Chapter 18 - The Banquet

Arabella’s face turned instantly pale. Her heart was beating fast. She felt very cold inside the room, but she felt her forehead was sweating a bit. She was left in a daze for a while.

She looked in the spotlight direction and she clearly saw Bill Sky with alluring handsomeness. His facial expression was still cold as usual bearing a powerful aura. The crowd became more lively now especially the women. They giggled exaggeratedly seeing the richest and the most handsome CEO in Capital Z in the room. It seemed that he was used to this kind of popularity that he has 6 bodyguards around him.

His bodyguards were wearing black suits and ties, they were like his shields from bullets and obviously women who can’t withstand their intense desire towards him.

For some reason that she can’t explain, Arabella was quite happy seeing him again.

Everybody in the crowd was obviously amazed and inspired by him. It was all shown on their faces.

On stage, Bill Sky gave a brief but inspiring speech. He was wearing a white tuxedo with a black bow tie that made him the most stunning prince charming as most gentlemen in the crowd were wearing black suits. If she was not with Enrique, she might be mistaken as Bill Sky’s partner as their clothes were coincidentally coordinated.

She was also wearing a white backless with a deep V neck in a mermaid cut dress. It revealed her perfect curves and bootylicious ass and breast. Her flawless snow-white porcelain skin was exposed visibly. Her smooth, shiny long straight hair was slightly curled at the bottom by Farrah. She used light makeup that exposed her fresh look and innocence which made her beauty the most attractive woman in the room. The only striking she wore aside from her dress, of course, was a red lipstick that made her look sophisticated. Arabella had the feeling that wearing a red lipstick for tonight will give her good luck.

Arabella and Bill Sky were like a bride and groom in their coincidental coordinates but in a business style concept.

Roaring and applauses echoed through the crowd as he ended his speech by raising his wine glass in the air.

“Cheers!” The crowd raised their glasses in the air including Arabella.

“Bestie, Bill Sky is here.” Farrah couldn’t keep her astonished tone. Her partner, Mike pulled aside Enrique to talk.

“I saw him.” She smirked a bit. She doesn’t want other people to hear them and misinterpret her.

“Who’s his partner then? Is he with his fiancée Trishia Meyer?” Farrah curiously asked while drinking her wine.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her.” Actually, she didn’t think of that when she saw Bill because she was already hypnotized by his presence. Her eyes unconsciously wander in the crowd like she wants to see someone.

“Well, I think I’m asking silly questions. I’m sure his partner here is no other than his fiancée.” Farrah was annoyed to herself as she rolled her eyes.

There were too many people in the party, Arabella can’t see Bill and his partner in the crowd.

‘Maybe he went home after giving his speech. Well, it’s a good thing I can’t be distracted by his presence. I need to find investors in our project. I need my energy to focus on my goal.’ ’Well, even if he's still here, he will not recognize her as Arabella he met before. There are too many people here, it’s 0% probability that he will bump you.’ Her thought flowed uncontrollably.

With Enrique with her, it’s not difficult for her to talk and open her business proposal. She got 2 minor investors. She still needs more, but she was still thankful that she gained something from the party.

The night was still long. The most awaited dance by a partner was officially opened. The spotlight was directed to the dance floor focusing on the couples dancing in a sweet love song music.

Farrah and Mike were dancing sweetly.

Arabella just stayed at the cocktail round table as Enrique was seriously talking to someone about some sort of medical research.

“May I have this dance?” His voice was very familiar to Arabella. Her eyes traveled from his hand that was extended to her then slowly to his figure then finally to his face.

She was right. It was Jayson, her ex-boyfriend.

“Where’s Margaret?” Arabella looked at his eyes questioning.

“My driver drove her home.” Jayson’s voice was tired. It was very obvious that he was exhausted for a long time. He was not the Jayson she knew before. Jayson had been always handsomely energetic and approachable. It seemed that his aura was a bit mature now.

His hand was still in the air. All eyes were all on them as gentlemen wanted to approach her to dance, but they don’t have the guts and were also afraid that this goddess will turn them down.

“Come on! For old time’s sake. Dance with me.” Jayson was hopeful. He was a little tipsy as he gulped some alcohol a while ago as he wanted to drown his sadness about Arabella having a new boyfriend.

Arabella looked at Enrique like asking for his permission and the latter nod his head as a sign for his approval.

Arabella didn’t really want to have a dance with him, but judging from his face, she felt a bit worried about him and of course, she doesn’t want to humiliate him in front of the crowd. She still considers Jayson as her old friend.

She received Jayson’s hand and they traveled together to the dance floor. They instantly captured the spotlight.

Jayson took the chance to hug her again. He hugged her tightly like no one was watching.

“Jayson, please behave yourself. Don’t forget that you’re already engaged. People here might misunderstand us.” She was sending Jayson a warning.

Jayson quickly got her message so he loosened her and just put his hands on her waist.

Arabella was quite happy. The good thing about Jayson, he was always considerate towards her. He doesn’t want her to put in an embarrassing situation.

“I’m sorry. I Just missed you.” Jayson uttered with full sincerity.

She felt pain in his voice. She can’t find any words to reply to him. Her heart felt worried about Jayson. Even though they were not together, she still wished him to be happy not like this.

“What happened to us?” Jayson was obviously missing their time together. He was reminiscing their past.

They were happy together before. They have a mutual understanding of everything. One thing she realized after their breakup is that her love for Jayson is like an older brother. He is a family to her and she wanted him to remain that way.

“Jayson, I wish you to have a happy life with Margaret and your coming child.” That’s the only sentence she can think of to pacify him and the situation.

“But I don’t love Margaret. I still love you, Babe.” His voice was sincere that she can feel it in her heart.

Judging from his words and exhausted face, Jayson seemed to have no choice in his relationship with Margaret because of the accidental child.

“I care for you as a friend. I hope whatever the situation you are in now, you can take full responsibility. Forget about me. It’s time for us to step up with our own lives. Don’t worry about me, I have already forgiven you.” She wanted Jayson to realize that he can live with a free conscience from the reason for their break up.

“But I don’t want to live without you. You are the only woman I love and will always be you know that.” Jayson was right. His teary eyes sent an obvious message to her.

She felt pity for Jayson. He never saw Jayson this down before.

Arabella tapped his shoulder.

“Please don’t. Please don’t do this Jayson. You need to give this love to Margaret since she’s gonna be the mother of your child. I know you will be a good father and a good husband.” Arabella continued calming his mind.

“I can’t. My love is only for you.” His voice turned cold with full of stubbornness.

“I already have a boyfriend and I love him.” Arabella thought these words would turn him down about his love for her. She actually didn’t want to add up his overtiredness but she needed to lie in order for him to think clearly.

“No! You only love me. You don’t love him. You only belong to me and I only belong to you.” Jayson hugged her again tightly like he’s afraid to lose her and this time he went frantic.

“Jayson! Jayson calm down.” Arabella tried to persuade him, but this time Jayson seemed to not hear her.

He hugged her slender body liked her bones will break.

Arabella quickly grabbed his two arms away and pushed his body slightly leaving enough gap between their bodies. She faced him and their eyes met.

“Jayson, Listen to me. The Jayson I knew is a good and responsible man. I hope you will not change it.” Arabella had a fascinating charm to Jason when she began to talk with his eyes.

Jason was quite at a loss. Arabella stopped dancing and went out her way back to Enrique’s table.

Enrique saw what happened to Arabella and Jason. Their actions on the dance floor said a lot. He didn’t think to pull Arabella out since he knew their relationship before as she was the best friend of his sister, Farrah. She seemed to grow like a young fine beautiful woman. He had never seen it before.

When Arabella was walking in the crowd, the master of the ceremony announced something.

“May I have your attention, please. This is the most highlight for tonight. As our annual tradition, we will be going to choose our muse or our ‘face of the night’. The MC said with excitement.

The crowd was then cheering. Girls can’t withstand their desire to be chosen. Of course, It’s with great pride to be the ‘face of the night’ among all women present at the party. That simply means you are the most beautiful among the crowd. As for the gentlemen, they would be honored to have their partners recognized as the ‘face of the night.’

As for Arabella, she didn’t want to be the center of attraction, though she was used to it in the past.

“But people here’s the catch.” The MC added. “Are you all excited?” The MC intentionally stopped putting suspense to his words.

The crowd shouted and cheered.

“It was obvious that all women here are excited so I have to spell this out.” He paused again. “The lucky woman who will be awarded to be our ‘face of the night’ will have the chance to dance with our VIP speaker, Mr. CEO Bill Sky.” The crowd started panicking and roaring.

All girls couldn’t stop giggling as they all wanted to marry Bill Sky.

Arabella felt nervous in an instant after hearing his name. She thought Bill Sky had left since her eyes can’t find him in the crowd.

“Now is the time to announce the winner. Whoever our spotlight captured is our ‘face of the night’. In 3… 2… 1…Congratulations Madame!” Everyone was cheering and clapping as the spotlight captured a very beautiful, tall, slender woman standing in a white sexy dress.

Arabella was stunned when an intense beam of light was directed at her.

‘Oh no! I’m doomed’ she suddenly thought. Her heart raced fast again and her body stiffened.

She was quite at a loss and she can’t even move from her position.

All she could hear is the roaring of the crowd that became louder and louder.

“Dance with me..” A man with a big soft hand held her hand in an instant and before she knew it, they were already on the dance floor dancing in a piece of sweet romantic music with the spotlight pointed at them.