Chapter 7

~The Next Day~

Clara and Angelina worked during the day and left the workplace early. Angelina went straight to a salon while Clara went home to pick out a dress.

Angelina came home after a while.

“Did you pick out a dress?” Angelina asked her.

They were in Clara’s room getting ready.

“Yes, this one.” She took out a flowery dress.

“No, no. You are not wearing that.”

“I couldn’t care less, Angel. I just want this day to get over with.” Clara said sitting down on the edge of her bed.

“But, it’s still a party. And since we are going why not be in the spotlight?” Angelina told her looking around in her closet.

Angelina picked out a midnight blue color silk cocktail for her.

“Here, wear this. I’ll make your hair after.”

Clara sighed and took the dress. She went inside the bathroom and wore it. She came out to show it to Angelina.

“Marvelous.” Angelina complemented. “I bet even Andrew’s going to fall for you tonight.

Clara rolled her eyes at her.

“Sit down so I can make your hair.” Angelina told her.

Clara sat down in front of her dressing table and let Angelina work on her hair. She made a crown on her head by braiding her hair around her head and put in a few fancy hair pins. Next she did her makeup. She didn’t overdo do it. She just gave her a simple natural looking make up. Next she picked out some long earrings and a bracelet. She looked around for a necklace but couldn’t find a one that would match her dress.

“I think we can go without the necklace.”

She then pick out a purse and a pair of heals for her.

After she was done she inspected her once more to see if she didn’t miss anything.

“Well, you’re ready and looking absolutely stunning. The spotlight is yours girl.” Angelina grinned.  

“Ok my turn.” Angelina said taking out her dress.

“ I’ll wait for you in the living room.” She told her.

“Okay, after I’m done let’s take a picture.”

“Okay.” She said and went to the living room.

Few minutes later the bell rang. Dora went to look who was at the door.

“Miss Rose. There’s a guy named Andrew Bloom outside.” Dora informed her.

“Let him in, Dora.”

Dora escorted Andrew into the living room.

He saw a very bored looking Clara on the sofa.

Her elbow was resting on the armrest and her head on her hand.

But the first thing that Andrew noticed was how stunning she looked despite her bored look.

“You’re here.” She said.

Andrew was formally dressed in a black suit.

“Yes. And you look quite promising. Excellent for crashing a party. You look exactly like your going to announce your engagement.”

“Shouldn’t a guy be doing that?” she asked getting up.

“Of course I’ll be announcing the engagement. But you are missing something.” Andrew said and called his secretary.

“Brandon bring me the two boxes from the car.” He said and hung up.

She gave him a questioning look.

A few minutes later the door rang again.

“That must be Brandon.” Andrew said as Dora went again to open the door.

Dora came into the living room with Brandon behind her. She then left to do what she was doing.

Brandon handed him the two boxes. Both were covered in black velvet cloth. One was a small square box and the other was a rectangular box.

Andrew opened the rectangular box first and took out a necklace. He gave the two boxes to Brandon and moved towards Clara.

It was an elegant diamond necklace that had a swan on it.

“Here turn around.” He said trying to put the necklace on her himself.

“I can put it on myself.” She said holding out her hand.

He dropped the necklace in her hand.

She took each side of her necklace and moved her hand back around her neck. But she was having trouble to lock the clasp in.

Andrew moved behind her and helped her wear the necklace.

“Stop being so stubborn.” He told her.

“I can say the same to you.”

“I guess,” he said, " that's why we make a good couple.”

“A fake couple.” She said and looked at him.

“Regardless we are a couple.” He said.

The two looked at each other.

“Okay I’m ready!” Angelina said coming in the living room wearing a dark purple off shoulder dress. Her hair was up in a bun.

She stopped seeing Andrew and Brandon.

“Hi.” Angelina said with a smile.

“Lets go.” Andrew said walking away with Brandon behind him.

“But the pictures.” Angelina said to her.

“We’ll take it at the party.” Clara told her.

“Okay.” Angelina said and the two followed the men out.

Clara and Angelina walked to his car. Andrew opened the door for Clara.

“Ladies first.” He said.

Clara sat in the back without saying anything. Angelina was about to sit with her when Andrew blocked her.

“Miss Drew please sit in the front seat.”

Angelina looked at him angrily and crossed her arms.

“Just sit, Angel. This man is as stubborn as the mountains. Trust me.”

“Hmph.” Angelina walked to the front seat and sat there feeling upset.

Andrew sat beside Clara in the back seat. The last one to get in the car was Brandon his secretary.

“Let’s go.” He told his.

“Yes, sir.” He said and started the car and headed towards the party.

Clara looked outside the window the whole time.

“Remember to look like you’re enjoying the party.” He told her in a low voice so that Angelina and Brandon wouldn’t hear him.

Clara gave him an annoyed look but said nothing.

Soon they reached there destination.

“Wait, here.” He told her and got out of the car.

He walked around the car and opened the door for her.

She got out and looked at the house in front of her. It was a huge house which was decorated with light and flower.

Andrew took her arm and placed it around his arm.

“Remember, smile.” He told her.

“Let’s get this over with.” She said and walked towards the entrance with him. Angelina and Brandon followed them from behind after giving the car boy the keys to the car.

As soon as they enter the building there were chatters of people everywhere. The atmosphere was lit up. Everyone seemed happy. A man saw them and approached them.

“Andrew, you made it.” The man said cheerfully to Andrew.

“Did I even have a choice?” Andrew asked as rudely as he possibly could.

“Now come on Andrew this is a party let’s no be cranky today.” He said to Andrew and then looked at Clara, “ and you brought a guest.”

“Hello, Miss Rose pleased to meet you. I’m Andrew’s brother Jack.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Bloom.”

“I hope you enjoy the party, Miss Rose.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bloom.”

“Come Andrew, there are people waiting to meet you.” Jack told Andrew.

“Let’s go.”

Andrew meet a few people some of them Clara knew too, because mostly the people at the party were all rich people with businesses all around.

Angelina followed Clara very closely while Brandon had to go outside and take a call.

Andrew took her to an another group of people which she didn’t knew.

“These are my family friends.” He told her and introduced her to them.

The blond haired was Jennifer, besides her was a brown hair named Lily, the person next to her was Jennifer’s brother Max and the last person was Amanda who had black hair.

Brandon came to Andrew and whispered in his ear. Andrew nodded

.

“You guys talk I need to handle a call.” Andrew told them.

“Okay.” Clara said with a smile.

Andrew softly placed his hand on Clara’s head and then left.

This gesture surprised her a little but she managed to keep a straight face.

“Looks like your crush likes someone else Jenny.” Amanda told Jennifer.

Jennifer smirked looking at Clara.

“Now a days everyone can pretend to come from a rich background wearing fake designer dresses.” Jennifer said looking at Clara’s dress with disapproval.

“I agree look how fake it looks.” Said Lily.

Angelina tried to say something but Clara held her hand to stop her and tapped her three times giving her the signal to let her handle it.

“Oh, you three must be the three villains in my story who want to stop me from getting along with my love one.” Clara said as calmly as possible.

“And I guess that she’s the main villain, Coco.” Angelina said pointing at Jennifer, backing her up.

“What did you say?” Jennifer was furious on hearing this, “Do you have any idea who I am?”

“No, but do I have to know about ants too?” Clara said infuriating her even more.

Max laughed.

“Oh please don’t pretend that you’re one of us when you’re clearly someone with a poor background and Andrew is probably the one who brought all this.” Amanda said gesturing to her clothes.

Clara laughed.

“Oh really I agree that I’m not one of you cause clearly I’m not at your level. I am way beyond you.” Clara told them.

“And who do you think you are huh?” Jennifer asked. She was clearly on fire.

“Didn’t you hear Andrew when he introduced her to you guys?” Angelina mocked them, “ I think you have dirt in your ears.”

“And why should we care about a peasant and her dog?” Lily mocked back.

“Why yo-“ Angelina was about to give them an earful when Clara stopped her.

“Now, now angel you can’t stop dogs from barking.” Clara said clearly roasting the three witches.

Andrew came by Clara’s side and noticed the tension better the five ladies.

“Did I miss something?” Andrew asked.

“You missed a lot, Andrew.” Max said clearly enjoy himself.

“Andrew where did you get this whore from clearly she’s not one of us.” Jennifer said not hiding her anger.

“Oh boohoo. You’re just jealous that I’m by Andrew’s side,” Clara said intertwining her fingers with his and hugging his arm, “instead of you.”

Jennifer couldn’t hold back anymore. She tried to pounce on Clara but Clara move behind Andrew and stuck out her leg which cause Jennifer to fall.

“Oppssii.” Clara said innocently and smiled.

Everyone was looking at Jennifer now. She felt humiliated. Her friends helped her up.

Her father came rushing towards his daughter.

“Sweetheart, are you okay? What happened?” he asked her concerned.

“Daddy, this bitch tripped me.” Jennifer complained to her father pointing at Clara.

Her father turned around furiously to see who had hurt his girl. But when he turned around and saw Clara his anger disappeared and turned into shock and fear.

“Mis-Miss Rose.” He said.

“Mr. Frost.” She said.

“I think my girl misunderstood something.” Mr. Frost explained.

“Daddy, she tripped me!” Jennifer protested stomping her feet.

“Mr. Frost, I see your daughter was raised without manners. First, she insults me because she jealous that Andrew chose me over her and then she tries to attack me. I must say I am deeply disappointed of having such a business partner who can’t even raise his own daughter right.” Clara told him.

“My sincere apologies Miss Rose for my daughter’s behavior.” Mr. Frost said.

Then he grabbed his daughter arm and dragged her forward.

“Apologize to her this instant young lady.” He scolded her.

“No.” Jennifer firmly said.

“Jennifer you listen to me.”

“Leave her be Mr. Frost brat such as her will only learn things the hard way.”

 Mr. Frost apologized to her once more before he dragged her away.

“Now, now everyone let’s enjoy the party.” Jack said diverting everyone’s attention away from the scene.

Clara look at Andrew who was looking at her with surprise.

“Earth to Andrew Bloom.” Clara called him.

“I leave you for a minute and you caused quite the scene.”

“Tell that to the spoiled brat.” Angelina said.

“You are full of surprises Miss Rose.”

“I hope that didn’t ruin you night, Miss Rose. Jennifer is a very hot tempered person.” Jack said apologetically.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t let small thing like these bother me." Clara said.

"Well, we are about to start the party." Jack told her and left.

Andrew lifted up his hand and looked at her.

She realized that she was still holding his hand. She tried to let go but Andrew held on to her hand tightly.

“This party isn’t over yet.” He reminded her.