Tang summoned his assistant for the fifth time to get a status update on his friends.
"Did you tell them to call you when they wanted to reach this place? What were their reactions? Did any of them not seem keen on coming for this party?"
Before the assistant could pacify his boss, Mei Zhen walked up to them, "I must say that you are taking your role very seriously – mixing pleasure with business, Mr. Bond! Please stop badgering your poor assistant at this hour. Whatever important deals are there, they can definitely await your wedding".
Dressed in a charcoal black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt, Tang looked the part of 007 effortlessly. Mei Zhen, on the other hand, outshone everyone in the party with her mid-thigh slit dress a la Angelina Jolie with ruby red lipstick and big emerald eardrops. The place had been converted to resemble a huge ballroom from the Victorian era with chandeliers and pillars bisecting the hall. Live orchestra played in an elevated corner and waiters with bow ties and long coats roamed with laden trays around the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the stunning bride to-be and her suave soon to-be groom. They will open the dance floor tonight", introduced the DJ.
"I hope you remember the steps, Tang. We could practice the dance only a couple of times since you were always caught up with your office work", she pouted.
His smile was the only response to her as the first strands from 'Incondicional' poured out and Prince Royce's melodious voice filled the room. Jia Li had walked in moments ago and now saw them groove in unison to the salsa beats. Forbidden jealousy slammed hard into the pit of her stomach and she walked towards one of the pillars.
She kept her eyes downcast lest someone read her fierce expressions, "he does not belong to me. He is getting married to someone wonderful. We aren't meant to be together in this lifetime".
She kept repeating these words in her head till she could feel her breath normalize. The song was thankfully over and people were shouting for an encore.
"Why did I let these guys persuade me to come here? How soon can I get out of this place?" she muttered to herself.
"Is the party so boring that you wish to leave already", asked a lazy voice from behind her.
Jia Li spun around in surprise and came face-to-face with a handsome stranger.
"I am sorry. I couldn't help but overhear your statement about wanting to leave the party. I am Wang Wei, by the way, Tang's business partner", he introduced himself.
She responded with a small smile, "hi, I am Jia Li. Tang and I grew up together. As for my earlier comment, please think of it as fatigue catching up with me after chasing me for the past twenty hours straight. It bears no reflection on the ongoing fabulous party".
Wang Wei offered her a hand and pulled her out of the nook behind the pillar, "I know who you are. Heard you back there at the Xie Mansion. Has anyone told you that your voice is like honey? And I have just the trick to combat your weariness. Allow me to introduce you to the wonders of the bar here. It possesses magical powers and helps people shrug off their fatigue and rejuvenates them!"