Chapter 10

My blood rushed to my face as soon I saw his cocky smile. Did he know? The hell, he didn’t!

I squinted my eyes and let my forehead creased although I’m not really quite sure if he can see my expression because of the mask but at least, I gave effort in acting like normal!

He gently tugged my hand and placed it on his right hand as his left hand gently held on my left elbow as he assisted me walking down the grand staircase.

Those hazel eyes made me forget where I was and what I was doing. I didn’t want to give a damn with this party and just want to stare at his hazel eyes all night. And fuck myself for being like that! Ew, Elijiah, how could you be so low?

When I started walking down, his left hand caresses my elbow gently as it moved towards my bare back. I almost froze when I felt his large, warm and calloused hand touching my cold bare back but good thing, I still managed to remain calm.

My lips were formed into a thin line as I bite my tongue to avoid giving out any other expression that might give myself away.

I was just holding his hand, scared of the unknown as my heart beats erratically that’s almost very painful to breath.

Why am I scared?

Is the crowd and my first time in facing the public eye after for how many years? Or is it something else that has a strong force that draws me in but I don’t want to acknowledge?

I felt his light squeeze on my hand which made me turn to him but he was just looking straight and rigid as if a soldier ready for war. Only then, I realized how close we actually are.

We invaded each other’s personal space that I could smell his scent and feel his warmth like he’s tightly embracing me in his arms. I could feel the heat on my neck and face just by thinking how too close we are for each other.

Damn Elijiah! You should think about the ceremony and not some guy who escorted you. Also, this will be the last time you’ll see each other. You don’t even know him.

I felt him stop walking so I also did only to see a microphone stand with a silver microphone in front of me. I felt his hand leaving my back so turned to look at him, questioning.

It’s impossible for me to feel this way, but when his hand left, I suddenly felt like everything around me is gloomy like how it should have supposed to be. Gloomy, blank, bland.

His dark hazel eyes lighten and just like that, I felt how he broke the wall he put up between us letting me see what is beneath those eyes.

But before I could even pinpoint what, he just curtly nodded as he slowly walked away, leaving me alone for everybody to see clearly.

"Once again, ladies and gentlemen, our CEO and the only heir of the Bachs, Miss Elijiah Kris Bach!"

Loud applauses echoed in my ears and in between those gasps are gasps of shock, excitement and curiosity.

"Thank you." I paused for a while as the entire hall was suddenly filled with silence when I spoke.

Their eager and curious faces tell me how much they wanted to see me bare. I know some may have thought that the heir was a guy while some already knew that I’m a woman.

I roamed my eyes around to search for that familiar feeling to my dismay, there was none. He’s gone.

"Your presence is enough for me to be grateful.” I paused, weirded out by how they look at me but I decided not to mind them anyway.

"I am Elijiah. CEO of Bachs and the future of this Empire. " I added as I slowly removed my mask by untying the ribbon and slowly removing the mask away from my face.

I slowly smiled, remembering how I was always taught to smile despite not liking it.

Gasps were heard and shock was evident in their faces and I don’t know why. Did I fall short with their expectations or were they not expecting me to look like this?

Or did they silently hope that behind the mask of the person wearing a ball gown is actually a guy? I don’t care either ways. I’m just here to make my Lolo happy.

What a privilege for all these people here to see me personally! Has it been 10 years since this many people had seen me? And 20 years for the media. I don’t know. I lost count.

I also wasn’t interested in the crowd ever since but I remember some days decades ago how I was forced by my parents to show up and be polite to everyone.

"I'm Elijiah Kris Bach, your CEO and the acting president of the Bach Group of Companies. Have a wonderful night."

I want to emphasize to everyone watching and will be watching that I'm Elijiah but not just any Elijiah, but the only Elijiah Bach.

I've got nothing more to say but my name and I've got nothing more to show but my face. That’s what they came here for anyway. I could always prove myself through strengthening my empire, not through sweet talks.

So with that, I slightly bowed with a small smile on my face and walked away. With each step, I silently prayed for someone to escort me but until I reached the backstage where I was at earlier, no one came.

“Nice speech Elle. You should have also included your age and address, no?” The sarcasm was surely unhidden.

I laughed at her remark. God! Andrea and her way of saying things.

"What should I say then? I don’t even know them. Or should I say, I only know 10% of those people outside?" 

“Like the company’s future is in your hands?”

“Silly, I’m not running for election to sell myself to them. And I’ve been running the company well for a decade now.”

Andrea helped me change into a nude mermaid asymmetrical gown with a sweet-heart neckline.

I also changed into a nude strapped pumps to match it with my outfit. The hair stylist simply removed the braid and let my wavy hair sway as I walk. 

I touch my necklace with a ring pendant. I didn’t know when but I just found myself wearing this piece of art, letting my heart cope up with a loss I’m not aware of.

The ring has an intricate design and I’ve been told so many times to wear it on my finger but I don’t know. I don’t want to. I touched it like a routine before I continued strutting again. This will be a long long night. 

I greeted different people and interacted them just like how it should have been supposed to be since then.

While talking and being surrounded by a crowd of people who are interested with anything about me, I can see the faint flashes of the cameras. Lolo and his crowd went near me making me turn to them and give them my full attention and I’m glad I did.

Not far from where Lolo is, I saw the guy who escorted me earlier. I'm not really sure if he’s looking at me and it may be just my imagination how I could feel his stare burning a hole in my system because we could be that desperate sometimes to the point of imagining things that isn’t even happening.

Endless people kept approaching me to talk about business or just pry with my private life in which I just shun with vague answers.

If only Andrea didn't excuse me from the crowd, I think it’ll still take time before I could have my own time. But that’s what this party is all about anyway. 

Feeling tired and hungry, I'm not really in the mood to do anything anymore. I was about to walk towards the table assigned for me when Lolo called my attention. With him is a waiter holding food.

He told me to go sit with Andrea and meet with her friends. Although tired, I followed the waiter who led the way towards Andrea’s table.

A lot of people attempted to come near me but there was as if a force that holds them back. I do understand for their thirst because it has been 10 years since I became CEO. It's the first time ordinary employees of the Bachs have seen me, and even majority of the businessmen invited here have never seen me before. The media would also have more stories to tell.

Andrea’s smile immediately lighted up as she saw me walking towards her. I was told these are her friends so I wonder if they are the doctors or are they another set of friends. I can’t really tell because of the masks.

But one person caught my attention.

My forehead creased and I’m sure the confusion in my face is very visible because I’m not wearing a mask. But even after the guy sitting with them removed the vest of his three-piece suit, leaving only the white polo shirt and black coat, I’m sure he is the guy who escorted me earlier!

And my heart almost dropped when I met with his hazel eyes.

And it was as if he knew what was going my mind, he immediately turned his head away.

No, I recognized him even if he changed his mask or he removed the vest for it not to seem like a three-piece suit. 

Andrea assisted me in sitting down and I can’t help but gasp when I realized that she really is sitting with the doctors. My eyes immediately darted towards the man with hazel eyes.

He cocked his head to the side as he loosened up his necktie. My eyes darted to his lower lips where he swiftly wet it with his tongue.

I almost jumped in embarrassment when I saw how his hazel eyes pierce through mine. The fuck! I only know one person with that shade of eyes! Brown with more tints of green.

The corner of lips rose for a smirk and I almost fainted as the face of the guy who escorted me earlier flashed through my mind. 

His voice, although not too loud, but just enough for me to hear sounded so conceited like my first impression for him. "Elijiah Bach, it's nice to finally meet you"

That smirk. 

Nice meeting you too.