A few of the VIPs and other audience came to congratulate Pearl after the presentation~ she was so swamped up that Kareen and Elvis couldn't manage their way through. With no choice at all, they stood afar, watching with admiration.
Soon, Elvis noticed Kimberly among a few friends~ they were sharing a chat as others came by to congratulate her. " Oh.." He heard her say with a chuckle, a broad smile displayed on her face. " Thanks for coming and the support, I appreciate it." She added with a hug.
" I'll be right back," Elvis said to Kareen who nodded as she watched his back head over to Kimberly. She scoffed realizing what he was up to. " This looks interesting ." She mumbled as she watched on with interest.
" Hey, Kim~ " Kareen overheard him call and she chuckled.
" Hey, Elvis..." Kimberly smiled as their eyes met.
" Congratulations on the win," He said, handing over a bunch of flowers to her which she took with a broad smile. " You were amazing..."
" Oh, thanks a lot ~ this was so unexpected. " She expressed and they both laughed. Kareen who was tracking along chortled as well.
***********************
" Pearl Dew, right? " Her gaze deftly went to the voice behind her. " Umm, yeah?" She replied with uncertainty attached to her face as she briefly examined the unfamiliar masculine silhouette in front of her–He sounded like someone who knew her pretty well.
" Ah...It's a pleasure meeting you this close." He said, reaching out a hand which she took in confusion. She's not sure from whom or how he got to know about her as he had said.
" Umm, yeah~ and you are?... I'm not sure we've met before"
" Oh, sorry for my manners " He smiled. " I'm Drake Blues, the son of Mr. Sean Blues." He introduced which Pearl just nodded to. " You may not know me but we met at the company once..."
She just stared at him with no clue at all. " The company?" She scanned through her thoughts figuring out which since she'd visited a lot of companies on behalf of her family's partnership and investment.
" PARKERS INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURERS ~ does it ring a bell?"
Her eyes instinctively widened with shock, she felt busted for some reason. She had intentionally used the Lawson instead of Dew as a mask to keep her identity coated away– She can't let her mother find out and meeting someone related to the Parkers is already a bad omen on all grounds.
She felt like disappearing at once but with those stares and smiles on his face, she feigned a smile. " Oh, nice to meet you too~ sorry I couldn't make you out."
" No need to..." On an impulse, he smiled. " You were pretty amazing out there."
" Ah~" She gave a sheepish giggle, her eyes briskly scanning through the group of people for Kareen and Elvis. She knew this was her sign to leave now before any further damage was made. " Thanks. I'm glad you loved it~"
" Do you mind..." Before he could complete his words, Pearl asked to leave~ making up an excuse as she caught a glimpse of Elvis and Kareen in the far distance close to the exit with Kimberly.
" ~ a dinner some other time?" he echoed behind her but then, had no reply since it was a little noisy. He stared at her back and smiled, his eyes lined with desire and lust. " So bubbly and cute...I'm sure this is not the last." He mumbled.
Just when she got close to Kareen, she pulled her along–heading over to the exit.
" We need to go now!!" She murmured in a near whisper.
" Hey!~ let me get him," She said, pointing over to Elvis who was by now enjoying a warm chat.
" Hurry then! "
With that, Kareen rushed into them and dragged along Elvis who was instinctively drawn in perplexity. " Sorry ladies, but we need to leave now~ catch you later at the club." She said and they nodded, shocked at the rush.
" Hey, what's going on?" They heard Elvis say as they departed.
" Quit the quizzes if you don't wish to get roasted by Pearl ~ I think something came up." Their back faded out through the door Pearl had earlier taken.
DEW'S HOME
It was past 2 to 3 hours since Iris had arrived home but then, there was no sign of Pearl anywhere and she couldn't reach her nor her friends on the phone either. She glanced at the clock and it was past 8 PM. This got her worried for a moment– Maybe they finally decided to visit the hospital and got trapped in the night traffic, she had thought.
Stepping out of the bathroom into her room, she heard a ring from her cell– thinking it was her daughter, she raced to it but noticed it was her friend; Camilla. " What could it be ?~ we just parted ways a few hours ago," She contemplated.
Her fingers gently slipped to answer as she buried it over her ears.
" Sorry to bother you shortly after your divergence but this can't wait any longer." Her words got her skeptical.
" Go ahead, Camil~ what's going on?" She said, settling down at the end of the bed.
" It's Caleb~ I'm afraid I'm gonna lose him before a month if things continue like this." She shrieked and Iris panicked.
" Hey, don't talk like this~ he's gonna come around soon. " She assured. " Let me know if I can help out with anything. "
Without hesitation, Camilla went on to announce her intentions and reason for calling. " I've thought wide and near and I've decided to find a partner for him"
" So soon?" Iris asked and Camilla emphasized her decision. " I'm not really sure if that's the best solution at the moment, Camil."
" Don't get me wrong, Iris but over the past months after the accident he had remained locked up in his chamber not talking to anyone but himself and Scarlet's photo frame. Both the company and his life is getting into ruins~ you know how greedy Blues is already. "
Iris totally agreed to her point– Knowing Blues so well, he had been after the company his whole life and this would be the right opportunity for him to take over since his son had been made the head of affairs as substitute for Caleb till he recovers. But basically no sign of him coming back to his duties means their effort and the company is at the mercy of the demon.
" So what do you suggest...anyone in mind?"
" Pearl, your daughter I mean~" She quickly highlighted and the silence from Iris got her nervous but with determination, she went on. " She's an awesome lady with great personality. I believe she could be of great help"
For a moment, Iris dived into contemplation. On the bright side, this would be of advantage to her and the family business as she had always dreamed of– no harm in taking this chance since no risk involved.
After all, she had sacrificed greatly for her after her parents death~ bringing her up as her biological mother, providing and making her life as comfortable as possible. This would only be her little token of appreciation to her as her sole provider. Her subconscious mind stated.
" Alright~ I'll set a date with her and let you know. "
" Oh, Iris... you don't know how much this means to me. Thanks a lot dear." Camilla sounded relieved and appreciative. Iris chuckled.
" What are friends for?~ I'll surely get back to you pretty soon. Let's say before the close of this week." With assurance and all said, the call was brought to an end.
************
" Well~ what was that about, Pearl?" Elvis finally broke the silence as they hit the main road leading to Pearl's house. Kareen who was next to her stared with curiosity.
" I think I'm doomed, guys~ I met someone I shouldn't " She said in near whisper which got the latter two sharing skeptical glances. " Damn!... " She screamed in frustration which made them flinch at her sudden outburst. " Why should it be today of all days, gosh!"
" Who was it if I may ask" Kareen questioned. " Yeah, we're kinda lost now~ nothing is clear." Elvis added.
" Someone from the Parkers' Family, I think~ Mum is surely gonna know about this."
They were shocked at the sudden turn of event. This was actually the least they expected. " Then why not suggest a meeting with him, maybe you could find a way to silence him~what do you think?" Kareen suggested but Elvis wasn't for it.
" I don't think that will do."
" Then do you have any better idea?... We're basically at a dead end now." Pearl asked but he just tilted his head with a no.
" I guess we go by my plan, then" Kareen confirmed.
Not long, the car pulled into the compound of Pearl's. She swiftly scanned around the house and noticed it was all quiet and no sign of movement from within either. The night was getting darker and she knew Iris would be asleep already~ she would definitely have to explain herself later in the morning for sure. Well, tomorrow will carter for itself anyway she thought as she waved at her friends as Elvis sized the car out of the compound again.