Chapter 122 THE DUMMY
High chandeliers lit the entire place, casting a warm glow on the people. Men and women of important society walked around, some with glasses in their hands, others with their hands tucked in their pockets as they mingled with each other. Fine China and silver glassware sparkled as a few balloons hung on the ceiling.
On the wall was Happy birthday, John Hart. John is an influential businessman from Mexico. Many businessmen and women want to party with him, and that's why the event is crowded. Reporters weren't left out as their cameras flashed, taking images and videos of the event.
Outside, their paparazzi were worse, as they hardly let people walk in. The guards also have a hard time welcoming the guests in.
A black car was parked outside, and inside the car were Hazel, Nikita and Winter.
Hazel kept looking outside the window, and Nikita stayed calm as usual, but inwardly she was worried and confused. Ricky mysteriously disappeared. For all she could remember, she didn't scold him or do anything bad to him. Then why did he leave without telling her?
She'd thought about telling Hazel, but waved it off. Explaining to Hazel something is like explaining it to a four-year-old kid.
Winter's eyes looked ahead, or maybe not. Secretly, she was noting the cars that were driving in. Her dad would be there and Drexton, too.
She had no idea what Drexton was planning, but whatever it was, they'd ruin it. She just hopes everything goes her way, and Drexton doesn't run things when trying to expose Hazel.
Her eyes traveled to Hazel to see her looking at the window occasionally. No doubt, she's waiting for Drexton.
Despite the things Nikita told her, she still wore her bitchy clothes.
She wore a long red slit gown. The slit ended far away from her mid-thigh. Her breasts were almost out as her cleavages were exposed down to her diamond-studded belly button. Her heels were crazily long as well.
Nikita tries telling her, but as usual, Hazel doesn't listen, and Nikita has been worried about Ricky's disappearance.
She should keep worrying because she'd never find him.
A car pulled up.
Hazel's face instantly lit up.
At times, she wondered if the acid had washed off her senses.
She faced Winter, her heavy makeup glittering on her face. Her eyelids were heavy, and she lifted her artificial eyelashes that were dark because of the mascara. Her lipstick was heavy too. Her appearance could scare a child.
"You are my bodyguard, don't forget it," she said coldly.
Winter nodded, taking her gaze back to Drexton's car. He had stepped out, with Jaxon beside him and Alexa beside Jaxon.
Quickly, she noticed Maddox's absence. They don't do things alone, and strangely, she's been noticing he's never with them again.
She wondered what had happened to him.
"Let's go," Nikita said, adjusting her frame on her nose bridge.
She fears Drexton might recognize her, so she disguises herself a bit. She wore white glasses and a long, wavy wig despite having shoulder-length hair.
Hazel excitedly opened the car door and left. Nikita and Winter joined her.
Drexton, Jaxon and Alexa fixed their eyes and turned to see her.
"Wow," Alexa muttered from where she stood because of Hazel's dressing.
Hazel got to Drexton with her usual fake smile.
"You kept me waiting," she said.
"I was getting John his birthday gift," Drexton replied, fixing his bow.
Both he and Jaxon were dressed in tuxedos. Drexton wore black, and his hair was tousled backward with some strands falling on his face. He grew handsome over the years.
Jaxon gelled his blue hair backward, looking hot as usual.
"Oh," her gaze landed on Alexa. "Sister," she went and hugged her.
"You didn't come to see me again. You know we'll make a good team bonding together."
Alexa smiled though it didn't reach her ears.
"I've been busy, but I did think about it," Alexa replied, in the same nice tone.
"You should visit once in a while. We recently got to know about our relationship, and I want us to bond really well," Hazel said, breaking the hug.
"My mistake, I apologize."
Hazel laughed. "You're so funny."
Alexa cursed her in her head, showing off her amazing teeth. The diamond ring glittered.
When it comes to Alexa, she doesn't give a damn about events; she dresses in whatever way she feels comfortable. She was wearing green pants over a crop top and a long jacket that stopped at her legs. Instead of a gangster, it gave her the look of a CEO.
Drexton felt somebody's gaze on him, and he looked to see Nikita staring at him.
"Who's she?" he asked Hazel.
Hazel looked at Nikita, then back to Drexton.
"She's Nikita, my secretary."
Nikita didn't say a thing as she wasn't surprised. Not like she expected Hazel to use her brains. She'd always humiliate people at the slightest chance she got.
Drexton nodded, and his gaze fell on Winter.
Winter, seeming to have noticed, returned the gaze as they both began staring at each other.
Drexton recognized her. She's Hazel's bodyguard, the one who's protecting an imposter with her life. The one he's going to destroy if she dares to interfere in his plans tonight.
Winter began feeling uncomfortable under his stares. It was blank, but she knew he was thinking. He never stares at someone without a reason. It's always reading people and racking his brain. She had no idea of his thoughts behind his gaze. What if he unraveled her like a boom? If that's the case, then she has to somehow leave. She knows Nikita did a lot of work in disguising her, but he shouldn't be trusted.
"Miss Ixora Castellan."
The reporters hurried to them, causing them to divert their attention.
Thank God.
She heaved a sigh of relief.
Hazel smiled cockily, turning to their camera. This has been the life she always wanted. Fame, luxury, attention.
They threw questions at her, and she answered while claiming to be Ixora.
Drexton, Jaxon and Alexa went in without her.
"You go in. I will watch everything from the shadows."
Winter nodded and began heading in.
"Where's dad?" she thought, and as if the universe heard her, she saw a man walking in.
He wore dark shades.
Without waiting to confirm, she knew it was her father.
The dark shade was to prevent attention. He prefers his quiet life.
They exchange glances before walking in separately.
\--
It's been about twenty minutes with nothing important happening, except for the fact that Hazel didn't leave Drexton's arm for once.
"She is indeed a bitch," Alexa commented from where she sat with Jaxon.
"True," Jaxon added.
Winter's eyes were locked on them. Hazel had warned her not to stay far away, but she shouldn't stay with them. According to Hazel, Winter reeks of poverty.
Not like she cares. In fact, she likes it that way. Staying with them might make Drexton pay too much attention to her.
She could see her father, and they had been communicating secretly with their eyes. She knew everyone's eyes were on her. Alexa, Jaxon, Drexton, Hazel and Nikita, whom she had no idea where she had gone.
Claps erupted as a man climbed down, his arm locked with his wife. They were both looking like a perfect couple as John gave his speech.
Without releasing their arms, they went and stood before the cake.
On the cake, Happy 60th birthday was designed on it.
At the count of five, he sliced the knife down the cake. The claps grew louder, and the camera flashed across every angle.
"It's an honor to have you all today, and to make this birthday a memorable one. Dance, eat and enjoy yourself, everyone," he said, stepping down the stage with his wife.
They both sat down, and music played in the hall.
"Drexton," Hazel called, rubbing his forearm.
Drexto hummed in reply.
"I'm bored, let's go and dance," she said.
Drexton didn't reply at first, his gaze falling on Winter.
"Sure," he replied, and this time he was the one who held her hand.
She went with him to the center of the stage, failing to see the smirk that appeared on Drexton's face.
"I wonder what he's up to," Jaxon said.
Alexa's eyes were also on Drexton.
Dancing with Hazel is strange, and to think he didn't even tell them how he's going to accomplish his mission tonight.
"I've missed this so much. Let's make more memories like this," Hazel said, moving her body to match the slow beat.
Drexton held her waist, already picturing her fate. He made the plan, but she's giving him a successful mission without even knowing.
"Sure. The memory can start now." Immediately he said that, the lights went off.
Everybody stood, murmurs erupting in the background.
Winter also stood.
Hazel felt Drexton's arm slipping from her waist.
"Drexton," she called, waving her hand in front to try and find him.
She missed her step and twisted her ankle.
"Argh," she winced and fell on the floor.
"Drexton, where are you?" she asked, terrified.
"I'm behind you," a voice said, not Drexton's but one that sounded so familiar to her.
She had heard the voice before.
Luckily for her, some people turned on their flashlights.
She looked down at her ankle to see that it had started bleeding.
Slowly, she turned her head to where the voice came from.
Her eyes landed on the thing. True to her thoughts, it wasn't Drexton's voice, but...
She opened her mouth and let out a horrifying scream.
"Argh!!!"