❝The most innocent of the smiles are the least to be trusted.❞
Well, I felt bad for Charlotte and Alistair. Their launch party just got spoiled when they entered. Not because of Heather because she looked resplendent in her shimmery golden one shoulder gown, no but because of Ethan. He had an arm wrapped around her waist as they posed for the cameras.
The paparazzi threw endless questions at them about their relationship. They stuck to short and vague answers. After they had been clicked a few dozen times, they finally moved on and began mingling with people around. They hadn't noticed us.
We continued with our conversation about pointless things till they finally joined us after about twenty minutes or so.
Alistair excused himself to attend to his guests. People were crowding around the newly launched car and clicking pictures of it, or posing with it.
Ethan and Heather both greeted our small group. When Heather's eyes fell on me, she instantly went rigid. Her smile dropped but she still somehow managed to twitch her lips up into a barely traversable smile.
"Hey Juliet. You look good. Black's not usually your style. Why the sudden change in taste?" She asked casually but I sensed a hidden meaning in it. It was like she asked that question to get something out of me.
"Uh, I was bored of my usual style. So I thought I'd wear something different," I spoke.
She nodded before turning to Rachael and engaging in conversation with her. She was weird. I didn't know what was up with her but she seemed suspicious.
I looked around our group, catching Ethan's eyes but I quickly looked away. The last thing I wanted right now was get irritated by Ethan.
After a few minutes, we saw Mr. Jenson make his way up to the stage. There was a mic stand in the centre. He tapped on it to see if it was working. Everyone moved towards the tables to settle themselves for what he had to say. The lights dimmed except the one focused on Mr. Jenson.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen," he spoke into the mic. The hall instantly went silent as conversation ceased and all the attention was on Alistair.
"Glad to have your attention," he smiled as a few flashes went off and a spotlight shone on the man on the stage.
"As you all know, the Jenson Automobiles is going to launch its newest model tonight. The Torrec Serychel!" The audience which consisted of a large number of journalists, bloggers, analysts and prospective clients, burst into claps and cheers. "We are all thrilled to bring this newest addition to you. It comes in a wide range of colors. The seats are a plush crosshatch leather. It's a two seat convertible. Everything a person would dream of in a car." He gestured towards the car. "It's not the fastest, I admit but you'll feel like you're flying. Much better, isn't it? The perfect car for you and your loved one. It's interiors are spacious and elegant. Drivers cane choose sixty four interior lighting colors and eight kind of massage functions. Since no one likes breathing the polluted city air, drivers can dock in their own fragrance in the illuminated receptacle in the globe box for their ride." He paused, looking around the audience.
"But it's not just the interiors that was paid attention to, safety comes first and foremost. The car is equipped with airbags and air bladders in the side bolsters of the seats. Furthermore, we provide free active safety feature checkup every month. The tires are specially designed for firm grip and do not slide. Drivers can toggle between a standard reflective glass and a screen showing three hundred percent wider view, which means up to four lanes of traffic are visible. At night, there is a forward facing infrared unit that highlights pedestrians and animals in a dashboard display. Drivers can even control their car's multimedia system using touch sensitive pads on the steering wheel."
Mr. Jenson went on and on about its features and accessories while occasionally walking up to the car to explain things.
After another fifteen minutes or so, he finally stopped. "So this is the latest model in Serychel. Torrec Serychel is every man's must have car, costing only about three point four million dollars."
Only three point four millions dollars. Yeah, no big deal.
The audience broke into applause again and Alistair thanked them. "I have something to announce. Three people out of you all wonderful lot will receive the car absolutely free of cost as a gift from me. The people chosen will be completely random so good luck. Thank you everyone! The party has only just begun. Please enjoy yourselves."
With a huge smile, he exited off the stage and all the lights focused on the the car, Torrec Serychel.
The lights came back on and the music started again. Mr. Jenson walked off towards a type of a press conference set up at a side where he answered questions about the product and met clients interested in his company and products.
Photographers spread throughout the hall as they questioned celebrities about their personal and professional affairs. I became aware that they were nearing towards our group. Of course, why wouldn't they? This family was the main highlight of the event.
Flashes went off every now and then and I was afraid my pictures were taken. Some photographers approached Mrs. Jenson and Rachael and started firing questions about their clothes line and Rachael's big step into the fashion industry as a designer. They asked details about her upcoming show at Paris Fashion Week sometime during the next month and about her marriage to Robert, which apparently was a secret affair done in the privacy of their private beach.
I seemed to catch a certain photographer's attention and he started making his way towards me with his camera. I grabbed Olivia's hand tightly, silently telling her what was about to go wrong. If the photographer looked close and for a long time enough, he might actually recognize me.
"Shit," I whispered to Olivia and she just seemed as panicked about it as me. Great. Now even she didn't know what we were supposed to do.
We inconspicuously tried to move further into the group, making sure to be at the back. Luckily, there was a huge group of some sort huddled at a table not far from our family group. I noticed that the photographer seemed fully suspicious of us now. He relentlessly followed us and that seemed to grab one of his friend's attention as he came after him too.
Suddenly, someone accidentally shoved me and I stumbled a few steps forward, which made me separate from the group of people. Now I was out in the open, practically in the middle of the hall for everyone to see.
The photographer was directly in front of now. "Excuse me, ma'am. Can I-" he was cut off when something in shimmery gold stepped in front of me. Something grabbed hold of my arm and made me stay back.
"You're excused," she said in a flat tone. It was Heather.
"Ms. Heather Ainsley!" The photographer said, ignoring her dismissal. "How would you like to define your relationship with Mr. Ethan right now? When are you two going to make things official? Is Mrs. Ainsley planning on any new projects or future collaborations with anyone at the moment? What do you feel about Torrec Serychel? Would you add it to your ever growing collection of the most expensive cars that you own?" The photographer shot question after question at her. He finally seemed to remember my presence behind Heather so he continued. "Can you tell me who that beautiful lady behind you is?"
"No," Heather said bluntly.
He seemed taken aback for a moment but then all the more interested. "Why not? She seems a lot familiar."
"I thought you were here for interviews and photos. I wasn't informed that we were going to be harassed."
"H-harrassed?" The photographer stammered and shook his head frantically. "I didnt-"
Heather didn't give him a chance to say anything as she turned on her heel and pulled me along with her.
I didn't know where she was taking me until she pulled open the women's bathroom door. Closing the door behind her, she left me alone at the front, standing awkwardly as she walked to the mirrors. She pulled out her mini makeup kit and gave her makeup a retouch. All the while I was just staring at her, wondering why she'd helped me.
I didn't know the reporters could be this relentless. That one reporter over there was all over me. I didn't know how celebrities managed to ward them off and not be bothered by them.
I gave a few minutes to calm myself down. During that time when the reporter was following us, I was so scared. My heart was beating faster than it ever had and I just wanted to run away from the party.
"Thanks for what you did there," I said. I felt very uneasy around Heather. She seemed too smart for her own good.
"You're welcome," she said, giving me a tiny smile. She met my eyes in the mirror. "Juliet."
"So, how had you been all this time I was...away?" I started, knowing I should probably try to make conversation with her as if she and I had been the best of friends since forever.
"I've been good. Missed you a lot sometimes," she said, almost sounding mocking. "You didn't even call me."
"Sorry about that. I just didn't want you to...tell my location to my parents."
She smirked as if just achieved the greatest thing in her life. "It's okay. You're forgiven."
I stood awkwardly, fidgeting with my clutch purse, not knowing what to say next. Apparently, Heather didn't have a problem with conversation starters. But she was the worst conversation starter. At least for someone in my position. "Do you remember the doll you gave me on one of my birthdays when we were little? We named her together. Do you remember what we named her?"
Shit.
"Oh, yeah. I do remember that doll. Uh, I forgot her name, sorry."
She smiled again. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately and it now didn't seem nice at all. "It's okay, I remember. We named her Heliet. Heather and Juliet. Heliet. Stupid girls we were back then."
I remained silent. "Why are talking about that doll now?"
"Nothing. Just reminiscing memories, you know. I slept everyday with that doll right next to me to make up for your absence."
"Oh, too bad I didn't have anything that would remind me of you."
"What about that bracelet we gave each other?"
Double shit.
"Oh...that bracelet. Right. I left it in my dresser. I didn't want to...lose it." I gave her a smile which I hoped didn't look nervous.
She didn't smile back. Instead she just walked towards me until she was right in front of me. "Okay," she said, taking her phone out of her purse. "I have to call a very important person. And I hope that person answers."
I stared at her confusedly. "Okay."
"I'll see you later," she said, opening the door but stopped short at the threshold. "Actually, I'll see you tomorrow morning at my house, in my room at eleven sharp. Wear that bracelet."
"Your house?"
"Yes, my house. I'll send a driver to pick you up. Don't come in your car or bring your driver or bodyguard with you. You should be alone."
If that wasn't enough to scare me shitless, I didn't know what would be.
"Um, okay. But may I ask why?" I asked nervously, scared of the answer.
"Oh, I just want to have some girl time with you. I missed you terribly. We're going to have some fun!"
The way she said 'fun' didn't sound fun at all. I didn't know what she wanted and if she really was just asking for some girl time.
Without waiting for my reply, she walked out of the bathroom, leaving me to ponder over her words.
After a few minutes, I took a deep breath and walked out too. The party was still going on but this time there were couples on the dance floor, gently swaying to the music.
I walked towards Olivia who was sitting at a table, staring off into space. I tapped her shoulder to gain her attention and it looked like I shook her out of a trance.
"Oh my God. Are you okay? What did Heather want?" She asked hurriedly.
I shushed her and looked around to see if anyone heard her. "I'll tell you later."
She nodded and sighed.
"What's got you in such a gloomy mood?" I asked, noticing her excitement had dimmed and she didn't look like she was enjoying at all.
"Tristan's here. My night is officially ruined." She said, sneering at something. I turned to see Tristan having an animated conversation with a man. They shook hands after a while and they left while Tristan just looked around.
"Does he know we're here?"
"Why wouldn't he? That's why I'm trying to hide from him. I'm sure he'll say something stupid to me and make me lose my temper."
"He's not that bad. He's actually really fun to be around, not that I'd been around him too much."
"Looks can be deceiving, Julie."
I looked at her. "Yeah. They can be. I'm a walking, talking example of-"
"Hello, beautiful ladies!" Tristan's cheery voice reached our ears and we looked up to see him watch us with a grin.
"Hey," I said a little too quickly. We had been so careless. I was afraid he had heard us.
"Who is a walking, talking example of what?"
My panicked expression came to the surface and I looked at Olivia for help.
"And you're in our business because...?" Olivia asked, folding her arms in front of her chest. Tristan looked her up and down.
"Because this gentleman wants a dance with the most beautiful woman in this whole party," Tristan said, staring at Olivia with a charming smile on his lips.
"Well, I'm not interested," Olivia said impudently.
"Well," he mimicked her tone before continuing. "Good thing I wasn't asking you," he said, extending a hand towards me. "May I have a dance, Juliet? The most beautiful woman in this whole party."
"Uh...," I scrambled for words, feeling flustered. My cheeks reddened at the compliment and I just nodded after which he took my hand and kissed the back of it.
"Juliet! You're supposed to be my friend!" Olivia groused.
"Um...sorry," I was barely able to say as Tristan pulled me to the dance floor. The lights dimmed and we began swaying to a slow song I didn't recognize. I was more into fast paced music.
"You did that because she rejected you, right?" I inquired, looking up at him having a guilty expression on his face.
"Well, I wasn't completely lying when I said you were the most beautiful woman here."
"Really? So I come after Olivia?"
He didn't say anything but I could clearly see it on his face. Yes, yes I did.
I chuckled. "Do you like Olivia?"
"I'd say no, but then we'd both know I'd be lying so yes, I do."
"Wow, you're pretty straightforward."
He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm kind of like that. I don't really like beating around the bush."
It was quiet for some time when a new song came up and we danced around to its beat. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Heather and Ethan dance closely with each other. Heather caught my eye and just stared at me with an unreadable expression on her face.
"I hope I don't sound rude because I don't mean to but, are you involved with many women?" I turned to Tristan, breaking free from Heather's blank stare.
He chucked at my question. "I'm not. The last romantic relationship I had was about two years ago and it wasn't that serious. I broke up with her."
"If you don't mind me asking, may I ask the reason? Just curious. You don't have to answer."
He shrugged. "I don't mind. I broke up with her because she was a liar. She lied to me about being in love with me. She was just sucking money out of me behind my back from my bank accounts without my knowledge."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"I'm over her now. I would've forgiven her for taking money from me but the thing that pissed me off was that she lied about her love for me."
I didn't say anything. "So you like Olivia now."
He nodded. "She isn't fake."
I swallowed down the guilt building up in me and gave him a smile.
"So what was up with you talking all dirty things with Olivia?" I asked, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Hey, I'm just a man with a dirty mind. I'm not some man whore."
"You made it seem like that to us. That's no way you're going to get Olivia that way."
"It's fun riling her up."
I shook my head at him.
Some guests walked off to the buffet table and Olivia and I decided to eat early so that we could leave early. Staying for too long would be risky.
The rest of the night passed without action and without an encounter with Ethan or Heather which I was thankful for.
We told Charlotte that we wanted to go home and with a kiss on the forehead from her, we were off.
I bumped into Keith on the way to my room.
"Whoa. You look amazing." He said with an innocent smile on his face.
"Thank you."
"Where were you? Are you hungry? I could make you something real quick."
I smiled at his concern. "I had dinner, thanks. I was at a car launch party."
"Oh, well...you look...beautiful," he said.
I chuckled. "Thanks."
"Can I-" he paused, seeming hesitant.
"Ms. Juliet, you're here. Do you need anything?" Samara asked. I didn't know when she came so I was little startled.
"No, I don't. Thanks."
She walked off after giving me a smile.
I turned back to Keith. "What were you saying?"
He shook his head with a smile. People were doing that a lot lately. "Never mind. Good night."
I looked at him questioningly but he didn't say anything further. "Okay, goodnight," I said, bidding him goodbye and walking off to my room to call it a night. Well, that was after I got out of this dress which I didn't want to but unfortunately had to.
Sorry the last part was a bit rushed. Whoa. This party dragged on for two chapters. I wrote nearly 7000 words just describing a party. Do you find this book a little slow? Sorry. I hope you aren't bored. I promise the next chapter will be interesting.
I don't exactly know what happens at a car launch party and I searched it up but it did little to help. So if you find something weird, just ignore it.
So I feel pretty bad about the active reader count. I mean from a hundred readers, I brought myself down to a mere five. I guess that's what I get for updating monthly. But I really appreciate those who took time out to read my story and those who still do.
P.S. The quote at the top is by me. What do you think of it?
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