Chapter 06: The Charming Man
"Oh my! I almost forgot. You will come with me later to the party. Daddy wants you to be there. He really wants to see you!"
Celestine looked at Kathline in shock. But, before she could speak, Kathline was ahead of her. "Don't try to reason out, you need to come. You must be there!" Kathline insisted.
"I also have to buy you a dress, which you will wear later. It looks like you are not interested in such things, so I will be the one to choose."
Kathline ignored Celestine and became busy again as she was too absorbed in choosing a dress.
Kathline will only talk to Celestine if she sees a dress that would look better on Celestine and wants her to try it. When they were satisfied with the clothes for the party, they spent a few more hours wandering around the mall until they felt hungry.
It's almost lunchtime when they decided to eat in a French restaurant. After eating, their next stop is at the salon.
"Kathline!" A middle-aged woman welcomes them as soon as they step inside the salon. Kathline looks like a little girl. She hopped and hugged her aunt. Paula chuckled and hugged her in return. "Hello Auntie, I miss you! By the way, here’s my new friend Celestine. She’s Uncle Anthony's daughter."
“Hey there, young lady. I’m happy to meet you.”
Celestine warmly greeted her with a smile. “I’m happy to see you too. Mother sometimes talks about you.”
“I hope it’s not an embarrassing story hahaha! Anyway, the longer I look at you… I feel like I was looking at young Amanda. How are your parents anyway?”
“They were fine. Busy as usual.” Celestine chuckles.
Paula nodded her head. “Nothing unusual. They were like that during our school days. Well then, I won’t get too much of your time. Just tell me right away if you need something."
The two girls nodded their heads. Paula smiled at them and guided the two of them to a private room.
Paula looked at her assistants, “I will be leaving them to you guys. Don’t worry, they were already beautiful so it’s easy for you to doll them up.” She teases.
After instructing her assistants, she left to attend to another customer.
It took quite a long time before their hair and make-up finished.
***
The party started a while ago and they were late. Almost thirty minutes late! Celestine finds Kathline distracted the entire time while on their way to the party.
She seemed nervous as she kept on biting her nails. Well, she clearly knows why the girl feels that way, after what she has done tonight.
It is because Kathline forgot that she had a photoshoot scheduled today. And unfortunately, today was also her father’s birthday celebration. Her photoshoot can no longer be rescheduled because they already postponed it several times.
×××
[An hour ago]
Kathline was happily talking to Celestine when one of the staff interrupted them. “Miss Kathline, a person is looking for you.”
The person that the staff is pertaining to, enters the room hurriedly. She didn’t even wait for Kathline’s response.
“Manager Min?”
“At least you didn’t forget my name. But, aren’t you forgetting something, my dear?”
When you hear her say those things, you thought it was sweet talk. But, looking at her serious face. You know it was a sarcastic remark.
‘Good luck, Kathline!’
“Let me remind you. You have a photoshoot for Roseliá’s cover magazine today at four in the afternoon. Yet you didn’t come. I called your phone many times, but you didn’t answer any of my calls.”
“I know alright! Stop scolding me. Just tell me what to do.”
“Let’s go to the venue. You’re lucky I successfully asked them to wait while searching for you.”
Kathline stood up and went to the staff. “Just put the expenses on my tab, okay.”
It’s a good thing that the venue was near the salon. They arrived immediately. Of course, she’s with Celestine. She can’t bear to leave Celestine somewhere or send her off straight to the party.
Coincidentally, Celestine finished her hair and make-up earlier than Kathline when her manager came. Since Kathline will have a photoshoot, her stylist in the studio will surely make some changes for her make-up to match up that concept.
Celestine roughly heard that if it was re-scheduled again, they would be short of time for editing. And if Kathline can’t go today, they will replace her. They will find another model and that would be a loss on Kathline’s agency.
×××
[Back at the present]
Upon entering the mansion, a piece of romantic melody welcomed them. Some of the guests were dancing slowly, while the others were just listening to the music. Most of the young ladies who were present there do not seem to focus on the music, but instead on the man who plays it.
The man was busy playing the piano. His eyes were closed, enjoying the music coming from it. He is really the center of attraction, especially to the young ladies there at the party.
Celestine was in a daze for so long and kept on looking at Zachary. As soon as he opened his eyes, their eyes met. It took some time when they broke their eye contact.
A dazzling young man that exudes his charms to anyone, even if they just look at him. Celestine didn't miss how sharp and cold his eyes were from that short moment their eyes met. Yet, none of this was able to cover his radiance. Zachary had a pair of deep brown colored eyes, a long-bridged nose, those perfect lips, and even a well-sculpted face.
Under the chandelier, while sitting in front of the piano, his gray tailor-made suit was well-fitted which shows how incredible the body figure he has. He looked respectable and elegant in that suit.
Celestine had not exaggerated; she thinks that it was quite rare to see a man like him. But Celestine was able to bring herself back to Earth when a hand hurriedly pulled her. Because of that, Celestine lost her attention to the man playing the piano.
Celestine looked at Kathline who was now dragging her.
Kathline was wearing a strapless gradient evening dress and a 6-inch stiletto. Obviously, she was accustomed to wearing high heels. Even though she is in a hurry, Kathline does not mind how high her heels are and just hurriedly walk while dragging her.
Celestine was wearing a simple red tulle lace dress and a red 3-inch pump. She thanks God that she’s only wearing that high or else she can’t stand it. Celestine isn’t fond of high heels.
They only put light makeup on Celestine’s face then left her long wavy hair untied and just put some accessories in it. While Kathline was looking fierce right now due to her heavy make-up. The hairstyling makes her hair in a high-sleek back ponytail. If you look at her, you would be scared. In addition to her fierce look, her face was serious – due to her nervousness.
"Come on, Mommy was probably looking for us," Kathline said and walked hurriedly.
Celestine quietly followed.
She could feel Kathline's grip tightening on her hand as they approached the table not far from the podium. Kathline immediately released her hand and hurried to a table where her parents were.
"Mom… Dad..." she greeted them, almost whispering. Kathline feels the cold sweat on her body and the loud beating of her heart. For sure her parents wouldn’t let go of this thing easily.
"Where have you been, young lady? We've been worried about you! And you don't even answer our call." Marvin seriously asked his daughter.
They have been sitting for who knows how long because they are worried about their daughter.
Marvin asks Paula because he knows that his daughter will surely have an appointment at her salon, but she said that they leave early. They let their children do what they want, but they need to make sure to tell them where they are. And remember their responsibilities as an adult.
"Excuse me Uncle Marvin, Aunt Lianne, but could we settle this thing after the party?" Celestine interrupts their conversation. She’s worried that they would attract guests' attention and give them unwanted rumors.