Angela glance at the mirror before her. She barely recognized herself. She was now looking the sophisticated and elegant woman Linda had been bubbling about. She remembered how happy Linda was when she saw her transformation. The other woman hugged her with tears in her eyes telling her how beautiful she was.
Indeed. Looking at the mirror, Angela stared at the different woman. There was a glint of challenge in her eyes. Gone was the woman who was unsure of everything. Gone was the picture of a timid and shy girl. Now, tonight, a grown up woman with determination stared back at her. She is a woman with a purpose and she needed a strong heart, a determined spirit and a good head on her shoulder.
When the door bell rung, Angela smiled at her reflection and tilted her face. The challenge is on.
Dom entered and saw her. "Wow!" That was all what he said, nothing more nothing less but Angela knew what it all means and it's enough to boost her spirit.
"Shall we?" She invited and placed her hand in the crook of Dom's elbow. They left the building, as always, in complete silence.
"You will be sitting at the front tonight." Dom instructed.
"Of course." She agreed without hesitation and did not wait for Dom to open the door for her.
"You should not do that." Dom admonished lightly.
"What?"
"Don't just get in the car without waiting for a man to open it for you. Remember your mission and your contract. Put that in that thick skull of yours. Always, I mean always wait."
That was the longest line Dom had said to her in a long time. And she gave him a sulking smile before she smiled sweetly at her cousin.
The ride to the venue was again taken in silence. Dom turned on the car's stereo and a melodic music filled the air. It was soft and lulling. Angela hummed on a few notes as the melody hits a familiar rhythm.
They stopped in front of a five-star hotel and casino. Dom exited the car first giving the keys to the waiting attendant and opened the door for her. She stepped out and placed her hand in the crook of Dom's elbow. Together they entered the hotel and went to the hall where the party was already in full blast.
Soft music dominated the hall. Lights were soft and people buzz about gently. Then she saw him standing near the bar with a glass of champagne in hand. Just when they entered the room, he turned into their direction. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second and Angela felt her heart skipped a few beats then settled with a thud on her chest and started drumming loudly in her ears. Everything dulled out as her heart's beating sounded louder and louder with each passing moment.
How long had they been staring each other? She doesn't know. She only remembered how strikingly handsome he was with his coat and tie of black over a white crisp shirt and his hair brushed to his back. The man he was talking stopped when he noticed the boss turn quiet. He too turned in her direction and Angela felt his eyes upon her. It wasn't until the man nudged the boss in her direction that they started making their way to her.
Her ears could no longer hear any other sound but the wild beating of her heart. They stopped in front of her. The boss took her hand and brushed them with his lips lightly.
"May I have the pleasure Mr. Dominic Lee of knowing your friend?" He turned to Dom who was standing beside her.
"Of course. Angela, my boss, Edward Mc Clair. Sir Edward, my cousin, Angela Lee."
"My pleasure to meet you, Sir." Angela inclined her head in recognition. "So you are Edward." She said, finally knowing his name for the first time.
Then she noticed her hand being taken by the other man shaking them vigorously. "I'm Michael Wo, one of the BOD." He introduced himself.
"Angela Lee." Angela answered ripping her eyes off Edward to the other man. He was not as tall as Edward and was showing a hint of beer belly. His receding hair was comb sideways to cover the thinning of hair on his scalp. He looked young but his lack of hair made him look few years older.
"May I have the pleasure of escorting you to dinner Miss Lee." It was Edward.
He took her hand from Dom and placed it gingerly in the crook of his. He propelled her away from Michael and went straight to where the buffet was served.
"You looked perfect, astonishingly perfect." Edward's words elated her. He find her beautiful.
"My money was not wasted. You look like a better investment." His next word killed all her hopes. So this is it. She was just an investment, like an ornament for display. The first time she felt the blow of the contract, and it hurts when you hope.
"You invested well, Sir." She replied calmly masking her emotion with calmness she was far from feeling.
"Indeed." He said with a clipped tone. "Now eat, you look like you are ready to drop. I need my investment performing well for me tonight."
His words made the food on the table less appealing. Angela decided not to eat but she knew she had to or else another disappointment and might faint. Grabbing a plate, she filled them with fruits and other cocktail in small offerings.
Edward watched as she ate small portions of everything on her plate. He was still holding his champagne but had not taken a sip, Angela observed.
"I will drive you home tonight. We will have few dances so they would see us together and will not suspect anything. After that, I expect you to behave properly for I will be on a meeting, then we will leave."
"Of course." Angela nodded and smiled sweetly at him squinting her eyes.
"Don't give me that look. I can see rebellion before it happens. Remember our contract."
"Oh, yes of course, how could I when you always remind me of that contract. And before you forget, I haven't signed any papers yet."
"Ah, the rebel. You are wearing my investment, that's tantamount to signing your name on the contract. So I will be careful with my next choice of words if I were you."