The party was more of a political and investors annual gathering than a mere birthday celebration for a Mayor's son. Zaylee observed.
CEOs, political leaders and other high society leaders flooded in with their children~sharing pleasantries among others. Even though she was a lover of fancy celebrations and high class associates, she wasn't really a fun of political related alliance. They easily bored her.
" Zaylee, meet Mr Foster MacCline, he's with the Prosecutor's office." Her father introduced and she feigned a smile,lending out a hand for a welcome greeting.
" Nice to meet you, Sir..."
" You've grown so well...you were this little when I last saw you." He said with a broad smile. " This is my son, Ferdinand. He just came down from the States." He further explained and Zaylee nodded, wearing the best smile she ever had.
" Kindly keep him companied while your father and I attend to the Mayor 's call."
" Sure, my pleasure." She said. The two were soon left alone by themselves. At first, it felt awkward but then, they soon managed to break the ice. They were in a heartfelt chat, beginning to learn about each other when Zaylee's phone intruded.
" Sorry, but I need to attend to this." She said when she noticed the caller. He quickly nodded to her request and Zaylee made to the exit, excusing herself.
" What's up...any news?" He heard her say as she headed out. Her back soon dismissed into the corridors.
" ROCK n JAZZ, you'll find him there." He said over the phone. " I'll head right over." She headed off to the parking lot.
" What of your dad?... You know he'll make a fuss about this when he finds out you're gone."
" Stop nagging already, I'll handle that later." Zaylee said, dropping the line before he could say anymore. " The keys." She asked the driver who objected.
" I don't want any troubles with your dad, my lady."
" What if I sack you before that?" She threatened and that's when he hesitantly handed it over. " Thank you." She said with a smile.
" I'll be back before you know." The car soon zoomed out of the residence and already veered down the street. He quickly made up an excuse to issue if she missed out on her promise as said.
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After making sure the door was properly locked, Phoenix hurried into the inn of ROCK n JAZZ. The place perfectly depicted it's name.
The dance floor was packed with couples and individuals, jamming to the tunes of Rock tracks at the background.The DJ definitely knew his job– Phoenix could testify.
The disco light busily danced along to their energy. It was hard to make out a person you knew from a distance. She scanned for a while before finally fishing out her patient.
" There you are." She sighed. Irish was sitting right in front of the counter of the bar attender. His head rested over the layer. " Sorry for the trouble." She greeted the attender with a broad smile. And he nodded with a wave.
" No worries, ma'am...he wasn't causing any promblem" He pointed out. Phoenix was relieved to know that.
" Mr. Irish ?" She called, lowering her head over his. "...It's me, Phoenix. I'm here. Let's go."
" Right, let's go home." He sprung up, all clumpy, knocking over the chairs and a couple of bottles. Phoenix was early enough to catch him before any further destruction.
" Easy...I got you." She said, supporting him over her shoulder. He was so heavy for her but she managed to lead him out to her car safely. " Watch your head." She gently guided him down the door so he wouldn't bump his head.
After a few struggles, he laid fast asleep at the back seat. Zaylee caught the sight of the two as she pulled the car into the lodge. She didn't know how she got to know of his whereabout but she wasn't so pleased about it. She was the one who was supposed to be with him not the other way round. Zaylee fumed.
She had wanted to jump in on them and slap the bitch out of her but considering his father's reputation and hers, she suppressed her anger and decided to let it go. All she wanted was his safety and as far as she was with him, she knew for sure she had nothing to worry about.
Phoenix hopped into the driver's seat and wheeled the car out of the place. Zaylee waited till it wasn't obvious for Phone to catch on that she was been tailed before stepping after her.
Irish kept mumbling words after words which she wasn't clearly catching on. Their car was soon caught in a traffic at the intersection as the traffic light turned red.
" Mum...mum, please wake up" the words came in a breath and soft sobs. Phoenix glanced back at him and was saddened. " Stay with me, please.." He robbed.
" How much pain have you endured?" She thought. Her mind wandered far that she didn't realize when the lights turned green. The horns from the cars behind knocked her to reality.
" What the hell is she doing?" Zaylee roared. But then, she saw her hand wave up in the air.
" Sorry!!" She apologized, rolling off.
Minutes later, Phoneix finally pulled up in their car park and that's when she noticed Levi still at the balcony. Zaylee who stopped a few distance away from their fence, stalked from afar.
" What's going on here, Phone?" He asked but she ignored him, sauntering over to where Irish was. She opened the door and helped him out. Levi was surprised to see Irish so dead drunk.
" What happened?~ why are you with Mr Irish, looking like this?"
" Are you a detective or something?" She asked, quite upset and stressed with all his questions. " Can we do this later?" She asked on an impulse. " Kindly help me out here first."
" Fine...I'm coming." He headed down to assist her. Zaylee watched their backs disappear into the house before heading back to the Mayor's house.
Mr Standford was about to ask Ferdinand of Zaylee's whereabout when she called from behind. " I'm right here." She said, her face lit with a smile. " I stepped out for a while."
" The Mayor asked to see you." He explained.
" I'm here now...shall we?" With her arm wrapped around his, they both headed to where the Mayor stood with his family.
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Even though Del had totally fallen for Phoenix's memory lost story, Bertha had her suspicions about it. She felt Phoneix was playing some kind of tricks and might strike at any moment.
For this fact, she decided to strike first before she even think of doing anything against them. If she could set a scandal or get anything against her, it wouldn't be hard to get her completely out of the picture." She thought.