'Awards come almost once in a life time especially because of one's hard work and efforts."
Everyone waited anxiously for the award winner, everyone but Tara, she was least bothered about it.
"TARA MONTESINO" The speaker announced.
"Oh wow!" She thought to herself.
"You cheat, you liar" Dana tried to scream at her, but it was of no use.
"Thank you....I was expecting this award, I worked hard for it you know,, I'm not boasting or showing off,, so see you again next year" Tara said to the audience while on stage.
Her mega award, thrice in a row, since her dad made her join the business world and at such a young age. Not even Irene had achieved this.
"That was supposed to be my award Tara not yours!" Dana was angry, but Tara had had enough of her today.
"I'm not your mummy for you to throw your tantrums Dana grow up! There's always a next year" she replied,but Dana tried to pour a glass of wine on her, luckily she dodged it just in time.
" That's the oldest trick in the book ,too cheap for a girl like you too. Try something new next time" with that, she took a drink from the waiter and walked away, leaving behind a fuming Dana.
"Congrats Tara" she heard a male voice from behind her.
"And you look....so pretty tonight" it was one of her friends.
"I'm always the same Archie,, tell me something new"Tara replied taking a sip of her drink.
"Straight forward, cute, brave, dominant, lovely....I just like your personality Tara" Archie said slightly placing the strand of her hair behind her ear.
"This is who you are and the list is endless" he complimented her but she said nothing back.
"I thought you'd be at your sister's party and wouldn't come"
"It's not my birthday, my presence there doesn't matter to anyone" she simply replied taking another sip of her drink.
It does matter... to me, to us who love you Tara" Archie kept on pushing it.
"This is getting too emotional, I better leave" her next thoughts were to run away from him
"It's been a long night Archie, I'm tired, I need to rest" she said.
"Let me drive you home" he offered.
" No, I can handle myself" she replied putting the glass down and left.
He'd always liked her since the first day they met, but she kept on turning him down before he even made a move. She got out of the building from the back to avoid any press, walking slowly towards where her car was parked, but then she changed her mind and decided to take a walk.
She always does when she's beyond sad.Although she acted all tough and like she didn't care, deep down she'd love to be part of her family's celebration and for them to be part of hers like any daughter would wish for. In this case, it was just too good to be true, especially after a horrible experience in her past that changed her fate.
She sat down on one of the benches that was close by and stared into thin air. That same moment, a white SUV had just arrived and parked somewhere close. Two goodlooking men were inside, the one behind the wheel and the other in the passenger seat.
"Thanks for the ride boss, well, I mean Hardin, since we aren't at the hospital anymore." the one in the passenger seat said before he got out. It turned out Hardin was the one driving.
He was just about to leave but noticed Tara who was sitting alone at night and judging by her dress code, it was so obvious she was a rich kid. He only saw her back and little of her side view not her complete face.
"It's not appropriate for such a girl to sit all alone at night along the road, anything can happen to her, who is she? and why is she so reckless with her life?" Hardin asked himself, before a speeding black van pulled up right behind Tara and three masked men came out, trying to kidnap her.
"I spoke too soon" Hardin rushed out of his car to help her....finally.. his past training in a military camp had paid off. Having hit her head slightly on the beach after a strong push from one of the masked men while trying to fight back, Tara slowly began to lose consciousness.
Luckily Hardin caught her and held her before he saw her face.
"So .. .it's you" he added after taking a good look at her. Tara's eyes were starting to become heavy, but could still see the handsome man before her who'd saved her. She was almost kidnapped.
"I.. I'm o.kaaayy" was all she replied and blacked out completely. Hardin had seen her before... she'd once almost run him over with her black sports car but she didn't see that it was him. He carried her to his car and he drove back to the hospital.