It was already dark when they arrived at the venue. From the outside, lights illuminated the walkway. A red carpet laid in the middle of the ha, from the entrance to the stage. The place looked even more magnificent at night, beaming with light and reeking of expensive class. The whole scenery was exceptionally beautiful."Told you Hailey was good, didn't I?" Jude asked, equally admiring the whole setting."Yes, she is. She really is." Robert confirmed. The guests weren't there yet, so it was a perfect time for Robert to go in without being seen before his unveiling. He stayed backstage in a nice room, with his grandfather, eagerly waiting for the event to start. Not long after, the music came on and Jude had to leave the room to go welcome his guests. He stood by the entrance, welcoming each guest that was in attendance, with Raymond by his side. Everyone were wowed by the decorations, as they were all heard murmuring about how beautiful it looked.Soon, all the chairs were filled an
Her eyes widened, pain and displeasure staining her expensive make up as she looked back at all the people clapping, then to her parents. Her father and mother were still clapping and even with the smiles on their face which were obviously forced, one could still see the pain written underneath it. She stood still for some seconds as though she had seen an anomaly or a ghost. "What have I done to myself?" She asked almost aloud, just a bit beneath her breath.Flashbacks of all the times she had mistreated him flood her mind, waging war against it as she lowered herself in to seat. It felt like she was drowning in the applause of the crowd but could not be helped out. Michael, her lover stood right beside her in shock. He had been annoyed that Raymond didn't call his name during the recognition of guests but all he felt at this point was stupidity. For a moment, he regretted his rude and wicked character but brushed it off few seconds later."What are you doing, babe? Roberts being a W
Michael was stunned. He said nothing as Sophia want on with her talks on how Robert was now technically richer and certainly more influencial than he was. Be felt overthrown and seemingly unimportant. Whatever Sophia was saying, he definitely did not want to hear it anymore. It made him sick to the stomach and filled his heart with rage. Perhaps for the first time, he felt below, like a person of lower class and standard."Just shut up, Sophia. You don't even know what you're saying." He snapped at her, as if he had had enough of her rants already."What do you mean by that? Asking me to shut up now?" Her voice was now louder than before, obviously because she, too was getting angry but good enough, the music was a perfect cover for whatever they had going on."Yes. Shut up!" He said again, this time more aggressively as he hit his foot against the floor. He glared at her, meeting the eyes of her bewildered parents. He ignored them, straightening up immediately on his seat."When will
In the room backstage, Robert sat smiling nervously as he thought about how the revelation had gone. That wasn't so bad, he thought, still smiling. His grandfather had gone into the audience after hir reveal, perhaps to mingle with one or two people and tell them what an amazing man Robert was. Today, he didn't exactly need Raymond or Robert to help him because he had a walking stick which helped him balance perfectly.Raymond went back on stage to continue his anchoring job which he was doing quite perfectly. "Good evening again, people. It has been brought to my notice that The Noels are here as well. I hadn't acknowledged them earlier, so please put your hand together and welcome Me and Mrs Noel." As applause filled the air, Michael sighed. Turning back, he could see his parents waving at the crowd. He has thought they wouldn't come because he didn't want them to but there were here anyways. He felt annoyed that he wasn't recognized along with them. But there wasn't really a thing
One thing about Robert was that he was determined. A very goal oriented person. His grandfather was extremely glad about that, being that he wasn't raised by him but he still had the mentality."Of course, I know you won't. I trust you." Jude said, his smiles illuminating his face and highlighting his wrinkled skin. "So the banquet is almost starting, you should come out now.""Banquet? What happens at a banquet?" He asked as he had never been to one." Well, a formal occasion where people talk over drinks and maybe food. The entertainers won't be part of it, I'm already assuming they are all gone." Robert explained calmly."Okay, do we have to go right now?" Robert asked, dusting his suit."Yes, my child. You will need this too." He immediately handed Robert the ring that had fallen off him during the situation at the precinct. Robert put on the ring and smiled as memories of how he got to where he was flashed in his mind. " And get ready for that speech." Jude chuckled as he walked
"Oh is that so, alright then." Jude smiled dryly. "And I want to thank you for bringing me the missing heirloom. If you never did, Robert would still be out there, away from his family. In fact, all this is because of you. Thank you." Mr Richard and his wife felt incredibly guilty because of everything they had done to him, especially because they tagged him a thief when the ring fell off him. They looked at each other, their conscience waging fierce war against them."I don't think you should thank us. I mean, we know Robert must have told you everything that happened." Mr Richard said, his head facing the floor."What you did? I don't understand." Jude said, almost bewildered.The Richards looked at each other in surprise at what he said. Mr Richard, especially kept wondering what kind of person Robert was, who didn't tell his grandfather about the mistreatments he went through. But unknown to them, he had indeed told Jude only that he didn't reveal that they were the parents of his
"Happy? Is that so? How wonderful was that? Speaking of your daughter, where is Sophia? I haven't seen her since the event started." "I think she went to get some fresh air. She was really upset a while ago about treating you badly and she's sorry too. She absolutely regrets it all. I really wish we could turn back the hands of time." Mrs Richard added."Regret? Isn't that funny? Well, she wouldn't have if I didn't turn out to be the grandson of the richest businessman in the world. You two wouldn't have regretted it either. You can't play mind games with me, I'm not a child." Robert retorted, now in anger. He stopped, taking some deep breaths as he adjusted his suit."We know you aren't a child and I promise we are not playing mind games with you. We are only apologizing for our wrong. We do hope you forgive us." Sophia's dad finally spoke again."Well, that not what we are here for tonight. Do enjoy the party, my dear guests." He nodded, his very charming smile on his face as he de
"I don't know what you think of me Sophia, but one thing you know I can never be is a fool. Maybe I was once, but I'll never ever be one again." He was looking her directly in her eyes, they began to flutter. "Don't think you can use that old magic on me, Sophia. It won't work anymore. You proved to me that you never loved me and I'll never forget everything you and your family put me through.""But I'm sorry, babe. Please forgive me. How do you want me to say this now? I've told you, it wasn't my fault. I promise.""It wasn't your fault that I caught you in bed with Michael, over there? No, tell me." He asked gently."I'm sorry, please. I did not mean for all of that to happen. There was just so much pressure on me, I didn't know what to do." "Spare me that trash, Sophia. And you see that thing you're doing with your eyes? Yes, it doesn't work on me anymore. Anyways, enjoy the party." He started walking away from the table to another table. "Robert, please.." She walked just behind