BEAUTIFUL GOWNS AND SMART TUXEDOS
Viviana
The sight was almost overwhelming.
Very tall walls with equally tall grey draperies covering the windows, two winding staircases, flashing lights, cameras and huge chandeliers. The best of dresses and the smartest of tuxedos were brought to the limelight as Jacob took us through the crowd. He saw someone he apparently knew- because I wonder who would want to make good acquaintance with someone like him, aside from anything that had to do with business. But surprisingly there were some persons who were fine with being friends with him. Probably the middle aged man he was speaking with is just like him- well it’s bad to judge so I probably shouldn’t.
“This is my favorite secretary and soon to be woman, Viviana Ricci” Jacob said as he introduced me to the man. I almost passed out at the introduction. What sort of introduction is that?
Soon to be woman?
I cast a sideways glance at my boss quickly before stretching out my hand to the eager man. “Just call me Alcaraz.”
“Mr Alcaraz will do just fine.” I said, receiving the firm shake of his hand. “Stop being so humble Alcaraz-“ Mr Bianchi says.
“Mr Alcaraz is one of the reasons the Bianchi corporations still stands, the reason you even have a job. You should profoundly be grateful to him.” He encouraged.
Irritation spread in the depths of my belly as Jacob pulled me closer to himself while speaking.
“I and the entire Bianchi employees are grateful to you Mr Alcaraz. Thank you.”
The man waved a hand at me as if to tell me ‘it’s nothing.’
But I can’t imagine it being nothing when it had to involve working with Jacob. From the corner of my eye, I see Mr Fernando Grant just gracing the occasion, with a gorgeous red head on his arm. I slyly whisper to my boss about the entry of the one we came here for.
“I’ll have to leave you now Mr Alcaraz. I hate to do this, but a need calls.”
“I know you didn’t come to such a gathering to eat good food and drink good wine. I knew you definitely had a motive to you. Well good luck.”
Jacob nods before swiftly turning and heading toward the direction I had told him Mr Fernando was. He whispered into my ear, “tonight live a little Viviana. Have a dance if someone requests for it, enjoy the scenery and let your smile look more natural.”
I force myself to nod like I understand what he is saying.
He can tell that my smile is tight and fake but he cannot tell that he is the damn reason. Wow, and the award for the man of the decade goes to Mr Jacob Bianchi. In fact, human of the century!
All the while, Massimo continues to move behind us and I can feel his stare on me all along. I wish I could turn around or look long enough to know what he’s thinking. Wait, why do I want to know what he’s thinking? Or rather, why do I care to know what he’s thinking?
I immediately let go of that notion and concentrate on the task ahead. A huge grin graces my face as we get to Mr Fernando Grant who is speaking with another man. The man he is speaking with looks familiar and then I remember having seen him sometimes on television. But his name eludes my memory.
Introductions are made before the man goes away with his beautiful date on his arm. Then we face Billionnaire Fernando Grant.
Before my boss can complete his greeting, Mr Fernanado breaks the hold the red head has on his arm as he stares at me and reaches for my hand.
“The Spanish interpreting secretary… I almost did not recognize you. This is spectacular. Save a dance for me, I most definitely want to enjoy the floor with you before the night ends.”
I nod my head hopelessly, hoping that my smile was not back to tight and fake. But the moment I step back, I feel a heat radiating by my side. It’s from Massimo. I turn to him and see his eyes on Mr Fernando. I hope he knows he is staring at the man because if the man sees him, the man would flee and never give us the investment Bianchi Corporations needs.
Then we turn as a biggest screen in the hall begins to speak- showing slideshows of children in developing schools and those that still haven’t gotten an entry into this school.
The pictures on the screen squeezes a part of my heart as I keep staring at it. It grows from bad to worse. I have never seen anything like this. I can only hope that by the end of this night, millionnaires and billionaires would decide to help, in all the ways they can.