I looked around and couldn't help but be astonished by the beauties surrounding us but even their silence spoke of the unknown tale of their high status which i didn't care about.
I didn't all the feeling of inferiority washed over me and so I let out a silent sigh wondering what would happen if they actually find out..
As we walked through the crowd and approached a table where a fine man…
Wait an old man? I said to myself with wild eyes as he turned to face us with a smile which Mr Dean didn't return
"I thought you weren't coming?"
"Where are the papers" Mr Dean rethroted as he took his seat pulling out a chair for me as well
"Ahh,you rude kid is that how you address your old man" the elderly man said with a sigh
"You promised me that you aren't going to back out of it?"
I looked at both the people speaking in front of me and it felt like a storm was coming from their direction which gave me goosebumps.
And from their conversation I was unable to tell if they were family relatives or business partners
"Hello there I never thought he would bring you along" the elderly man waved at me and I gave a slight bow with a little smile.
"You asked me to bring her along"
"And when did you start listening to your grandfather?"
Grandfather? Oh! So he was the man I spoke with yesterday.
But why is Mr Dean behaving rudely with him, aren't we supposed to respect our grandparents?
Ahh! whatever it's none of my business.i looked around at the people present at the party and my eyes landed back on Mr Dean who had a straight face leaving no rooms for emotions and then the realization of I and Mr Dean wearing the same color dawn on me making me release a sigh
'Any one would think we were a couple which was far from the truth'
"Carmela" I heard a familiar voice call and turned to find Ken's mum standing behind me with a smile
"Hello" I said but it came out more like a whisper
"If the both of you don't mind then I'd love to snatch Carmela away for the mean .."
"No!" Mr Dean quickly declined wrapping his hand firmly around mine not waiting for her to complete her statement leaving question marks in the air "I mean she hasn't been feeling well lately so I wanted to keep an eye on her" he was with an awkward look
"And when did you become a doctor? If she's sick then take her to the hospital" his grandfather scolded but I doubt it got into his thick skull
"Do whatever you want to,you can take her with you if you want" he sighed letting go of my hand and seems Ken's mum was also impatient as she took me with her not sparing a second
"How's your hand? Does it still hurt?" she asked, stroking my hair. I nodded with a smile, feeling her warm, cozy eyes on me which reminded me of a familiar pair of eyes. It felt as if she was pouring all her motherly affection on me through her gaze, and I yearned for more.
"You seem to be glowing lately. You should smile more, okay?" she said, handing me a glass, which I accepted with a smile.
"Mrs. Rena!" someone called, and a lady approached us with a polite smile on her face, which Ken's Mum returned, stretching out her hand. "How are you doing?" she asked, taking the other lady's hand in hers.
"I'm doing well. It's been long since we've seen one another," the lady replied with a calm expression, and from her aura, one could tell she was from an influential circle.
"Well, that's because I've been busy with work lately."
"And who's this delicate gem standing beside you? Have you finally gotten your son a wife?" she inquired, sizing me up and down, making me want to hide behind Ken's Mum.
"Not a daughter-in-law. Meet my daughter, Carmela," she said with a smile while stroking my hair, and clueless me just gave a slight bow.
"Wow! But you never mentioned having a daughter who is this beautiful."
"That's because she has been abroad for years and isn't a fan of being in the spotlight."
"Such a great daughter you have. I feel both her and my youngest son would make a great couple. How about..."
"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I need my partner back," Mr. Dean said, pulling me towards himself, leaving me speechless. Why do I feel like I'm rotating in a web?
Ahh! This is why I hate elites parties,I can't just wait to leave.
As I tried to keep up with Mr. Dean's pace, I suddenly stumbled on something and fell to the ground, twisting my ankle with a sharp pain, as I wasn't used to heels.
"Are you blind? Couldn't you see me standing? Now look what you've done, my dress is ruined!" I heard the person I bumped into scream, but I didn't seem to care less as my ankle was killing me at the moment.
"I asked you to stay closer to me, didn't I?" Mr. Dean said, picking me up while I hid my face in his chest feeling everyone's eyes on me and embarrassment swiping all over me
What have I gotten myself into?
...
Few hours earlier!
The room was shrouded in suffocating silence, the air heavy. All eyes were fixed on one person, their attention focused elsewhere. The rhythmic tapping of the keyboard filled the room, prompting exchanged glances among the onlookers, who wondered why they had been summoned so unexpectedly.
"Luna!" the old man called, receiving only a nod from her, accompanied by the forceful slam of her hand against the table.
"Why is your grandson so stubborn, Grandpa? Can't he just fall in love in peace? Must I resort to violence?" she half-screamed, leaving everyone bewildered.
"Xavier, what is she up to?" the old man whispered, met with a shrugged shoulder.
"Grandpa, how about we set up your grandson on a blind date?" Luna proposed, a crooked smile on her face.
"I've always wanted to, but it never worked, I just pray my fears doesn't come true" he admitted.
"That's because you never found the right person, nor made the right plans also you never took it to the Lord after planning .we all know that only one person can change your grandson's heart and he's above" she winked making both her grandfather and Mrs. Rena chuckle.
Theyve always loved how strong she held onto her faith and beliefs which was a relief for the old man as he feared she might turn out to be just like her brother. He would never stop being greatful for the day he sent her to Africa as it really did change her perspectives on a lot of things.
"So what then do you expect from us?" Mrs Rena asked
"I already have everything planned out. Just help me execute it," she said, sitting up with excitement evident on her face, sending goosebumps crawling over Ken's body.
"I have a bad feeling about this," he whispered to himself as Luna handed everyone a printed piece of paper. "It has everyone's role in the plan, but I'll go ahead and explain.
As we all know Carmela's life is in danger, and Nix needs a woman in his life.
And for some weird reason,i feel deep down that Carmela is the one.."
"Isn't that ephebophile? I mean, Nix can go to jail for that... I mean, the age difference," Ken interjected.
"It's not as if he's forcing himself on her. She is going to give her concert to be with him, and that is why I'm making it our main objective to make both of them fall in love," Luna smirked before picking up her laptop.
"Grandpa, I need you to use your connections to find out everything about Carmela, even if it means the time she was born and dropped at the orphanage. Secondly, get Nix to join the company."
"Mission impossible!" Xavier screamed, tossing away the paper. "Excuse me?!"
"You and I know very well how much he detests our uncles.."
"Actually, it's a good idea," Ken interrupted, eyeing the arguing twins with an unsure expression.
"He once asked me if I wanted to become the CEO of his company as he wanted to become a chairperson," Ken explained.
"That seems like a good sign, but how exactly do we make him come after AN? He's not one to act according to one's wish," the old man replied.
"Then make him..Make Nix believe he doesn't have enough... no, sufficient power to protect what he wants. I heard from Ken that he has people on the move digging up information about Carmela; do your best to find out about her first and block Nix's connections," Luna smirked.
"And you think that's easy? Are you forgetting who your brother is?" Xavier interjected.
"I haven't, but it seems you've forgotten that I know what can trigger him. So follow my plan quietly or you can just leave," Luna retorted, eyeing him.
"If you're done explaining your grandfather's part of the plan, can I know mine?" Mrs. Rena spoke up not wanting to see the silblings bring down the roof
"Become Carmela's mother. If we actually succeed in making both of them share a relationship, the world is going to talk and degrade Carmela. But if we want to stop that, we'll have to give her an identity, and who could do a better job than you?"
"Meaning?"
"You'll be attending a business party tomorrow as one of the major shareholders of AN group. Introduce Carmela to everyone as your daughter who has been abroad. With that, we would be giving her a solid step in the fight for the next Mrs. Dean,after all rumors spread like wild fire in the circle of the wealthy" Luna explained, and everyone exchanged glances, wondering what could have possessed her.
"And which business party are we talking about?" the old man questioned.
"The one you'll be throwing, Grandpa. Make sure you invite your grandson and future daughter-in-law, and also don't be late. Xavier, ensure the reporters are present, and you follow what I printed out there. As for me, I have somewhere to be, so I'll take my leave," Luna said with a soft smile before exiting the room, leaving everyone in total confusion, or perhaps, amusement.