RED INK
EP 9: Introductions
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"Wooooow!" Lorin whispered as they strolled into the interior of the party. The theme setting was a pale red and gold, mixed with some silver and glitters. The tables were all set in a fancy glimmer and the wine glasses were arranged so fancifully. She looked up at Dillion, he wasn't amused by the setting, his mind seemed to be somewhere else.
From a table by her left hand side, she saw Larry Donas—he was making small talks with a beautiful blonde lady who sat beside him. There were about five people at his table; the table was large.
In the ballroom, there stood nine to ten of that same table, all occupied by more people or less.
"Where do we sit?" She looked around trying to find an available seat.
Her hand was still on Dillion's arm, he didn't reply her.
They watched a middle aged man walk up the podium with a smile on his face, dressed in fancy blue suit and a black shirt underneath. Black tie, black shoe, blue trouser.
He stood before the microphone, bending to meet it as he was taller-- holding it in his hand and smiling before the people. "Is this working?" He said into the microphone, clearing his throat in the process. The move managed to upset some people. He grinned. "A beautiful evening isn't it?"
The gathering mumbled some words in response.
"It is." The man acknowledged. "Thank you all for coming and honouring the invitation." He sighed dishearteningly and mellowed his voice. "I would love to give a speech but, we all already know why we are here. I don't want to bore you more with the same speech I gave a week ago. Speeches are not for dinner parties."
Some of the people smiled.
He brightened his face and continued, "In any way, there will be an announcement tonight...even I am itching to have some fun and greet people. So please," He pointed towards the crowd, "there are foods and drinks available. Wines! There are wines. World best! There will be appetizers to start your evening, then the main course and for those of you who are here for the food..." He looked around at them." Yes I know some of you are here for the food." He laughed, some people joined him. Others considered it disrespectful by shaking their heads.
"Anyway," he continued. "that's on a lighter note. There will be deserts for those who are patient enough for the full course meal. The floor is also open for dancing and interactions. " He stood up straight and clapped his hand twice. "Okay! Let's have fun!"
The people went into full clapping mode as he walked down the podium.
"Sir Dillion?" Lorin called to him, tightening her grip on his arm to catch his attention.
"Call me by my name." He said without looking at her.
"Oh! Sorry. I forgot." She looked around again. "I don't still see where we should sit. I am not sure there are available seats for us."
"Of course there are." He said. "The seats here are arranged based on number of guests invited. No more, no less. We just need to find our table. Follow my lead." He started walking, lightly pulling Lorin with him.
The inside was warm. A steward asked to take her coat, which she gave to him. So now, she was only in her dinner gown and holding her purse in her other hand.
She matched Dillion's pace, walking elegantly by his side and not getting intimidated by the occasional stares some people gave to her. Especially the ladies.
As they walk by tables, Dillion nodded towards people who acknowledged him with their eyes and body languages.
The available seat they saw was close to the podium, where many celebrities sat. And then, there was Hugo.
Dillion pulled out the chair for Lorin, "Thank you." She said as she sat. Then he pulled his chair out, sitting down himself.
"Good evening." Lorin said to the middle aged woman beside her who had a sweet smile.
"And you are?" She asked.
"I am Lorin."
"Oh...such a pretty name for a pretty girl."
"Are you..."
"A celebrity?" She chuckled. "No. I am not. I am more of the high class family who decides to live a quiet life. I am Clara McGiven."
Lorin thought about the last name, realization dawning on her. "Oh yes!" She said shyly. "The McGiven family." She looked at the woman who was dressed well for her age and already had some grey hair on her head. "You are the Madam Clara of the McGiven family?"
The woman smiled, raising her wine glass to her lips. She wanted to say something but she didn't. Instead, she drank from the glass and dropped it back on the table. Every process done with precision and refined etiquette. "Yes, I am."
"Oh... I've been rude."
"No, you haven't." She interjected. "You have been graceful and that, is a beautiful thing." She smiled at her and looked beyond her at Dillion. "Is that your man?"
Lorin looked at Dillion whose attention wasn't on her, but he seemed to be aware of their conversation as he turned and looked at Madam McGiven. He bowed slightly to acknowledge her.
"Such a handsome young man." Madam Clara said, smiling at him. "We don't see many young men these days with respect for their elders." She said to Lorin.
Lorin smiled and looked around the table. There were six people in total at her table. By Dillion's side was a man, a celeb, Fargon, known for his musical talents and by Fargon was a Emily Chad. She was known for acting adventurous movies and being a Villain. And then close to her was that man they saw earlier on the red carpet. Hugo. He also was sitting by madam McGiven's left hand side. It was a round table.
"Is that your son?" She asked her.
Madam McGiven looked at Hugo who was having a conversation with the man and woman close to him. She chuckled. "Do we look alike?"
"I haven't seen him properly."
"Oh well, he isn't my son and we are not related at all."
"Then, is he your chaperone for the evening?"
She nodded. "You could say that."
A steward came to their table and filled their wine glasses, all round.
"Mr Dillion." Lorin heard someone called him out. She turned and looked at the man who was making a statement earlier.
Dillion stood up and they shook hands.
"You came? That's surprising!" He didn't hold back. "When I was putting your name on the invitation list, I had no hope whatsoever that you will make it. Alas! You surprised me. A very good surprise."
"As always." Dillion said, putting his hand in his pocket. "You are a healthy talker Mr Ford."
"Hehehe!" He patted Dillion's shoulder.
Dillion didn't look please and as if sensing it, Mr Ford withdrew his hand.
"Who is this beautiful lady?" He turned to Lorin, taking her hand and planting a kiss on it. "What's your name?"
"Lorin." She said.
"You have a pretty name and a pretty face."
"Thank you for the compliment." She smiled, dissatisfied with the way he was holding her hand. She looked at him to signify that he should let her hand go.
"Oh..." He let go. "My bad. It's unfamiliar if a man doesn't acknowledge a beautiful woman." He looked at Dillion who looked un-bothered and that bothered him more. "But Mr Shaft will mark my head."
"I would prefer he marks your mouth!"
He turned to the woman beside Lorin. "Madam McGiven."
"Mr Ford." She shot him a look.
"Pardon my manners. I am sorry not to have behold a more beautiful woman who decided to grace me with her presence." He took her gloved hand and planted a kiss.
"I see you still have your eyes wandering about."
"And you still have your spikiness." He retorted.
Dillion sat down.
Lorin was amused by the manner of familiarity they had. Dillion held her hand and asked if she was okay, she nodded.
"—you are hurting my feelings here madame." Mr Ford was saying.
"Your feelings were already hurt a thousand times and over again they will—"
"Don't be surprised." Dillion said close to Lorin's ear. "They are known for being dogs and cats. Apparently, they went to the same high school and college. They were to get married but Mr Ford stood her up at the altar."
"What?" Lorin turned to him so quickly that their lips almost touched. "Sorry."
"No problem." Dillion sat up straight.
Mr Ford and Madam McGiven were still talking.
"And he invited her?" She asked Dillion.
Dillion smirked. "He does...to all his gatherings. And she comes...always."
"Ohhhhh...." Lorin chuckled. "What a delightful love story."