"Yes, child…I am fine" he touched her cheeks, smiling at her.
"Excuse" he turns and walks away. Smiles could only stare at his back confused. One minute he is fun and happy, the next he is sad and looking all regretful.
"No doubt he's Derrick's dad," she thought, taking her seat.
"Ladies and gentlemen…I call you all here today to join me in welcoming my daughter, who due to misunderstanding, got separated from us but now, she is in our midst…with us, looking as beautiful as ever," he said. The crowds start murmuring, asking questions upon questions. Some are eager to see who that daughter is, others talking about his past story, on how he lost his wife and child while others wish they were the ones to be called the little Ms of the Wright family.
"I know you all must be wondering who this person is but not to worry, she is here with us…like I said, she's in our midst but we will introduce her…though not now. To begin this wonderful celebration, let's have a toast for finally being able to find her after years of searching…. thanks to my son, Derrick, who was hellbent on finding her…now we can know what she looks like…toast!!" He raised his glass in the air as the crowd did the same.
Smiles caught sight of Grandma Shiley and Grandpa Jimmy coming through the entrance.
A bright smile bloomed on her face as she immediately made her way to them. Grandma Shiley was very happy to see her again after their last separation as she took her in a tight hug, then Grandpa Jimmy.
"I am so happy to finally see you again, pretty child" Grandma Shiley pinched light on her cheeks.
"Same here grandma" she responded meekly.
"How have you guys been?" Smiles directed her question to both of them.
"We are good, child," Grandpa Jimmy said in an assuring tone intertwining their hands together.
Smiles saw it, and it got her blushing. She isn't sure she will ever get tired of watching them being all lovey.
"Did he hurt you?... I mean that brat of a grandson" Grandma Shiley asked, whispering into her ears.
Smiles almost burst into laughter at the sight of Grandma Shiley putting on a gossiping face…
"No Grandma, he's been good…in fact, he's been super and extra nice to me ever since I got back home that night" She explains blushing and Grandma Shiley nods smiling.
"That's good, child…don't give up," Grandma Shiley said over her voice as Grandpa Jimmy pulled her away, he was tired of waiting and knowing who his wife was, he couldn't leave her there, or else, she would end up talking till the party's over.
"Sorry child, but I have to take your grandma Shiley away from you" he apologized and Smiles could only nod in understanding while smiling.
"Where did you go?" Asked Keane to smile, taking back her seat.
"To see Grandma Shiley and Grandpa Jimmy, they just arrived and I thought it wise to say hi to them" she explains. He nods, his gaze never leaving her as it travels down to her exposed collarbones and arms, threatening his self-control. He gulps down, trying so hard not to pound on her, for she looks even more alluring as days go by and he can't help but want to have her over and over again, every day and every second.
If not because they were at a party right now, he's very sure he would have eaten her right here and now, making sure she cried out to him, begging for more.
No matter how hard he tried to look away, he just couldn't. He had indeed become addicted to her, her body and everything.
His brows twisted at the sudden smile she had on her face.
She was smiling, not to him but to another…following her line of sight, he spotted Derrick in a gray suit staring at them smiling too but his smile vanished when he met Keane's gaze.
Keane felt jealous somehow seeing her smile like that, he couldn't remember the last time he saw her smile in such a way that left him breathless even though it wasn't for him. Deep down, he knew Derrick was her brother and hence, nothing is or will ever go on between them but he was still jealous of the fact Derrick got to make her smile so beautifully.
With one last glance at Keane, Derrick walks up to the stage where his father is seated. He whispers something to him and he nods, giving him the go-ahead.
He walks to the mic, looking at the well-respected guests seated patiently waiting for him to say something.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for joining me in this great celebration…just like my father said, it has been my life's dream to find my sister and that dream of mine is finally here…
I spent all my life searching but never got results. Truth is, I almost gave up thinking it was all in vain but because of one person, I summoned the courage to keep on searching. But one thing I failed to understand was the presence of that someone in my life, she's been there though not from the beginning but for a while now…I kept on looking from afar, hoping to see the treasure I'd been looking for oblivious of it standing right next to me….
To cut a long story short, I would like to introduce to you, my one and only sister…" he paused, staring at the crowd that kept staring at him with so much eagerness and anticipation.
"I would like to climb down and bring her up here with me," he said and walked down the stage. He only stops when he is before Smiles, who stares at him in confusion not understanding what's going on.
He flaps his arms to her, urging her to grab him.
She stares back at Keane as if asking for his permission. He nods in response, giving her a light smile.
With that, she holds on to Derrick's arms as he leads her back to the stage.