Chloe's P O V
The event started soon and the guests became quiet. Director Harvey gave his speech about the vision and mission of Lux Gardenia. And soon it was time for the CEO's speech.
"Let's welcome our CEO Mr. Austin Preston on the stage to give a speech," said Director Harvey followed by a round of applause.
Soon several bodyguards ascended on the stage and checked the security. Once they were done, a tall man wearing a black tailored suit with leather shoes ascended on the stage with long strides. He had a chiseled jaw, a pointed nose, and blue eyes. He was too handsome to be a CEO.
As soon as he stood before the podium, his eyes roamed over the crowd before it stopped on me. His eyes stayed on me for a few moments before he turned away to the guests.
"Thank you all for attending this event. Lux Gardenia is an important part of Preston Group and we have decided to choose our brand ambassador for this year so that she can represent us worldwide. This is a new beginning for Lux Gardenia and I hope we can achieve the top place with our new face," Mr. Preston said. And guests started applauding again. He had a cold aura around him.
"Wow, he's so handsome. Is he single?" said someone from the table on my left.
"I heard he's married but no one has seen his wife yet," someone replied, and I frowned. If he's secretly married then was he my mysterious husband? No, no he can't be, I couldn't possibly marry a multi-billionaire in a flash marriage.
"Miss Chloe, now it's your turn to get on the stage," I came back to reality from Stacy's voice. I nodded to her and just then I heard my name announced from the stage.
"And now we would like to invite our main guest of the event, the new brand ambassador of Lux Gardenia, Miss Chloe Taylor on the stage. Miss Taylor, please," announced Director Harvey. I got up from my chair and walked to the stage following Stacy. The full banquet hall became silent, I could only hear the sound of my heels clicking.
As I took the first step I saw a hand in front of me. It was Mr. Preston, extending his hand to me. At first, I was hesitant if I should take his hand or not. Then I thought it was just for formalities, so I took his hand and stepped on the stage.
"Presenting the new face of Lux Gardenia, Miss Chloe Taylor," Mr. Harvey declared again and this time everyone applauded with full enthusiasm.
"Welcome to Lux Gardenia," Mr. Preston bent his head and whispered in my ear. I felt surges of shiver running down my spine. I was frozen for a moment before I felt a nudge on my elbow. I turned my left and saw Mr. Harvey pointing his eyes towards the guests. I came back to my senses and waved my hand to the audience.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will try my best to represent Lux Gardenia and withhold my responsibility," I said after Stacy passed me a microphone. All this while my heart was beating faster as I felt a piercing gaze on me.
After the ceremony was over, we all came down from the stage. It was time for the masquerade party. The light became dim and everyone put on their masks.
"Miss. Chloe, didn't you bring your mask?" Stacy asked as she took me to the party hall.
"Yes, I did," I said as I fetched the mask from my clutch and put it on. The party was fully on, some people were drinking, and eating and some were dancing. My eyes swept through the crowd in search of someone. He told me he would meet me here but where was he? I didn't see Tom after he left me before the event started.
"Would you like to have a drink?" Stacy asked me in a high voice due to the loud music.
"I would like to have some juice but I don't want to bother you with it. You wait here, I would bring the drinks," I told her. Though she wanted to deny but I left her and went to the bar.
I walked passed the crowd of people engaged in dancing and gossiping. Suddenly I felt someone's hand snaking around my waist. I wanted to yell at whoever it was but then I heard a familiar voice.
"You are looking gorgeous, wifey. I didn't imagine you would look this hot in this dress," he leaned closer to me and whispered. My back was against his hard chest. So he was telling the truth?
"I thought you wouldn't show up," I replied turning around. He was wearing a matching mask with me and if I wasn't wrong his suit color also matched mine. But I couldn't see his face clearly in the dim light.
"I never break my promise. I said we would meet and here I am," his voice was attractively husky and that smirk on his lips. He was moving my body in the beat of the music but I didn't feel uncomfortable in his close proximity and that was odd.
"But, you are still hiding your face. Are you a mafia or something that you need to hide?" I couldn't help but ask him. And a chuckle left his lips. I would be lying if I said my heart didn't skip several beats by the sound of his sexy chuckle.
"This is a masquerade party, honey. Everyone is wearing a mask here. If you really want to see my face then you have to meet me at my den. You know the mafia thing," he smirked and then leaned closer. His hot breath was fanning my neck when I felt something cold against my skin.
By the time I realized, I was already wearing a blue teardrop diamond pendant. I brushed my fingers over the small blue diamond and looked up to discover he left. My mobile vibrated notifying me that I received a message. I swiped the screen to unlock it and saw a message from him.
"SORRY WIFEY, GOTTA GO, HAVE SOME SECRET DEALINGS TO DO."
What did he mean by that? What secret dealings was he mentioned there? Was he really involved in some kind of illegal business?