Sandra maintained that sweet smile on her face throughout the dinner session. Stephanie couldn't hide the disgust on her face.
Mr Wilson Miller had ditched them at the minute and went out to have fun with his friends. The other two Millers had to endure the treatment from Jones.
Clearing his throat lightly, he smiled at Sandra kindly.
"So, what are you doing at the moment?" He directed his gaze at her.
"I'm in my final year in high school and I'm focusing on theatrics. I want to join the entertainment industry. That's my dream".
"That's quite impressive", he sipped his wine and looked at the son.
"I heard that Dax media is about to organize their audition in two weeks".
Sandra's heart jumped. She needed it.
"I would love to be a contestant but....."
"I can help", he dropped his cutleries.
"Really? Thanks so much, sir" Sandra went emotional and lowered her head in appreciation.
Mrs Miller was stunned by the man's kind gesture. It seems as if the marriage will bring them good things.
"Thank you so much, Mr Jones".
"You don't need to stand on ceremony with me, we are in-laws to be".
"Exactly", Mrs Miller nodded and the atmosphere became lively.
The mother and son were left out of the discussion. After the dinner, Stephanie signalled to the chauffeur to bring out the gifts for them.
The Millers appreciated it while Stephanie waved her hands as if she did them a favour. Sandra committed her actions to heart and hid her emotion behind a facade of a sweet smile.
Stephanie demanded to have a moment of discussion with Sandra. The two had a tactic understanding.
"I hope you know what this marriage entails?"
"Yes I know".
"Then don't be too comfortable in that marriage and expect so much. All you need to do is to be the good wife you are expected to be before the media. I hope you understand?"
Sandra nodded and Stephanie snorted. She has never been humiliated like this in her life.It has always been the other way round.
Mrs Miller had become increasingly worried as the second passed.
After a while, the two came out acting as if nothing happened.
Mrs Miller breathed a sigh of relief.
"You two should have some time to discuss", she pushed Sandra towards Kevin.
She then took the other two adults to the terrace and they shared a bottle of wine.
In the large garden, Sandra sat down while Kevin stood with hands in his pocket looking impatient.
"This marriage..."
"I have never fancied it one bit", Kevin was straightforward with his feelings.
Sandra has developed feelings for Kevin right from the first day they met at the party.
Her eyes reddened and she bit her lips.
"I wish you can reconsider your feelings, we can make this work. I.... like you", she stole a glance at him.
Kevin was surprised to hear that from her, grunting he replied, "Don't think too much about it".
Sandra sobbed quietly, her feelings were thrown right on her face and she couldn't do anything about it.
Kevin left her and returned to where the parents were. The trio left as they had nothing more to discuss.
Sandra ran into her room and shut herself in. She refused to open the door despite the continuous knocking by the nother.
Violet took about a week off her job to prepare for the Dax music audition. She had already handed over all the relevant documents to her assistant for the upcoming cooking competition.
Arriving at the large music studio which took up the whole forty floors of the building, she marvelled at the amount of money invested in only the structure. The huge building shone as the morning sun hit it from all angles. Violet sighed once more and stepped into the reception after a thorough search at the entrance.
"I'm here to meet the HRM", she told the reception politely.
"Name please".
"Violet Oliver"
"Oh, Miss Oliver. You are welcome to Dax Media. Take the elevator by the left of the hallway to the thirtieth floor".
"Thanks so much".
Meeting the HRM was easy because she had been dealing with professionals for about a month now.
Violet met a young lady who was about her age or in her twenties in the HRM's office.
She was warmly received and the HRM went straight to the point.
"You were recommended by someone and must say the person was not mistaken at all. The audition is in two weeks and you need to practice with the company's dancers. This is just a provision exclusive to you. Our dance department has dancers who will cooperate with you. Unless you have preferences, we can go by it", the HRM joined her hands professionally.
"Can I use my dance steps?"
"Sure, that's if it rhymes with the song. You don't mind if we make adjustments to your dance steps if the need arises?"
"Of course"
"Okay, our job is to train you and official signing on will be after the audition. For now, this is your manager Miss Clemson".
Violet forgot to close her mouth, this is a dream come true. She had been nursing this idea for God knows how long and she had been secretly dancing for as long as she could remember but no one knew about it.
"I'm short of words", she went emotional.
"We hope to have a good working relationship", Miss Clemson shook hands with Violet.
Lucas had specifically chosen her to be Violet's manager. He didn't want a man as it may cause many problems. Miss Clemson was a twenty-five-year-old lady with the ability to manage artists in any field. She was the manager of a famous Hollywood actress who just went missing about three years ago. After a thorough investigation of Miss Clemson's background, he took her in as their personalities wouldn't crash.
He needed someone who would be able to keep an eye on his treasure and who was experienced enough. Lucas found her to be the best at managing artists.
Violet's head was in the cloud, she was lost for words.
"I will leave you two to have some time together", Violet and her manager went to Miss Clemson's office.
Clayton's group of industries took care of their employees as the office looked well furnished.
"You are welcome to Dax Media. We will do our best to bring you to the Zenith of your dream and career", Miss Clemson gave her a double look. The president of Clayton's group of industries had specifically looked for her and sorted out the issues she had with her previous artist before entrusting this lady before her in her care. How capable this lady is, this she would know.
"We care about our artist's well-being but our aim is to maximize profit also. This I hope, we will work together to achieve".
"I hope we can have more than a working relationship. Let's say we should be friends so that we can work better with each other".
Miss Clemson's personality was not understood by the public. She was deemed as a harsh, uncaring and cold manager.
"Don't think too much about it", she gave a bunch of keys to Violet.
"That's for your resting room. You may decide to rest there after a rigorous session of training".
"Thanks so much".
"You are welcome".
Violet went home in high spirit and shared the good news with Lucas. Lucas smiled meaningfully and ruffled her hair. He decided to come clean.
"I am the one that recommended you", his gaze stopped at her face. Violet couldn't say a word.
"How is that possible? You are just about to finish high school..... I mean your relationship with your family is not good so how did you do it?"
"Let's say I just did it. Treasure, there are some things you are yet to know about me. Sooner or later, I will reveal it to you one after the other".
Violet was confused the more.
"I hope it won't cause a distrust between us?"
"Never, but I assure you that I would do everything possible to keep you by my side by then".
Violet sighed and believed in him.
He lowered his head and covered her lips in a warm kiss. Licking the insides of her mouth which tasted like candy, he became more aggressive as he took her up by the waist.
Settling her on the table in the study, her groped her and deepened the kiss. Her little pouty lips became swollen and reddish.
Violet threw her arms around him and wrapped her legs around his waist in preparation for another round, his phone chimed at that moment.
📳"Okay, I got it", he hung up and he lost interest in the romance session.
"I have something to take care of at the moment", he pecked her forehead and Violet left the study room in disappointment.
Making sure she is out of earshot, he made a call to his subordinate.
📳"What did you say is the result?"
📳"Boss, from my investigation, the two kids were deposited at an abandoned warehouse close to the orphanage by an unknown woman. I will do more findings about that besides I have sent the DNA report to your mailbox".
📳"Okay", he hung up and opened his mail. He tensed up and hesitated to open the particular mailbox just then his mom called.
📳"Hello mom"
📳"You sound worried, what's the problem?"
📳"It's nothing that I can't handle. Do you have any requests?"
📳"You think I call you every time to make a request?" Anyway, your birthday is coming up soon. What's the plan? Low key or loud party?"
📳"Mom, I just need a warm dinner. I will introduce you to some people by then".
📳"People? I thought it's just your woman?"
📳"No mom. Somethings cropped up recently", he sighed.
📳"Okay, whatever you want to do. It's fine by me".
Violet had gone into her room to take a shower. Before then, she took up a collection of pictures of her parents and her. Looking at the picture now made her feel as if Natalie resembled her mom more than she does. Violet caressed the pictures of her parents looking lovingly at each other.
Tears gathered in her eyes, she whipped out her phone and dialled the private investigator's number.
📳"Any news?" Her voice sounded depressed
📳"I'm sorry Miss Oliver, there is no lead for now. I'm still working on it".
Violet hung up and clenched her fist to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. Her parents had gone missing when she was twelve years old and she had been investigating her parent's whereabouts ever since she came of age. That has been the same reply she has been receiving, he has been working on it.
She was getting tired of the whole issue. Sobbing quietly, she opened the shower head and released cold water on herself. Violet needed it to calm her nerves and it worked. After spending so much time in the bathroom, she came out to meet her phone ringing. The number looked strange nevertheless she picked up the call.
📳Hello, What?" The phone slipped from her hands and fell to the ground. She held the bed for support as her hands shook.
"This can't be..... No, no, no", she kept muttering.