"Hurry up, you guys," Hilary shouted at the couple that was still inside the building doing God knows what. She was beginning to get fed up with their attitude. They were already late to the party and all those three people could do was delay them more.
"Chill, girl. He was just helping me with my dress." She took Tristan's hand while they were coming out of the building.
"Why didn't you fix it on your way here?" Hilary crossed her arm, also cocking her waist. She gave them a knowing look as they approached her.
"Why don't you shout or question the boss like that? He's still in there." Tristan smirked at her cowardice when she looked away. "Your mouth is only strong when it comes to me. Let's go, Blanca." He pulled her towards the car while Hilary stood outside. She didn't want to be in the car with those two.
"Quit sulking and let's go." Her boss, Aiden, said icily while heading for the car. She trailed behind him and entered the car as she sat close to Tristan. She didn't talk to any of them and no one spoke to her either. She just wore her headset and let herself get lost in the music. She closed her eyes and wished she just feel what others were feeling; love, but she knew she couldn't, after her last relationship with a psychopath who almost ruined her life. She didn't want to go through all that again.
She stayed in one position until they got to the venue. She suddenly didn't want to go inside anymore as her enthusiasm had been killed by the people she called colleagues but because of Elaine, she went in. While they were walking down the red carpet, she felt the crowd focus on her. She saw lighting from cameras as the photographers took shots of her and complimented her smile.
"Miss on blue, you're the prettiest lady I've seen tonight." One person shouted from the crowd, making Blanca scoff internally.
'She's not that beautiful. She's just being overhyped.' She said to herself and walked on with her boyfriend and his boss. Hilary was loving the sudden attention and decided to show them the modeling side of her.
When she had had enough fun, she went in search of her friend. The entire team took a whole table to themselves and drinks were passed to them.
"Elaine, where are you?" She was checking her phone continuously to see if she replied to the text that she sent but there was nothing and her number wasn't reachable. She became worried.
"Or maybe the b**ch isn't coming after all." She shut her eyes angrily at that thought and rolled her fingers into a fist.
"I will make sure I punch her jaw so hard."
Shortly, more dignitaries entered the hall and one of them was Mr. and Mrs. John, a wealthy gynecologist and a world business tycoon.
"OMG!!" She gushed over them. The fact that they grew old together was something she appreciated and loved. Relationships of then didn't last ten years anymore but this couple had been together for forty years and they remained faithful to each other. Now, that was something else she wished for.
The old couple, after being welcomed warmly, took their seats, and drinks were being served. The order of the service went by smoothly. Many had gone there because of the exclusive designs that Miss Lane had made and that would be auctioned. When the time came, everyone prepared their minds. Her designs were something to die for; mostly simple yet, speaking wealth.
And as Stella had said, Miss Lane made back double of what she spent on the hotel, the event hall, food, drinks, and gifts. And the intriguing part was that she wasn't even there when it happened. She was sitting in the comfort of her car watching the entire event and laughing at how people dragged her wears and jewelry. She had never been so proud of herself. She suddenly received an alert of one million dollars and a note that said, "Sorry for not being at your party, my love. I will visit you soon. *kissy face*"
She immediately replied to the person with a 'thank you' and 'hope to see you soon' note.
"Drive to the hotel, please. I can't wait any longer." She said to her driver.
"Yes, ma'am." He replied. He signaled the other two cars in front of him, and when they moved out, he followed suit and two other cars behind him did the same.
On getting to the venue, the crowd went wild. The guards from the four other cars rushed out and protected Miss Lane from the crowd that threatened to swallow her. But she made sure to speak to a few people and sign autographs. They were her biggest supporters and she couldn't just leave without attending to them.
"Get them seats and served them some food and some drinks. It should be able to go round but if it doesn't, make sure it does." She ordered some of her guards and they rushed to do just that. She made her way inside the hall and sat down. If it were to be average people, they would have shouted out their lungs, but the reverse was the case. Jason watched as Miss Lane ordered everything smoothly. No doubt she was one great event planner.
"Come on, Elaine. It's almost type for the revelation." Hilary had a worried expression on her face as she stared at the door.
"Are you waiting for someone?" Blanca asked and she simply nodded.
"Your friend?"
"Yeah, she told me she'd be coming but no sign of her yet. She's not replying to my texts and her number is not reachable. I am worried."
"I'm sure she's at home watching the event. Don't worry, after the event, you can check up on her." Blanca said with a smile, making Hilary nod.
"Okay, according to miss Lane, we are going to be giving some awards. You know, appreciate those who did their best at the party and who gave us most intriguing content." He was given a list by Stella.
"Okay folks, the best dressed in the make category goes to...."
It went on like that and Hilary happened to land one award; an award for the model of the night. What was more shocking to people was that she wasn't even a model but she did better than the models that were there.
"You have the best smile tonight, miss Hilary." The MC complimented and with heavy smiles, she thanked him. It was the first time she was being noticed publicly. "It says you're not a model, what do you do then?"
"I'm a senior editor at Allstories." She replied.
"You are very far from being a model but yet, you gave us got model vibes. Folks, this is me shooting my shot at this beautiful lady. Miss Hilary, would you go out on a date with me tomorrow night?"
"Sorry, I have work." She declined.
"Make out time, my lovely. I would love to know you better." He winked at her and she nodded. She went back to her seat, happily holding her award and the reward that came with it.
"And now, for the last event but the most interesting event of the night, the unveiling of the masked lady." The MC announced. Every other person watching online became excited as that was the part everyone was anticipating since the beginning of the party. They wanted to see the goddess that had stolen their heart.
"What if she has an ugly scar?" That was what ran through some people's minds but they could never be sure until they see for themselves.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome the host of this breathtaking event, Miss Lane." The MC announced, cueing for her to come on stage. She stood up from her seat and was escorted to the foot of the small staircase by her guards, the crowd cheered and clapped for her.
"Her dress is so beautiful," Claire complimented as she clapped.
"Yeah, I have to agree. No wonder you wanted her to be your designer. With someone like her, your business will be like a metropolis. I will make sure of that." Jason said to her surprise.
"Thank you so much, honey. I really appreciate your effort to see me succeed." He kissed him on his cheek.
Nadia and Stella stood beside her as she faced the crowd.
"Can he make this snappy? I'm downright nervous." She complained.
"Don't worry, Miss Lane. It will all be over soon." Nadia whispered to her. Elaine gave her a sealed card that contained her name and she passed it to the MC. He hyped her for over three minutes until miss Lane urged him to cut to the chase. She was nervous, the whole world was looking at her, and she wanted to be out of the camera line.
The MC obeyed and tore the sealed card.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we have all been waiting for, let's welcome the world's sweetheart officially,"
Nadia and Stella each held a part of her mask and slowly removed it.
"Miss Elaine Lane Kayla."