Denzel stepped down from his car, offering his hand to Sharmaine to avoid her from tripping. The lights that flashed towards them intensified as they moved forward; noise filled the air because of the various reporters and photographers shouting. Thankfully, the noise faded away when they reached the main hall, where the event will soon begin.
The hall was really glamorous. It was nothing alike Sharmaine's imaginations. The place felt like a modern palace, complete with guards, tables and chairs, and a big chandelier that hung from the ceiling.
At the middle of the room stood a circular stage. It was not that much elevated, so one could go up there at ease. Sharmaine even saw the array of different and fabulous people entering the hall, slowly filling it; various celebrities attended, even the ones whom she idolized before she got her current job. Seeing them just slowly made her feel a little insecure and out of place.
Denzel noticed the sudden tight grip of Sharmaine's hand on his arm. "Calm down." His soft voice cut through the noise filling the air. They kept their eyes peeled for the target, who might be coming any minute now. The noise intensified and the attention of everyone turned to the entrance.
And there she was, Shaine Meyer, AKA Shaine Davis together with the CEO of Reyes' Formal Attires. She wore a long elegant shiny red gown paired with high heels so she looked like a mom escorting her old dad. It was a hilarious sight in Sharmaine's mind.
"She's gorgeous," Sharmaine said, however, no words nor reactions came out of Denzel—Sharmaine was still prettier and more decent than Shaine; he just stood there as he was being greeted by various men in black.
"Mr. Suarez! Pleased to meet you. Looking good and young with the ladies?" one jokingly said. A smile appeared at Denzel's face—a very rare one at least. After greeting Denzel, and chatting for a bit, some gave their attention to Sharmaine. They considered her as the lucky girl to be escorted by Denzel.
"Pleased to meet you Ms . . ?"
"Ms. Mendoza."
"Pleased to meet you Ms. Mendoza. You're a very lucky girl, noh?"
She smiled. "Yes I am." In her peripheral, she saw the gaze of Shaine towards her. Just a bit more act and she'll finally take the bait, she thought, so she scooted over and gave Denzel a peck on the cheek.
His heart pounded with a slight bit of confusion around his face. "What the heck are you doing?!" he said using his eyes.
Sharmaine gripped his arm tighter, squeezing it between her breasts while the men that surrounded them laughed, probably out of envy and surprise. She was a very bold lady, but was it enough to catch the fish?
Suddenly, the lady in red elegantly cut through the crowd. The target of the night was showing off her assets to men.
"It worked," Sharmaine whispered.
"Hi, Mr. Denzel, it's quite surprising to see you with . . . a woman." She added disgust to the last word. "But wouldn't it be nice if I also accompany you this time? Maybe I could also satisfy you along the way."