They both watched Canary as he mingled with the guests, his eyes occasionally scanning the crowd.
As the speeches began, the room fell into a hush, with everyone turning their attention to the stage.
Gladys walked back to Lisa, who had been observing the crowd quietly.
She slipped into the seat beside her, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Looks like the night's about to kick off," Gladys whispered, nudging Lisa lightly.
Lisa nodded, her focus shifting to the front as the host began speaking.
The atmosphere grew even more electric, and Lisa could feel the weight of the moment—the spotlight was now on everyone in the room.
She glanced around, noticing Canary standing nearby, deep in conversation with a few people, but she didn't want to think too much about that just yet.
As the host called the characters onto the stage, Bianca the model who was also the movies' lead actress went and the crowd applauded enthusiastically.
Lisa watched Bianca make her way to the front, the spotlight clearly on her as she took the mic.
She looked as beautiful and hot as usual in a golden yellow gown.
Lisa couldn't shake the feeling that Canary's eyes were Bianca.
She subtly glanced over to where he stood, and sure enough, there he was, his gaze locked on Bianca as she spoke.
The unease in Lisa's chest grew, though she tried to mask it. She had come to the event to enjoy the evening, but seeing Canary's attention so firmly on Bianca stirred something inside her.
She knew that Canary used to sleep with Bianca those days back and now wasn't sure if their relationship had really stopped.
Gladys glanced at Lisa and noticed her distant expression, her attention clearly elsewhere.
"Lisa, are you okay? You seem… distracted," Gladys asked softly, leaning closer.
Lisa quickly forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm fine, just a little tired from the week."
Gladys raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but decided not to press further. "Alright, but if something's on your mind, you know you can talk to me."
Lisa nodded, grateful for Gladys's concern but unwilling to reveal the thoughts swirling in her mind
. "Thanks, but I'm really okay. Let's focus on the speeches."
Gladys gave her a small smile and turned back to the stage, while Lisa silently tried to push away her unease and focused on the speeches.
As Lisa forced herself to focus back on the speeches, Canary's eyes finally found her in the crowd.
He had been scanning the room for her all evening, subtly distracted from every conversation.
When he spotted her, sitting quietly beside Gladys, a small smile tugged at his lips.
She looked poised and beautiful in her orange dress, blending confidence with a touch of vulnerability
. For a moment, he forgot everything else—the speeches, the crowd, even Bianca on stage—and simply focused on Lisa.
He made a mental note to find her as soon as the speeches were over. Tonight, he wanted her to know she was the only one who truly mattered.
As the speeches concluded, the room erupted into applause.
Soon after, the atmosphere shifted, becoming more relaxed as the formalities gave way to celebration. Drinks were served, food stations opened, and music filled the air, inviting guests to mingle and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Lisa and Gladys stood to grab refreshments, blending into the lively crowd.
Canary, who had been waiting for the right moment, excused himself from his conversation and started moving toward Lisa, determined to finally talk to her.
As Lisa sipped her drink, she caught sight of Canary making his way through the crowd, his gaze fixed solely on her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and without realizing it, she stood up, setting her glass down.
As Canary moved closer, Lisa's anticipation grew, but her heart sank when Bianca stepped into his path.
She watched as Bianca placed a hand on his arm, her radiant smile captivating his attention.
Lisa froze and sat back feeling a pang of disappointment as their conversation began.
She tried to compose herself, but the sight of them together stirred feelings she wasn't ready to confront.
"Lisa, are you okay?" Gladys asked, noticing the shift in her demeanor.
Lisa forced a smile, though her voice faltered slightly. "I'm fine. Let's get another drink."
She turned away, trying to focus on anything else.
Camilla who was talking to some men also saw Canary and Bianca again and she wasn't surprised.
She had fully accepted that Canary had chosen Bianca over her and that Bianca was another level. So Camilla simply conversed and accepted to dance with the other handsome men who approached her.
Lisa stood quietly with Gladys to watch the couples dancing when Jenny and Richie unknowingly moved closer, their voices loud enough for her to hear.
" You can see, Canary chose Bianca again ," Jenny said smugly. "She's the obviousl thr suitable partner, Stunning, confident, and completely outstanding."
Richie nodded, adding with a smirk, "Honestly, no one else here even compares. She's on another level."
Lisa's confidence wavered as Jenny and Richie's words echoed in her mind.
Despite her efforts to ignore them, the doubt crept in, leaving her feeling small and insignificant.
She glanced toward Canary, who was still talking to Bianca, and an overwhelming sense of inadequacy washed over her.
' Maybe they're right, she thought. Maybe I'm not good enough for him. Not like her.'
"Lisa, are you okay?" Gladys asked softly, her concern evident.
Lisa forced a weak smile, shaking her head. "I'm fine. Just a bit tired."
But inside, she wasn't fine. She felt like she didn't belong, not here, not with him.
The weight of her emotions pressed down on her, and all she wanted was to escape the crowded room and the constant reminders of her insecurities.
" I will use the washroom.." Lisa said to Gladys.