Chapter Four
1225 Words
Chapter Four:
I still can't believe I'm in this case right now. I stared at myself on the long mirror. My make-up wasn't plenty, just brown natural colors so I wouldn't go overboard. I curled my hair and tied it up into a messy French twist. I'm wearing a green bodice dress that goes midway on my thighs, showing off my tanned legs.
I heard a knock on the door.
I sighed. 'This is it,' I thought to myself.
I quickly made my way towards the door and opened it, revealing Mr. Johnson with a bouquet of light pink flowers. I gasped.
"Mr. Johnson, you didn't have to - "
He shrugged. "It's okay, don't worry about it."
He handed me the flowers.
"Thank you," I told him sincerely. "I'll be right back. I'll just put this in a vase and I'll just go get my things."
He nodded and I quickly made my way to the kitchen and grabbed the vase in the cupboard and filled it in with water, putting the bouquet of flowers in.
I then made my way to my room and grabbed the black pumps and put it on from the little shoe rack I have on the corner of my bedroom. I also grabbed my black polished leather clutch on the side table and made my to the front door.
I exhaled, "I'm ready."
He smiled and gestured for me to walk first.
'Trying to be a gentleman, I see,' I snorted mentally.
I politely smiled at him and closed the door shut behind me, walking.
~
The drive to the Guugenheim was awkward. No one spoke, all we could hear was the sounds of the horns and the air conditioning. It was torture.
A valet opened my door and I thanked him. Flashes of the camera started to blind me.
Someone wrapped their arm around me. "This way," Mr. Johnson lead the way in.
I must admit, I was an i***t for not thinking that there will be paparazzi's in this event. Great, the last thing I need is to be in the front page of the magazines. I never wanted to be in the attention of the public. I hated the attention - full stop.
Finally, we have safely made our way in and I couldn't feel as relieved as I am right now.
I looked around the room and the word 'fancy' is written all over it. It's the Guugenheim - nothing has changed except there are tall tables on the sides of the room and tall stools for people to sit on. The dress code was all about tuxedos, and dresses, they were everywhere
"I'm sorry about the media. I should've warned you earlier but - "
I cut him off by waving my hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, it's not your fault."
He smiled. "Thanks. And also, I think I haven't told you that you look great tonight."
I froze. I just realized that he apologized, thanked me, AND complimented me. That's 3 in a row, all in a day! Wow, is it Christmas already?
"Thanks. You don't look bad yourself," I blurted out nervously before he becomes his cranky old self again.
He chuckled and smiled.
What is up with him? Why is he always smiling? What changed him? And lastly, why am I liking his smiles?
'Please, you're just making the most of his smiles. That's why you're liking it,' my brain said.
I shook my head. This is ridiculous.
He grabbed 2 glasses of champagne from a waiter and passed one to me.
"Thanks," I said and took a sip from it. This is what I need. I need alcohol in my system, but not enough to make a huge fool out of myself.
"Ah, Brendan! It's lovely to see you again!" A bald old man who looked like he's in his late 60's, early 70's greeted him.
"Granddad! How are you?" Brendan gave his granddad a small hug.
His granddad looked surprised. "Oh, why, I'm great! How have you been?"
Brendan scrunched his nose up a little. It was actually quite cute. "I've been busy with work but besides that," He looked at me for a second and back to his granddad, "I'm great."
His granddad beamed. "Well, who's this lovely young lady?"
"Granddad, this is Kristine Roberts, my assistant."
His granddad's smile faded a little. He looked at my face and his smile went back to its big one. He looked at me and extended out his hand. "Hello, Kristine, I'm Gerard. How are you?"
I pulled out my hand and put it in his and he brought it to his lips and kissed the back of it. I blushed. "I'm good, thank you, how about you?"
"I've never been happy," He winked.
What was that supposed to mean?
It felt like they needed some alone time since they started talking about sports so I decided my way out.
"Excuse me," I said and walked off without permission, feeling stares on my back.
I walked around the place, avoiding people as I walk through, avoiding Brendan and Gerard.
I sat on a stool, giving up as my foot started to ache from my heels. I sighed.
"I hope you're not ignoring us," A voice teased from behind me.
I quickly turned around and saw Gerard with a small smile.
"Oh, no, I - "
He chuckled. "I was only teasing you, don't worry."
I sighed out in relief. I wouldn't have come up with a good excuse if he wasn't kidding.
I took a sip of the champagne and he sat by the chair beside me. "So, you and my grandson, eh?"
I choked on the beverage, nearly spraying it all out. "Excuse me?" I dabbed my lips with a napkin placed on the table.
His eyes sparkled with happiness. "You my darling, have changed him for the better. You have brought out his good side again that I thought I would never see again."
"I'm sorry but come again?"
He sighed and looked at me. "Do you know Gabrielle Santos?" He asked out of the blue.
I thought deeply about it. "Her name sounds really familiar but I have no clue on who she is. Why did you ask?"
He shook his head. "You look so much like her when she was younger."
Huh, I didn't expect that at all.
"Anyway, I beg of you. Please stay with my grandson. You're changing him ever since his mother got into an accident that has caused her life."
I gasped. So that's why he's been so cold to everyone! He has a past. I keep telling other people to stop judging people based on their looks and personality because they may have a past but look who's doing it now.
"Angela was Brendan's role model," He continued. "His dad, my son, Richard was and still is a workaholic and that's where Brendan got his 'cold' side from."
I nodded stupidly, taking everything that he has said in. This was a lot to take in and I somehow feel horrible about it.
"Does Brendan have any siblings?" I asked him, saying Brendan's name for the first time out loud.
He nodded. "He has a brother called -
"
"Granddad?" Someone asked from behind me.
I turned around. "Josh?" I exclaimed.
- Writer
