis to come up for her award. Again!

What was more? The bitch didn't even present herself to take the honour. It was like a slap to his face when her personal assistant walked up the stage, gave an apology and accepted the trophy on her behalf. He was sure she did it on purpose.

When he realised his empty bottle, he snatched away yet another flute from a waiter passing by his deserted table and when that was not enough to quench his frustrations, he snatched another.

"If I were you, Terry, I wouldn't be so reckless about my health. After all, news has it that you're currently battling diabetes," a voice from behind coed pleasantly. He turned around slowly, fully aware as to who it belonged to.

The nerve of her to show up here and call him by name!

The woman that haunted his nightmares, now took steps towards him in her alluring beauty. For this event, she was rocking a baby pink, off-shoulder, gown that wrapped around her voluptuous curves in the right places, with the addition of a single strand of an expensive diamond around the pale skin of her neck.

He bet one of her numerous sugar daddies got it for her.

Mr. Bucknor watched, skeptically, as she took a seat beside him. Her snow white face was done in flawless, nude makeup and her brown, springy hair swept back in a simple messy bun.

While he was in the middle of wondering why she sought him out all of a sudden when there was obviously no love lost between them, he noticed the polished wood of the trophy, his trophy, in her right hand. Tiny sparkles from the dainty, silver band around the fourth finger of her left hand also caught his eye. She seemed to be deliberately using the said hand to move a stray lock of her bottled hair backwards, while spreading her fingers widely enough for you to see the huge stone embedded in the engagement ring.

Terry knew, without mincing words, that Regina had come to gloat. He wouldn't give her that satisfaction.

"How very pleasant to meet you here Reggie," Mr. Terry Bucknor beamed, if his grimace could be considered as one, "your subordinate mentioned that you were too busy to attend the event. What then are you doing here?" What began in a good natured manner, managed to end with an embittered sneer.

"Woah there grandpa! You don't want your ride out of this party to be a hospital van now, do you? Take it easy," Regina patted his shoulder warily. It would take a very observant person to realise that underneath the expression of care was pure bitterness and loathe. From the jaw of Terry, working like an alarm clock, and his venom filled glare, it was safe to say that they were on the same page.

"If you're here to rub salt on my wounds Regina, off your go! I won't listen to your nonsense." The words came through Terry's teeth as he was trying his possible best not to reach out and claw the condescending look off the face of the woman before him.

"Contrary to your assumptions, Mr. Terry, I'm here to count my blessings and take home the trophy for most resourceful businessman of the year even if I'm an unwanted woman of ...what did you call it again?... questionable upbringing and character." She wriggled her fingers close to his face to drive her point home and it caused a growl to tear out from Terry's lips.

"It is only a matter of time before your momentary spotlight fades and I'll be back where I deserve to be," he snarled bitterly, while Regina gave a patronising nod.

"If I were you Terry, I won't waste my time waiting for a miracle that will never happen. I would, rather, prepare for the whirlwind that is about to blow the buildings of Bucknor enterprises to fall like a park of cards or at least look for ways to prevent it. That's the difference between us." Regina's voice didn't falter from the sweet tone she normally talked with, but Mr. Bucknor could tell the threat underlying her words.

She patted the lapel of his tux almost affectionately and eased the flute from his trembling hands before leaving his side, her thick hips swayed as she sashayed off to a group of government officials standing close by. The hormonal men were more than happy to be in her company.

Mr. Bucknor watched as Regina conversed easily with them, his champagne flute she'd earlier confiscated perching between her fingertips elegantly. She looked nothing, at all, like the bright eyed, clumsy woman of a humble background that'd sought him out for a partnership, a few years ago.

He tensed when she turned slightly towards him with a sweet smile gracing her lips and her glass raised to a toast.

When her lips moved, he made sure to follow, "to the beginning of new things and the demise of things that are not," was what it read before she pressed the glass to her lips.

Terry could feel the storm brewing; he could tell that she was planning something huge that would, most likely, mark the end of Bucknor enterprises.

Whatever it was, would be his immediate problem and not some stupid award. Terry knew he really would have no luck if he kept counting on fate to whip up a miracle.

He needed to know her plans to be able to do something about it. And whatever Terry had to do to end the nuisance of that woman, he needed to do it fast.

So here it goes, the novel chapter of Melanin Diaries: Pilfer. I hope it was a good read 😊
First chapter is for the first voter on this book Omokehinde_.

If you spot typos and mistakes, please let me know. I'm currently typing this with a high fever and pounding headache😑😑 I think I'm learning, the hard way, to take rest serious.

An unrelated news flash; chapter twenty five of Perfectly Imperfect is currently available on Goodnovel and you can totally read for free if you collect enough points. It is also currently featured on their homepage so you can jog over to check it out and please, be kind to leave a review. It goes a long way.

Till next chapter folks,
Play safe,
💞illusionistic.