She slowly opened her eyes and saw Chad smiling. His eyes were filled with love as he stared at her. He held her up slowly afraid that she might fall again. She smiled at him and slowly walked pass him and went to her special seat Chad prepared for her. Chad followed her and sat with his family. Mina was surprised that the girl wore the same cloth as Chad. The farm workers immediately noticed Rachel.
"Isn't that Rachel? She is very beautiful"
"Yes, she is"
Mina was shocked; This was the first time Chad will save a girl. Who is she? Is she a friend to Chad?
The hall became noisier as people began to talk about the two of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. We will begin in few minutes so please find your seats and make yourselves comfortable" The mc said in the microphone and silent fell in the hall and the people's attention was diverted to the Mc. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are all in a very good mood tonight for I, jomark will be hosting tonight's party. Nonetheless, I greet you a very good evening and welcome you to this much awaited party in celebration of Chad Torres. I would also like to say thank you to everyone for gracing this very momentous occasion of Chad's life because as they say, you only get to be 21 once. Of course, this party wouldn't have been possible without the parent of the celebrant, so let's give a big round of applause to Mr and Mrs Torres. Ladies and gentlemen without further Ado, let's all rise and give a warm round of applause to welcome, our lovely celebrate, Chad Torres" People began to clap for Chad as he stood up and walked majestically to the stage and smiled. "Such a spectacular grand entrance by our lovely celebrate" the mc smiled and commented. "And now to give a speech and a toast in honour of our handsome celebrate, we would like to ask Mr and Mrs Torres on the stage" The guest began to clap as they walked to the stages holding hands.
The mc gave Mr Torres the microphone. He took it and scanned the faces of the guests in the hall and he finally opened his mouth, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to thank you all for coming to my son's 21st birthday party tonight. My second thank you comes to my wife and mother for always remembering to do the things I forget and being, as I am sure you will all agree that she is a great mother to our child" he said and everybody began to clap. "But on a serious note now, Chad has turned 21, a milestone in his life. To see him grow from the handsome, small and fragile child I first saw in the hospital, 21 years ago to this day, to be a strong independent man that stands before us now. He is smart, handsome and has worried us a few times over the years that he does not have a girlfriend..."
"What? He does not have a girlfriend? He is so handsome, he should have one" some girls began to comment.
Rachel knew he did not tell his parents about the both of them that was why his father said he did not have a girlfriend.
"We are all here today to say we love you and wish you every happiness in whatever you do next" after the speech every body stood up and began to clap. Chad was touched by his father's speech and went to hug the both of them tightly.
Rachel looked at him from afar and smiled. Chad might be very arrogant and stubborn but he respects his parents. The mc collected the microphone and told the caterer to serve dinner. Soon, dinner was served. The food served include: Shanghai lumpia, Pancit, palabot, Filipino spaghetti, Kare Kare, Adobo, sinigang, sisig, kutsinta, Buko pandin salad and so on.
The caterer had to prepare so much because of the farm workers. Mrs Torres did not still understand why Chad will invite this poor, farm workers to his birthday but she did not want to drive them away because it was Chad's birthday party. She did not want to cause a scene.
"Wow...this is too much. We won't be able to eat this kind of food in the next year" Johanna said as her mouth began to water.
"Chad is a good person. He even gave us a special seat" Mrs beltran smiled. "I hope he continues to treat you well like this" Rachel smiled and continue eating. Mrs beltran loved Chad because she knew that he would take good care of her daughter.
At the Torres table.
The carpeDiem Torres staffs came to their table to say hello.
"Happy birthday Sir Chad" Marie smiled.
"Thank you" he replied without looking at their faces.
"Chad, these are the company staff " mrs Torres said while eating. The raised his head and smiled at them, "Thanks for coming to my party"
"You are welcome sir chad" they said.
"Sir Chad" he was confused. He is not their boss so why should they call him sir Chad.
"Son, you will be the CEO of carpeDiem Torres very soon but for now you will be working with your mother while I go to take care of the headquarters at the U.S. We have spoken with the executive board members and they have made you the coo of the company" his father said before he could say anything.
"I know my son will do his best to make us proud. He is my one and only son" Mrs Torres said proudly and looked at Chad's face and he only smiled back.
Of course, Chad was their only son so he would have to take over the company soon. Now that he was 21 years, his parent believed that he should get a position at the company.
Chad was not surprised that his parents would make such decision without informing him.
"When will I resume to work?" he asked.
"Next tomorrow"
He was so happy that he wanted to share the news with Rachel immediately but he could not go to her so he texted her, "I have been made the COO of carpeDiem Torres" Rachel saw the message and looked at Chad who was not far from him and smiled. She immediately replied, "Congratulations love. I believe you can do it" He then sent, "I love you" She saw the message and smile and sent him a kiss emoji.
"I see you want to kiss me so should I come over" he sent to her. When she saw the message, she began to blush and later replied, "Are you crazy? You want to kiss here?".
"We can go somewhere else"
"Never mind. Go on and eat your food if not your food will turn cold" she replied and placed her phone on the table.
"Rachel, your face is red. Are you blushing? Who are you chatting with?" Johanna asked.
"No one" she immediately denied.
"Liar" she scanned the faces of the people in the hall and her face fell on Chad who was smiling. "Ha, you were chatting with Chad because I know he won't smile like that if not because of you" Johanna was good at detecting people that are lying.
"Okay, you win. I was chatting with Chad and he told me that he has just been made the COO of carpeDiem Torres"
"Do you mean his family's company?" Johanna was surprised.
"Yes" she smiled.
"We really need to celebrate this"
"Chad is a good boy so he deserve this" Mrs beltran said and the two girls nodded their heads.
At the Torres table.
Mrs Torres noticed that her son was smiling and texting. This was the first time she saw him smile like this.
"Son, I see you are smiling. Who are you chatting with?" she asked.
"A friend" he said, dropped his phone and continued to eat his food.
"A friend" she repeated. she was confused. Chad friends were all here so who could that friend be.
"Yes, a special friend" he smiled.
"Special friend? As far as I can remember, Chad never had special friend so who is that friend?" Mina asked.
"You all will know soon" with that, he stood up and left the table. He went to his friends who were drinking at the other side of the hall.
"Happy birthday bro. Long life and prosperity" Emman said.
"Thanks" he smiled.
"Happy birthday" James said with a smile.
"Happy birthday buddy" That came from Billy.
"Thanks to you all"
"Happy birthday chad" Simmy, the lady beside Emman said. She was actually Emman's new babe.
"Thanks" he said without looking at her face. He took the wine on the table and drink it.
Then the mc voice was heard again, "It's time to dance. I want you to bring out your partner and dance with him or her"
A collection if violinists, harp players and pianist were placed at the far end of the hall. People came out with their partner and danced with them. Chad stood up from his seat. Mina already thought that he was coming to ask her for a dance so she adjusted her seat twice waiting for Chad but to her surprise he walked passed her.
Rachel could Identify the smell of lavender insence which had been placed at various intervals around the room earlier that day, she sat on her seat idle, while also keeping her eyes open. Chad walked straight to her and offered out his hand, Rachel realised what he wanted and immediately shook her head. His smile faded and sadness filled his face. She did not want Chad to be sad on his birthday so she received his hand gracefully as he led her out onto the dance floor. She didn't let her self get distracted, though her feet glided effortlessly, but her eyes constantly flickering around the room, suspicious of everyone in the room; she began to relax Into Chad's arms.
Everyone was stunned. Who is she? Why did Chad choose her? Mina was furious that Chad did not choose her but she did not show it. She was surprised that Chad will go to a stranger.
Chad moved his lips to her neck and kissed it slowly. Mina's eyes nearly pop out of her head. She never expected that Chad to kiss a stranger.
After some minutes of dancing, Rachel legs were weak already. She was not used to wearing heels for a long time.
"Chad, can I please rest a little? My legs are aching and you know am not used to wear heels" Chad walked her to her seat and whispered something into the maid and she left. She later came back with a red glitter flat shoes. Chad bent down in front of her and slowly removed her heels. He gave them to the maid and collected the flat shoe from her and wore it for Rachel. He had already prepared the shoe for her because he knew that she could not walk on heels for too long.