A week had passed.
Every businessman/businesswoman was invited to the biggest business gala in China 'Capture moment 2020', in Beijing. It was rumored saying that the three most successful businessmen in Britain were coming to the gala which means that it was a huge opportunity for other businessmen/businesswomen in China.
A knock was heard outside Francesca's room and elder Shen came in with a big fat red envelope and looked nervous at Francesca. While she was tidying up her wardrobe.
She was looking at elder Shen suspiciously. "What happen Pa?"
"Aiyaa! I forgot to tell you that we are invited to the biggest gala this year and this is an important gala." said elder Shen giving her a weak smile. He knew that it's been a week since the accident happened and didn't want to force her to go, but this was also an important gala that they should attend.
Just looking at her grandfather she could see that the gala was important and could only agree to join her grandfather when he did the puppy eyes. He breathed in relief when she agreed. Elder Shen started to dislike big galas after his wife died because she was always his date, he felt lonely attending it alone and will always make his son (Nathan Shen) and his daughter-in-law (Evelyn Shen) attend instead. But he had now no choice now than to attend.
"When does the gala start?" she asked looking at those dresses she was about to throw away.
"It starts at 6 pm," said elder Shen.
"6 pm? That's like an hour until it starts, I don't even have a dress to wear pa," she said looking extremely shocked at elder Shen.
"No need to stress little flower! Pa have already a dress ready for you, assistant Yu bring up the dress I ask you to pick up for me," said elder Shen looking first at Francesca and then at assistant Yu who was standing outside of Francesca's room.
Assistant Yu came back with a dark blue glitter off-the-shoulder gown with matching heels. Francesca was speechless she never thought that her grandfather would pick a beautiful dress that she will like. She never liked those dresses her father bought her but still wore them from time to time.
Elder Shen saw how speechless she was and smirked. "Little flower you should not look down on your pa. Maybe your father had a bad taste in finding dresses to you, but pa is very good at finding clothes that will match you. Pa used to always pick dresses for your lao lao (grandma) to every location we went to".
Francesca felt a bit sad hearing about her lao lao, she didn't have many memories of her lao lao without looking at some family albums. Elder Shen saw her reaction and felt bad for mention her lao lao. "Little flower you should prepare yourself now, you have less an hour to prepare now. Pa will wait downstairs." Elder Shen went downstairs with assistant Yu right behind him.
Francesca saw elder Shen and assistant Yu walking downstairs before going to her bathroom to take a quick shower or more like tried to take a quick shower. After 30 minutes, she came back with a bathrobe and a towel on her head. She dried her hair first, then curled her hair and put some light make up on before she changed to her dress. Francesca went downstairs and saw elder Shen drinking his green tea while reading a magazine. He saw her coming down and was stunned by her beauty before he cursed on his head. Elder Shen didn't know that the gown he chose had a high thigh slit, and felt it was too much revealing. But he didn't have any choice because the gala was starting soon and Francesca really like the dress.
They soon entered the gala 'Capture moment 2020' and saw many businessmen/businesswomen's cars in lines waiting for their turn to enter the gala. After 15 minutes elder Shen and Francesca were finally entering, there were also a lot of paparazzi standing on the side taking pictures of everyone. Francesca wasn't used to many paparazzi and neither many people around her, she felt a bit anxious but tried so hard not to show it. Her last time joining a gala was four years ago with her parents, and that was not a good experience.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In Kevin's car (Rolls-Royce ghost black badge)
"You don't have to come with me June, didn't you say that your wife is pregnant now?" asked Kevin looking at assistant June.
"Yes she is, but she is in her early stage and doesn't even want me to help her. So I'm fine coming with you." said assistant June almost crying thinking how his wife is being cold toward him.
"Suit you then," said Kevin looking at his phone.
Assistant June felt betrayed by his own boss, he thought at least his boss will comfort him, but nah, and he madly cursed at his boss in his head.
"Sir we are here." said chauffeur Vo looking at the rear-view mirror.
"Thanks Vo! I will call you to pick me up later" said Kevin before he left the car with assistant June.
Both Kevin and assistant June was wearing a black tuxedo, looking very handsome. They went inside through a lot of paparazzi and was finally entering the gala, it was crowded when they came. Many businessmen/businesswoman that spotted them immediately greeted them and started already talking about business. A few minutes later a group of women was standing not far from Kevin and assistant June and was gossiping while looking at Kevin. Kevin started to get a bit annoyed but reminded himself that he was in public and couldn't just kick them out as he wanted to.
Kevin felt a bit thirsty and went to the other side of the hall to get something to drink. He was about to drink when he suddenly heard someone calling his name, turning around he saw a woman standing in front of him wearing a very short dress that was not supposed to be worn in this type of event.
"Do I know you?" asked Kevin in a cold low voice looking at the woman.
"Eh...No..I...my name is Stacy Lu," she said shyly looking at him.
"So?" he asked while not caring at all.
"I...ehm…" she was about to say something before Kevin interrupted her saying he had to talk to some other important businessmen/businesswoman and walked away.
Like a boss!
Kevin walked away and walked past Francesca not knowing it was her. He saw Mark, Andrew, and Haylin (his little sister) walking toward him.
"Big brother I will knock you down if you ever get a girlfriend like her," said Haylin looking at first at Kevin than at Stacy who was standing a bit far from them.
"Who said that I want her? Haylin have you become stupid after working abroad after several months?" asked Kevin rolling his eyes.
"Bro don't call my beautiful wife stupid," said Andrew protecting his wife.
Kevin was looking at the couple before he rolled his eyes again. He saw Mark as usual hitting on girls and was about to call Mark out to talk when he found his phone vibrating. He got a picture message from Noah, he opened and saw himself and Francesca in the picture walking past each other. Kevin saw up on the second floor and saw Noah standing up there looking at him, he slowly walked towards the stairs. He came down and walked over to Kevin, Andrew, Haylin, and Mark.
"Do you know where she is?" asked Kevin not bothering on greeting Noah.
"Bro how should I know right now? This place is crowded, I only got the chance to take a quick picture of you guys before she walked away," said Noah looking around hoping to find Francesca.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Francesca and elder Shen were greeting many businessmen/businesswomen and finally got to meet Mr. Hilton, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Thompson (the three most successful businessmen in Britain).
"Pa I need to go to the ladies' room," said Francesca and excused herself. She walked through many people and finally found the ladies' room outside the hall. Francesca was walking further inwards when she felt someone pushing her into the wall, her face was pressed against the wall and she felt a mental pressing behind her back.
"Scream and I will shoot you!" said the mysterious man. Francesca felt her whole body was weak and started to tremble.
"Wh...at...what do you want from me? Do..you….want money?" asked Francesca trying not to sound like she was scared.
She could hear the mysterious man chuckle. "The only thing I need from you is to accept this letter," he said while fishing up a curled letter from his pocket pants before handing it over to her. She took it and thought he was going to move but he came closer and sniffed her before he chuckled again and suddenly was gone. Francesca felt so disgusted and decided to go out of the hall, she was trembling while calling elder Shen.
Elder Shen: [Hello little flower!]
Francesca: [Pa I don't feel well, can we go home?]
Elder Shen: [Little flower what happen?]
Francesca: [It's nothing, I just wanna go home.]
Elder Shen: [Alright, pa will come over. Where are you?]
Francesca: [At the parking lot.]
Elder Shen: [Pa is coming out right now, wear your black coat on little flower it's cold outside.]
Elder Shen found Francesca standing near the parking lot and asked assistant June to call the chauffeur to come. They entered the car and drove back to the Shen mansion.
Kevin was still inside with Noah, Andrew, Haylin, and Mark talking to some other businessman/businesswoman when he suddenly got a call. He excused himself and went outside to take the call and saw it was Pako who was calling.
Pako: [CEO...I mean brother Kevin I'm done investigating the accident you asked me to do.]
Kevin: [Good job! Meet me at the office in 10 minutes.]
Pako: [Yes brother.]
Kevin immediately left the gala and called chauffeur Vo to come and pick him up leaving everybody else.