Natasha found the guard holding the car's door open for her. She immediately stepped in and shut the door behind her. She was furious as she did not know why the two men she just left were smiling at her. Were they laughing at her? But why? She could not figure it out.
"Anything the matter, Ms. Claire?" A voice came from the end of her seat. She looked to her right and saw him. He was seated comfortably. The engine started. She almost told the driver to stop for she thought she was in the wrong car. "You are in the right car. My previous travelling companion was rather boring. I saw it fit to find one more… inviting." Brandon added looking at her briefly then looking out for a moment. 'When did he get in? is that why Jacob and Watson were smiling back then? They saw him get in!' She thought to herself as expressions on her face remained calm. "By the by, Ms. Claire, we have an evening business party to attend tonight at eight. Please be ready by then."
"What? But… but I have nothing to wear. I thought we were spending a few hours then we fly back to BB City. No one told me!" She snapped. The man simply ignored her and looked outside. "I cannot go. I shall book a flight and go back home." She added and looked outside the window on her side.
"It is a business party Ms. Claire. And you are the General Manager of a well-known international company. As such, your presence is a mandate." Brandon said leisurely and looked at her becoming furious.
"No one told me!" She repeated, trying as much as possible to calm down. Brandon took out his phone and typed something then put it back in to his pocket, completely ignoring her. She looked at him with rage and looked the other way, sulking. It was a silent drive with two people sharing a car and feeling very different emotions. An hour later, they arrived at the DD City from its outskirts and checked in to the most expensive five-star hotel in the middle of the city; The Silver View Five Star Hotel. The five men and one lady all checked in to the upper most floor were all presidential suites were located. Natasha could hardly believe her eyes as she stepped in to her room. It looked like a house in itself. It was fully furnished with the top-most mahogany class wood, had its own bar inside the kitchen, fully stocked fridge, a king-size bed, its own balcony overlooking the city, its own bathtub and marble floor all round. It was a priceless view to her eyes. Her room was at the center of the men's room. She took number three hundred and five, with Brandon taking four, Watson six, Jacob three, Fred two and Edward seven.
An hour later after Natasha had freshened herself up and was stressed up on what to wear, her room's doorbell rang. She got up from the bed with in her black bathrobe and went to open the door.
"Ms. Claire." The woman at the door called out as if to confirm it was her name.
"Yes. How can I help you?" Natasha enquired.
"Mr. Joseph sent us to help you get ready for the party." She answered sweetly. Just then, a group of four people got in, two men pulling a mobile closet full of classy dresses, one lady carrying a make-up kit and the other pushing a suitcase. It was an ambush as they made her seat on the couch in the living room, looking at her, discussing what to do. The suitcase was opened and there were different red bottom shoes in them of different colors and designs. Natasha was overwhelmed. 'Brandon did this? For me?' She couldn't help but smile to herself at the gesture. She let the designers do their work. She tried on several dresses and shoes and within an hour and a half, she was set and ready to go.
The party was to be held at the DD Cap Resort, the largest in the city. It brought together all big businessmen and politicians as a celebratory of their work so far. It was a big deal to many businessmen especially those eyeing power and unimaginable connections, as such, only people with strong family backgrounds and influence could attend. Paparazzi were always so keen to catch up on the latest gossip from powerful people and they kept tabs on the party. People began arriving by quarter past seven with many having arrived ten minutes later. The photographers took very many photos of the celebrities present and politicians.
"Mr. Mayor, is it true that you plan to run for governor in the coming elections?"
"Ms. Sharon, now that you are an internationally-recognized actress, do you plan to settle down some day or will you focus on your career?"
"Mr. Ian, how is your multi-million business coming along? Is it true you may go bankrupt?"
Questions flew all over, both bold and ruthless. Suddenly, a limousine pulled over at the start of the red carpet. The driver rushed to open the door and out came four men dressed in white suits and black ties.
"Is that Engineer Fred Thomas? I heard he is the one who engineered the making of the Peak Twin Towers in CG City. They are magnificent!" One person was heard telling his friend.
"Is he with Architect Edward Paul? Isn't he the one who designed the largest retirement home in the country located in BB City? I heard the president personally recognized him for that!" Another one added.
"And they are with the nationally recognized Senior Counsel Jacob Henry. Was he not recently recognized by the International Society of Lawyers for his outstanding work on human trafficking?" A fourth one added.
Before they say more, they saw the fourth man stand aside to let another man step out of the car. His leather shoes kissed the red carpet immediately calling out for attention. Then a man emerged, dressed in an all-black suit.
"Is that…the well-known Brandon Joseph?" One person shouted and immediately everyone turned their eyes to the limousine, including the paparazzi and started taking unlimited photos. Brandon straightened his suit and stretched out his hand in to the limousine. A brief moment later, a warm light-skinned hand was put into his and a black red-bottomed stiletto stepped on the red carpet. Then, a woman dressed in an all- black one-shouldered shimmering fitting dress with a long slit on the side left leg all the way to the mid-thigh stepped out of the car. Her make-up was light but noticeable, with maroon lipstick and shiny lip gloss covering her lips. Her eyes were covered in a dark eye-liner and eye-shadow, making her look like a beautiful dark fantasy dream. Her hair was left to fall freely down her shoulders with hair pins at the side pressing it down.
The crowd was speechless for a moment at the beauty in Brandon's arm. For once in Brandon's life, he was not the center of attraction. The cameras then went off at every corner. The light was almost blinding. The four men dressed in white immediately made way for the couple dressed in black to lead, and they followed proudly behind. Brandon looked at her and confirmed to himself. 'I think Watson deserves a bonus.' They got in to the building and every corner they stepped in to were dozens of paparazzi. Natasha did not feel comfortable with this kind of attention. She had always been the silent girl in the back ground. But now, every man she was with that night commanded his own type of attention, especially the one in whose arm hers was wrapped in. They walked past several reporters.
"Mr. Joseph, are you here to oversee the construction of the land you have just recently purchased here in DD City?"
"Mr. Joseph, is it true that the new project will see you partner with Halal Establishments?"
"Mr. Joseph, does this mean that you and Ms. Ann are officially over?"
They went past the reporters without answering a single question.
"Ms. Ann? Who is Ms. Ann?" Natasha asked Brandon when they found a table and pulled out her seat for her.
"Someone that does not deserve our attention." Brandon dismissed and sat down next to her. Soon, food was served and Natasha was hungry. They had not eaten anything since breakfast. Brandon was accustomed to missing lunch so he just watched the woman eat to her fill. After eating, Natasha excused herself to go to the restroom. As soon as she left:
"Brother, your girl will be the talk of the event. She is killing it!" Fred told Brandon. The other men at the table agreed.
"She is not my girl." Brandon answered indifferently taking a sip of water.
"She is not? So does that mean I can…" Edward started then trailed off covering the rest with laughter. Brandon ignored him.
"I think you should Edward. She is after all, single, beautiful, smart, go on." Jacob said encouragingly looking at Brandon who was looking at Edward.
"If he does, Boss Bran will have Ms. Clara shipped to his doorstep right away!" Watson added and the whole table burst out laughing, except Edward who looked at Watson angrily.
"I will cut your tongue out!" Edward warned Watson who was still laughing.
"Not if Ms. Clara gets to you first no you won't." Brandon said and the whole table burst out laughing again. People around them were looking at the handsome group of bachelors laughing all the time. They all looked so sophisticated and noble. What they were laughing about could hardly be heard as the soft music playing in the room was carrying most of their words away. In the restroom, Natasha emerged from the last stall looking refreshed. She had eaten too quickly and too much. She walked over to the mirror to wash her hands. Next to her stood a woman dressed in a long red fitting dress that covered her all the way down to her shoes. The dress was a bareback with the strap going round her neck, leaving her back open all the way to the lower back. She had on bright red lipstick and gold-like eyeshadow. Her hair was held high in a ponytail. She looked alluring.
"I believe you are Ms. Natasha Claire." The woman said, adding shine to her red lipstick.
"And you are?" Natasha asked, wondering how many people knew her or whether it was another on of Brandon's surprises.
"I see he has not told you about me. Don't worry, you'll know soon enough." The lady said and turned to walk away.
"He? He who?" Natasha asked but the lady had already disappeared through the door.
Brandon observed Natasha's expression as she walked back to the table and immediately knew that something was amiss. He did not impose. As the men caught up on business stuff, Natasha was too distracted by the woman from the restroom and she unconsciously looked around the room for her. Brandon watched her and took out his phone and texted Watson: "She is here. Find her." Watson looked at the text and quickly understood. He excused himself and said he was heading to the washroom. Then came the time for the speeches. The host, who was the governor of DD City, went first, thanking all people present for honoring his invite. Then the mayor went next and gave honorable mentions to particular guests, the last one being Brandon. It was known tradition among the most elite that the last mention was most the most honorable and anyone who got it had to give a short speech on behalf of the other honorable mentions. Natasha had never heard Brandon give a speech before. She always knew him to give orders and threats. So she keenly listened to him and she was surprised at his high level of articulation and sense of humor. People were very attentive as he spoke and could be heard agreeing with him at every stage of his speech. He took exactly three minutes and sat down. He was greatly applauded and Natasha was amazed by him.
"Are you staring at me, Ms. Claire?" Brandon asked her as he sat down. He had watched her eyes follow him from the stage till he sat down.
"Not at all!" Natasha responded taking a sip of water.
"Of course not. You were admiring me." Brandon said and put on a smirk. Watson then returned and went straight to whisper something in Brandon's ears. Natasha was used to it so she did not mind. At least he had saved her from explaining herself to Brandon. As soon as Watson finished whispering into his boss' ears, he sat down. Brandon's face remained plain. Watson took a sip of champagne and went on talking to the other three men who were deeply immersed in a war among them could hold such a grand even and be sure of such a high-profiled attendance. Meanwhile, Brandon looked at Natasha. She avoided his gaze, until she could not anymore.
"Sir?" She encouraged.
"You look beautiful." Brandon went straight to the point without hesitating.
"I told her the same thing!" Edward shouted from the middle of his conversation with the other three men and immediately retracted when he saw Brandon's warning look.
"So did I." Came another agreeing compliment from behind Brandon. The voice was calm and slightly peached. Brandon immediately knew whose it was. All the members of the table look towards the source.