Chapter 35 No. 57
Ariel
The day of the cruise party, I was still in bed, trying to escape my reality with sleep when my doorbell rang. "No..." I groaned immediately, my hand going straight for a pillow to cover my head.
Why?!!!
I don't want to get out of bed yet. If possible, I don't want to get out of bed at all. I just want to wallow in self-pity till I become invisible from the rest of the world and somehow find a way to miss the party without jeopardising my life and family.
Yeah, I know. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Ringggg. I groaned again as the doorbell rang and stood up to finally see who it was.
It couldn't be Jonas, right? I mean, he just told me two days ago that my schedule for the weekend was cleared, something I'm sure was influenced by Felix and had obviously confused Jonas due to the promotions I was meant to be doing for my single.
According to him. Felix had told him something came up with my family, which I agreed was true. Jonas didn't know much about my family, thanks to Richard, so it seemed plausible. I just know he was going to burst soon with all the questions he has for me.
As I got close to the door, I suddenly froze. What if it was Chloe? It's possible. Or Vincent? Not so possible but he could have sent his minion, Kael to deliver a message or something.
I took a deep breath as I finally got to the door, then opened it.
Oh, it wasn't Chloe or Vincent or Kael or Jonas. It was one of the security guards from the ground floor and he had a large cream box in his hand.
"Good day, ma'am. A package was dropped off for you."
"Oh..." He handed the box to me, a smile plastered on his face and turned immediately to go.
"Wait." I took a quick glance around the box's body. "Did the person drop a name or..."
"Oh, no. It was actually dropped by a delivery driver a few minutes ago."
"Oh..."
"Yeah."
"There might be a card in the box, though." He added after a moment of silence and I nodded. "Yes, that's right." The box just seemed too bland and honestly, I had no idea who would be sending me a package on this day by this time.
I know it is not Jonas, or anyone I know even.
"That'll be all then." I added when the man remained still in front of the door, probably waiting for anything else I might have to say.
"Okay then, Ma. Have a nice day." He bowed slightly as he walked away and nodded at me yet again as he got into the elevator quite close to my apartment.
I nodded back, then went in.
Who could it be though?
Wait, Vincent.
That would make sense but also made my skin crawl. What could he possibly have in store for me again?
Oh. My eyes widened when I saw what was in the box.
A dress and not just any dress but a designer. I know that because I'd seen it at the Jaclins' recent fashion show for their new collection.
What? A bag too and heels? I picked up the square card sitting by the corner of the box after rummaging through its content to see what was written on it.
Oh. That sounded mysterious and only reminded me of one person. One person I would rather not think about right now. Vincent.
The card read, 'Wear this.'
By 7 pm, I was ready in the red halter-neck dress Vincent had sent me. Or at least that's what I believe. I had on the shoes, bag, matching gold earrings, which I'd found in my closet with some bangles and a light makeup I'd done by myself since I had no makeup artist to help me out with it.
Now I was waiting for the car Anastasia had said would come pick me up by 7 pm in the lobby.
I took out my phone to check the time. 7:02. Okay, should I be alarmed? What if they suddenly decided to abandon me? What does that mean for...
"Miss Bennett." I looked up at the tall, handsome guy in a suit who suddenly approached me.
"Yes." I nodded, standing up from my seat. "Are you Anastasia's... the guy that is supposed to pick me up?"
"Yes, ma. I'm Michael. Sorry for the delay. There was a bit of traffic."
"No, it's fine."
"Shall we?"
If I had a say, no. But since I didn't, i followed him as he led me out of the apartment building and into a very expensive black limousine where a lady, a waitress I think, waited.
Wow.
The sight took my mind off my predicament for a moment, right before the lady asked. "Would you like a glass of champagne, ma?"
Oh okay. I mean sure. I could definitely use one now. I nodded. "Yes, please."
She moved to pour me a drink from the mini-bar arrangement and served it to me. I'm guessing I'll meet Anastasia and her family there and, oh, General Yuri Aleksandrov Z--- yeah, I've still not mastered his full name.
It took about two hours for us to arrive at the dock where the yacht was being held. God, it was huge and already filled with people, as was obvious through the deck that was visible from the parking area where a bunch of other cars were parked. Some kind of classical music was playing loudly as we approached the dock, Michael and I, and a line of security guards stood stationed by the yacht and on the yacht.
"Your invitation, Ma." One of them said to me the moment I got onto the deck. I took out my phone and showed him the digital invite Anastasia had sent to me.
"Number 57." He nodded to a woman a bit higher up the deck who beckoned for me to come forward. I did just that and stared, confused as she picked up a large wristband from a bunch of wristbands in a basket beside her, then slapped it onto my arm.
"Your phone please?" I raised an eyebrow when she raised up another basket to stretch towards me. I complied.
"Any other digital device on you?" I shook my head. "No."
"Okay." She dropped the basket and gestured for me to meet another man in a suited up attire ahead who used a body scanner on me.
Then i was free to go in.
Phew. I released the breath i had been holding and went past a sliding door into the lounge area where people stopd around and mingled.
I turned to Michael, who had come in after me immediately and showed him the wristband. "What does this mean?"
"Uh... I'm not sure, ma. Some sort of identification."
"Oh." I looked closely at it. It was red with the number 57 written boldly on it.
What does the 57 mean?
"This way, ma'am." I turned back to Michael, who started leading me through the space and I felt a little uneasy when I saw who he was leading me to.
Anastasia. But not just Anastasia. Her father too and a number of the family tree I'd listed out the other time.
"Miss Bennett." Mr Coleman smiled brightly at me when he saw me. "How have you been?"
I nodded politely. "Good, and you? Hi... everyone," I added to the others who took a moment to stare at me.
"Good too. You're just in time. The yacht will be leaving soon, and, oh, might I say, you look absolutely gorgeous in that dress."
"Oh", I smiled slightly. "Thank you."
"I wasn't sure if it'd be a good fit but I see I made a good choice."
I raised an eyebrow when that registered in my brain. "Sir?"
"Oh, right. I didn't properly introduce myself in the card. I'm the one who sent the dress."
What?!