"Mom... You know all about media and it's gossips. Being such a big person doesn't mean I can't make friends ok?" Rhea Azaan said while rubbing the back of her palms.
"Better be a lie because such big fish are looking out for you. Don't even try messing around with such a lowly person." Avery Azaan said.
Morning...
Rhea Azaan sat in her office as usual busy with her work when her phone started beeping with messages.
Hi...
I know what the media is talking about right now is different from the reality. But please, let that not be the end of our friendship.
Am only trying to be a good friend. Don't take me as some bad guy trying to take advantage of you.
All the messages were from Kiaan Tilden. She partly felt happy for his concern on her image and partly felt sorry for dragging him into the attention of the media and the nation at large.
"Can we have dinner at my place?" She send the text message and instantly, a yes came.
As for why she invited him for dinner, it was because he had told her that they were friends and he begged her not to end their friendship.
Evening...
An old car drive to Rhea Azaan's mansion, commonly known as the Crystal Estate. With a simple message from Rhea Azaan, Kiaan Tilden drove in and parked.
Walking aimlessly around the house and feeling the waters from the foundation, Kiaan Tilden smiled softly.
Rhea Azaan's convoy of cars arrived few moments later and she got out and welcomed him in.
"I can say you live in a real palace." Kiaan Tilden said.
"If you say so... But am always too busy to be here." Rhea Azaan said.
Kiaan Tilden made himself comfortable in the seat as he was served a soft drink. He drank slowly waiting for Rhea Azaan to come back from upstairs where she went to change. When she came back, she had the paper and the picture in her hands.
"Have you met my dad before?" She asked. Kiaan Tilden slowly stood up and faced her.
"Is there something wrong?" Kiaan Tilden asked.
"You haven't answered my question yet." She said.
"I haven't. Has he seen me before?" He asked.
"I don't know but see this." Placing the picture and the paper on the glass table, Rhea Azaan looked at Kiaan Tilden.
"How did you get my picture?" Grabbing his picture first, he asked.
"You dropped it at the office. Now, can you compare the two and see if it's the same person." She said.
Kiaan Tilden looked at the two and for a moment, his eyes widened even more. The man in the picture, the man in the paper and the man looking at the two were the same person.
"That's me. Does he know me?" He asked.
"No... He says he just drafted an image out of imagination. I was also suprised you two have met."
"How can a low class like me have met such a huge figure? Probably that's just a coincidence, or maybe let's say nature can explain that more than we can." Kiaan Tilden said.
The two sat together talking mainly about business but to Kiaan Tilden, this was more than a chance he dreamt off.
"I'll have to go now. Thanks for the invitation goddess." Kiaan Tilden said.
He walked out alone since Rhea Azaan was to host an online business meeting. It wasn't dark when he walked out only to be welcomed by a group of journalist.
"Mr. Kiaan Tilden, can you explain the relationship between you and her majesty Rhea Azaan?"
"Mr. Tilden, the rumors has it that you're not Mr. Finlay's son, is that true?"
"Do you think it's worthy of you being in love with the goddess?"
"Can you explain the flowers you gave to her?"
Questions kept coming. Kiaan Tilden was so annoyed he wanted to push his way through the crowd of journalist but he also didn't want to spoil his reputation. Instead of answering the questions, Kiaan Tilden remained silent with a calm face. After all he wasn't Mr. Finlay's biological son but that didn't mean he had to tell the whole country about it.
When Kiaan Tilden left the Crystal Estate, he drove straight home and into his bedroom where he had a deep sleep till the next morning.
Two days went by and Kiaan Tilden didn't visit Rhea Azaan or talk to her. It was then that Rhea Azaan realized she missed her friend. Since when she became such a significant figure, she didn't have any close friend but Kiaan Tilden had made her realize that she needed a close friend. Besides, his courage to approach her was what fascinated her most.
Those two days weren't Kiaan Tilden's best days either.
Day 1
When Kiaan Tilden woke up that morning, he decided to relax at home a little and he'll his parents fence the compound, do some chores before reporting to work. While in the back yard taking care of the flowers, Kiaan felt a sharp pain in his right leg, only realising he had been pricked by a huge thorn. Instantly, he started bleeding.
Mr. Austin Finlay and Briella knew something was wrong with their son and any slightly injury may be tragic. That's how Kiaan Tilden found himself in hospital with just a small thron wound.
Day 2
He was discharged but under the strict supervision of bus parents, he wasn't allowed to go out. He didn't report to work either. That's why he didn't show up at Rhea Azaan's office door.
The following morning, Kiaan Tilden drove to State Azaan company and was told Rhea Azaan had left for Helium Prime. That's how Kiaan Tilden spend his day bored in his office.
When Rhea Azaan came back, she was informed that Kiaan came to look for her. To make up to him, she send him an invitation to dinner at the most prestigious Royal hotel.
At Royal hotel...
Tye whole hotel was booked that evening and every worker was busy with the preparations. The male workers held their hopes high because today, they were going to see the goddess in business live. Rumors bad it that she had booked the hotel to have dinner with her lover. Never in her life had he made such an announcement that she was going out for a meal. But going out with a man was enough to raise the curiosity of many.
Rhea Azaan's convoy of cars arrived in the luxurious hotel compound and she got out. Walking on the decorated lane towards the hotel, she dialed Kiaan Tilden's number. When the call went through, Kiaan said he was on his way coming.
"Kiaan Tilden. When he arrives, give him the key." Rhea Azaan gave the receptionist the order as she entered the elevator.
Everyone was now waiting eargerly for the so called Kiaan Tilden who lost men thought was the luckiest man in Grematoria. Having won such a precious chance of having dinner with Rhea Azaan, he was already the source of envy.