"Sir, this charity is good for your public image," Callum's publicist said with a polite smile.
Yes, these fuckers always have a polite smile on their faces.
As a politician, he had learnt the art of fucking people with a polite smile too. And something tells him that it was the necessity of his job.
"Why am I getting dragged into attending all these charities?" Callum questioned with a frown etched on his forehead. "This is going to be the fifth of the month."
He was booked with campaigns, interviews and all these political rallies. Today, he was told to attend an event organised by the Rosemary Woman shelter. It was the largest shelter in the whole country. It gave shelter to homeless women and helped them to stand on their feet. Thousands of women have received help from this shelter to reach a position.
Vanessa Bruno, the mayor of Lanculla, a province of the Maisean empire, was a woman who had once taken shelter in the very same shelter. She was the one who organised the whole event with the help of the shelter. Even if he didn't want to attend, he had to show up because this is the least he could do for Vanessa who had been a great help during his university days.
They both were scholarship students who made something of them. She was now a mayor and he was a candidate for the prime minister post. Well, it means they were going to work together a lot in the future.
Vanessa was an ambitious woman and so was he. They strived to leave a mark of them in history.
"Mr Facci, it's time to leave, "His assistant said and Callum stood up with a huff.
This better be interesting…
"The weather forecast says it will rain in the evening," His assistant said as they entered the car.
Callum looked out of the window with a long and agonised sigh at the glaring sun. Those who were saying that the monsoon arrived earlier this year were slapped hard when it didn't rain after that day.
He couldn't help but remember that woman whenever someone talked about rain.
Yeah, the rain became a reminder of his Calli.
His expressions softened instinctively as he closed his eyes to remember her face one more time.
Lord, he didn't remember how many times he had done the same thing…
"Calli," He whispered her name while remembering those mismatched eyes glaring at him. "Where are you?"
Only a fool in love could find love in glaring eyes.
….
"Callum, it's so nice seeing you again," Vanessa smiled widely at him as soon as she saw him entering through the door.
The room stilled and he swore that he heard several gasps at the sight of him. So many years had passed since he joined this society, yet he wasn't used to the dramatics of these so-called high-class people. In name, these overdressed women were here to support a noble cause but all he could see was a silent and disguised battle of who was better than who. Better in what aspect, one would ask him.
Of course, it was all about who had more influence and wealth. Too bad the battle wasn't about who was a better human
These nobles were the most pretentious class he ever had the misfortune of mingling with. Nash was the lucky bastard as he didn't have to put up with the antics of this class and Killian being Killian didn't give a damn about who they were. Unfortunately, he and Santiago were left to mingle with them as their careers demanded so.
If he was given an opportunity, one day he would love to call them on their shit. Shout at these people that their lavish outfits and precious and beautiful jewels still couldn't hide the ugliness of their hearts. Or their costliest eyeliner couldn't disguise the malice in their eyes.
These bloodthirsty classes were here for their own benefits. Who cared about these poor and needy women?
Oh, not them….
From the shocked looks on their faces, he could determine that no one was expecting him here. Not like he wanted to be but he was now more intrigued as to what Vanessa wanted or what sort of conspiracy her wicked wheels of the brain were weaving.
The woman didn't do anything that wouldn't benefit her in the long run.
"Vanessa, "Callum shook hands with her and the several other officials standing by her side. She was a lioness dominating a man's world. Don't let her sweet appearance fool you.
"Gentleman, you all know Mr Facci," Vanessa said as a matter of factly. "Mr Facci and I have worked together on project Sunshine. He was the one who gave me the idea …." She went on like this and he stood there in utter bewilderment.
What the fuck was happening? Callum wanted to ask.
Yes, he participated in project Sunshine along with Vanessa and the idea she was talking about was what he had discussed with her in university days when they were getting their doctorate.
"I have to tell you, Mr Facci, this scheme that you are the brain behind, is helping a lot of unfortunate young women, " Someone from the ministry said. "I wonder how none of us ever think about something like this novel idea…"
And just like this, Vanessa made him a hero in the room full of pretentious people.
It seemed like he had become one of them.
Oh, and he wasn't complaining…