Chapter 39 The Opening Ceremony
“No way,” I muttered, pulling Lena to the side so that I could get a perfect view.
I peeked through the shelf to check, and it was truly Mrs. Hart, vibrant as always, searching through the clothes as if she owned the store.
“I guess wicked people age slowly,” I scoffed softly, my gaze fixed on her.
Then my gaze shifted to the woman beside her. She was about my age but she looked expensive, very expensive.
The bag she carried screamed luxury and her diamond stud shone under the store’s lights as she moved.
They leaned toward each other from time to time, speaking in hushed tones as they searched through the shelves slowly as if they were ready to buy everything in the store.
“Should we walk up to her?” Lena whispered as she leaned closer to my ear.
“No,” I said quickly.
I didn’t even think about it. There was no point actually.
“No?” she asked, straightening and moving a few feet back from me.
“I don’t want any encounter with that woman, Lena,” I said, my voice just a bit above a whisper.
Seeing her made me realize that I was still scared of her, and my chest tightened even as I looked at her from afar.
“Well,” Lena muttered and folded her arms.
“I’m ready to talk sense into that woman if you change your mind,” she added.
“Let’s leave her to shop in peace,” I replied.
“That woman needs to know you are not the same person she knew years ago,” she muttered.
“Lena, let’s just wait until she leaves,” I retorted, looking at her briefly before returning my gaze to Mrs. Hart.
We stood there for a couple of minutes, half peeping and half hiding.
Every time Alex’s mother shifted closer to where we were, I pulled back, pretending to be checking a random dress.
Finally, she walked over to the cashier’s desk together with the woman beside her.
The cashier scanned the tags on the dresses they picked, then they exchanged a few words.
After that, they paid and walked towards the exit.
“Gosh!” I straightened, breathing softly as I placed my hand on my chest.
“I thought I was going to suffocate with her presence,” I muttered.
“You really should have allowed me to speak to her, maybe show off a bit that you are no more the liability she thought you were and that you are better off without her son,” Lena said and clicked her tongue.
“Hmm,” I sighed, stepping fully out of hiding.
“It’s fine, Lena. Let it go,” I added.
“I hate her with every ounce of my flesh,” she grumbled.
I smiled and we continued shopping.
After minutes of checking and checking, we finally finished shopping, paid for what we bought, and walked out of the store.
The drive back home wasn’t as lively as it was when we were going.
Why did I have to see that woman on such a happy day?
“I hope you aren’t sulking because of that woman?” she asked, searching my face for an answer.
“No,” I replied, my face blank.
“You’d better not be… she’s not worth even a tiny bit of your energy,” she added.
We got home, tried the clothes on, and just waited patiently for the big day.
Days passed and the proposed day for the opening ceremony finally came.
Just as expected from someone of Dave’s caliber, the venue was breathtaking.
Expensive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, spreading warm golden lights across the hall, and music played as waiters moved around gracefully with wines and cocktails on trays.
Everywhere was filled with dignitaries, politicians, business moguls, and foreign investors. Some I have seen in the news and some I’ve never seen. But the way they were dressed, one would know that they were far from being middle-class.
“You know we are underdressed for this kind of gathering, right?” she whispered, holding my arms as we walked into the hall.
“Behave yourself,” I chuckled softly as I scanned the hall looking for a familiar face.
Before we could move farther into the hall, Dave’s eyes found me.
He was speaking to one of his guests, but as soon as he saw me, his face lit up politely. He said something to the man, excused himself, and walked towards us.
“Joan, thanks for coming,” he said with a warm smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Wilton,” I greeted.
“Who do we have here?” he asked, his gaze shifting to Lena.
“I’m Lena. Joan’s only friend,” she smiled and stretched out her hand.
“Oh, wow. It’s a pleasure meeting you,” he said, taking her hand.
“Congratulations. This place is beautiful,” she said.
“Thank you,” Dave replied, clearly pleased.
I introduced them formally and just then, Dave was called away by another guest.
“He’s so hot,” Lena whispered.
“Shhh,” I muttered.
Then a waiter walked up to us and offered us wine.
Lena picked two glasses and handed one to me.
Not long after, Alex and Marcus arrived.
Alex looked so dangerously hot that he almost took my breath away.
“My crush is here,” Lena tugged at my arms, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“How many crushes do you have for crying out loud?” I muttered, my brows furrowed as I sipped my wine.
They walked up to us and we exchanged pleasantries. Then instantly, Marcus and Lena clicked, laughing and teasing as if they had known each other for years.
After a while, I was alone with Alex.
“You look beautiful,” he said softly.
“Thank you,” I replied, my cheeks almost turning red.
“You clean up nicely too,” I added.
Then he smirked.
Before we could say anything else, Dave walked up to us.
“Alex,” he said, extending his hand.
“Thank you for honoring my invitation,” he added.
“It’s my pleasure,” Alex replied professionally and shook his hand.
Right after that short greeting, Dave turned to me.
“Joan, some of my partners have been asking about the designer behind the project.”
“Huh,” I blinked.
“They are very impressed with your work and I would like you to meet them,” he continued.
Wow. Just wow.
I didn’t know if I should dance or jump up. The thought that my name might soon become global sent a rush of excitement through my nerves.
But before I could say anything, I noticed Alex's expression… the softness in his eyes was gone.
But what could I do?
That was a very big opportunity and it was important that I grabbed it.
“I will be right back,” I said to Alex, forcing a smile.
Then I placed my wine glass on a moving tray and followed Dave.
He led me through the guests and introduced me to them one after the other.
“This is the woman I told you about.”
Some of them were foreign partners, investors who needed an interpreter to interpret before I could understand their language.
Each introduction came with handshakes, praises, and business cards.
And I wouldn’t lie, my confidence slowly built with each conversation.
After long minutes of business conversations, Dave leaned slightly towards me.
“Do you need a break?” he whispered into my ear.
“I think I do,” I smirked.
He stretched his hand, waiting for me to hold it.
I hesitated for a while, but held it anyway.
Then he led me to the balcony.
We had barely gotten there when he got a call.
He looked at the screen and frowned.
“I have to attend to this. Do you want to go back to the hall?” he asked, clearly displeased.
“Oh… I will just get fresh air for a while and return to the hall,” I said with a soft smile.
“Alright then,” he said and turned to leave.
I moved over to the railing and was scanning the environment when I heard an unfamiliar voice.
“He likes you.”