Let the cracks show.

'Once more, i lost everything.'

******

******

In an instant, hell broke loose.

After Mr Raymond Chester finished reading his letter, he quietly left the venue.

Gasps and murmuring filled the space. Everyone was shocked, unable to believe what they had heard. They all directed their gazes towards Ethan, from his reaction they would be able to confirm if what Raymond said was true.

Ethan stood rooted to the ground, no emotion on his face. He was seething. Ethan's could not believe it. Once more, he had put faith in his family; only for it to be terribly crushed -- this time in the most embarrassing way.

"What happens now?".

"Is he still a Hernández?"

"I feel for him.". "We can't do business with

him anymore."

"The Hernández family really is merciless."

Comments flew in from all corners of the roof as people tried to make sense of what had just happened. Did this mean Ethan had lost his family name?

"Ethan..." Maria tugged at his sleeve. She had no idea how to even begin to interpret what Raymond said. All she knew was that she had to comfort him. She was his wife! "It's going to be okay, alright." Tears formed in her eyes. She tried to imagine what he was going through. How was he going to react to this. What would be his next move.

"Ethan You Scoundrel!" Mr. Elvis Richmond, Maria's father approached Ethan, rage evident in his tone. "How dare you try to marry my daughter when you know you aren't in good terms with your family! You fool!" Elvis lunged forward *SLAP!* His palm connected with Ethan's left cheek, instantly turning that area red.

"Daddy! How dare you!" Maria yelled, tears dripping down her face.

"Come here you!" Elvis grabbed her hand, forcefully pulling her off Ethan. "How can you marry a man who has no last name?!"

"That's not what Raymond said!" Maria tried to defend. It didn't matter if Ethan had a last name, even if he was an outcast, Maria was ready to stick by him; if only he'd let her.

"You foolish girl LOOK AROUND YOU!" He yelled. Maria did as her father had instructed. She looked round the area. The people who once welcomed her with admiration were now starting at her; dejection and disgust beaming in their eyes. How could they! Maria's anger grew, how dare they treat her like this! Rage filled her. She decided to take a second look round the room, that was when she realized, they were not staring at her, rather they were focused on the person behind her. Their demeaning gazes were fixed on Ethan. This made Maria boil all the more.

"How dare you all look at him that way!" She yelled. "How can you all be this ungrateful." She heaved, her body shaking violently. She was scared.

"Sir..." Andrew drew closer to him. All this time, Ethan had been silent, he wasn't paying attention to what people were saying or the argument going on between Maria and her father. The only thing on his mind was his family.

"Sir, i." Before Andrew could finish his statement, Ethan walked out of the venue.

"Ethan!" Maria tried to chase after him, however, two boyguards held her hands, pulling her back.

"Tch! Let's get out of here!" Elvis announced. He walked out of the venue with Maria behind him; she was being carried away by the guards. She struggled and screamed until they left.

After Elvis left, the murmuring increased, drowning out the music which was still playing in the background. Betrayal, mockery and contempt such made up the lifestyle of the rich. Within the twinkle of an eye, all those who praised Ethan and were his firm supporters turned and began to speak of him in such a vile manner. Some guests unable to handle the ongoing situation, started leaving.

At this moment, the internet was flooded with news of Ethan. Scandals started circulating, most of them fake news which were being peddled by local media outlets. The tabloids were unforgiving. Moments later, the stock market reacted.

News of Ethan's four companies loosing shareholders spread amongst his partners who were present at the party. In their own interest, some of his partners decided to form an alliance to pull out of his company; they couldn't risk going down with him.

Ethan's reputation and popularity started dropping rapidly. His fourteen years of grueling hard work had been destroyed within ten minutes by a single letter.

Indeed, this was the beginning of the end for Ethan Alexander Hernández.

******

******

Unbelievable. How could a person's family be that wicked. I thought, my gaze following Andrew's boss as he walked out. When he had arrived at the party, he oozed confidence, now however, all i saw was a man who had been rejected by the world. I felt his pain.

"People are heartless." Annie stated, her eyes darting round the room, disgust plastered across her face. "I never liked him from the start. But at least, I am better that all of these two-faced backstabbers. How could they turn on him so fast."

"Such is the life of the rich."

The rooftop started getting roudy as people flooded in and out. "We need to find Andrew and get out of here." Annie stated as she started to dail his number.

... It's Andrew here, I'm currently working so please leave a message after the beep...

"Andrew you idiot!" Annie cursed loudly. The call had gone straight to voicemail. Annie got tensed, she surveyed the room. We had to leave but we couldn't go without Andrew. With all the security guards gone, the rooftop got increasingly roudy and things could go south at any minute. We had to leave while there was still time. Annie though for a while before she reached a decision. "Okay. Listen to me Roxi. I am going to find Andrew. You have to stay put here until i come back okay?"

"B-but why can't I come with?" I enquired. I was too scared to stay alone. I had a very bad feeling about everything.

"I know, but i have to find him he could be anywhere and if you follow me it could be dangerous. Staying here is the safest option for you."

"But Annie..."

"Roxi please." Annie held my hands. She looked scared, but she tried to hide it for my sake. All i had to do was put my trust in her... So i did.

"Fine. But be back quickly okay."

"Thank you." She gave me a quick peck on my forehead before disappearing into the crowd. Leaving me alone.

For a while i kept breathing fast, i felt weird like there was something slowly creeping up on me from behind. It made me feel agitated. I would occasionally turn my head back to see if anyone was behind me... Nobody. I gulped down some glasses of water in an attempt to curb my anxiety. I'm okay, I'm okay. I kept repeating in my head.

"So she still Orders you around, huh?"

"Who said that?!" My head snapped towards the back to see who was behind me. No one. This made me more anxious, my breathing quicken, my heartbeat doubling. You're okay, you're okay.

"What are you so scared of?"

"Who said that?!" I yelled, causing some heads to snap in my direction. What was happening? Who is talking?

"I leave you for three months and this is the welcome i receive?"

"J-janet?" I whispered, sweat dripping down my face.

"That's more like it."

"W-what are y-you doing in my head?"

"Your head? Ha! Last time i checked, this was our head."

"No. Annie said you were gone for good, how come? Why are you here?!" I yelled once again. This time lots of people stated staring at me.

"You don't want me back? Ouch!"

"No i want you back." I shook my head, "No i don't. N-no i don't."

"Well too bad, I'm here to stay and it's all thanks to you."

"What do you mean?"

"Thankfully, you took my advice and stopped taking the drugs. That's the only reason I'm still here."

"T-the the drugs?" Something hit me. "That's it! The drugs! Annie said she had put them in my purse incase of an emergency." I beamed, then began to search around for my purse. That was when i realized, i never brought it up with me. I left it in the Limo.

Suddenly i started feeling anxious again. I had to go get my purse, but Annie told me to stay put. The conflict went back and forth in my head. Janet was back, Annie was gone and all of it was my fault. My head felt extremely cloudy, the last time i had felt this way was three months ago. I had to get the purse.

I bent down, took of my heels then made a break for the elevator door. I felt sandwiched between the crowd. I pushed and shoved until i got a space in the crammed elevator. In an instant, my clusterphobia hit me. I felt like screaming. I held unto myself as Janet went on a rampage in my head. I shut my eyes waiting for it all to end. I felt so alone.

*DING* The elevator door opened. Without paying any attention to which floor i was on, i ran out of the elevator screaming.

"Help me! Someone help me!" Tears ran down my cheeks. I banged on every door along the hallway hoping someone would open up and help me. Janet kept screaming in my head as i developed a siege mentality. People were surrounding me but when i tried to push them away, i held nothing. "Help me please!" I stepped on my dress, ripping off the delicate fabric.

'Where do you think you're running to?'

'No one loves you, no one can save you!'

'You're all alone Roxanne, like you've always been.'

"STOP!" I held unto my head as i ran from one hallway to another.

'Annie hates you, that's why she left you.'

"That's not true, Annie loves me!"

'You should just kill yourself. You're a waste of space!'

"STOP! STOPPP."

'Just die. Die Roxanne Die!!' Die Roxanne Die!!

'Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die.'

"No. People care about me... Annie... Andrew."

'No one is here, you're all alone. They hate you. Just do them a favour and die.'

'How can Annie love you when all you ever did was lie to her?! You broke her trust, you demon!'

"She's right." I gave in. "I'm a liar. A demon. Die. I should just die. No one loves me. I'm worthless." I mumbled. I was in a sort of trance, i had no idea if i was still in my own body, all i knew at that time was that i wanted to die.

'Yes Die. Kill yourself. No one will ever love you. You're hopeless. Worthless. A waste of Air.'

I kept on banging on doors, then finally, one door creaked open. I made my way inside hoping there'd be someone. Nobody. It wasn't even a room, it was a large space with chairs arranged round a large rectangular hole at the center of the room. I inched closer until the image of a pool became clear.

'A pool. Go further. Don't stop. Drown. Die.'

My feet kept dragging along the floor, with each step, i moved closer to the pool. What was i living for? I couldn't take the torment anymore. Die. End it. No more pain. These words repeated on and on in my head. I felt at peace. This was the only way out. Death was the only solution. I reached the edge of the pool and without thinking twice, i leaned in.

"What do you thing you're doing?" A masculine voice echoed from behind me.

He reeked of alcohol.