She slept all through the time from when she arrived to the beginning of the party. Fatigue won on her. If not for her maid, she would have sleep all through it. Not that it was of any issues to her. This party, she had no wish to attend it.
Reluctant and unwilling, she went to bathroom. Coming minutes later to her room all fresh up, a little surprise was waiting for her on her bed. Disposed on the bed was a beautiful purple evening dress. Besides it laid pairing stiletto high heel and matching jewelries.
Touching the soft fabric of the gown, a smile grew on her face knowing it was her mother action. With all this amount of love throw on her, how could she dare to be sad again?
While happiness was slowly replacing Ivy broken feelings, down stairs was a totally different atmosphere. The first floor was already full with invitee, yet, others were still arriving. Soft music was playing in the background and waiters moving around to serve the guest.
All the elites of the country were reunited which could make one doubt the reason of the party. It couldn't just be a welcome party. Who invited CEOs from grand firm just to welcome their daughter? The answer, Karl Stone.
"Aunt!!" Liam called out Sofia upon seeing her at a distance. She was talking with a group of staff.
As the host, she was left busy. Coordinating everything. Nothing should go wrong, she was making sure of it. The sudden familiar call took her by surprise, engrossed in her work but seeing who called, her features soften. She dismissed the butler and waiters she was instructing, waiting in position for Liam to come.
Seeing a woman by his side, it didn't take her to think to understand whom she was. She plastered a polite smile on her face.
"Aunt! You are beautiful tonight," he complimented her after breaking the hug.
"Thank you dear." She smiled happily.
"Let me introduce you to the love of my life," He said while giving a gentle push on Shirley back to have her move forward. She had the tendency to hide in his shadow, not wanting to get attention. Something he hoped to change.
"Shirley Shine, my fiancée," he introduced her, a proud smile on.
"Happy to finally meet you in person Shirley." she gave her a quick hug. As fast as the blink of an eye.
"It took you long enough to introduce us and you dare to call me aunt." she shook her head in disapproval.
Liam could only look down. Had no words nor reasons to defend himself. He was at fault and accepted it.
"Anyway happy to finally put a face on the name. I heard so many things about you," which was always from someone mourning.
Either from her daughter filled of jealousy or from her friend, Liam's mother, who didn't approved of her son decision. Either way, it was never in a good light. If it only that, worst was what she heard from her husband.
For the sake of Liam, she hoped none of those were true. The one thing she could confirm already was the fact indeed she was gorgeous. There were no way denying that.
"Good things I suppose?" Liam asked.
"Of course! Already forgot how you kept on talking about her none stop? Even at lunch you won't stop," she said with a soft smile on. Some truth was not be told, she decided. Plus, there were no way he didn't know his mother opinion of his fiancée.
Liam laughed embarrassed. It seems to be a habit of his that many already pointed out. As soon as his woman name was utter, he won't stop talking about her.
Some see it as his love for her, but other, saw it as a simple obsession. For them, his infatuation for her beauty would soon fate away, making him wake up at the absurdity of their couple.
Sofia eyes went on the lady by his side, for whom she carried mix feelings. She knew it was unreasonable to hate her for the simple fact she fell in love but that simple action of hers was the reason of her daughter constant sad face. There were no way she could love her as she was supposed to but it didn't mean she hated her. All she hoped was for her to make Liam happy.
Feeling a strong stare on her, Shirley looked up. Her gaze met Sofia's own still on her. Upon being caught, Sofia simply smiled and shifted her gaze on Liam instead.
"Where is your mother?" she asked. She has being looking around for her friend but couldn't find her.
Shirley lowered her head in shame. Guilt filled her. Her presence was the reason of Liam's parents absence by their side. Neither of Liam's parent approved of their relationship, worse was Liam's mother, which provoked their refusal to arrive by their side.
"They're on their way," Liam simply said. He didn't let transpired anything. His action was futile for the simple fact they came separately for no reason already told what needed to be known. The fiancée wasn't approved.
"I see… I will leave you guys," she excused herself.
She didn't want to stay more than necessary with Shirley. She did nothing wrong but hurting her daughter was hurting her.
"She doesn't seem to like me," Shirley said after Sofia left. She clearly saw it, Sofia wasn't good at hiding how she truly feel.
'As expected from Ivy's mother' Shirley thought.
People think she was stupid. A silly airheaded blonde girl but she was more than her looks. she knew how Ivy really felt about her and how much she despised her but she decided to play along with her act for Liam's sake. It won't be good for him if his girlfriend and best friends were enemies. Since Ivy never did anything to her nor tried to separate them, she got no problem with her. She was only another girl in love with her fiancé.
Little did she know Ivy did all of that and even worse.
"Of course not, why will she?" he said but even him felt the same. He took her hand in his, trying his best to reassure her.
He secretly hoped for Sofia to love and accept Shirley. With her support, not only would it have made them happy and specially Shirley who haven't be approved by no one he considered as family, it would also may have been a reason for his mother to change her mind.
Sofia wasn't cold nor warm just polite which was off coming from her. It was clear she was hiding some restraint, but no reason came to his mind that could explain her behaviour. He really counted on her but it seems he should change his target. Hopefully, Andy's parents would support them.
"Liam!! I finally found you," a happy man voice said out from behind Liam.
Liam frowned at the used of his name, but it soon disappear identifying the voice. A smile replaced the frown as he turned to face the man. Standing behind him was no other than his best friend, Adrian.
"Andy!!" they shared a hug, big smile on their faces.
Adrian Anderson, only child of a multinational national CEO. Though sharing the same age with Liam and Ivy, he looked much older with his muscular build and tall frame. His dark skin was giving justice to his clear brown eyes, always warm at the sight.
"You made it, I thought you won't come," Liam said giving a smile to the girl accompanying him.
Andy and Ivy were Liam's best friends. It was amazing to see how they were able to still be friend after so many years.
"How could I miss it? My friend is back! Our trio is reunite now," he replied excited.
He was suppose to be on a business trip. He had to squeeze his schedule to be able to make it tonight but it worth it.
While they was talking, the music stopped. The star of the night arrived. The light went off, only the stairs was illuminated. Ivy stood on at the top, gorgeous. Her purple gown hugged her perfectly, enhancing her eight shape body. Her petit and oval head was made perfect with a light make up. The slit on her gown reached her mid-thigh giving view of her slime and beautiful legs. Her long black hair were pulled on the side, falling on her shoulder, styled into a braid on the side and a leave golden brush. She respired a princess like elegance, no like a queen, the aura surrounding her was nothing like a princess.
Everyone start to whispered,
"She's so pretty, is it truly Ivy? She didn't look like that in the past,"
"It's just a welcome party, isn't it too much?"
"Look at her, acting high and almighty when she is just a daddy baby,"
Daddy baby was the name some gave her because her father always granting all her wishes.
All their whispers didn't went unnoticed by Ivy. Her eyes wandered around, she smirked.
They never change? Ivy wondered.
Even her two friend were bewitched, they never saw her so well prepared. In the past she never really care about her appearance. She always dressed simply and formal but now, in front of them were a real woman. During those three years she has mature, it was visible through her dress and her expression.
A microphone was given to her, her lips lifted up,
"Evening to everyone who took of their time to come to this exaggerated party. To tell you the truth, I wasn't informed about this party. My father took everything in charge from the organization to the invitation and it was my mother who dressed me up to this perfection. I did nothing from the beginning to the end. It maybe my party but I was just invited like you, plus I didn't even have to think about what to wear since everything was done for me. To be pamper so much is exhausting." She left out a little sigh, as if she was tired if doing nothing who had everyone break into a smile.
"So enjoy the party like I will do." She finished.
Andy and Liam shared an amused look, their friend never change. They said she was a daddy girl, then she rubbed it in their face, look at me and die of jealousy.
She climb down the stairs with every gaze on her. She didn't flinch and walked head up, with elegance and confidence. Everyone were stunned her beauty.
Three years ago, she was never recognized for her beauty. She was smart, competent, and intelligent but that was it. Beautiful was never used to describe her. How could they? When she was always dressed plainly and around the beauty that was Shirley.
True, she stood no competition against Shirley in themes of beauty but she was gorgeous nothing less.