AFTER FATIMA, GRIAN, AND her youngest brother got in the car, they started driving to the venue. She was in the backseat with her brother while Grian was the one driving them. Her heart was pounding and felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. Nonetheless, she tried hiding how anxious she was. She noticed how Grian was glancing at her in the mirror inside the car.
“What is it?” she asked and he blinked a couple of times before looking back at the road. He cleared his throat and she furrowed her eyebrows.
“Nothing, just admiring a beautiful girl,” he smoothly answered and she scoffed but deep inside, she felt her heart flutter.
Once they arrived at the venue, reporters were waiting at the entrance. Both of them breathed heavily before one of them smiled. “Don’t be nervous,” Grian said with a smile before looking at her and she eyed him.
“As if you’re not,” she said with a scoff and he laughed lightly before winking at her and taking off his seatbelt. He got out of the car and opened the door behind to let the two out. Fatima grabbed Tim’s hand and they both got out of the car. “There’s a lot of reporters,” she uttered and chuckled nervously.
“Fatima,” Tim said and the two looked at him. He started pulling on her dress.
“Do you want to be carried?” she asked and he nodded. Fatima looked at Grian before scratching her head. She was about to carry him but Grian bent down and grabbed his body and lifted him up. “Are you sure you want to carry him?” she asked and he nodded.
“There’s a lot of reporters here. They might get the wrong idea,” she said with a low voice and he smiled.
“Come on, Fatima. Let me walk you down the red carpet,” he offered and he extended his arm for her to hold onto. She sighed before wrapping her hand around his arm while he carried Timothy on the other.
They walked themselves to the entrance and the reporters started taking pictures of them. Fatima blinked a couple of times before she got somewhat used to it. Grian on the other hand was already used to this because he was the CEO’s secretary before he became the CEO himself.
While they were walking, Fatima was surprised by one of the reporter’s questions. “Is that your child, Mr. Melarnd?” She almost choked in the air after hearing that and her eyes widened. They both stopped and Grian looked at them. “No, he’s her younger brother,” he answered politely before both of them started walking again and she heavily sighed before smiling.
After they got inside, fewer reporters were there and they weren’t allowed to interview anyone yet. “Can you loosen your grip a bit?” She heard him whisper and she looked down and saw that her hand was holding onto his arm for dear life.
She clenched her jaw before loosening it. “Sorry, I didn’t notice,” she said and he smiled before he led her and Timothy to the reserved table for them and the other four. Once they were there, Grian put her brother down and let him sit down on the chair. “You can sit down as well. I’ll come back later after my speech and interviews, I’ll be a bit busy.” She nodded and understood. He has many responsibilities now after all.
She smiled before he left and she sat down. She looked around and noticed people were looking at her. (They’re probably wondering why I was with Grian...) she thought to herself as she began to be a bit sky. A couple of minutes later, both Philippe and Nikki approached the table.
“Hey, we saw you walk in,” Phil said before he let Nikki sit first before he sat down beside her and she blushed.
“Where’s Grian?” Nikki asked.
“Busy, he’ll be back later,” Fatima answered and the two nodded.
Fatima looked around the room and started to admire the beauty of the venue. It looks like they’re in a castle with the chandelier, round tables, and the massive ballroom. It all makes her feel comforting in a way. With the people’s chatter and smell of fresh food, it’s as if she’s at home in this place.
“Your friend is invited too as well, right?” Phil asked and Fatima turned to him before blinking a couple of times. “Hmm?” she asked.
“Oh- yeah, William is invited,” she said and smiled.
After a few more minutes, more people came inside and their sister arrived. She walked to them as if she was a runway model and it’s making Nikki roll her eye back so hard. “How annoying,” she whispered to herself as Hannah got closer. The two sisters waved at each other and she sat down next to Fatima.
“Are there any hot men here?” she asked and giggled but Nikki glared at her.
“And she said she was in love with my brother,” Nikki uttered, enough for Hannah to hear. Everyone went silent and Hannah felt awkward so she cleared her throat. “So how was it? Have you tripped yet?” Hannah asked Fatima and she cringed at the thought. Hannah keeps telling her that tripping in those high heels might be a good idea because the chance of Grian catching her is high and that’ll make their hearts race from one another. According to Hannah.
“No,” she answered while wrinkling her nose.
They saw William walking from a distance and they all waved at him. He smiled before walking to their table. He waved at them before sitting down next to Hannah and she stared at him. “Isn’t this celebration for rich people? I’m getting intimidated by them,” he joked and the group laughed but Hannah continued staring at him.
“Have I seen you before?” She asked before she leaned towards the table and held her head with her arm. He turned and looked at her before raising an eyebrow. “I’m not sure but.. I’ve seen you on television before,” he said and her eyes lit up.
“Really? Did you see my modeling or what?” she asked with sparkles in her eyes and he eyed her. “No, I saw you trash-talking my friend and telling everyone she stole your man,” he explained and her smile fell. Nikki snorted and Hannah glared at her.
“What are you even doing at our table?” he asked and she was about to answer but he turned to Fatima and asked another question. “Is she bothering you again?” he asked.
“No-“ Hannah was cut off.
“Yeah, she’s bothersome,” Nikki answered and everyone turned to her, and Hannah’s eyes widened. “What?!” she yelled.
“You should change tables,” William said and her eyes widened even more while Nikki smirked. Fatima sighed before crossing her arms.
“Relax, William. She’s.. kind of my sister. Like- biological,” Fatima said before blinking a couple of times and smiling. William’s face filled with confusion as he stared at the two girls. His lips parted as he started comparing the two faces if they look alike.
Fatima explained everything to William and he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His mouth was agape the entire time as he listened to his friend talk. Everything felt like a fever dream the more he listened to her. “This is unbelievable,” he uttered and Nikki mockingly laughed.
“I know right,” she murmured and Hannah glared at her. Philippe held her shoulder, trying to calm Nikki down. After Fatima explained everything, Will sat there in silence as he comprehended everything that was said.
Thirty minutes later, Grian went on top of the stage to give his speech. Everyone was focused and silent as they all watched.
"Good evening, everyone. I would like to thank everyone for coming to this event tonight. It's a pleasure to have all of you here as you, and everyone else witnesses the new beginning. I would like to formally introduce myself again, I am Grian Melarnd, the CEO of the company. Perhaps you may have known me as the secretary before, or even known me as the closest friend with the former CEO. Yes, he made some mistakes. I know it was shocking to everyone due to what happened recently but, he was a great businessman and a great friend. He was not only there for me and his family, but also helped countless people along the way. What happened in his past was not remembered by him but in fact, was hidden from him. Upon finding out the truth, he turned himself in." Everyone watched him seriously as he continued his speech.
"I would like to ask everyone to stop foul-mouthing the former CEO, everyone involved in the incident, and the company itself. This is a new beginning and everything that was in the past will stay there. Let this company prosper and I will make sure that it will happen," he said before smiling. A couple more minutes of his speech went by and after that, he left the stage but cameras were still on him.
He grabbed a bouquet of flowers and started walking to Fatima and her eyes widened in nervousness. "Oh my god," Hannah whispered while slapping William's arms while watching the two.
Grian reached Fatima and she stood up. "Grian, I'm allergic-" she tried explaining.
"They're fake flowers, darling. I made them look realistic for you," he said with a smile and twinkle in his eyes. She stared at him in awe.
"Can I get the honor of having you, a beautiful lady, as my dance partner this evening?" Her heart rate started to go wild.