It was a quite busy day. All the employees were bustling in the banquet hall with arrangements. For a while Alice were mute with the workload.
"Alice, give me a comment at least." Lisa requested from her busy friend.
"Hmm.. pretty." She relieved a breath.
Alice, Lisa, Adam were the organizers for the night. And they were organizing the event as much as glamorous to be perfect. It was the largest event celebrated every year by Arnauds' who manages 7 luxury hotels, restaurants and spas around world. Arnaud wasn't just a name in Europe. Even children would know them better as they are appearing in news daily because Deniz.
Deniz Arnaud, youngest son of the Arnaud Group held the hearts of girls even in Asia. He was just 26 and a famous singer in Europe. He became the most stylish singer of the year in 2020 and often 'Jazzwise' featured him in new stories. Scandals, controversies, web channels were full of his routine after he was topped of the most desired men in the world. But still, he was a mama's boy.
Camille was a famous actress in 90's when she met her love David Arnaud. After few years of their wedding they got Deon and Deniz two years later on. Albert Arnaud, founder of Arnaud group and David, his only son were the reason behind the triumph of their business. Both father and son were marketing experts which could transfer a restaurant into large group of hotels over a half of century. They held 21% of stocks in trading being the majority of hotel industry.
It was 12th of January, Albert's late wife Marie's birthday that they celebrated foundation day of the Arnauds' Group. And, as last year the event's responsibility was on Alice.
Alice, the secretary of David was one of the oldest employees of the company who managed everything for them except rumors of Deniz. She was a devoted worker and a close friend of Arnauds'. On this Anniversary night she was the only person who didn't find a peace for a minute with arrangements. The weight of responsibilities could be seen through her wavy eyes.
"Lisa, did you inform Robin about lilies? Don't give Deniz a reason to laugh this time. You know how much he adores lilies." Alice asked while in a chaos.
"Don't worry Alice I have informed. By the time I'm pretty sure lilies are here. And I gave all the decoration work to Zara."
"What Zara!" Alice was surprised. "What have you done Lisa. Zara is a newbie. She knows nothing about the company or Deniz. Deniz is supposed to introduce his fiancée today. So, his balcony should be flaunting more"
"Oh. Don't make faces Alice. I checked them. Everything is perfect as a fairy." Lisa calmed her down.
"Even though Zara came recently, she has learnt all most all the things. She's truly an interior designer." Lisa added more to be justified her decision.
"OK. Let it to be then. Ask Adam to come to my office." Alice walked towards the elevator.
Lisa went searching Adam.
At Arnauds', Camillie was applying lipstick when David kissed her dearly. "I'm ready Cami." David whispered to her ears.
"Me too. But, where are your sons. I'm pretty sure they still match shoes." Camillie whispered back.
"Only my sons. That's the case" David laughed. "Cami, did you call Esmee? She should be there on time."
"She will be there with Deniz." Camillie replied.
"After Deniz engagement, I think he will join the company. I'm totally irritated with his rumors. It affects to the company. Do you know we lost one of our projects last month. I didn't inquire since that wasn't much important. But, dad is very disappointed with his lifestyle." David became a sad daddy for a moment.
"Do you believe in rumors than our son David. Media is behind everything. Don't be a typical dad. I know my son. He is still young and doesn't think about life deeply. But, he's not bad." Camillie replied worriedly.
"It's not about good or bad. Don't be a typical mom" David repeated the same.
"Shall we go or continue this?" Camillie said with narrowed eyes.
"OK OK my angry bird let's go" David pulled her towards the door.
It was ten past seven. Hotel's lobby, pool and hall were full of celebrities, politicians and business class. Everyone was murmuring to each other about Arnauds' while sipping wine and having scrumptious snacks. Few oldies were gossiping about Esmee, a famous model in town and Deniz. They hadn't known that their engagement announcement was a part of that party. And the media was at the premises to capture the best story for the next day. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of Arnauds' with delighted eyes.
When it was about seven thirty, a Rolls-Royce car arrived slowly preceding white Range Rover. Media recognized the vehicles and rushed towards the cars. David Arnaud the CEO of Arnaud Group and his wife Camillie got out when the car stopped at the door. Even with his 50s David was a dream figure of many ladies of the town since his 20s . And, Camillie was wonderful as always with her blue gown making a good pair. Media was in a contingent mood whether they could get a chance or not to have interviews. But David and Camillie let them to have good photographs.
"Where is Deon? Where is Deniz?" buzz was high.
Everyone wanted to have a family photograph for tomorrow's cover of newspapers.
"Mr. David what do you want to speak today?" A reporter questioned him.
"I'm happy as Camillie is next me. And the success of the Arnauds' is not something personal. This is my dad's company which he started 50 years ago with my mom. I and my sons just support him." He answered while putting his right hand on Camillie's shoulder.
"Why isn't Mr. Albert attending today?" "Isn't he in Paris?" Questions were being loaded one by one.
"Yes, dad is in a business cruise this month. He is returning February."
"Mr. David, is there a one more special reason for this lavish party?" One voice came behind the camera.
"Ha..Ha..Let the party begin. There may be more to reveal…right Cami?" David turned to Camillie. She nodded at her husband with a smile.
When the Range Rover stopped, buzz was vanished for a while. And, all turned towards handsome, tall guy dressed in navy blue who got down with a charming girl in a red evening gown. The couple was pretty and lovely to be highlighted in all the way, so cameras were busy taking pictures.
"Mr. &Mrs. Deon, pose for some photographs." Requests were flowing.
But before talking to media Deon and Alina went to their parents and hugged them tightly. Deon was the eldest son of family and a beloved son. He was a pure hearted person like his mother. He got married few months ago with his college lover Alina, only daughter of Barton family.
"Deniz..Deniz..Deniz.." Media was seeking for the missing one from Arnauds'.
"He is late, as always, right?" David asked from Deon. "No dad. This time, not Deniz but Esmee is late. He is waiting for her."
"Oh Esmee. Doesn't she know, today is very special for us." David replied with a rough voice. Esmee was Deniz's personal choice. Neither David nor Albert liked her.
"Esmee wasn't in town David. She's returning from Swiss. We can go in until they come right." Camillie settled down the situation. "It's not a good thing for us to be delay."
"OK let's go. Deon, phone our trouble maker. Ask him to come soon." David's voice was lowly .
After posing for few family photographs Arnauds' went in.
In the hall, Alice welcomed them and accompanied David and Deon to their business partners. Camillie and Alina joined their friends.
"Hello Camillie! Hello Alina!" Grace started with a big mouth. "Hello Grace! How are you?" Camillie replied giving a kiss.
"Fine fine. You both look gorgeous today." Grace added to chat smirking.
"Grace Aunty and her adulation." Alina whispered to Camillie. Camillie tried to hide her laugh from Grace. Grace was an ex-wife of Augustin Careme, a businessman.
She was a stiff-necked lady who doesn't find anything good in others. She went to parties to asperse. That was her only habit after the divorce. Lisa came to them finding Alina.
"Mrs. Alina Can you come with me please?" She requested. "Sure."
Alina happily followed her leaving her mother in law with Grace and Charlotte. "God bless you mom" She prayed in mind.
Alina followed Lisa to the balcony where the all the decorations were there with lilies. Place was fascinating. Alina loved the aroma.
"This is for Mr. Deniz and Ms. Esmee. I hope they love this." Lisa said.
"Of-course Lisa. When there are lilies he will be super glad. You guys know him better than me. No need to ask." Alina replied with assurance.
"Who is that girl Lisa? I haven't met her before." Alina pointed at Zara who was preparing a flower bouquet.
"Zara is the new assistant of Adam. She was an interior designer in a designing firm. Last week she joined us after her firm went to bankrupt."
"Oh! I see. She's beautiful. Isn't she?" Alina was looking at Zara's pretty fingers which were busy with flower arrangements.
"She's intellectual as well. Innocent but cheerful girl. She was raised alone by her father. You may have heard about the pianist Emmanuel Blanc. That's her father" Lisa described.
With the arrival of red Ferrari all the cameramen gathered to the entrance lobby to capture the most stylish man of the night, Deniz. Even girls in the party went out to strike with this dashing star from the Arnauds' who had won thousands of hearts.
He was stunning with his black Italian slim fit kit. His sparking eyes were expressive enough to see his rebellion youth. Deniz put his glasses on and got down with a radiant smile. Just like a fantasy. It was the moment of the day. He looked absolutely handsome that could be in Hollywood.
After being surrounded by cameras and flashes he wanted to flee as soon as possible.
"Denizzz…." Female reporters yelled happily.
With a silent, smiley expression he went into the hall searching his family after being seized by media.
"Where's mom?" Deniz was puzzled among hundreds of people. There was a big gang following him.
"Mr. Deniz, where's Ms. Esmee? Everyone is waiting for you two." He looked back when he heard Lisa.
"Lisa, thank god you found me. Please save me from them." Deniz winked at her. So then, Lisa could see the girls behind him. She was happy as Deniz wasn't someone who requests. He was a hot-headed brat. Lisa stared a minute.
"Lisa.." He screamed. Lisa got into her sense back and led him to upstairs.
"Mr. Deniz, go to the second balcony. And wait for Ms. Esmee. I'm sure no one will catch you there." Lisa convinced him.
"Ask mom to come up." Deniz told her while entering to second balcony.
It was a glamorous night for everyone in the city of love, Paris. Deniz was surprised with lilies in the balcony. Since his childhood he was very fond of them. Even he used to fight with his cousin sister for the lilies in their garden. So, he sighed in a musical manner. He looked down the hall which was crowded with invitees to see Esmee's arrival. Everyone was having a great time while dancing and chatting. From the background he could hear, his mother's favourite piano part.
"RIVER FLOWS IN YOU.."
"Dad is so romantic. He still cherishes mom dearly." He self-expressed.
Deniz dimmed the balcony lights not to catch by others. And started to listen to the piano piece with closed eyes. What a peaceful moment! He imitated playing a piano. Suddenly, his phantasm was smashed by the door sound. At the moment, area was full of lily fragrance that he could lose his mind. He turned his head and wondered seeing a girl in a white Helter-Neck gown at the door. He could barely see her face in the dark.
"Who are you?" Deniz broke the silence. But the girl was dumbstruck. Her lips were trembling. She got into the room and locked the door. "What are you doing?" Deniz asked again. But, no reply was on her pink lips except impatient glance.
"Are you fine? How can I help you?" Deniz had many questions. She suddenly moved forward and whispered to Deniz.
"Sh..someone is chasing me. Please help me."
Her voice was broken and shivering. He couldn't remember a word to reply. He became obedient to her like a small kid. When their eyes were supposed to meet, she narrowed them down quickly. But he could poorly see a pair of beautiful brown eyes with thin eyelids. The door was hit hard from outside. And, she was lily-livered enough to hide behind Deniz. Even he felt her long breaths that came out continuously. She had run fast to get rid of the chaser. Even though, Deniz wanted to pacify her he didn't know how to. He never had to do so as well.
"Hi! I'm Deniz. Don't worry. You're safe here." He sounded lowly patting to her shoulder.
But she didn't utter a word. When the hitting was hard and heavy, the door was about to break…. And the lights were about to blow on.. She hugged him tightly out of fear. At the moment, he felt like his heart was about to explode.
Few minutes passed in a blink. All the cameras and eyes were looking up for a great news with a hope and then, the flashes fell on Deniz. As per the story he was not all alone. Camillie and Alina smiled seeing the couple. They assumed her to be Esmee. But the situation was worser, than imagined. Everyone was staring with big amazed eyes when they spotted the couple on balcony. With the buzz of people and the lights that hit on, Deniz got into some senses. He was pissed off, seeing the audience with media. He pushed the girl away. She was even more pitiful. Both were captured by cameras. It was like a broad picture of a scene. Arnauds were dumb with the shock. Even Esmee was there in teary eyes.
"Oh my god Zara! What's she doing there?" Alice was surprised.
Even Lisa was puzzled with opened mouth. It was the most awaited moment of the party. So, everyone started rattling about the couple. That was like a big roaring. Many enquired about Zara. They were urged to question about her because she didn't look lavish enough to be with Arnauds.
"Camillie, Who's she? Is she from a wealthy family?" Grace interrupted. At the moment, they were in a mess without a doubt. Camillie tried to adjust to situation showing a fake smile. But she had nothing to say. It was the first time that she saw Zara.
"She's Zara, daughter of famous pianist Emmanuel Blanc. Very simple, charming girl." Alina repeated Lisa's words pretending to be normal.
"Oh.. Are they dating?" When Charlotte asked from Alina, Grace was one to be answered.
"Is it something to ask Charlotte? Didn't you see their embrace? Deniz's waist was tightly bagged by her" Grace laughed blinking at Charlotte.
The circumstance was so embarrassing to handle by Arnauds. Even, Alice was unaware of explanations. She tried to overlook the media when she was spotted. "You can personally ask from Mr. Deniz." She replied saintly. Apart from that nothing to say if she wanted.
"Who is she?" David barged into Alice.
"She's Adam's new assistant Mr. David. She's an amateur to the company. Probably there may be some mistakes." She justified the situation.
"Did you find it a mistake Alice? Deniz has crossed all the limits today to humiliate us." David was displeased.
Alice didn't add a word further since she knew his boss's character.
Zara was silent and Deniz was full of temper. Both, didn't know that they would become a hot news in channels next day. After being a portrait for seconds, Deniz realized the situation down and went out in a bustle. But the audience remained peeping at Zara.
There were two bearded men trying to open the door when Deniz came out.
"What do you need?" He grabbed their shirts violently.
"If you have a business with her settle it down, but, out my hotel."
He said in a fume. Even before those two spoke security came to the place.
"I shouldn't see them again" Deniz handed them over to his henchmen and rushed to his car. He didn't even look back for Zara. Since his mind was so moody, he was reluctant to figure out things. Hence, he avoided the media and escaped from the hotel.
Poor Zara, she was in pain. She had sprained her leg slightly. Furthermore, she couldn't amplify the situation created there. Being summoned by Alice, she stepped down slowly and went searching Adam's help.
But the balcony remained in the dark perfumed by white lilies…