Chapter 10 - The Party
716 Words
LAYLA
Instead of going to the mansion, I asked the driver to stop at the hotel closest to where the ABA Award Ceremony would be held. Aurora wanted to stay with me, but I needed her to go home with the twins. She knew how troublesome they were, and it wouldn’t be a good idea to have them around. Moreover, Grandfather had been dying to see them. He called several times while we were on the plane.
Even as I walked into my hotel room, he called again to ask if we were playing on the road.
“Aurora is coming with the children, Grandfather. They should be at the estate in ten minutes,” I told him over the phone.
“And you? Where are you?”
“I stopped at a hotel so I can prepare for the Award Ceremony on time. You know this means a lot to the company and me,” I responded.
“Okay, Layla. You’ve never ventured into a failed project. I’m certain you will win this contract for us,” he said, causing little tears to rush to my lids. The way Grandfather believed in me was everything. Even six years ago, when everyone criticized me for abandoning the family for a man, he didn’t. Instead, he entrusted the family’s business to me.
“Bye, Grandfather. I will be back after the party,” I mumbled and hung up the phone.
Afterward, I settled into the suite I paid for and called my designer. I’d been talking to her before I left Canada. Actually, I should have returned to the country a month ago, but I couldn’t because I thought I could meet the CEO of BOA there. An intel confirmed that he would be there on vacation, but somehow, he couldn’t make it—or he just canceled because he realized a lot of people were waiting to see him.
Tonight, he will be at the ceremony, and I have to impress him as much as I can so he can agree to work with me.
An hour later, the designer arrived with my dress and other things needed. She came with the hairstylist and the makeup artist too, and we got right into business.
Two hours later, the sky was gradually turning grey, and I was equally ready for the party.
Once I stepped out of the hotel room, I found the chauffeur outside, and he opened the door for me to hop in. As soon as I was settled, the trip to the venue started.
•
I definitely didn’t get to the Award Ceremony early because the red carpet had already ended before I arrived. For the last time, I checked the invite to be certain I got the time correctly, and then I realized I’d mixed things up. The red carpet started at 5 p.m., but I got there at 8 p.m.
Well, I think it was all for the best because I would have disliked it if hundreds of paparazzi and reporters flashed their cameras in my face.
“May I see your invitation card, ma’am?” one of the men I met by the entrance requested respectfully, and I handed it over to him. His expression shifted but was totally masked before I could tell what it was. Then he smiled and made a curt bow.
“This way, ma’am.” He returned the card and pointed toward the door.
“Thank you,” I smiled before continuing my journey.
The hall was filled with businessmen and women. From the look of things, you could tell that the red carpet had just ended and they were settling in to begin the ceremony. A female usher met me on the way and showed me to my seat.
The ceremony started as soon as I settled into my seat. I took one of the glasses of wine, and just as I attempted to take a gulp, my eyes fell on the one person I never wished to meet again.
Gosh! Why didn’t I think about the possibility of his coming to the ceremony?
My grip on the glass tightened, and memories, clear and sharp, rushed into my head. My blood boiled. I’d never thought of being in the same space with him.
Now what?
- Writer
