Chapter 16 The Gala Night
Seraphina stared at herself in the long mirror of the room Julian hosted her in. The maid, named Joye, clasped a luxurious diamond necklace around her neck, completing her look.
With her hair well packed like that of a royalty and the luxurious jewelries she was adorned with, she almost couldn’t recognize herself in the mirror. It had been long since she attended a glamorous event because she had been hiding her identity all her life.
Her father hid her when he was alive. And she continued to hide herself for five years after his death—To hide her son also.
And today, the curse was about to be broken. Julian Thorne was going to propose to her in the presence of his guests. Anxiety wound through her at the thought.
“You look very beautiful, ma’am” The maid genuinely complimented.
Seraphina shot a small smile in her direction, “Thank you, Joye.”
“The…” Joye was saying, but Seraphina cut her short as her phone started to ring. It was her son’s nanny.
“Please, I want to pick this.” Joye bowed her head slightly. She excused herself to the restroom and picked.
“Maris. I’m so glad you finally called. You have been unreachable.” Sera complained.
“I’m so sorry Miss Sera. My phone was faulty and I just repaired it from the weekly stipend you pay me.”
“Okay okay, where is my son? I’ve been dying to speak to him.” There was a short silence on the phone.
“Maris?”
“He’s the reason I called, ma’am”
Seraphina’s heart jumped carelessly. “Is he okay? Please tell me he’s okay,” Her voice shook.
“Yes he is. Phoenix has a special talent, ma’am. I’m not sure if you are aware.”
No no no. Seraphina was hoping no one would find out. She had even warned her son not to let anyone know about it, that he should always pretend.
Her voice was weak as she responded. “And what’s that?”
“Miss Sera, it’s so strange but it’s true. Phoenix can memorize pages of a book after reading it once. His school discovered it recently and followed him home to tell me. I don’t even know how I was never aware until I was…”
“He will no longer go to that school.” Seraphina interrupted, her tone commanding. Maris’ short silence over the phone depicted her shock. She wasn’t expecting such a reaction. She had expected that Seraphina would be happy.
“But ma’am, it’s a great thing. They are putting him up for a talent show. This could mean success. Why do you…”
“Maris!” Sera exclaimed. “Listen to me. Take him away from that school. He’s no more attending. When they ask about him, tell them we moved. Do you hear me, Maris?”
“Ok…Okay, ma’am. I will do as I am told.”
“Good. Please give the phone to him.” Maris did so. Seraphina heard her telling him in the background that his mum was on air.
“Hello, mummy, where are you?” His tiny voice immediately calmed her disturbed nerves, warming her heart in a way only he does. Her voice softened.
“Baby, I’m with you. I’m speaking with you now. Am I not?”
“Nooo. You are not here. I miss you, mum. When are you coming back?”
Tears welled up Seraphina’s eyes, but she blinked them away. There was nothing she wanted more than to be with her son right now, but there was a lot she had to do here.
“I will be back in two days, baby. Phoenix, are you okay?”
“Yes, mum. I read a book today, and my teacher…”
“You won’t again, okay?”
“Again? Mum, why?”
“Because they will mock you later. You can’t keep letting people know you can do such, okay? It’s not safe.” She didn’t hear him respond.
“Baby?”
“Heard you, mum.”
“That’s my baby. Trust me, I will be back with a lot of goodies for you.”
“Yay! Can’t wait, mummy”
After the call ended, Seraphina returned to the room with a heavy heart. Joye was still there, standing beside the dresser table.
“Master has sent his driver to pick you up, ma’am. He’s outside.”
Sera’s heart jumped. For a second, she had forgotten about the gala night. Her mind was now somewhere else. Because she remembered the last time her son read an entire twenty page school book off-head to her. He had gone dizzy, blood trickling from his nose.
“Thank you, Joye. I will head outside now.”
~
Julian Thorne walked through the guests at the grand gala hall of “Zenith One Technologies”, exchanging greetings with a few business associates.
The place was wide, decorated with white roses, crystal chandeliers, and a long table covered with wine glasses. Cameras flashed outside the event center. Guests moved about, laughing and greeting one another. Waiters walked between them with trays of champagne, while soft jazz music played from a live band.
Journalists, billionaire tycoons—the top one percent were the ones present in the hall tonight.
The new branch of Zenith One was rumored to be the most advanced AI development hub in the western corridor of the country. Not many knew who the CEO was. But they were aware of how big the industry was.
All the wealthy people wanted to associate, including Victor and his son, Damien Thorne, who had gotten invites a couple of days ago.
The current Moreau Heiress- Talia Moreau, and her mother, Sheryl Moreau, were present as well. They all needed this new billionaire’s influence to boost business image.
Victor Thorne, gray at the temples but still wealth-hungry, walked with his chest slightly puffed. Damien followed behind him, handsome and confident in his fitted deep gray tuxedo, exchanging smiles with investors and models alike.
“Do we know who owns this company?” Damien asked his father, scanning the crowd. “Seems like a potential merger.”
Victor smirked. “The organizer’s kept the identity under wraps. Whoever it is — must have money worth knowing. The most important thing is that he recognizes the Thornes.”
Damien raised his glass. “Then we’ll make sure we put that into good use.”
Neither of them had the faintest idea what was waiting.
From where Julian was standing at the far end corner of the hall, he spotted them. His father, and his twin brother. He knew they would come. He didn’t doubt. They were always wherever money was. His lips curved into a tight smirk.
Just then, he received a call from his driver. “Sir, can I bring Miss Seraphina in now?”
“Very well, Matheo. I will join you now.”
After he cut the call, his chest rose in anticipation of contentment. The real game was just about to begin.
He walked like a ghost through the guests, then stopped at the entrance. It didn’t take long before he sighted her. Seraphina made her way towards him with Matheo. Julian couldn’t look away. Their eyes met and he saw through how hard she was trying to maintain composure. That makes the two of them, but his own came from seeing her. And hers…maybe the same, but her mind was everywhere.
They stopped before him.
Seraphina was finding it hard to look away from him. He had no hats on today. His deep brown hair was styled backward, a few strands darting out to frame the fore front of his face. All she could see was her son’s image in him and how impossibly good looking he was standing in those impeccable black suits.
“Shall we?” He extended his arm to her. Seraphina swallowed tightly then slipped hers through his. He smiled with his eyes and started to lead her in.
“Wait!” Her voice came out louder than intended, chest rising and falling almost rapidly. Julian raised a thick dark brow in question.
“What should I expect as soon as we step in there?” She asked, voice pressured.
Julian resisted a smirk, taking his time to respond. “Some special guests you might frown at. All you have to do is trust me, will you?”
Seraphina swallowed hard. She wanted to ask who they were, but that would only amplify her anxiety. So instead of asking more questions, she nodded, exhaling a sharp breath.
“Now, let’s go in, fiancée. We don’t want to keep these special guests waiting.”