Both Thelma and Orlando stared at one another for a long time unaware of the people around. It was like a compelling spell preventing her from looking away, and then she felt Kaycee give her a nudge on the arm instantly snapping her to reality. She looked nervously at her manager who jerked his head lightly toward Orlando.
Thelma did not get the info at first until she realized they weren't shaking hands anymore.
"Shake him, Elle..." Kaycee stylishly reminded her. She was a little confused but did as instructed, she cleaned her sweaty palms on her dress and accepted Orlando's handshake. His strong cologne emanated from just his palm it almost made her swoon.
'oh my gosh! I am touching his hand! HIS FLIPPING SOFT HAND!' inside her mind she was all over her head but outside she had a straight face despite her heart racing when staring into Orlando's motionlessness face. For a moment Orlando stood there still shaking Thelma’s hand, he wasn't letting go and Thelma wasn't letting go either. There was a strange bond binding their souls upon contact, unless an external force separates them it's impossible to keep them apart. 
Orlando must have felt the pull and was trying to understand the meaning. He never felt this way toward any woman in his life, this is very strange.
Orlando drank in her appealing appearance, noticing her outfit for the first time and trailing his eyes all over her curvy body ‘such a rare beauty I can't believe I did not notice’ he complimented her beauty internally, words could not find it way out of his mouth to describe what entices him. Thelma on the other hand felt tensed and shaky with his head moving around sensually. 
His obvious interest did not catch her attention, it is the fact she accidentally agreed to meet the same person who almost killed her after a late night shift, the same rude man who didn't show remorse for his action.
'Kaycee, what have you gotten me into?'
Orlando absentmindedly raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles in a way to acknowledge and respect her. His lips lingered for a while making Thelma shudder involuntarily. After the sudden weird gesture, Orlando wondered to himself why he did that, it wasn't necessary but his next words failed the control he thought was there. 
“You’re prettier than I anticipated.” He openly made the compliment using a very low and deep voice. Thelma didn't catch what he said and assumed he was being flirty. Even she was lost staring at him.
“I think It’s time we got inside." Ruby breaks the invincible strings putting Thelma and Orlando in a trance. "Both of you will have enough time to get to know each other, don't worry we won't bother either of you. A private moment would be more suitable for you.” She added and walked around them.
“Yes... Ruby is right, we can’t spend the rest of the night out here while everyone is enjoying the party. In fact, we are the face of the ceremony. The guests must be awaiting our arrival.” Isaiah spoke and they all marched inside the building taking graceful steps, except for Thelma who was finding it hard to match their pace. Orlando willingly helped Thelma keep up and placed his hand on the small of her back. He felt her tense up but she did not shrink from his touch as they continued to the hall. Thelma did not relax even after getting into the hall, her nerves were everywhere.
The hall suddenly became silent as the wealthy family made their first appearance, the corporate silence showed the power and influence the Chester family had on people. The attention did not sit well with Thelma, she felt tempted to turn around and run away or hide from all the intense stares. There was too much exposure and she pondered if the looks were from jealousy, envy, or praise as they rocked the aisle. 
Too many eyes, too many leaks, everything seems to be the opposite of privacy and Thelma is unsure if she will survive the night. She could feel the air grow thicker around them but most of the stares were directed at her.
“Oh my she’s gorgeous isn’t she?” Thelma heard some people say. 
"I saw her, isn't she the one with the manager earlier?" Another asked.
"I can't believe she got a contract with the family, She must be close enough to enter the Chester lineage." Another said but Thelma was unbothered by their questions, her curiosity was her role and why was it so important for a private ceremony?
“I envy her much. I don’t know what I’ll do to have that opportunity to be there.” An anonymous person spoke among the crowd.
“Me too. Sometimes I wonder how and where they get the girls for their sons.” A woman standing at the bar said to her fellows. 
Thelma's anxiety gradually became intense and she was visibly shy after hearing what the group of women were discussing. A few times she thought about their comments if they were to learn of her true identity, that she was not a famous rich woman as she seemed to appear. And because she illegally walked in the limelight of every girl's dream who knew the tragedy that would follow if there was a leak?
Thelma even saw some of the hotel workers looking in her direction with envy, happiness, and awe. Most of them were her colleagues from the kitchen and restaurant department, and the male workers could not help their cravings and drool at the sight of her. Thelma tried to give them friendly faces but most of the female workers had hateful stares directed at her so she stopped herself from getting noticed and quietly followed the Chester family.
Thelma wasn’t paying much attention to where they were going she only remembered coming to a sudden halt and frowning at Orlando. Her eyebrows creased in confusion until she saw Zach the hotel butler. 
It was too late to hide but shockingly when he looked at her he did not the reaction she expected. Thelma then let out a relieved breath knowing he didn’t recognize her.
“Welcome Sir… Miss, my name is Zach and I’ll be your assistant for the night please follow me.” Zach introduced himself and directed them to their V.I.P seat. 
They followed him to a VIP area named ‘Chester’s& family’ 
Now the ceremony is about to begin