Lys stood, smiled and nodded as she was introduced to a ton of people.
There was this old friend she used to play with, with his wife.
There was an ex-neighbour that had lived next to them when she was 10.
Her ex-classmates from her school days.
Her Dad's colleague that used to carry her when she cried after scraping her knees.
Her Mom's assistant that brought her candies whenever she visited the office.
Some of her old friends who wanted to introduce her to their kids…
Some businessmen that worked with her Mother…
Most of them just greeted her, wished her well, then stepped aside to schmooze among themselves…
She knew none of them were here for her…
Bored, she went through the motions of greeting everyone, calling out 'Uncle' and 'Aunt' whenever prompted by her parents. Occasionally pulling faces at Dean who was awkwardly standing at a corner of the hall.
It was about an hour later when the introductions were finished. Everyone else had scattered into little groups and were chatting amongst themselves.
She skipped over to the buffet table, grabbed a plate, then headed to the dessert table.
Pumpkin pastries, chocolate eclairs, milk puddings, cheesecakes, little cute fruit tarts…
They had been calling her name ever since she spotted them upon entering the room.
She stood in front of the desserts, trying to decide what she should get first…
The Cheesecake looked delicious; it was the soft fluffy type that jiggled when you moved the plate… That should be the first one, right? But that chocolate éclair… with that dark chocolate coating and that chocolate mousse… Well, she could never say no to chocolate…
And those ripe, juicy red raspberries on those bite-sized tarts…
It would be just fine if she took all of them at once, wouldn't it?
Wasn't she a kid? No one would judge a kid for eating desserts, would they? Even if she wasn't one… Mentally, that is… She was never someone that could resist desserts…
Decision made; Lys started stacking one of each type of the desserts on her plate. The plate wasn't big enough for all and she decided to find a table to finish off the ones she had collected before going off for a second trip.
Dean caught her as she was leaving the buffet table. Teasing her about her food selections, he took her plate and led her to a table he found, where they sat and chatted about the people they've met.
Happily stuffing their faces, Dean talked about his adventures during his previous salvaging trips, while Lys complained about being stuck at home. Grace Ng had Max bring Dean around, introducing him to some people of note, thinking it would help improve Dean's career.
Soon it was time for the speech (as all parties do) and the music was lowered as General Ng stepped up to the platform to deliver his thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Lys getting better. There were also some cameras recording the proceedings, meant to update the public about Lys's condition (due to the public fascination with the Ngs).
It was the usual speech. Thanking everyone for coming, letting everyone know how Lys has been. How well medical technology has advanced, how Lys would have to cope with being 12 when everyone she used to know is in their 40s… on and on and on…
General Ng was never one for words but he had to put on a show for the people in this room, plenty were people of influence who were either his allies or those who stood with him during the dark times.
It was boring. She was lucky she had Dean to accompany her.
When it was finally time to reintroduce Lys to the guests, Lys stood up when her father gestured for her to come to the stage, fluffed her light purple dress, then walked to the platform where he was waiting.
She stood under a spotlight, with almost everyone looking at her.
Stepping forward into the spotlight, she leaned towards the microphone.
And everything exploded into chaos again…