Chapter 6: The gala 2, The favored guests.

      "I think Ethan Cephas is a ghost" 

  Immediately those words left Elle's mouth, everywhere turned quiet. Even the cameramen stopped taking pictures. People that were close enough to hear what Elle said were all shocked as they stared in disbelief with their mouths open.

     Mia stood transfixed for some minutes before she came out of her trance, she nudged Elle's arm "Elle, what did you say? Just say it was a mistake" She silently whispered for only Elle to hear. Nevertheless, others heard what she said.

    Soon, everyone started whispering. The TV presenter who was interviewing Elle turned to her co-worker "Did I hear right? She said Ethan Cephas is a ghost. Does she mean ghost in a dark world or another way of calling him invincible?"

   "Of course, I heard what she said. Everyone did, but then, it might be her way of calling him invincible since this is the first time he's making his presence known" Her co-worker whispered back.

   The TV presenter cleared her throat before she began "Miss Elle, please can you elaborate on what you said? Or should I call that a joke?" She slightly laughed in the end to cover her quivering voice. Who didn't know Ethan Cephas the business tycoon all over the world? The billionaire. Oh right, she's a billionaire too. The TV presenter uncautiously wiped a cold sweat on her forehead. The gala has not started and a big fight is already cooking. Soon the little peace in the business world is going to shake.

    Elle only gave the TV presenter a look before walking away from there with Mia who followed her like a remoted doll. It was only when Elle left did the cameramen regain their composure and started taking pictures again.

    Fast tv presenters and newspaper companies were already writing down their headlines. Soon different headlines flooded the internet.

  Showdown of the business tycoon, youngest female billionaire Elle, named Ethan Cephas a ghost!

   Coming of terror, Ethan Cephas is a ghost, Elle said.

 I think Ethan Cephas is a ghost— Female billionaire Elle, said.

   Every company tried to make its headline more enticing than the others. This is going to be big news that will be talked about for a long time.

*•*•*•*•*•*

     Inside one of the rooms in the building where the gala was been held, Ethan sat on the couch with a glass of wine in his hand swirling it without drinking from it.

    "Seems she's already making big headlines with you both" Drizzy said going to sit beside Ethan.

   Ethan gave a half smile "It is good then"

 Drizzy laughed "What are you going to do?"

   Ethan turned to Drizzy "Let the gala end tonight before I know what to do"

   Drizzy rolled her eyes "That's a lie. You've already planned what to do, you don't want to say it"

   Ethan chuckled before he stood up "Go down to the party and don't disturb me Drizz"

   "And I was never going to stay near you for a second" Drizzy retorted and stood up before she went out of the room.

    Back to the party, Elle and Mia entered the well-decorated hall. The chandelier hung on the ceiling making the dark decor of the hall have a blooming beauty to it. Slow cool music played in the background as people mingled with each other.

   There were different groups of people speaking with each other. Nobody wanted to miss the opportunity to expand their business with successful businessmen who came to the gala. Elle was no different as people flocked around her immediately after she came. Mia excused herself to mingle with others while Elle spoke with them.

   "Good day, Miss Elle," A young man with red blonde hair approached Elle.

    "Good day, Mr. Hyde" Elle responded to his greeting while stopping the waiter to take a glass of wine. 

   Mr. Hyde smiled and nodded "That was a remarkable speech out there," He said talking about Elle's statement when she was interviewed. 

   Elle slowly took a sip from her wine as two other men joined them "I was just saying what I thought. Don't you think we're all entitled to do that?" She tilted her head as she gave Hyde a look.

   Hyde chuckled "Of course, we all are, don't you think so Mr. Charles?"

   Mr. Charles who was among the two men who joined them cleared his throat before saying "Yes we are, but we should also be aware of our language so as not to cause unnecessary trouble in the future" He smiled in the end while looking at Elle who narrowed her eyes at him.

   Elle understood what he was trying to do. Speaking in favor of Ethan Cephas who both of them haven't seen, did he think he will have a good connection with him when he does that?

   "Well," Elle began "It depends on what aspect we are talking about. If what we are going to say will do good to not only yourself but others too, I think we should go ahead with it"

  Mr. Charles only smiled before excusing himself and the other man who didn't say a word followed as well.

   Mr. Hyde smiled at Elle "Forgive Charles for the way he speaks"

  "No, it's okay. He can speak the way he likes"

  "If I may ask, what do you think about the famous Ethan Cephas?" Elle asked while looking at the man in front of her. They were all the same, all trying to gain favor from the one in power. Mr. Charles who just left, spoke as if he had gained the favor of Ethan Cephas.

   Hyde had a thoughtful look on his face before saying "I also think the same as you did. I mean, why is he showing himself now? What is he hiding? But then, we all have our…" His words were cut off when a young lady came to stand beside him.

   "Hi, I'm Drizzy Ce…" She stopped midway and cleared her throat "A pleasure to meet you both"

  "A pleasure to meet you too" Hyde and Elle responded.

   Elle looked at the woman who suddenly joined them. She didn't miss the way her eyes scanned her. It gave her a feeling of…something she couldn't pinpoint. What caught her attention more was her red eyes, was that a contact lens? 

   "Miss Elle right?" Drizzy asked breaking the eye contact with Elle who was looking at her, particularly her eyes.

  Elle nodded still looking at Drizzy whose voice came out smooth and sweet in the ear. She had a way of speaking that made her look like someone in authority.

  Drizzy smiled "I've heard a lot about you"

  Elle was surprised by the way Drizzy said she heard a lot about her like it was more than the usual business talk people spoke about her "Me?" She asked to make sure she heard right.

   Mr. Hyde seeing that the talk between the two ladies was going to be something private and not business excused himself leaving them to their conversation.

  Drizzy laughed "Of course it's you. I mean about your business expansions. You're a great woman and I admire you for that"

   Elle let out a breath she didn't she was holding "Oh, thank you. Which company are you from?"

    "Uhm…I'm not really from any company but my family member is one of the founders…I mean, I'm here with someone"

   Elle nodded knowingly "Okay"

   Drizzy gave Elle a tight smile "See you then. Enjoy the party" Drizzy hurriedly left before she said anything that would give her away. And Ethan will surely scold her for it.

   "Who was that?" Mia asked returning to Elle's side.

  Elle shook her head "She said she's Drizzy"

  "Drizzy? What a name. Come on, the gala is about to start. Let's go sit at our table"

   Elle followed Mia to their table before sitting down. Others slowly went to their various table to sit down. As usual Elle and Mia sat at the VIP table and there were only three VIP tables available. The one after their table was unoccupied while the last was occupied by Mr. Charles. No wonder he was speaking in favor of Ethan.

   Elle's eyes searched the area, she saw familiar faces who smiled at her. She returned their smiles before looking away. She saw the woman who introduced herself as Drizzy going to sit at the unoccupied VIP table. So the person she came with was also favored by Ethan which reminded her she was also sitting at a VIP table.

   It wasn't because she was a billionaire with a successful business, there were other billionaires here too. Something is not right here. Before she could dwell more on her thoughts, a man walked up the stage.

    "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you all to the gala hosted by Ethan Cephas the owner of Ethan's corporations all over the world"

  "Without wasting much of our time. The time we've all been anticipating is here, as we all welcome the host tonight being the first time he's making himself known to the world"

  "Our esteemed guests, may we all welcome Ethan Cephas"