Chapter Five

 

I've been staring at a big white box lying on my bed since it was dropped off ten minutes ago.

 

I insist that I've never ordered anything of the sort, but he shows me the proof that my full name is on the receipt. The poor guy looks like he'll go as far as begging to his knees just to have me sign the paper.

 

"I'm strictly instructed to deliver the box to you, ma'am or I'll lose my job if I don't." he looks worried, switching his weight from one to foot to another.

 

Feeling sorry for putting him on the hot spot, I left with no other choice but to sign the proof that I receive the package. He breathes a sigh of relief, wiping at his forehead.

 

I try to ask him whether he has an idea who is the sender but he's just as clueless as I am.

 

"He didn't tell me his name or anything, ma'am. He just said to drop it off."

 

I thank him for what little information he enlightens me with and close the door after him. I have a feeling to whom it comes from which doesn't make sense.

 

I'm with a debate with myself whether I will open it. In the end, my curiosity got the best of me. Curiosity kills the cat, Olivia. I have no idea what to expect to see inside, and it certainly isn't a dress!

 

I stare at the royal blue dress that is elegantly fold inside the box. Even without inspecting it carefully the quality of the fabric can't be miss. I've seen my fair share of quality clothes having to be surrounded by loaded kids in back in college and indulging myself with magazines now and then.

 

Despite myself, I reach for the dress and hold it out before my eyes. To say that I'm in love is the understatement of the year. It's an off-shoulder knee length dress that flares from the waist all the way down. It looks my size perfectly.

 

I tell myself that there's no harm in fitting it on and put it back again and so without further reasoning, I slip it on. It fits perfect!

 

With spring on the heel of my feet, I jump in front of the mirror and study myself.

The dress brings out my fair skin, complimenting my complexion. The dress showcase my delicate shoulder and hinting just enough of my cleavage without being too revealing, leaving so much to idea. It hugs my waist beautifully, flaring on the way down to my knees. The way its design is carefully thought of. It is simple but elegant at the same time, something I will go for.

 

Looking into my emerald green eyes, there is a strange glimmer in there that I haven't seen in a while. The corner of my eyes crinkles by the corner with a smile, surprising myself.

 

My phone buzzes about in my bed, the screen flashing an unknown number. I trudge over my bed, and before I can answer it, the call ends. I frown in my phone staring at the unfamiliar digits. Five seconds’ ticks by and I receive a text message.

 

You'll be required to wear the dress that I've sent you. It’s a part of your job to be decent in functions like tonight's gala.

 

I re-read the message trying to comprehend if I will smile or be annoyed with his demanding attitude.

 

Truth be told, I'm not sure what to wear for tonight and to know that he's managed to think of me through his hectic schedules is very much thought of him. He knows my size well which would have been odd, but for some reason, I don't find it weird at all if that makes sense.

 

I don't have a choice but to don the beautiful dress despite my better judgment. Time seems to be running out, and I still have to fix my hair and makeup.

 

I don't usually fuss about putting on too much makeup on my face, but tonight, I go a little extra than my usual. I fix my brows into a fine shape and then move on to an eye shadow. I choose a soft glitter of gold careful not to put too much but just enough to be noticeable. In the end, I finish off my look with glossy pink lipstick, stroking the blush on a brush to the apple of my cheeks gently to give my face a healthy glow.

 

Lastly, I quickly put my hair into a loose chiffon letting some tendrils to fall over my face. I'm happy with my finish look and is excited to see him.

 

Yes. I do admit that I miss his presence for the whole week that he's been away for a business trip. This is the first time I will see him after that night. My heart is beating hard like crazy, putting me in a heap of nerves.

 

Balling my fist and closing my eyes, I take a deep breath; I make a mental note to myself. Remember that you're there to accompany him through his business deals, Olivia. Keep everything to a professional level and act calm and collected.

 

That reminds me that this is purely business and nothing more. He lends me this dress because I need to look presentable for a gala he throws to be on a good side with the possible clients. He makes it clear that I must look and act as I fit in their aristocratic world.

 

Choosing not contemplate further about it, I open my drawer and pull out a box of shoes. My aunt gives it to me when I turn eighteen telling me that my mom will want to give it to me at the right time. It's a beautiful heel that matches the color of my dress. They're the perfect match, the same shade of blue.

 

I put on a white diamond earring the size of a dot to go with my look but nothing more. When I'm pretty sure that my wallet and purse are already inside my hand-held wallet pouch, I walk-run towards the slightly chilly night but nothing unbearable and flag down a passing by taxi.

 

The gala is held by one of the famous art gallery, Deviant. The invitation slashes my pass to the entrance is attach inside the box of the dress. The beautiful card has the location and time of the gala written in a cursive manner. I never miss his writing at the bottom that says, "I'll see you tonight." It seems that he's so sure that I'll be there which makes me scowl as I read it.

 

"Deviant gallery, please."

 

The middle age driver nods in acknowledgment and drives away. I look out the window and study the early evening sky. There are no clouds in sight but shining stars that twinkle back on me. There's one that stands out from the rest, burning bright and closer.

 

The weather's perfect it's as if Luke consulted on a professional forecaster who is not surprising at all. He sure does have the money for it, and it won't even make his fortune suffer. It's but a mere coin, nothing that will hurt his pocket.

 

Up ahead as we near, I can see cars lined up all the way back, and as we get further inside, the valets offer to park the car themselves. Suddenly, I feel daunted. There will be a lot of socialites inside, and I'm expected to gage them into conversation later relating to the deal. If they sense that I'm not one-bit blue blood individual, they will throw me out without a second thought.

 

I begin chewing on my bottom lip and contemplate on making an excuse of having not to be feeling well, but so suddenly, Lorina is marching my way.

 

I take a deep breath and steal myself for what is to come.

 

After I pay the taxi, I meet Lorina halfway. We hug and kiss each other on the cheeks. She looks dashing in her silk top matching with black dress pants. She bellies her look with a smart idea of pairing her top with a black scarf.

 

She holds me at arm’s length and study me.

 

"My dear, Olivia. You look lovely!"

 

I smile, relaxing bit by bit by Lorina's warm welcome. She doesn't look tired at all. In fact, she glows beautifully despite the tedious day at work today.

 

"Come on inside. Luke's been looking for you. The boy has a short patience, try to understand."

 

The fact that Lorina can overlook his stuck-up attitude is something. She's like a mother to everyone with her jolliness and positive perspective with the world.

 

On our way inside the gallery, we pass by women who's either the wife of the businessmen Luke's rubbing elbows with or associated with him in a whole different manner.

 

There's also a guy in a dashing white suit that swifts in along the way for an introduction. His chocolate brown eyes catch mine, sweeping his gaze towards Lorina for a brief moment and taking her hand for a gentleman kiss. "You never age a day, miss Lorina."

 

Lorina laughs gentle, waving his comment away in a suitable manner. "You're certain your father's child, Austin. You little dork." She rumples his hair in a motherly way.

 

"That's not a way to treat me, ma'am. I'm all grown up!" he complains, running a hand through his messy blond hair.

 

I can't help the smile on my face as I watch the guy, Austin sweetly dodges Lorina's good-natured teasing. It's obvious that they are good acquaintances of each other, but then again, Lorina seems to be favor by everyone. I mean, who won't fall in love with her warm attitude?

 

Lorina promises to come back, leaving me with Austin.

 

He offers his hand gallantly with his other hand behind him like a perfect prince that he looks. A prince in wash out denim jeans and sneakers. A total contradiction to his formal top and yet somehow, he manages to look good in them. He's the exact opposite of the brooding man in navy blue suit gage in a business talk with a middle age couple. His midnight hair is slick back, formally dress into a suit with a black polo dress inside, the first three buttons are undone. His icy-blue eyes were rather emotionless. He looks somewhat pale tonight; his jaw locks tightly.

 

Austin's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts. "Shall we?"

 

I try to cover up for my lack of attention and smiles at him, giving my hand for him to take.

 

Forgetting that I'm nervous at all or the thought of being left out, I focus my full attention on him.

 

He breaks the awkward silence through a crack of joke that has me laughing.

 

“I’ve never seen you here, before, darling. Are you a daughter of some businessman here?” he pauses to look at me, a mild curiosity on those doe brown eyes.

 

The fact that he thinks that I’m one of the socialite’s daughter makes me almost laugh, but I quickly hide it through a small cough.

 

“Excuse me,” I say as an I cup my hand over my mouth.

 

He frowns, “Did I say something wrong?” Austin looks loss.

It’s not about what he says, but more like what he thinks I am. I mean, where does that even come from? Sure, I’m in a gala exclusive for carefully chosen guests but do I pass the look of one? Surely, he’ll recognize that I stand out like a sore thumb from the rest. Except for Luke’s tasteful dress for me, I can deceive Austin unintentionally.

 

 

I shake my head, tugging at his arm to resume our walking. I find his company quite interesting. He is genuinely looking at me, laughing along when Luke chooses the wrong moment to spot us.

 

He looms over us like a wall of bricks, casting shadows. His icy blue eyes stony as he studies us, his body rigid.

 

For someone so tall and strongly built you will think that he’ll make a hell of a sound instead of managing to sneak on you like a freaking ninja.

 

He’s looking at our loop arms, frowning at it or rather glaring in it. For some reason, I feel so guilty of something I never do but with the way he’s looking at me accusingly makes my inside flip upside down.

 

I squirm under those scrutinizing stare of blazing blue fire, feeling as if I’ve betrayed him in a way.

 

Austin was obviously unaware of the growing tension in the air approach Luke who looks like he’s about to snap.

 

“Been a while, Luke. I didn’t expect our reunion to be like this, and certainly not when you’re the acting CEO of Hemmington.”

 

I look between Luke and Austin, noticing the cold shoulder both of them are radiating.

 

Austin doesn’t look genuine with his acknowledgment of Luke’s new position and neither does the other brooding man cares.

 

The two are having a telepathic communication, having a stare-down contest where even I have a wild guess what. With the way, Luke’s broad shoulder is so tense and his stance like a panther ready to strike, one has an idea where this is heading which I can’t let happen. After all, I’m here to accompany Luke to help him give good image from his potential clients. Having a brawl in tonight’s gala is hardly a good image except to his machismo reputation that will spread all over the media.

 

I step in just enough for them to notice my presence, reaching a hand to lay on Luke’s taught shoulder. As if snap out of a trance, he glances at me then sweeping his eyes on my hand. It’s as if he just notices that I’m there all this time.

 

“You don’t want to cause a scene, Luke,” I say calmly but firmly.

 

Austin looks between Luke and me, staring at my hand on his shoulder.

 

I can care less for whatever he does tonight, but I just can’t stand by the corner and watch his downfall just because he’s acting all caveman and very much possessive.

 

I’m not sure what to make of his attitude, but thankfully I don’t have to think about it much because Lorina just comes in time to rescue us from the awkwardness that is to follow if she has never interrupted.

 

Taking one look at the scene and she instantly gets the idea.

 

“Olivia, why don’t you stir Luke out of prying eyes, won’t you sweetie?”

 

I nod.

 

But being difficult that he is, Luke chooses to walk-out rather than assist.

 

Lorina turns to Austin, shaking her head like a disappointed mother hen to her chicks. Her soft voice carries through the fuzz of my brain. “You get a kick out of annoying your brother, don’t you?”