CHAPTER 5

Nicole pov 

At 8 pm, I arrived at De paradise .

As I got down from the cab ,I took a deep breath seeing people walking in and out of the hall, elegantly.

I walked in too with my gift in hand.

I most say the party planner did a very good job…every where was beautifully decorated.

I smiled when I saw my uncle Anderson.

“Nicole”. He called, cheerfully.

“Uncle Anderson…happy birthday.” I said while I hugged him.

“I'm so glad u made it here”. He said.

We disengaged from each other and I handed him his gift.

“Oh…. you're so thoughtful my dear.”

I smiled and walked over to say Hi to my mother and Uncle Anderson's wife's Betty.

Taking notes that my father was yet to arrive.. I felt relieved and took it as acute to leave.

Seeing him and his wife would make me angry …it makes me think about the past and I always do my best to avoid them.

“Mom,I should get going… I have a lot of things catch up on..” I lot out slowly standing up.

“Oh no , Young lady…you barely even touched your food.” Betty said as she pushed me playfully to sit back.

“ but…”

“C’mon . You literally just got here and we have a very important guest coming over.”

“Who's that?” I asked, curiously.

“He's the son of your uncle Anderson’s friend. And I heard he's your new boss…. what's that's name again? Oh …Raphael.”

“What!?” I let out startling everyday on the table.

It's Raphael again!

Why is he also everywhere?!

Am I the first person to have a one night stand?!

Why am I being tortured by us presence?! Ehn..

Ugh!

Well, we could say my uncle was well to do but not as rich as the level of Raphael.

Ahh … how… how..do they know someone like him and why!?

Before I could think of the next thing to do,I saw him entering the hall with my father's family.

Oh no..

I should leave….

I really should.

I saw a waiter leading them over to where I was sitting.

I tensed and whispered to Betty.

“This the VIP table.” She reminded.

I tried not to show how uneasy I was as they all got seated.

i glanced at Clara Mendoza,the woman who ruined my parent's marriage.

Next to her was her daughter, Cali Mendoza….

She was like a goddess…everything about her body looked so perfect….but of course,I heard she had done numerous plastic surgeries.

So to me, she's so fake.

She was on heavy makeup as usual.

I wonder if anyone had ever seen what she really looked like.

I glanced at Raphael who looked so nonchalant.

My father didn't acknowledge my presence either.

So i choose to focus on the food in front of me.

As I ate,they started talking.

“Oh, Cali … this Raphael whites. He's a son to a very close friend of mine. He just became a CEO and I'm sure he'll have lots of business with us in the future. You should get to know him.” My father's voice rung through the air.

He runs a small security agency.

“Nice to meet you Raphael,my name is Cali mendoza.i hope we get to know  more 

About each other.” Cali Said sweetly.

“Likewise”. He said politely.

“We don't have to be formal with each other, right?” Cali asked.

I rolled my eyes…

I could already tell that she was into him.

I Glanced up to see Raphael ignoring her and started eating.

“Raphael,how about I get your number? you know,we might have some business to go over in the future or want do u think.” she asked seductively.

Raphael, already feeling irritated replied “you can contact my secretary if you have anything to discuss with me” he snapped.

Despite that,she didn't give up and continued to pester him.

It was so so funny to watch.

“Nicole,are u going to keep sitting there or are u blind that u want to pretend you didn't see me? You're so rude and disrespectful”Clara said to me.

I scoffed.

Rude?...and disrespectful?

I'm only trying my best to get through this night.

Why must she deliberately pick on me ?

“So…

“So ? Young lady u lack manners.”

I sneered.” Look who's talking.”

“Michael, Are u going to just sit and watch your daughter talk down on me?!”

Now all the guest were looking at our table.

“My father instantly looked furious.”

“Nicole, apologize to her now!”

I snickered.

Apologize,my foot!