Although Sandra was amazed at the speed at which she used to get it for her, she would never show her appreciation for this bastard's good doings. She only deserves to be at her beck and call.
Lucas had already informed his man to drop her safely at home. She already knew that no matter how big a hotel is, it can never offer such an expensive chauffeur cum security personnel.
Lucas came down and saw Sandra Miller from a distance. They had always been close as kids but he never knew she would be a beast in human clothing.
He never knew that he had been developing feelings for Violet all this while.
Sandra saw him and pretended not to see him
He, Lucas love to play games. Sandra knew that he would be coming in her direction, she pretended to be so engrossed in the conversation.
Lucas's footsteps were firm and steady. His long legs were an advantage in a situation like this and before anyone knew what was happening he was by Sandra's side.
"Miss Miller, it's good to see you".
" Oh, Lucas. It's been such a long time. I thought you won't be here".
She was subtly hinting and reminding him that he was an irresponsible and useless son of the Arnold family.
Lucas nodded, "I happen to be less busy so I had to show up".
Feigning a smile, " What could you be possibly busy with? It's not as if you help uncle with the company", she chuckled dryly.
Good! She was still reducing his worth before these people.
By then most people had already seen how close they were. They were casting curious and questioning stares at them.
👤" It seems as if Miss Miller has a good relationship with the abandoned son".
Lucas's secretary who was picking food for himself nearby almost puked. Good Lord!What the hell? Did they just say, abandon son? Boss, you are just too low profile. You need to show them who summons the rain and hides the cloud in this place.
👤" Miss Miller sure has the patience to communicate with him until now. Is she not afraid that her worth will be reduced?"
👤" Exactly, suitors may not like to approach her if they know that the abandoned son is interested in her".
Sandra flipped over in anger internally. Why would this damned Lucas choose this moment to approach her? The comments were loud enough to be heard.
"I still have a few business partners to greet. Am leaving now, so just do your thing".
Lucas watched her behaviour in amazement. Was he that scary? Ha! Abandoned son? He will make them write their names backwards very very soon.
Lucas and his secretary left the party after some time.
Sandra came around after he might have left. She bumped into someone, it's only then she raised her head and saw that it was no other than the celebrant.
" Wow! Am sorry".
"Oh, it's nothing at all".
They stared at each other and got lost. They both came back to their senses and chuckled awkwardly.
" Hi, I'm Kevin Arnold". Stretched out his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you celebrant, I am Sandra Miller".
" The star of the night", he completed the introduction.
"You don't say....."
"I am being serious here".
They moved to the balcony and stood side by side with each other. The waiters filled their glasses with wine from time to time.
Their discussion ranged from their academics to careers and their family business. They realized they had so many things in common.
Kevin walked her to the car and they promised to catch up with each other later.
" Am I missing out on something?" the mother teased.
"Of course not mom", she reddened.
" Then your face is saying otherwise".
She looked into the rear mirror and immediately hid her face.
"Ok mom, we just talked and we plan to hang out as friends". She made an air of quotes on friends.
" That's how I and your father started".
"Can we concentrate on the main topic?"
They banter with each other till they got home.
The investors, directors and the top managers in the company stood in an ordered manner as they awaited the arrival of Arnold and Kevin.
Their car rolled to a stop and some bodyguards alighted first and cleared the way for them.
"Good morning sir"
"Good morning Mr Arnold"
The directors and managers were trembling in excitement and emotions surged within them. The once-in-a-blue-moon President is here before them. Only the investors were a bit calm in this situation.
"Glad to meet you too", Arnold shook hands with some investors.
" Everyone has worked hard these past few months. Today's dinner will be on me from "Macaroni's feed". Feel free to order whatever you want during your dinner but I will not be able to accompany you", he told the staff.
👤" Mr president your generosity is enough, you don't need to accompany us".
👤" We are so grateful already. Just do your thing, don't bother with us"
👤"Exactly, you are such a busy man and your schedule is always full. Go do your thing".
"Alright, this is my son. Some of you saw him already at the party. I have decided to do a proper introduction today, so please help me take care of him".
The investors were naturally satisfied with this son of his compared to the abandoned son. They were confident that he will take the company from strength to strength.
The staffs were already bought over and they sang praises of Kevin.
The investors, directors and managers all followed him to the conference room.
The meeting held lasted for about 3 hours during which he transferred ownership of his 30% shares of the company to Kevin. His lawyer finalized everything and it was legally binding now.
The shares were to take effect on the condition of his demise. Some of the shareholders had worked with him before and they hoped that the young man will be more like his father.
"Just learn the reins of managing the company and you will be fine. We are here to guide you", the oldest investor said.
After the meeting, Kevin was taken around the company and all the directors were introduced to him.
Violet woke up to hear the sound of her phone ringing. She took it without looking at the caller.
" Hello".
"Am I speaking with Miss Spencer?"
"Of course"
" This is the HR department from Merlin's Restaurant. We called to inform you that you have been promoted from a cleaner to a desk officer. Your job description is with the department. So do well to come by today".
Violet heaved a sigh, she might as well do that and find out things for herself. She was too rash the other time. Dealing with the issue once and for all is the best.
"So madam, what do you say?"
Madam? That's deep!
"I will surely be there by ten this morning".
" We are expecting you. Have a nice day madam".
Does Clayton's group of industries treat and promote their staff like this? She believes in karma but she hopes hers will be a good one.
She was fully awake some minutes later. Her digital watch notified her and she sprang up from the bed.
"Am going to be toasted and roasted by that monstrous mother-daughter duo", she mumbled.
The door was pushed open forcefully by Sandra.
" What are you still doing here by this time? Up till now, my breakfast is yet to be ready?"
"Sandra, am sorry. I overslept".
" Oh please spare me that excuse, also don't dare open that hole on your face to utter my name. You are not worthy to mention it", She spun on her feet and swayed her non-existent hips.
Violet sighed and didn't have any choice but to endure this treatment pending when the uncle will be back.
She could remember it like the back of her hand that countless times Sandra had double-crossed her.
Her first rich boyfriend left her for Sandra because she said bad stuff about her being an orphan. Her attempt to get a good job had been thwarted several times by the horrible mother-daughter duo. She lost her last job due to the trump card in Sandra's hands. She is practically subjected to her whims.
She couldn't remember doing it that year but why is that memory of hers blurred?
That year she had a one-night stand with a strange man. That event had always been a dark spot in her life.
She had always been a good cook and never wasted time getting any meal ready. She whipped up a simple breakfast and got ready to go to Merlin's restaurant.
Violet put her hair in a ponytail and her beautiful exquisite face stood out. Gosh! Her face looked like a peeled egg with zero pores. She looked beautiful without any makeup. When she came downstairs, Sandra gave her a double look.
She never knew that this Violet was this beautiful, bitterness welled up inside her. She subconsciously touched her face and panicked internally. Without expensive clothes on her, she knew that she would never be compared to Violet.
She dropped the magazine she was reading and observed her quietly. The worn-out jean trouser she wore sniggled on her and brought out her subtle curves. Sandra's eyes darkened with jealousy, if she dares to enter the entertainment industry it will explode. Sandra would never let her go out like this else she may be hooked up with a big shot. She is vixen through and through.
Violet grabbed the handle of the door when Sandra's words reached her.
"Don't you mind changing these trousers to baggy ones?"
Violet thought it sounded ridiculous. She shook her head and look at her in the eye.
" Is there any problem with what am wearing?"
Sandra gritted her teeth and said, "Don't play dumb with me".
In the past, she had always depended on this she-devil for advice on her fashion sense but she never knew she was digging her grave slowly. Her reputation went down the drain and Sandra was always there to console her and tell her that it was a phase of life.
She had always tricked her into wearing unmatched colours and ridiculous makeup throughout their high school days. Violet has always followed her instructions hence she was suspended many times and finally expelled. She was now a grown-up and knew that Sandra had been manipulating her by then.
" I don't think it's necessary and besides am comfortable wearing this".
She raised her eyebrow and looked like a cool and gallant empress. Sandra couldn't find words to counter her reasoning.
"Ok, if you think so but you should know that you can't go around seducing people in this tight-fitted trouser".
Seducing people? Or she was outright jealous.
"Ok, am being careful. You should be less worried about me but rather concentrate on your upcoming final exams". Violet gave her a candid smile and walked out of the house.
" Sure....".
So she now has some pretty tricks up her sleeves? Let's see how long that will last....
She took out her