After following Victor to and fro in the hall Irene finally relented and excused herself to find a place for her to sit down, relieving her fatigue that already consuming her mind and body. Certainly after she gets Victor's permission first that is.
As she found a place for her to sit, she began to massage her legs, which began to ache from standing for too long. Her eyes were still on Victor, who was still chatting with some people that she did not know. But she was sure that everyone there was not a normal person. All there must be some high profile people that people like her can never meet on a regular basis.
Occasionally Irene could see Victor staring at her. Maybe to make sure that she was still there and not trying to running away. Her heart suddenly becomes a bit warm by his soft gaze. She sometimes feels like the man is taking care of her in his own way, but it doesn't stop her from feeling annoying by his words and action sometime. He was hot and cold at the same time making her not really understand.
"Don't they feel tired standing for hours?" Irene speaks alone slowly as she looked at all the people there, especially the women who wore high heels inches taller than she sluggishly walked here and there without resting at all.
Luckily for her, Victor is considered enough probably because this is her first time. And, she also really hopes this is the last time that she is involved in that kind of situation. She has already started making arrangements in her mind about the choice of professional job that she wanted to apply when she graduates later. If possible she would like to avoid working in such a corporate division.
Irene sighed to herself, wondering in herself what she was doing there actually? Although the ceremony sounded ordinary, but all the extravaganza feeling was definitely making her feel out of the place. Then her busy eyes were fixed on the face of the boy who was supposed to be celebrated that night.
That small 7 year old boy who sat quietly alone on a chair while surrounded by gifts and foods on a table that seemed untouched also looking at her without blinking. He also looks kind of lonely sitting there as people that coming to his celebration are not the same age as him but all of his grandfather's friends.
Irene seemed to be able to guess how the boy was feeling at the moment. She is now smiling to the boy honestly hoping that it can ease the boy feeling at the time.
'The boy looks like a victim of the situation', thought Irene herself.
The young boy who realized that Irene was looking and smiling at him now seemed to be blushing with embarrassment. His eyes began to blink repeatedly not knowing in which direction he should look now.
'Such a cute boy. ' Irene laugh a little looking at the boy miserable state. 'But, where are his parent?'
Irene becomes curious as she does not see the boy with any other adults except the bodyguard and his grandfather earlier. Now, his grandfather is also like Victor, who has a lively chat here and there with the guest while the bodyguard is standing in the wall nearby.
Her body not making her imagination going too wild when suddenly nature coming in calling for her. Irene continued to press on her stomach, which was starting to ache.
"No, please not now." She pleading herself.
With what she is wearing right now, going to the toilet will be too much a hassle. But, what can she do when she knows certainly that holding back a number two deal is not a great idea. Especially when her stomach inside feels to twist so badly like a washing machine that spinning fast.
Irene now stood with her hands still holding her stomach. Cold sweat began to wet her face at that moment. Her eyes were fixed on Victor, who was not looking at her at that moment.
"I don't need to ask permission for this right? That would be too embarrassing right? Ah, whatever."
While she was thinking about telling Victor where she wanted to go now she finally chose to keep walking out of the hall putting her meaningless worried aside for now. After all, she just need to go only for a couple of minutes, which that's what she thought at first. Hoping that Victor wouldn't be upset with her decision. Little that she knows something bigger is about to happen in just that couple of minutes.
Her feet were moving so fast while she was actually still try to accustom to the high heel she was wearing. She herself did not think that she could walk so well without even falling. Well, sometime everything will work out in emergency case.
Finally, Irene reached the quiet toilet. She was a little relieved that no one was there. Then, in fast pace she conducted her business happily. After a few minutes, she finally out and washed her hands with soap. She smiled to herself as her stomach now felt relieved. As she was washing her hands carefully her heart suddenly felt uncomfortable but she try to ignore the odd feeling that arise.
But, at the time, her ears caught a sudden noise from outside. Irene shut off the water tap after she was done. Slowly, her feet stepped to the toilet main door trying to listen well.
"Don't run away or I shot you!"
"Sit on the floor! Now!"
Irene opened the toilet door slightly and try peered. Her eyes could not see anything then. She came out from there boldly, tiptoeing, trying not to make any sound with her high heels.
Now Irene stands behind a giant vase that completely hiding her body near the hotel registration desk. There, she could clearly see several people wearing shabby t-shirts, black eye specs, cigarettes in their mouths while their hands held firearms while warning the hotel workers there.
A few more same kind of people guard the elevator area. Luckily for her there was no one in the area she was in. But she knows that she is not really in a safe state.
Bang! Irene was a little startled to hear gunshots from the direction of the hall.
"This is what you get if you didn't follow on my words." One of the gangster as that's what Irene could think of to call the firearm gang, pulled a man out of the hall in a blood-stained state.
Irene could see that the man was one of the bodyguards hired by the Minister of Education to guard throughout the ceremony. Irene cupped her mouth with her hand as she was too surprised to see the situation. This situation turned out to be worse than she thought.
She is trembling a little, but later calming herself. How about Mr. Victor? Is he okay? She suddenly reminds herself of the man, completely forgot the scary rumours about him. If only she knows that the man is scarier than that gangster overall.
"Don't be scared. Think Irene! Think!" She's whispering alone.
Irene looked here and there on the path that housed the toilet she had just used. She could see one door at the end without any sign. Whatever it is she needs to do something. She opened her high heels, leaving it there and walked barefoot to the back to enter the unknown door. She's now giving in to her instincts.