Shuffle Playlist: Acrostico by Shakira
"Aunt, where are you going, dressed so prettily?'' Bia asked. She picked a bag of crackers and started munching.
''Your Aunt is going to bring home an uncle for you.'' Tia blurted out.
''Hey! Don't put ideas into the girl's head. I am attending a birthday party.'' Sabrina patted Bia's head.
''Birthday party? Aunt, this dress is making you stand out. What if you attract the wrong kind of people?''
''Bia, this dress is perfect. When she pairs it with this Area crystal embellished teardrop earrings, and this mini sequin tweed bag, she can't go wrong. Your Aunt has to go out more so that she can get a boyfriend.''
''That's true. Aunt, make sure you find a responsible boyfriend.'' Bia kissed the back of Sabrina's palm and smiled.
''It's almost time. I have to go.'' Sabrina picked her car keys and went to the porch. She picked a pair of YSL blade slingback pumps and wore before waving at Tia and Bia.
''Bye, guys…'' Sabrina blew kisses at her best friend and niece before going out.
Hyena Hotel.
There were a lot of paparazzi already at the entrance of the hotel. Since a lot of celebrities were going to be in attendance, the media didn't want to miss out. Especially now that a juicy scandal was going on.
Sabrina pulled over at the parking lot of the hotel and cussed when she saw the paparazzi at the front. She had come alone because the invite was for a single person.
Sabrina didn't immediately get out of the car. She waited for a while and checked the people that were arriving. She wanted to wait until a popular person was around so that she could use that chance to escape inside without the paparazzi seeing her.
Luckily, she had prepared for this. She picked the scarf inside the gift bag and wrapped it around her head, and wore her pair of dark shades and waited for an opportunity.
A while later, Sabrina saw the paparazzi rushing to a car that had just arrived. When the door opened, Vincent stepped out and was immediately guarded by a few bodyguards that Georgia had prepared earlier on.
This was her cue to leave. Sabrina got out of her car and trailed behind the arriving cars. She looked at the entrance and quickly ran towards a pillar.
As Vincent was surrounded by the paparazzi, he turned and was about to speak when he saw a familiar figure scurrying to hide behind a pillar.
Vincent let out a soft sarcastic chuckle. He decided to ignore the figure and faced the paparazzi. ''Everyone, I appreciate the interest in my private life but I am currently not in any relationship. I was just helping a friend out and got misunderstood. I hope you won't bother us too much…''
With that being said, Vincent walked in after seeing Sabrina escape inside through the restaurant door of the hotel.
Georgia heaved a sigh of relief as she followed Vincent inside the hotel.
Sabrina finally found herself in the lobby of the hotel. She let out a deep breath and took of her scarf and shades before going inside. Bianca saw Sabrina going in and smirked. She still hadn't forgiven Sabrina for the embarrassment during the after party of Greta.
When Sabrina walked into the hall, a lot of eyes settled on her. The guests started talking about the scandal as they gave her subtle gazes. Sabrina casted her eyes around until she saw the assistant of Pat Terkins. Their eyes met and she smiled before walking towards him.
''Sabrina, you are here.'' Peter Green said, taking Sabrina's hand for a shake. ''Pat was so excited when I told him you were going to be in attendance. You are welcome!''
''Thank you, Peter. It is my pleasure to be here.'' Sabrina smiled.
''Come with me. I will take you to meet Pat. He is having a chat with the CEO of Tyme Magazine.'' Peter continued.
''Vincent Maraj is here already?'' Sabrina mumbled and Peter still heard her.
''Mr. Maraj and Pat are longtime industry friends…'' Peter walked with Sabrina as they chatted.
''Mr. Maraj and Pat have been friends for almost ten years now and they have a close relationship. Since your role as Ava in the film, 'Monster', Pat has been keeping an eye out for you. Your performance was very intriguing.'' Peter revealed.
''Thank you for your kind words. I have always been a fan of vogue magazine and always purchase them monthly. Tia recently told me that Mr. Terkins contacted her but I was also busy at that time and couldn't meet with him.''
When they got to the circle of friends, Pat turned to face Sabrina. ''Sabrina, you are finally here. I was about to send Peter out to pick you. I was afraid that the paparazzi outside would scare you.''
''They did scare me but… someone decided to be a gentleman and help me out. Thank you, Mr. Maraj for standing up to the paparazzi outside. I was able to escape because of that.'' Sabrina smiled and raised her brows coquettishly. She had met with Vincent's gaze earlier on while trying to escape inside and was aware he saw her too.
''I wouldn't have done that if you had remained in your place instead of clinging on to me after I saved you.'' Vincent retorted sharply.
''Tonight, is the third time you've saved me. Mr. Maraj, if we were living in ancient times, I would have had to give myself to you.''
''I'm glad we are living in modern times. I don't think I can afford you giving yourself to me.''
''Alright! Enough of the back and forth. Vincent, today, Sabrina is my guest. Be nice.'' Pat intervened.
''Today is his birthday, I prepared a little gift for him.'' Sabrina revealed the gift in her left hand.
''You didn't have to come with a gift, but Pat will be happy regardless.'' Pat took the gift from Sabrina and handed it over to Peter.
Pat Terkins was celebrating his 49th birthday. He still looked like he was in his twenties due to his rich genes. When he saw Sabrina, he was extremely gladdened.
''Vincent, and I were just talking about you and the role you played in 'Monster', which is one of my all-time favorites by the way.'' Pat said with a chuckle.
''You were talking about me?'' Sabrina asked and gave Vincent a smirk.
''Yes, we were talking about…'' Pat's words were intercepted by a throat clear from Vincent. Taking the hint, Pat decided to change the topic.
''I wonder what is in this gift box. Can I open it? I'm very curious.'' Pat said excitedly.
''Pat, I know you already have everything money can but, I still wanted to give you something on this special occasion. I hope you like it.'' Sabrina replied.
''A gift from you is highly appreciated.'' Pat said while Peter helped him to unwrap the gift box. Sabrina was focused on the gift and didn't notice how keen Vincent's gaze was on her. Georgia noticed it and smiled.
''This… isn't this a miniature of me?'' Pat asked curiously and chuckled.
''That's right. I thought hard about what to gift you and this was the only thing I could come up with. I always make miniatures of things that I find interesting. When I received your invitation, I spent the whole night making this to give to you. I hope you like it?'' Sabrina explained.
''I love this, Sabrina. This indeed looks like me. I am going to place this inside my office and admire it every day. Thank you for your thoughtful gift.'' Pat was satisfied with the gift Sabrina gave him.
''I'm glad you like it.'' Sabrina smiled and shifted her gaze to Vincent but he immediately looked away.
At the entrance, Peter saw a prominent executive arriving and informed Pat.
''Sabrina, I have to go and welcome an important guest. Vincent, keep Sabrina company while I go. Sabrina, feel free and have something to drink. I'll come back to you later.''
''No worries, Pat.''
As soon as Pat left, Vincent turned to leave and Sabrina stepped in front of him.
''Are you leaving already, Mr. Maraj?'' Sabrina asked.
''What do you think?'' Vincent cocked his brows at Sabrina.
''Pat told you to keep me company.'' Sabrina looked at Georgia and smiled. ''Can you excuse us, please?'' she asked.
''I will go and get a drink first. Boss, call me if you need me.'' Georgia hurried off leaving them alone.
''This is our third time of meeting and I am not the least thrilled about it. Miss Van, do you act this way towards every man?'' Vincent asked. He seemed to be insinuating that she was trying to gain his attention.
''No!''
''Then, why are you doing this to me? I have a feeling that you came to this party because of me. Did you also arrange for the paparazzi that night to create the scandal between us?''
''One is correct and one is wrong. Yes! I indeed came because of you. Mr. Maraj, I told you the first time we met that you are my savior. Do you remember that? But I wouldn't stoop so low as to use the paparazzi to take pictures of us and create a scandal. You should know by now that I avoid the paparazzi like a plague. This is also my first scandal.''