Infinity’s annual celebration dinner was extravagant and filled with many prominent figures. Under the luxurious chandelier, shareholders, major and minor business partners, company staff, and well-wishers were all gathered, chatting and holding wine glasses as the large hall resounded with elegant music. The waiters and waitresses weaved their way around the guests as they balanced their serving trays expertly, now and then as they passed, they would witness the guests exchange glances and gossip about other companies and individuals.This was because Infinity’s CEO, Noah Sanchez was yet to arrive.At one particular corner of the hall, one of the guests, a man who was dressed in a deep gray suit was seated, bored, and typing away on his phone casually. Now and then, his expression altered from entertained to upset then disarray, it was easy to guess that he was having a conversation with someone on the phone.{How sure are you that she’s going to make it?.} He typed. {Fine I agree
Everything,~“I’ve been looking everywhere for you Lola.” Carlos Alberto confessed. A half-truth and a lie. Lola squinted as his grip on her waist got tighter, his fingers rubbing too hard against the fabric as he pulled her body closer to him. She lets out a nervous laugh. “For whatever reason?.” She asked and looked around them; The other dancers were going along with the routine as well, but their eyes kept straying to her and Carlos. Lola had never been close to Carlos Alberto. He had arrived in Rosewoods High only a week before Noah did and Lola could only recall him asking her out a couple of times. And each invitation was politely rejected by her, especially after Noah’s disappearance which had left her completely heartbroken. ‘So why on earth would he be looking for me?.’ She wondered.Another turn. Carlos smiled, then he responded to Lola’s question with yet another one of his own. “How did you get to know Noah Sanchez?.” He asked as he stared at the woman curiously. Her br
Lola’s eyes dimmed. She could finally see where Noah’s ridiculous assumption of her being an escort had originated from.Noah’s gaze remained on Lola’s as the two stared at each other. One, hoping for an answer, and the other hesitating because the other did not trust her.How could she tell him that she had truly been lured to that stage that night with no option of backing out? How could she explain that she did not have a choice and had done it for her mother when He had already judged her? Disappointment clouded her face at what Noah truly thought of her... A cheap escort. But at this point, Lola no longer cared. Noah was free to think whatever he wanted to about her.When Lola remained speechless, Noah frowned.What did he expect from her? An explanation? She could not even say a word to refute him!“You can’t deny it, can you?” He taunted as more signs of anger clouded his handsomely illustrated features. Lola let out a sad, pained smile. “What does it matter to you anyway?.” W
The phone on the bed kept ringing nonstop. Its sound is overtaken by the loud music playing in the room next door. Luckily, Aria saw the phone vibrate and picked it up just in time to see Laura, Maria’s next-door neighbor calling.It’s been so long since Laura called Aria and the few times the woman did was to speak with Lola. Aria let out a heavy sigh and stood up from the bed with the vibrating phone in hand, then hurried to the room next door to fetch Lola. Once inside, the sound of the music was deafening and the condition of the room remained the same. The red-haired girl was sprawled out lazily on the bed, eyes wide open but her mind was on a fancy trip to another planet far away from Earth. “Lola?. Laura’s calling. Guess she wants to speak with you.” Aria said and walked over to the music player to turn it off. Lola only sat up to face her when the music unexpectedly stopped. “I don’t want to.. tell her I’m..” “Sorry, too late.” Aria sang and passed the phone which she ha
“Ahem, excuse me.” Richard cleared his throat to draw the attention of the four people away from slitting each other’s throat and to him instead. He had heard Aria’s last line of words and he knew that if the girls were left to continue their banter with these guys who looked like they were re-living their puberty phases, a fight would break out pretty soon.“CEO Kings,” Aria called out. Richard Kings attending their neighborhood party was still a little bit unbelievable to her, but here he was. In flesh and blood. ‘He seems to be close to Maria.’ Aria thought. She made a mental note to find out the facts from Lola later on.“Aria right?.” Richard confirmed as he looked at the brunette-haired girl who had spoken.Aria’s eyes widened. Richard had asked for her name at the clinic when he had come to visit Lola on set, but she did not think he would remember.“Yes. Aria.” She confirmed with a smile.Richard returned her smile and nodded before glancing at Lola who was sitting on the oppo
“So What else did you two talk about?.” Maria asked as she wiped her face clean, to rid it of her party makeup.The neighborhood party was over and she had urged the two girls to spend the night with her instead of returning to their apartment for the night and they had agreed to do so. “Work mom, then he told us about how you both met,” Lola said as she picked up a book she had planned to read before bed from Maria’s table and then turned to face her mum with a large grin on her face. “From competitors to friends Mom.. how come you never told me about someone so unforgettable like him?.” She asked curiously.Maria sighed. Questions, questions, and then more questions. She knew that Lola meeting Richard would keep producing unwanted questions which was the reason why she had tried to stop them from meeting each other again. She looked up at her daughter’s curious face and shrugged. “Does it matter? I guess it never struck my mind.”Lola pouted dissatisfied at her mother’s impenetrable
The large office clock hands ticked as the three suited men in the room waited. Not less than twenty minutes after the man had been summoned, Guy walked into the office room bearing the report from the investigation that Noah had requested on the confiscated tracking devices that were attached to the gifts he’d received from Lola. The tall, well-built man bowed slightly as he walked past John by the door and reached the sitting area of the large office where Tyler and Noah were seated.“The team had examined the devices you brought in boss. It’s a special type which is rare and cannot be purchased easily in this part of the country.” Guy stated. It had taken them a long time to decipher the origin of the tracking devices. They were not the regular types and had also been planted for so long, remaining active without their knowledge until Noah crushed them which was scary.Tyler, who was now more composed after being put straight by Noah stared at his friend from the corner of his eyes
The room was cold and empty but it retained a faint jasmine scent, a reminder to Noah, of the woman who had occupied it only less than a week ago. Noah took in the appearance of the room. The other night, Lola had left in haste and the room had been slightly scattered but now the bed had been made and everything was back in its right place. Arranged by one of the previous servants he had dismissed earlier in the morning.He strolled towards the wardrobe where the box was meant to be and pulled the doors open. And just as he had predicted it would be, the wooden box was there, forgotten. Noah wasted no time and carried out the box, then dropped it on the bed. He ran his hands over the top which was covered with little intricate carvings, and opened it up.* * *“Please get in ma’am.” The chauffeur who had been sent to pick up the girls said with a bow and a smile on his face.Lola turned back to face Aria who was still standing behind her with a funny expression on her face. “Let’s go.