Chapter 6 Secret Weapon

"Mama, why should you wear makeup? You're beautiful without it" a whiny voice made her smile. She pauses from applying face powder to turn to her side. 

A little figure is standing beside her chair, watching her fix herself on her lighted vanity.  Her four-year-old son.

"Mama might be meeting with a client later. So Mama should always look pretty" she tenderly explains while gently pinching his perfectly shaped nose. 

As expected, he grows to be a spitting image of the man who is across the globe from them. And for five years, she succeeded in hiding.

"I don't like other boys looking at you. And they will surely stare because you made yourself more beautiful" With a pout, he inspects her face. 

Chuckling, she watches him sulk. It's been an issue between them. He always objects every time she puts on make-up or dresses sexily. 

"Papa will be angry if other boys would look at you" he added and his last word made her sigh. 

No matter how she tries to explain that there's no chance they will see his father, he continues to believe that he will be able to find him.  

"Nic..." With a bitter sympathetic smile, she begs him. 

"I need to protect you while Papa is still not with us. Don't make it hard for me by being beautiful" With a seriousness of an adult, he grimly mutters. For a four-year-old, he is way too mature and childish at the same time.

"Fine...I won't wear makeup. Just lipstick. Would that be fine?" She didn't dare roll her eyes at her son's possessiveness. She has proven he has been serious with his plight. 

"Okay, but not the red one. I don't like it. It's too bold" he scans her lipstick organizer while speaking. 

"Of course, no red lipstick" she indulges as she always did. 

She doesn't know where he got the hate for the red lipstick. But he has been very vocal about it. 

"And don't come too close to Mr. Harry" he seriously added.

"Nic, he is my boss" For the nth time, she tries to explain. It's another of her son's issues with her.

For a four-year-old, he is way more mature than the other kids. Maybe because she raises and treats him like an adult. She always involves him in whatever decisions she makes. 

"He likes you and I don't like it" he counters with a glare. He is just a child but she sometimes feels intimidated by him. 

"You haven't met him" she pointed out.

"I just know he likes you, mama. He is overly concerned with you. Calling you at wee hours" With a shrug, he politely counters. 

Heaving a sigh, she surrenders her case. 

When Nico turns one, she becomes so interested in his father that she searches every event involving Xander Wright. She wanted to understand her son and by knowing his father, she feels like knowing him too. 

And for two years, the news about any Wright especially about Xander Wright has been secretly her constant companion for raising her son. Though not all. He is too private to know something on a personal level. But she learned a lot. 

She also discovered that some of Nico's mannerisms came from the Wright Patriarch, Chairman Lucien Wright. 

"Mama is not interested in anyone" Cupping his face, she assures him. But he just stares at her, seeming to be gauging her.

"I'm holding onto your words" Narrowing his eyes, he earnestly mutters. Unknowing to him, he was mirroring his father's expression. 

If someone close to the Wright family would see him, they would surely flock to her door to demand an audience. She can never deny her boy's identity. But they are very far from the Wright territory. 

In this country, no one knows the Wright family except for those immensely lofty ones. And they never mingle with any of them. 

"Behave with Aunt Chelsea later" Before standing up, she kisses his cute nose. It's the most prominent feature he got from Xander. 

"Yes, mama, I will" He assures her before kissing her back. His small pinkish lips grace her forehead. 

"Come now. They might be waiting for us" She hustles while picking up her bag and Nico's backpack. Their luggage is already in the car. She will be bringing Nico to the airport for an unexpected trip. 

Her brother, Marco visited his girlfriend, Chelsea, her closest friend. Chelsea lives with her in her apartment, doing home-based jobs. She would keep an eye on Nico whenever she is at work.  

It was one of the holidays that she brought Chelsea home. And with her great personality, Marco fell for her. And Marco will go back home, bringing Chelsea with him. 

Without Chelsea, no one will look after Nico since she will also be out of the country for an event. So she agrees to send Nico with them for a week's vacation. 

Three years ago, she brought Nic home. And though she almost gave her family a heart attack, they readily accepted her son. She just endure her parent's constant rants about how she didn't tell them when she was still pregnant. 

Up to this day, they can't seem to move on, thinking of her struggles of being alone while with a child. But she showed them she managed. 

Her father wanted her to stay. To never go back to work and just take care of her son. They could support her with a comfortable life. But she insisted to leave after her vacation, bringing her son. 

She has her own life now, especially that she has a son to raise. She needs to work. Whatever struggle she will be having while raising him, it's her own to overcome. She doesn't want to disturb her family, especially her parents. 

And though her family is against the idea, they did not stop her. But they made her promise to go home every holiday. Which, she did, but not after making them promise, especially her father not to meddle with her life in any possible way. Despite her father's hesitation, he gave her his word. Enough to placate her. 

After handing her car key to the valet for a few days of parking, she went back to where Nico is already waiting together with Marco and Chelsea. 

"I will see you in a week, my little dove. Mama will miss you so much" Hugging her son, she whispers while snuggling his face. 

"I will miss you too, mama. Please take care. And no boys" With a tender smile he hugs her back. But he quickly moves away to remind her. 

Marco and Chelsea chuckle while Skye pouts at her son's stern reminder. The boy has been overly protective of her and everyone in the family knows it. 

"No boys, of course" She indulges while raising her right hand for a promise. It was a normal scene for them and she never fails to assure him.

They separated when its time for her flight. And it's quite a struggle to leave her son alone even with family. But she needs to go. Their company has been invited to the biggest convention in the business industry.

For a growing advertising company, like theirs, it's a great opportunity for exposure. 

They are aiming for international firms whose products are also present in their country to cater to their local promotions. It would be a great break for the company if it could acquire large accounts with international corporations. 

And as Harry said, their CEO,  she will be their secret weapon. Most of the time, she would just laugh at him. But she was amenable that for her three years in the company, she brought several large accounts. 

They all say she has a convincing power. She can't deny it, she has a way to charm clients. And Harry needs her at the convention. Their team, together with him left two days ago to prepare. While she insisted on just joining them on the exact day of the event. 

Since Marco is in town, she cannot leave her son without Chelsea at the apartment. Only Harry knows she has a child although she never introduces him to Nico. But knowing she's a single parent, Harry let her have her way knowing her concern.

While in the cab going to her hotel, she watches the festive mood of the entire city. Promotional materials about the convention are everywhere. It's a festivity indeed. Investors and businesses coming from around the world are in the country. Businesses, particularly hotels and restaurants are flourishing with all the visitors they presently have. 

Good thing, Harry got their hotel reservation earlier. They got a great accommodation. With a smile, she looks around the elegant room. 

"Hello, I've arrived. I will take a rest and prepare for the evening" she calls Harry while discarding some of her clothes. She needs a bath. 

"Rest well and see you later" Harry's response before she ended the call. 

It's four hours away until the event, ample time to have a quick shower and short nap. 

And before the clock strikes six, she already joined Harry and the rest of the team. 

"My secret weapon. Simply gorgeous" Harry whispers as they greet each other. Pure admiration reflects his earnest gaze. 

The party has started and the venue is already packed with elegantly dressed guests. But Skye's simple elegance transcends way above the others. 

Donning a midnight black cuffed off-the-shoulder silk crepe jumpsuit, the expensive fabric outlines her slender figure. Especially her lithe bare shoulder and narrow waist. Stunning is an understatement. 

The three inches black pointed lace bow stiletto added to her elegance paired with the same color clutch purse. And the only jewelry she wears is a simple paved deco dangling diamond earring. While she left her neck bare from any adornment.

The simplicity of her outfit is the core element of her elegance. 

"You look like a million-dollar heiress" Dina raves in a whisper.

"It would be impossible not to bring home at least five accounts from this event. Skye is a stealer" Robert added. 

"Don't flatter me too much. It could be a jinx" Chuckling, she playfully glares at her colleagues.

"Don't say that. Several of the men at the party surely agree with us. A lot has already been checking you the moment you step inside" Dina counters with a bright smile. 

Subtly, three pairs of eyes look around to validate Dina's claim. Indeed, she was right. The party has equally beautiful women around, but Skye has a different charisma that attracts men. 

"Well, thank you. I won't argue anymore" she casually mumbles, giving in to all their flattery. 

"CEO Miller, right? H&M Creative Ads" 

Interrupting their whispered playfulness is a voice from behind. All at once, they turned toward its direction and a smile instantly adorned Harry's face.

"CEO Oliver Thompson, we meet again" he instantly recalled the man he met yesterday. Offering his hand, the man instantly accepted his greeting. 

"This is your team?" Oliver asks but his eyes were fixed on Skye. His motive for approaching them is quite obvious. 

"Yes, they are my team. Dina, Robert, and Skye" pleased by the man's interest, his smile widens. He did a wise decision to bring Skye with him. 

"As I mentioned yesterday, we have a market in Taiwan for our dairy products. And I've been toying with the idea of having a fresh promotion. Honestly, after our talk, I ordered a brief report about your company and I'm impressed. So I'm hoping to collaborate with H&M" As he casually speaks, his eyes would always avert to Skye who has been attentively listening. And they already know they have won their first account for tonight. 

"I will personally handle your company's promotions, CEO Thompson" With a charming smile, Skye assure the man. She was so used to men like Thompson and it's a great opportunity to close the deal. 

"Wow, that would be great. Here's my card and I will also give you my personal line. You could contact me anytime" With a delighted smile, he quickly gesture to his assistant his card and a pen. 

"I will expect your call tomorrow. We could discuss the requirements over lunch if that would be convenient for you" He is being candid with his interest and Skye together with the rest recognized it. 

But before she could respond to the man, a commotion occurs at the entrance. Followed by a wave of murmurs among the guests.

"The Wright Group of Companies entourage arrives"

Amongst the mutterings of the crowd, a particular statement caught Skye's attention. And it made her stiffen. She was not expecting to hear the name she has been avoiding since five years ago. 

"The Wrights are here?" Harry who fully knows the significance of a Wright representative in the event, immediately becomes ecstatic.

"Maybe just some of their executives" Robert shrugs while watching the entrance together with the rest of the entire room.    

Aside from being curious, Skye has been holding her breath while looking in the direction of the door. The mere mention of the name terrifies her. It couldn't be one of the Wrights or if indeed one of them arrives, it should not be Xander. 

Her heart is pounding hard, expecting the worst. She is trying to calm herself while dreadfully waiting for the unknown. No matter how hard she convinces herself, for a reason she cannot discern, she fears whoever would enter. 

"It's CEO Wright" One of the men whispers and like a wildfire, it spreads in no time.

Rapturous conversation erupted upon confirming the presence of the most influential man not only in their country but in the entire business world. 

If everyone was ecstatic, Skye was relieved. A smile returns to her lips after knowing who arrived. It's just the eldest of the Wright heirs. CEO Lucas Alexander Wright. 

Like everyone at the event, she was so curious to see the eldest heir. The man who is now leading a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. Being in one room with him is already an achievement for any business men and she is immensely happy for having the opportunity to see him in person. 

As she excitedly looks forward for the man to appear at the door, the announcement was made. Thankfully they are directly facing the door, she will have a closer look at the handsome CEO. 

"We acknowledge the presence of the CEO of the Wright Group of Companies" 

Applause erupted and an imposing man appeared at the door, surrounded by grim-looking security. 

"CEO Xander Voulker Wright"

****tbc****