Nina and Valerie had arrived on time and were sitting at a table, sipping their drinks. Their glittery dresses shimmered under the lights of the event venue. It was an open-air event, and the weather was pleasant with a light breeze.
Valerie opened her compact kit to check her makeup in the mirror. Her eyes scanned the area, before adjusting her sequined shawl, "They’ve done quite a job, Nina. Haven’t they?" She couldn’t hold herself from admiring the setup.
Nina smirked and ran her fingers over the rim of her glass, "Agree. Impressive, indeed. After all, it’s White Palace!"
While their eyes were busy observing each guest walking in, Nina suddenly raised a brow, "Where is Marissa?" one couldn’t miss the sarcasm in her voice, "Don’t tell me she stayed back in shame."
Valerie made a face and gave her a curious look, "Shame?"
Nina leaned in, her voice low and smug, "Have you already forgotten? They didn’t allow her to place her menu table, tonight. What did she think? Cooking a few dishes couldn’t land you a contract at such a big event," She pasted her glass to her lips, delicately, "Probably she is sulking in some corner. Ha-ha."
The small laugh was followed by a pout. However, she had to turn to watch Valerie when she groaned, "What the ... shit! What is she doing here? Why is she coming this way?"
Not understanding why Valerie had started sulking, Nina looked up and found Delinda walking towards them with a small smile.
Uh-huh. She didn’t want this woman to spoil her evening.
But ... surprise!
Delinda didn’t utter a word and sat on the nearby chair silently. Her lips were pressed into a thin line.
Maybe Valerie also felt odd when Delinda didn’t try to engage in any conversation, "You alright?" she had to ask. The woman looked upset.
"Yeah. I’m good. Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair," Valerie found her gentle voice quite bizarre.
"Shouldn’t you be at your menu table, serving food and drinks to the guests?"
"There is no table for me, Mrs. Sinclair," Delinda didn’t even look at her, "Like you, I’m also a guest," She turned away her face as if she didn’t want to get engaged in any further talk regarding this.
For a moment, Valerie felt sorry for her. She turned to Nina and whispered softly, "This must be Marissa’s doing!"
Nina’s lips protruded in confusion and then she shook her head, "I don’t believe this. A woman who lost her own table at the event can’t do much against others. See? Even Marissa’s table is missing!"
She pointed to their left, "Kate and Shang Chi have still got their tables. Maybe Marissa and Delinda’s food was horrible."
They both giggled like teenagers.
Valerie tilted her head in amusement, "And where’s Rafael? Guests are flocking in, and he is nowhere to be seen."
Nina rolled her eyes dramatically, swirling her drink, "Now don’t be a fool, Vel. He is the chief guest, darling. He is born to make grand entrances... you know? Fashionably late! Right?" Nina winked and took a slow sip of her drink.
With a chuckle, Valerie leaned back in her chair as her eyes flickered across the lawn once more. She spotted Kate and Shang Chi standing near their respective tables, while their assistants were busy serving the guests.
"Shouldn’t we try their food?" Valerie said tapping her fingers on the table, but Nina shook her head.
"What’s the hurry? We have got the whole night for that."
***
They were talking in hushed tones, but Delinda could hear them clearly. She didn’t know why she decided to stay here when she should be home watching TV and munching crisps with her son.
This was sheer humiliation and Marissa went too far this time.
Marissa hadn’t arrived yet and Delinda didn’t think the woman would stay back home. She was too headstrong in her ways, and this wasn’t the first time Delinda had ever seen a stubborn woman.
A woman who wanted a rich man for herself, not only leeching off him for his money but also pushing her kids onto him. So that he could not go back to his wife and family.
If Valerie would ever get pregnant, he would never consider those kids as his. Marissa would never allow the interaction or any kind of bond to develop.
No, Marissa was wrong here.
If she wanted money, then she should work hard and earn it instead of getting it from the billionaire.
She wished... she just wished that it was Marissa that day instead of Denzel. She was the one who deserved to be in hospital. Poor Denzel!
"Hey! Won’t you visit our stall? Or should I bring something for you?" it was Kate’s voice that pulled Delinda out of her thoughts.
"N-No. Thanks!"
"Girl!" Shang Chi held her hand, "It’s OK. I know you are upset. We can talk to someone after the event. There might be a good reason behind this situation. Right now, if you have decided to stay here then be braver and enjoy yourself. Now come on!" he started tugging her hand.
Marissa! Why? Why did you do this to me?
"Oh. I think you don’t remember me," the woman leaned ahead, resting her elbows on the table, "You visited my place just two days back and met Flint, my grandfather."
Valerie thought that the woman must have lost her mind. But then the smile and friendliness vanished from her face.
"I’m Dr. Sophia, dear. Flint told me you were looking for me. And he also told me how you squeezed so much information out of him about Marissa and her triplets. Now tell me. How was the experience?"
Joseph was busy meeting with some executives from the office.
Valerie swiped her tongue over her lips with a nervous smile, "I ... me?" she pointed her thumb towards her chest, "Wh-why would I do that? There must be some misunderstanding," She tried to force some friendliness into her voice.
"Maybe because..." Sophie leaned some more, "You have PCOS and now my dear you aren’t able to control the symptoms anymore. Right?" Sophie had a polite smile playing on her lips while Valerie was having a hard time grabbing the actual meaning of her words.
"I... I don’t have those... I mean... I’m perfectly fine... my cycles are regular so no..."
"Oh, dear, Valerie," Sophia turned her attention to Nina who tried to open her mouth, maybe to help Valerie but Sophia pinned the older woman with her gaze.
"You two might not know me enough. But I also treat verbal diarrhea," she blinked a little dramatically, "I’m sure once you see what is going to happen tonight, you both might need a doctor."
Valerie wasn’t expecting Dr. Sophia to be this honest and this brutal. She had always heard that she was a well-earning and confident but very empathetic doctor.
But this woman was not a softie. Instead, she was a ticking time bo*mb.
"Next time, don’t you dare come near my home," Sophie finished with a chuckle giving the impression to others that she was having a meaningless conversation with them, "And please don’t try to deny that you never visited my house. My house might be in a less desirable neighborhood, but it has got the best quality security cameras. Your face was quite clear in it."
She finished with a wink and accepted the wine glass offered to her by a waiter.
Nina and Valerie had turned silent, not knowing what else to say or talk.
Joseph suddenly offered his hand to Sophie, "Honey. How about we mingle around a bit? We need to meet the guests."
"Oh, sure," she picked up her matching clutch and waved at the women before placing her hand in his, "B-bye, ladies. Until we meet again. Don’t leave early. Believe me, you don’t want to miss the party."
Holding Joseph’s hand, she glided away leaving both the ladies speechless. They exchanged surprised glances, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
Valerie had this sudden odd sensation in the pit of her stomach. As if... as if something bad was about to happen.
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