7. Anniversary

A VIP room, adorned with a brown leather sofa between two lamp lights. In front of it is a coffee table which supports some newspapers, magazines and a mug of coffee. To the side is an open closet alongside wall-to-wall mirrors adorned with LED lights which lit the room ever so brightly, shining upon tonight's star, who was none other than Rose, who was getting her hair and makeup done by a professional stylist who had the help of two assistants.

"Done!" The thirty-something-year-old woman, Miss Lucy, clapped her hands while holding a powder brush as she gazed upon her masterpiece.

Rose was snapped out of her thoughts as she looked at her makeup in the mirror. A layer of foundation that blended with her skin tone complimented the red tint on her lips.

The skillfully drawn eyeliner asserted the gray color of her eyes and the sleek bun hairstyle made prominent her sharp but striking facial features.

"Done nicely, as always," Rose complimented Miss Lucy, who gleamed. "Now, I always have to be on my toes to keep impressing my longtime client," Miss Lucy stated, signaling with her eyes for her two assistants to leave them alone. The two girls took their cue and quietly exited the room. "Although I must say," Miss Lucy massaged Rose's shoulders while choosing her words carefully. "You look a bit tense tonight. I'm afraid that even my work won't be enough to hide it. Perhaps you have something weighing on your mind? A gathering like this one must not have been easy to prepare, and you have to bear the burden all alone. If I may suggest some advice," Miss Lucy leaned into Rose's ears. "But I happen to know not what bothers you."

"No need to be so careful with your words around me," Rose waved her hand, motioning for Lucy to step aside, to which she abided. "I do wonder though," Rose looked at Miss Lucy through the mirror. "You work for a lot of high profile people and celebrities, so I'm sure it's not uncommon for anyone to be tense when hosting events like this. Although I do wonder how they get honest stuff from their workers about how things are going?" Rose ended her sentence with a suggestive question.

"Ah!" Miss Lucy clasped her hands and beamed. "I see where you are going with this! One thing hosts or celebrities do to get honest reviews about their work is to..." Miss Lucy leaned close to Rose's ears and started whispering.

*

Alice checked the time on her wristwatch while her other hand held the garment bag carrying Rose's dress for the night. Already dressed in her own attire for the night, a black, off-the-shoulder dress that accentuated her figure and gold jewelry complimented her brown skin tone. She was checking on the last minute preparations to make sure nothing went wrong.

"I have to go now," she said to Mr. Amar, the event planner. "Make sure everything goes well for tonight."

"It feels as if my whole life depends on this!" Mr. Armand let out a heavy sigh before his eyes caught sight of something.

"Hey! Don't place that there!" he rushed to one of his workers who was arranging the bouquets. "Don't you know that some people are allergic to flowers? This isn't a garden exhibition. Place them as close as possible to show their charm and as far away as possible not to exhibit their pollen. And you!" he turned to another who was placing bottled water on the table. " I told you several times the water has to be aligned and NOT to obscure the name tags!"

Alice didn't wait to hear the rest of it as she turned and headed for Rose. Alice had noticed how Rose's mood the entire day was glum and was already thinking of how to cheer her up, but when she entered Rose's exclusive room where she was getting her hair and makeup done, Alice saw a look on Rose's face that she hadn't seen in a very long time.

While Rose had been buried in her work trying to get everything to run smoothly and perfectly, she'd had no time to get thrilled or excited. And now the person Alice was looking at had eyes that gleamed like a kid who, who saw fire for the first time, learned what it was capable of and decided to play with it.

"What is going on here?" Alice asked, bringing the two people's attention to herself.

"Ah! You brought the dress," Miss Lucy went over and took the dress from Alice before going out to call her assistants back who were waiting outside by the door.

"Don't worry, I will fill you in later," Rose got up, getting ready to dress up just as Miss Lucy and her assistants came back.

"Sure," Alice agreed. "When this is all done, I have a surprise for you."

"Can't wait!" Rose beamed, making Alice feel more at ease.

*

The first event of the night was the anniversary party which was held for the current employees, stakeholders, clients and partners and, despite the many people present, no one could take away Rose's shine as the host of the event. With her newfound confidence, Rose gave a resounding speech about her efforts to take her company to great heights and how working hand in hand with everyone with their boundless efforts and cooperation would make that possible.

Everyone gave a round of applause as she finished her speech. Some gazed at her with adoration, while some gazes were filled with obvious envy and jealousy about what she was able to attain on her own. Not long after, music and chatter filled the hall as people conversed with each other. Some sat at their tables and ate from their exquisite dishes while some chose to mingle, as they went around stylishly with wine glasses in hand, finding someone that fit in their social circle to mingle with, and others sought to form connections. Waiters and waitresses went around with trays supported with one hand to make sure none was lacking when it came to drinks and snacks.

Rose was on her toes, with Alice in her tow, going around making small talk with important people. Some congratulated her on her achievements, some praised her outfit for the night, while some tried to invite her on occasions, to which Rose respectfully declined, saying how busy she was to their disappointment.

But Rose was none the wiser at how readily those occasions would not hesitate to tear you down once you take a fall. In fact, it won't be too far-fetched to say it was from experience. A few moments later, Rose was able to take a breather.

"I believe you have engaged with almost everyone by now," Alice stated as Rose looked at her wristwatch with a slight crease in her brows.

"It's only thirty minutes until the next event, this is right around the time we should get going," Rose said looking around them.

"What are you..."

"Oh my dear Rose! Look how much you have grown up into a strikingly gorgeous lady!" Alice didn't get to finish her question as they were interrupted by a couple.

"Mr. and Mrs. Albert," Rose made a smile, instantly recognizing the old couple. Not only had she known them for so long, but they were major stakeholders in her company. "Long time no see. It's almost as if you never age!"

"Oh you flatter me too much dear," Mrs. Albert giggled, making her 60-year-old husband sigh.

"My wife still believes she is in her youth because of you."

"Nice to meet you too, old man," Rose laughed.

"You fare well on your own, it seems. Congratulations on your achievements. Ten years ago who would have known you would do a much better job than Montreal," Mr Albert commended her.

"Oh, their souls rest in peace," Mrs. Albert added with a sigh and a look of sadness. Only Alice, who knew Rose so well, could see how Rose's jaw ticked in annoyance.

"Well, thank you for your kind words although right now..." Rose was saying, but apparently, the couple had more to say.

"We know we weren't the best when your grandparents left you all alone in this world, but it's never too late, right?" Mrs. Albert looked at Mr. Albert, who nodded, encouraging his wife to keep going. "So my husband and I were thinking, how about we set you up with our lovely son. He's a keeper, I tell you."

"That one's for sure," Mr. Albert nodded proudly. But it was obvious to Alice that Rose had stopped paying attention to the conversation at one point.

Alice was snapped out of her thoughts as Rose grabbed her by the arm, sparing her no chance to get stunned as to the answer she threw towards the couple as she pulled her away in a rush, making sure to stop at no where but the empty ladies' room.

"What are we doing here? Isn't this the employee's toilet?" Alice asked, just now expressing her surprise.

"Shhh," Rose placed a finger to her red lips, which had tilted upwards in a mischievous smile. Just then, they heard noise and footsteps approaching.

"Get in there," Rose said, but before Alice could move, Rose had already opened a cubicle, pushed her in and closed the door. A few seconds later, Alice heard Rose get into the opposite cubicle just as people started entering into the ladies' room, and just then, it occurred to Alice what Rose had been planning on doing.