5

Six years later

My heart thrummed in anticipation and excitement as the host officially opened the show. With my partnership with Henry's gold firm, Frontline Gold mine, we were releasing another collection of gold jewelry. We had spent time working on the pieces making sure they carried an air of class and luxury like our customers liked. I couldn't wait to talk about how we spent time creating the pieces and how much of an amazing partner Henry is. Meeting Henry was a turning point in my life as much as he was a business partner, he is also a good friend to me and a doting uncle to my small bundle of joy, Mason.

"You look beautiful," Celine sitting beside me all glammed and poised, complimented me, winking at me. "Let's take a selfie, I need to show your fans what you are up to." She held up her phone in a selfie, a wide smile on her face. I chuckled, feeling grateful for her support. I wasn't a social media person so most times Celine played the role of an informant, telling me what people out there were saying. I wished madam Eleanor and Simon were here to watch me excel without their influence, and at the same time, I was glad they were no longer in my life.

"But to be honest, I'm so happy for you!" Celine exclaimed.

"I can't believe this too," I gushed. "look I wouldn't have been here if not for the unyielding support you offered me."

"I'm glad you accepted my words of encouragement."

Soon, I was called to give my speech and cameras rolled in my direction. As the crowd cheered, my heart overflowed with joy. Having climbed the podium, I took a deep breath before speaking.

"Firstly I want to thank God for making this possible and then my best friend, Celine, for cheerleading and sticking with me through thick and thin. And I wouldn't be standing here talking today without Henry Fletcher who saw so much potential in me..." I paused, the memories of how we met replaying in my head. "He didn't only offer me with a life changing opportunity but he held my hands as I navigated the jewelry industry as a first timer." My eyes scanned for Henry in the crowd as his blue eyes crinkled with excitement. It made my heart skip in ways I wouldn't like to admit.

"Pardon my whole essay on appreciation but I'm not done yet," I joked and the crowd rumbled with laughter. "So moving on I'd like to give a brief story on how we came about these pieces..." After I finished my speech, more pictures were taken of me and Mason ran towards me with Henry trailing behind him.

I hugged my six-year-old baby boy and ruffled his perfectly styled curly hair who was dressed in a suit. He looked like a small professional. "My love, did you watch mommy speak on the podium?"

"Yes mummy, I want to be like you when I grow up," he responded with a smile, revealing his missing tooth.

The fact that he saw me as someone he could look up to made my head swell with pride. "I hope you'll do better than me, aspire to be better okay?"

"Yes mummy."

"Good boy."

"You were amazing on the podium," Henry complimented as he held my hands, smiling at me. Henry was clothed in a fitted tuxedo, sporting our gold jewelries.

"I could say I learnt from the best, or what do you think?" 

"Oh yes sure." Henry smiled, still maintaining eye contact with me. "Wait there's something on your hair." He raised his hands towards my forehead and tucked a strand of my ear behind my ears.

"That's the thing?" I joked.

"Yeah what can I say?"

"Go away sir, I'll be attending to a few people right now."

"Okay," he raised his hands in a mock surrender.

As I walked back to the hall, some women approached me telling me about how I inspired them with my speech. I almost punched my fist in the air out of excitement. While looking for Celine, I caught sight of Mason sitting with a man. The person's back was to me, while Mason was playing with their shades and giggling. At first I thought it was Henry but Henry wasn't putting on dark shades when we spoke in the last few minutes.

I wanted to know who my son was playing with and warn him against playing with strangers because there were many bad people out there. I took determined strides as I walked towards them and gently pulled him away without even looking at the man in question.

"Mason, haven't I warned you against playing with people we don't know?" I asked, talking through my teeth in order not to sound annoyed and paranoid.

"Mommy, uncle Simon isn't someone I don't know. He's a good tutor." Mason giggled. 

Simon. That name filled me with so much anger but I couldn't just act out in a fit rage. Today is my day to celebrate.

"Nice to meet you again, Meghan." Simon said, taking off his shades, rising to his feet and stretching out his hand in a handshake.

How dare he?

I crouched down to Mason's level. "Go and meet uncle Henry, I'll be with you guys shortly."

"Okay mummy," mason nodded. "Talk to you later uncle Simon." He waved.

"Be a good boy okay?"

"Listen I don't know what the hell you're trying to do but stay the hell away from my child." I whisper warned.

"Look who we have here," Henry's excited voice cut in. "I see you've met the anonymous sponsor already, he's the one I've been telling you about."

"Simon?"