A business party?' what?' She had only seen it on TV and isn't it couples that usually go together. She felt her heartbeat accelerate and her palms which had turned sweaty tightened on the purse." A..Are we going there now?" she asked then lowered her head, contemplating whether to actually tell him or not. She was afraid Carl was going to misunderstand her if he finds out about this.
" Clara, I want you to pretend to be my date for tonight. Please, it's just for one night." Jack looked down at her and wondered why she seemed hesitant. Was he not trying enough? 'Hmmm' If only he could remove the word pretend.
She bit her lip and looked up slowly. " But Jack__"
" Please, just this once, Clara." He gazed at her with an indescribable emotion ' please say yes.' His eyes were begging her as he tucked away the strands that were about to enter her eyes to the side of her face.
Clara looked into his eyes and guilt engulfed her heart as she watched his pained expression. This was just a small fraction of all the things he had done for her. Carl would not object to her helping out a friend... right? ' I will just explain to him later on the phone.' She made a mental note then heaved a deep sigh and plastered a smile on her face. " Okay Jack, I'll help you, " she said with a nod.
" Really!?" Jack's expression also brightened and he smiled gratefully at her. " Thank you."
" hehe, Anytime." she gave him a half-hearted smile while rubbing her exposed arms, and he lowered the air conditioning of the car then gave her his jacket. "It's warm inside the party hall, don't worry, we'll arrive soon."
" Okay." she nodded. and after a while, she suddenly remembered something and turned to him. " Jack, where's my phone?" Maybe she could give Carl a call and inform him now. since it was a big gathering of elite people she wasn't sure if he would be present. But Carl detest going to appearing in crowded places. ' no, I need to be on the safe side.' then she looked at Jack anxiously.
" Oops, sorry... I think I forgot it in my car." He smiled apologetically and Clara made an 'Oh' sound then quickly shook her head.
" No, it's nothing... I can get it back in the morning." She chuckled and Jack nodded.
" You look beautiful tonight, " he said after a while as his gaze was fixed on her.
" hehe, I know right, this dress is perfect, I'm sure Maya's going to be jealous" she glanced at him nonchalantly and chuckled then turned back to the window and continued admiring the city through it.
Jack shook his head at the naive girl and chuckled too then patted her head.
" Geez Jack, you'll spoil my hairdo." she shoved his hand away while her gaze was still fixed outside the window and he laughed, feeling grateful that she had loosened up.
__ Thirty Minutes Later __
The limousine came to a stop and Clara heaved a sigh of relief. she couldn't wait to get this thing over with. She turned to Jack and gave him the jacket then looked down at the heels warily, hoping that she wouldn't stumble later.
The chauffeur opened the door from outside and Jack got out first then extended his hands which she took. " Ready?" he asked and she nodded with a slight smile. As her heart thumped rapidly inside.
When she stepped out, her eyes almost got blinded by the bright flashes of camera lights and she quickly looked down. ' what in the world?__, is this also a red carpet event?' Her head jerked sideways toward him with dilated pupils. " Jack, ?" she whispered.
" It's okay, don't fret. Just pose for them and smile. hehehe, you can do this, " he lowered his head and said, amidst the loud chattering of reporters who were piled up at each side of the carpet with metallic barriers preventing them from bumping into the guests.
Clara breathed in deeply and held his arm while her other hand was gripping tightly on the purse. ' I can do this... It's just for a night...' Her expression turned normal and they started walking toward the entrance while she smiled now and then as the cameras flashed her face.
" Isn't that the CEO of Ning enterprises?. "
" Yes, One of the richest families in the city."
The reporters were in uproar as each struggled to come closer while extending their microphones and cameras.
" CEO. Ning, after so many years of leaving the city, is could there be something that made you suddenly return.?"
" Can you tell us the reason why you left the city?"
" Is your family planning to return to the city?"
" Who is this gorgeous lady with you."
" Is she your girlfriend, fiancee, wife?"
" Miss, Which family did you come from? Are you a celebrity or heiress?"
" Did you come back to announce your relationship?"
" Should we look forward to a glamorous wedding soon? wait...CEO Ning, CEO Ning. . ."
Clara sighed inside as questions were being thrown toward them from different directions. Well, this is how the social cycle goes. She couldn't mind but play along, as she was just being a Cinderella for tonight. Once the clock struck, she would go back to her nice and calm world. She waved and smiled at the reporters, not daring to answer any of their absurd questions as she walked inside with Jack, who also did the same.
She gasped slightly and watched the many crowds piled inside the hall as they entered, while Jack was busy filling out the invitation. Her eyes darted around the brightly lit hall as huge chandeliers sparkled above the ceiling and in a corner were several very spacious tables that contained different kinds of desserts and waiters, dressed in neat informs, were walking around with trays of wines splayed on their slightly raised palms.
She watched the spacious decorations in amazement, not knowing that the soft music playing in the hall has quieted down.