~~~~~~
Lana's face was burning red in anger, even after Rose had disappeared from her line of view. She thought back to those hurtful words Eric's said to her.
'Eric scornfully sneer "I don't know what makes you so stupid, but it really works." his looked at Lana like she was sick and that hurt her more than anything. "Are you always this stupid, or are you making a special effort today?" '
She knew very well she had lost him.
She tried finding him, pleading and whining but Eric continuously gave her the cold shoulders, at one point she tried using her grandfather but Eric saw through her and left the hall. It also didn't help that people who saw her desperate attempts whispered about her.
At long last she couldn't take it anymore, the voices in her head continuously blame Rose and after having half the night ruined she stormed through the crowd looking for whom to transfer her aggression on.
"It's because of you Eric said those hateful words to me. It's also because of you he won't look at me anymore, I don't know what spell you had put in him, you little vixen. This - isn't over."
Her angry gathered attention, it gave those people the thrill of watching a show.
Who wasn't that eager to watch this show down between Miss Lana Ghoul and Miss Rose Bacheman?
Rose had only one reply for her.
"If you're going to be two-faced at least make one of them pretty maybe then he will look at you."
A double edge slap thrown her way. She had also noticed the guest peeping glances their way more clearly from the corner she sat. Inwardly she wondered how Lana was able to find her that quick.
Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths,
"You are trying to ruin me? My reputation?"
Lana wailed.
"Actually no, my status wasn't aimed at you, but hey, if the shoe fits, feel free to wear else."
She said those words with a casual shrug.
"Lana, let's go. Now isn't the place for this.", Minion number one convince her, dragging her out of her rage away from those eyes.
Her hands squeezed into fists, taking deep breath
"This isn't over Rose, you can count on my words."
Rose eyes were murderous something different from her usually calm facade. If it weren't for a stumbling noise from behind the curtain close to where she was seating . who know what actions she would have taken at that moment.
Rose was an action woman, if she wanted to ruin Lana she would. She wouldn't even care about her family when by the way no body would even know to point finger at her.
Her attention went back to that golden silk curtain not seeing anybody around but taking note of how small the structure was in a very different way.
She knew at once who it was and it only grew her annoyance at herself for not being more self observant enough.
"I know you are there. Come out now."
Kiara let out a sheepish smile clearly knowing she was done for it.
"Mommy!"
Rose frowned disapprovingly at her daughter, her stare was so stern Kiara lowered her head docle doll.
"How long have you been hiding there?"
'Long enough' She wanted to say but chose to give her mother a white lie instead.
"Not long. Why is aunty Lana mad at you?"
Rose saw right through her, she had after all brought her up herself.
"It's grown up stuff, Kiara."
"It didn't look like grown up stuff to me with how childish she was behaving."
"Kiara Bacheman."
"Yes ma'am."
"You are getting punished for peeping on adult talk. Just how much did you hear. Goodness me knowing you, pretty much."
Now Kiara felt a little guilty.
"Mommy...?"
"Rose!"
"There you are I have been looking everywhere for you."
"Elder Ghoul has left with his family, he was feeling unwell and wanted to exceeded his apology once more to you."
Kiara secretly released a breath at being saved by her grandfather. Her mother's attention were on Dywen, it was blank not expressing her complicated emotions.
"It's alright father. I understand."
Not only her even Dywen felt weak at heart. He was a father, and also a business partner. He was also thankful for her composure, she kept her head held high and smile, because she knew the natural instincts that there are people who will kill to see her fall.
He nodded continuously in approval.
"Good. I would like to introduce your some friends of mine. I hope it's not much of an hussle?"
"Mommy?", Kiara's confused baby voice called out to her mother, despite what she knew, she couldn't fully comprehend what to do.
"It's alright sweetie, but we aren't done here. You young lady deserve disciple... And please always remember, 'Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you'."
After saying that piece that had stayed with her all her life, she let Dywen move her body to the direction he wanted to head to.
He moved Rose forward with a huge grin but turned to Kiara discreetly with an agitated frown.
"You know the drill kid, don't let me down. Maurice, show her around."
"Yes sir".
Dywen moved Rose away to a group of men after throwing a satisfied nod their way.
Kiara cute face instantly became gloomy to the hidden message behind her grand father's command. She took the form of a dedicated soldier ready to complete her mission no matter what.
Her time was indeed ticking. Some people try to understand, but nobody can know what living like this is like.
She stared up at Maurice, a nice looking man clad in dark suit, looking classy like one of her favorite cartoon character and her grandfather's personal caretaker.
"Who first, uncle MoMo?"
She was too young to pronounce the name Maurice so instead she gave him a nickname that he reluctantly accepted.
"This way young miss."
Besides, other things may change, but we start and end with family. Family is the most important thing in the world, it is also the greatest blessing.