Why was she even surprised to see that woman here? Blaire Cynclaire. The eldest daughter of the Cynclair family and the heiress of their Billion dollar fortune. When she was still part of the world of fashion, earthly desires and the Hollywood limelight, she and the famous daughter of the Cynclair's had crossed paths a couple of times.
Upon talking to her, observing the latter's movements. How she speaks and how she carries herself, Astrid Starling deemed Blaire Cynclaire as a dazzling creature.
She would gladly steal the spotlight, even if it was the president of the United States who was talking.
As she heard their cackles and restrained laughter on the other side of the ballroom, Astrid simply wanted to disappear and keep herself out of anyone's line of sight. Not that she doesn't want to talk to anybody. She simply wanted peace for once.
That encounter with Genevieve proved and showed to everyone that she's not welcome here.
Plus, if Blaire Cynclaire sensed or saw even a piece of her hair — or even caught her breathing, the brunette would seriously cause some scene.
Astrid raised her hand, "Waiter!" She called, and smiled when the man wearing a white shirt under a black vest looked at her with a smile. His hair was styled like a gentleman. And with those deep gray eyes, he could be mistaken as a young and up and coming model for Calvin Clein.
"What will you have, my lady?" The slick voice of the bartender as well as his smooth tongue made Astrid sneer.
"Singleton Dufftown. I prefer whiskey, aged for 18 years perhaps?"
The bartender nodded and hummed in approval. "On the rocks?"
"You know it."
The bartender winked. "Good choice. I'll be right back."
It did not take long for the good looking bartender to serve her order. The strong whiskey was served in a crystal bohemian rock glass, accompanied with a decent amount of ice that's shaped into a circle.
"Call me if you need something else?"
Instead of answering, Astrid raised her glass and nodded to the waiter.
However, just when she's about to enjoy the strong drink — she heard a familiar voice coming from behind her. The woman's voice was as sweet as caramel as alluring as a jazz singer's voice.
Astrid Starling knows that presence even though she hadn't seen her in a long time. It's none other than Blaire Cynclaire.
"Well, if it isn't the beautiful and ever so influential Astrid Starling." She said with a coy smile, as she did she was ogling Astrid from her head to her high heels. Observing silently and rating her choice of fashion. "You're looking more ravishing than ever. How long has it been? Five or six years?"
Astrid tried her best to control her emotions, but when her pupils dilated upon seeing the woman in front of her — she knew that she had failed. She reciprocated the same smile Blaire Cynclaire had given her. Searching the latter's eyes, she knew in an instant that the woman in front of her was up to no good.
The woman wearing the nude and mermaid cut dress placed her glass on the table, turning to the woman in red with a smile. She stood up straight and minded how she looked, remembering how a model should present herself in front of her client. "I think so… maybe it has been five years."
The two women sized each other up. Looking at the jewelries around their necks. Their hands — even how their nails were polished.
If the other guests who were gazing at the two would describe them, one was hot as hell — a temptress in red like a devil. While the other one had the demeanor of an ice queen. Guarded, and yet lethal when provoked.
"I see…" Blaire Cynclaire spoke, breaking the awkward silence that riddled the air around them. She breathed in deep and licked her lips, as she did, her shoulders relaxed. "Well, you still look beautiful."
Astrid's cherry red lips parted, speaking sweet words that were laced with venom. "Not as beautiful as you."
The smile on Blaire Cynclaire's lips was practiced to perfection. But it wasn't enough to conceal the darkness in her eyes. When the two deemed that their exchange was over, Astrid turned on her heel and went to the dining table beside her. Even though she was limping towards the empty table, she still had an air of grace around her. Leaving Blaire Cynclaire to look at her beautiful backless dress.
Blaire Cynclaire never thought Astrid Starling would accept all her so-called compliments. As Astrid's smiling face entered her mind, the woman in red couldn't help but feel pissed off. Frustrated and a bit agitated.
When she came back to the right side of the ballroom where her friends were exchanging stories of how their tour to France went, the men and women noticed the anger in her eyes.
"Why do you look pissed off?" Xian Lou, her best friend asked. "Bartender's not serving oysters as appetizers anymore?"
"It's not that!" She spat.
After realizing how much Astrid affected her mood, she stormed out of the ballroom, thinking why was a murderer able to smile.
=================
On the far side of the ballroom, Matthew Cullin watched the scene between the two women silently. He had to admit that he was quite amused. 'She still has guts.' He thought after remembering how Blaire Cynclaire looked after their exchange.
"As they say, a murderer lacks remorse or shame." He said to himself as he watched Astrid sit alone on the empty table. "Let's see how she'd handle the other demons in this place then."
After a few slow minutes had passed, finally the spotlight was turned on. And it was lit on the main entrance of the ballroom. A strong yet shaky voice resounded from the speakers. And when they heard his voice, the guests applauded.
"Good evening, everyone! I thank you all for coming to my birthday party."
Astrid was one of the few who were rendered speechless as Augustus Abel entered the room. She stared at his fancy black and white suit that matched his gray hair. And even though he's close to his 90th birthday, he still looked as if he just turned 60.
"He hasn't aged a bit." Astrid whispered to herself. A genuine smile plastered her lips. And soon she joined the applauding crowd.
===============
"As you all can see, I have everything I could wish for in life. Everything that could be touched. Anything that could be bought, I have it all. But in life, I realized that material things are not the greatest gifts to receive on someone's birthday. Trust me… I'm old enough to realize that…" Augustus joked and everyone laughed.
"I realized that the greatest gift to be received is love, happiness and good health. For these, I'm sincerely grateful and my dying wish is never to lose these great treasures. I will put a smile on my face and won't let the troubles of life get me down because it's my birthday today. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful night, thank you."
A heartfelt laugh resonated out of Augustus's lips as he eyed the cheering crowd. He was about to leave after he delivered his thanks, but then — his eyes darted to a familiar face. The old man stared straight at Astrid who was standing in the crowd, a hint of surprise flashed on his face.
Astrid caught the surprised look on Augustus's face. She raised and waved her hand, feeling a different king of warmth radiating on her heart. She let out a soft chuckle when Augustus waved his hand as well.
She indeed missed his sweet smile.
After everyone in the audience left the center of the ballroom and went back to their seats, Astrid, who was still standing in the middle, was forcefully grabbed by the wrist. Matthew's deep and cold voice reached her ears, making her look at the man in front of her. "What are you staring at? Come to that table with me, they are all waiting for you."
"What are you —"
Before she could finish what she was saying, Astrid was ungracefully dragged over by Matthew to the said table. The limping woman did not try to fight it. Having one good leg, it would only take one misstep for her to stumble like a newborn calf on the ground. Not only that, but she was also wearing high heels, making it difficult for her to fight.
"You can't say no." Was Matthew's strict reply, knowing that Astrid didn't want to socialize.
When they arrived at the said table, Astrid brushed off the invisible dust on her dress. For she didn't need to look to see who was seated on that table. It was none other than the Able family and their prime guest, the representative of the Cynclair's, Blaire Cynclaire.
"This is our table." Matthew said to Astrid before he slid into the empty chair and fixed his posture like a prince. Augustus Abel was the one sitting on the main seat, and Matthew and Acashia were sitting beside Blaire Cynclaire.