When I got to the lounge, I settled Mayelle onto the couch while Adrian sat on the arm of the couch.
"Are you okay?" I asked when I realized that she was yet to say a word since I saw her.
She doesn't respond and just keeps staring into nothingness.
""Does she look okay to you?" Adrian raised his brows, probably questioning my intelligence.
I sighed and took off my blazer placing on her shoulder.
At that moment, my phone rang and the caller ID showed that it was Daniel.
"Have you gotten to the address I sent you?" I asked the moment I answered the call.
"Yes. Actually I'm already outside but I need an invitation card to get inside." Daniel explained.
I was about to say something when I felt Mayelle's hand move over mine.
I allowed her to take the phone from me, wanting to see what she had to say.
"G-give the bouncer the phone." She said to Daniel.
"Yes Ma'am." Daniel said.
"Yes." A rough voice rang through the phone.
"Velar enzo." She said in a low, commanding tone.
"Sera Mistral Belmont." I heard the man say before she handed the phone back to me.
I took it from her. "When you get inside the hall come straight to the lounge."
I ended the call before he could reply.
"What was that?" Adrian asked Mayelle, looking awestruck.
"It's Velmont, a language only a loyal Belmont employee can understand." She explained.
"That pretty cool." He didn't snap out of his trance.
"You kept your word." Mayelle smiled lightly at me.
"I always do." I agreed.
The room went silent again.
Deep down, I was relieved that Mayelle finally talked.
She was a talkative by nature.
Just an elegant, hot one.
I shook my head slightly, trying desperately to shake off my weird thoughts.
Soon enough, I heard a gentle knock on the door.
"Daniel." I called out and he opened the door, stepping into the lounge.
"Here's the dress." He said, although his eyes were on Mayelle.
"Some group of women harassed my sweet sister-in-law." Adrian offered before Daniel could ask.
"Need me to take care of them?" Daniel asked, wearing a sly smile.
I turned to face Mayelle.
"Who were they?"
Mayelle leaned back and let out a sigh.
"They're rather unimportant."
"Wrong answer." I said staring straight at her.
She shrugged.
"They're just an insecure bunch, really."
"That's not excuse enough for them to try to strip my fianceé and in public at that." I argued.
"Careful. I'm not your fianceé yet." She reminded me.
I responded.
"Like you said 'yet' but you will be soon."
She paused for a while.
"Well, this is for me to handle." She finally said.
"And this is for me to end." I retorted.
"Cool out bro." Adrian advised me.
"Who. Exactly. Were. They?" I asked ignoring Adrian's words.
"I-It was Kiara and her squad." She finally revealed.
"Kiara what?" I asked.
"Kiara Young, my greatest competitor who also happens to have it out for me." She detailed.
"Is that enough information for you now?" I turned to face Daniel.
"Yh." He replied.
"Now make sure you give them a sound warning to remember." I instructed.
"I'll be on it." Daniel said and exited the lounge.
The sound of Mayelle's laughter caught me off guard.
"What's so funny?" I asked, my brows knitted in confusion.
Adrian teased.
"She probably finds you old and grumpy."
I turned to Mayelle.
"You look funny when you're annoyed." She let out.
"Something this serious is going on and you think my facial expression is funny?" I questioned.
"You need to learn to take a joke." She rolled her eyes. "You're acting more affected by all this than I myself am."
"And you need to learn to be serious." I stood in anger. "There's a gown in this bag, change into it and return to the hall."
After saying this, I left before she could say anything and I heard Adrian apologize before following after me.
Did she not value herself?
I doubted it.
In the hall, a commotion was going on.
Daniel had 'accidentally' spilled wine on the said Kiara's dress and she, well her friends were not taking it lightly.
I approached the crowd and pushed through until I came face to face with the Kiara.
"This spilled wine is just a warning, if you ever do so much as to harm a single hair on her head again, it'll be your blood in place of the wine." I threatened her to her face.
More like gave her a friendly warning out pity.
Just then, all heads turned in the direction of a clicking sound.
It was Mayelle.
She was wearing the dress and heel I got her.
I was stunned for a while, barely able to speak.
The royal blue dress looked drool worthy on her.
The dress was long with an off-shoulder and had a slit by the side that ran up to her thighs.
"Vincé darling, take it easy, it's not like I got injured." She deliberately said.
I voice was slick.
And her words remind me of my mom.
"Vincé darling, this is for you." My mom said, already putting the necklace around my neck.
I shook off the thought and decided to momentarily play along.
"I couldn't help it baby. They tried to hurt you." I said stretching my hand out to her.
She took it and I pulled her to my side.
"Not here." She smiled.
The second time this evening.
I spared the women one last glance before asking Mayelle to dance with me.
"Do I have a choice?" She had replied.
"No." I said casually.
I pulled her onto the dance floor with all eyes on us.
"You're not a bad dancer, North" I said to her.
"Neither are you. So what have you been up to this past few days?" She asked.
"Just office work." I replied simply, not willing to delve into matters.
"Interesting, you seem tensed." She observed.
"Stress." I answered simply.
By the time we were done dancing, the whole hall rang in applause.
"You two are perfect for each other." Adrian mused.
I would have spanked him on the head if not for our current location.
I ignored Adrian's comment and decided to focus on the program that had already began.
I stood aside with Mayelle, Adrian and Daniel.
The program was actually a lecture on some foundation and basic principles of fashion.
Mayelle broke down whatever the host said so I could understand it.
I wasn't into fashion so the terms they used were alien to me.
Adrian pointed out.
"For someone with your level of intelligence you are rather clueless about fashion."
"Whatever. Fashion's not my area of specialization." I rolled my eyes.
"You two like to exchange words a lot, uhn." Mayelle commented. "I almost can't believe that you two are not of the same mother."
I stiffened.
Adrian stiffened.
While Mayelle shifted uncomfortable, noticing the sudden change in the atmosphere.
"I have to take my leave now." I said to Mayelle.
"Oh I'll see you later then."
"Daniel will take you back to the old house, make sure to go check the car tomorrow." I said to Adrian who just nodded in agreement.
He knew better than to argue with me at this point.
Daniel didn't say anything, he knew better.
With that, I turned around and left the hall.