07 : Extremely Familiar Face

The next day, Zren packed her things and sent Zhen and Xhyne first to school before going to the place of the event. 

The event was held at the Casa de Verhillo a prestigious hotel located outside Central City. 

After Zren graduated college from the Sevirillo State University, she, Yashi, and the twin moved to Central City because of a job opportunity. 

With Zren's innate talent and high IQ, it was not hard for her to find a job. Soon she got a job at the number one law firm in the country, however, just after staying there for a few hours, she was immediately fired on the spot. 

As for why? She just offended a person she was supposed not to. 

That was how she found the Lawless Law Firm, she could still clearly remember what she did just to get a job. It was one of the most embarrassing but at the same time one of the most memorable experiences she had. 

As said earlier, Casa de Verhillo was located outside the Central City, it was three hours drive at normal speed, but for Zren's speed of driving, it would probably take her two hours at most. 

Actually yesterday, the old man suggested that it was more convenient to book a flight to the destination because it would only take an hour however, Zren refused. 

She insisted on driving for experience, but, of course, it was just an excuse. 

Zren didn't like riding an airplane, it was the mode of transportation she hated the most. 

When Zren was already out of the highway with an implemented speed limit, her lips slowly curved up. She took a deep breath before slowly stepping on the gas to increase her speed. 

Zren's driving skills were excellent, this was also one of the reasons why she insisted on driving because there was no speed limit outside the City. She could speed up whenever she wanted. 

Zren's speed was fast, she could easily outrun other cars leaving dust behind. She overtook most of the cars. 

A fancy and flashy customized galaxy blue sports car showed its full ability, making other drivers on the road staring at it with full of admiration. 

———— 

After two hours of driving Zren finally arrived at the Casa de Verhillo. She parked her car, took her luggage with her, and went to the receptionist area. 

The lady in duty genuinely smiled at her and said in a warm yet professional manner, "Good morning Ma'am, welcome to Casa de Verhillo, how may I help you?" 

Zren didn't answer and just showed her cellphone to the lady. It was the reservation receipt that the old man's secretary sent to her. 

The lady nodded and tapped something on the computer in front of her. After a few moments, she said, "It's room 404 on floor thirteen Ma'am, and here's your room card." 

"Thanks," Zren said with a smile. 

"Your welcome Ma'am, if you have any concerns you can contact us at any moment." 

Zren nodded and took the room card and pulled her luggage with her. She declined the hotel staff's help. 

Zren swiped the room card and the door automatically opened. She was too lazy to admire the entire room so she went straight to the bedroom and threw herself on the king-sized comfy bed. 

Just as Zren was enjoying herself on the fluffy bed, out of nowhere a very big problem popped out of her mind that made her jolt out of the bed. 

"Sh*t! I don't have a dress to wear!"

Now Zren finally remembered, last night she just packed her luggage and didn't even remember that she needed a formal dress to attend the party. In addition, she didn't even know how to do fancy makeup! 

Zren stood up from the bed. She took her small backpack that contained her important belongings together with her room card and went out of the room. 

Zren had already arrived at the lobby when she realized that she had no idea where to buy decent and presentable clothes. It was her first time here so she was not sure if there was a mall, boutique, or whatever. 

Zren was about to ask the lady at the front desk when she saw a hotel staff carrying two trash bags with him. 

Based on his looks it seemed that he was just a part-timer, he looked too young to be a hotel staff more likely a college student. 

Zren walked towards the young guy. 

"Hey, hey, stop!" Zren shouted to get his attention. 

The young man was frightened that he nearly dropped the garbage. When he saw that a guest was approaching him he was even more scared. 

One should know that the people staying at the Casa de Vermilion was no ordinary people. No matter what they look they should not be offended. 

The guy swallowed his saliva, his heart was beating so fast. Although the woman who called him was just plain looking and was wearing a plain beige t-shirt, jogging pants, and white shoes, he was still scared. 

He was already asking himself what he had done wrong because he ended up offending a customer, it seemed that it was the end of him. He applied to be a part-time staff because needed money so he couldn't afford to lose this temporary job! 

The young guy, took a deep breath and bravely asked, "Good morning Ma'am, how may I help you?" 

"Hey kid, do you know a place where I can buy clothes like dresses?" Zren asked. Looking at the other person, she could feel that he was scared. Was she angry?

The young guy slowly nodded his head and said nervously, "T-the closest boutique I know is fifteen minutes away from here, Ma'am." 

"Okay." 

Zren looked around and saw another hotel staff, seeing the nameplate on her uniform Zren knew that she was one of the managers. 

"Hey, Miss Manager!" Zren shouted. 

The manager changed her tracks and walked toward Zren. 

"Yes Ma'am, do you have any concerns?" 

The young guy who was about to sneak out of the scene was suddenly frozen in an instant, his heart was beating so fast, that cold sweats started forming in his back. It looked like working as part-time hotel staff was a bad decision. 

"Can I borrow him?" Zren pointed to the young guy who was about to sneak out. "It's my first time here and I need to buy something so I need a tour guide." 

The manager looked at the part-timer with wide eyes, as if she would swallow him. 

The manager struggled to force a genuine smile at Zren and replied hesitantly, "Of course Ma'am, you can." 

Hearing this the young man's eyes widened in disbelief. Didn't the hotel has rules that needed to be followed? It included that a worker wasn't allowed to leave the hotel while on duty unless there was an emergency.

Now, where the heck was that rule? 

After receiving the manager's approval, Zren thanked her and faced the young man. 

"Let's go, show me the way." 

The young man was reluctant to follow Zren while looking at the manager and asking for help. However, the manager only mouthed the word "sorry" and left the area. 

"Anyway, what's your name?" Zren asked. 

"Nio." 

"Nio, nice name." 

Nio was still nervous so he couldn't help himself to bit his lower lips. However, when they reached the parking lot his nervousness was soon replaced with amazement. 

In front of him was a dazzling galaxy blue sports car, the exterior was beautiful and amazing, shimmering under the dim light of the underground parking lot. 

"Is this yours?" 

"Of it is," Zren proudly admitted. 

"Hop in, you're one of the lucky people who will experience riding my precious baby." 

————

As per instructions, Nio directed Zren to the nearest boutique shop that he knew. 

To Zren's surprise, they went to the suburb area near the Casa de Verhillo and the road was narrow and had so many holes. 

After driving for almost ten minutes, they arrived at the relatively small boutique in the boutique the middle of a neighborhood. It seemed that it was out of place because the succeeding structures were houses. 

Zren didn't complain and just got off from the car. She looked at Nio. 

"Tell me the truth, is this shop run by one of your relatives? 

Nio's eyes widened in surprise, "H-how did you know?" 

"Earlier you said that the nearest shop here was fifteen minutes away, however, it only takes ten minutes to arrive here," Zren paused for a moment. "Let me guess, the shop you recommended earlier was easily recognized, right? But you didn't expect that I will take you with me so you just directed me here." 

"You're amazing!" Nio complimented. 

Zren just smirked at Nio and then pushed the door open. 

The sound of wind chimes hanging at the door hit each other, creating a soft clinking sound. 

The moment Zren entered the shop, a certain gown immediately caught her attention, it was placed on the display. 

The design was an off-shoulder satin deep brown gown. It was simple yet very appealing. Also, it was not revealing but at the same time, a do not cover too much skin. 

Zren stared at the gown, just by looking at it she already knew that it was her size. 

"How much is this?" Zren asked the not-so-old woman. 

"It's seven thousand keals, Ma'am." 

"Keal" is the country's currency. 

The dress's price was not that high but also not cheap. It was rather reasonable. 

"I'll buy this," Zren said. "Do you accept bank transfers?" 

The woman was silent for a moment before shifting his gaze to Nio. "Yes, yes, my son has a bank account." 

So that was Nio's mother. 

"Give me your account number, I'll transfer the payment immediately." 

Nio didn't hesitate to give his bank account number and to his surprise just after a few minutes, he already received the money. 

Seeing that his account balance raised thousands was delighted. 

"Thank you, Ma'am," Nio looked at Zren waiting for her response. 

"Zren, my name is Zren." 

"Thank you Ma'am Zren." 

Zren nodded and watched Nio's mother carefully put the gown in its box. 

Out of a sudden Zren remembered something. "Auntie, do you also accept door-to-door makeup service? I have a party to attend later and I need a person to do my makeup." 

Zren was not skilled in makeup, she knew a little bit of it however she often stays inside her office so she didn't mind what she looked like every day. But today was different, she needed to be presentable as much as she could. 

"Of course we do." 

Zren then explained what time and her room number. They also negotiated the price for the service. 

After everything Zren and Nio were about to leave when Zren remembered something. 

She still hasn't bought a gift! 

Just as Zren was about to ask Nio her eyesight caught a thing on the shop counter, it was several bottles of unbranded wine. 

Zren looked at Nio and asked, "Do you guys sell that bottles of wine?" 

"Yes, it was a rice wine made by Mom, the recipe was exclusively passed down from our ancestors. It was our family's legacy." 

"Really? How much are those?" 

"Nine hundred keals per bottle. The price is reasonable because it was already two years old since it was made." 

"I'll buy all of those five bottles," Zren said and took out her phone then transfer four thousand five hundred keals to Nio's bank account. 

Nio and his mom immediately packed the wine. 

"It's our lucky day today. We just made eleven thousand five hundred keals, excluding the makeup service," Nio's mother happily whispered, her face was full of happiness. 

Because of the location of the shop, only several people came and buy their products every day sometimes there was not even a single customer. So Zren's arrival was really a miracle. 

After everything, Zren and Nio went back to the Casa de Verhillo

———— 

When they arrived, after getting out of the car Zren fished out a five hundred keals from her wallet and gave it to Nio. 

"A tip," she said and walked away with the things she just bought. 

Hours had passed, when Zren heard a knock on her door. She was busy cleaning up the mess she just created. 

Zren walked towards the door and saw Nio's mom holding two large makeup kits. 

Zren let her enter and they immediately started. 

While in the middle of putting on makeup, Zren couldn't help but ask Nio's mother. 

"Auntie, is your son studying?" 

"Of course he is! My son is a very bright person, he is a consistent first honor until he graduated from senior high school. Then he got a full scholarship to study law in the most prestigious university, the Central University!" Nio's mother couldn't control herself and happily bragged about his son's achievements. 

The two chatted until the makeup was done. 

Zren looked at herself, she already knew that she was beautiful but with the help of makeup she was even more beautiful than before. 

Zren thanked Nio's mother and then she assured her that the payment was already received by her son. 

Nio's mother gave Zren her utmost thanks and left. 

———— 

Before seven in the evening, Zren was already prepared. 

The event was also hosted at the Casa de Verhillo so she took her things with her and went to the party. 

Little did Zren know that the moment she stepped inside the party, he was already under someone's gaze, it was none other than Weidon. 

Weidon was sitting with his colleagues at one of the tables far away from the entrance, but from their spot, one could easily see the people entering one after another. 

Weidon who was already itching to leave was stunned when he saw a person. 

A person with an extremely familiar face. 

The same face that he couldn't forget no matter how many years had passed was already imprinted in his mind like a permanent tattoo. The same face he fell for but later made him miserable all these years. 

The face belonged to a one person he would never be able to forget.

Celestine.