Chapter 5

*TESSA*

At 7:pm,I arrived at Cromwell Hotel.

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

I walked in too with my gift in hand.

The party planner did a good job…everywhere was beautifully decorated.

I smiled when I saw uncle Wilson.

“Tessa.”He called,cheerfully.

“Uncle Wilson…happy birthday.”I cooed and hugged him.

“I’m so glad you could make it.”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,sister and Uncle Wilson’s wife,Eleanor.

Taking note that my father was yet to arrive…I took it as my cue to leave.

Seeing him and his wife makes 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 few things to catch up on…”I let out,slowly standing up.

“Oh no,young lady…you barely even touched your meal.”Eleanor said as she pushed me playfully to sit back down.

“But…”

“C’mon…you literally just got here and we have an important guest coming over.”

“Who’s that?”I asked,curiously.

“He’s the son of Wilson’s friend.And I heard he’s your new boss…what was his name again?Oh…Declan.”

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

It’s Declan again!

Why is he everywhere?!

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

Why am I being tortured by his presence?!

Ugh!

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

Ahh.

Why do they know someone like him?

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 Eleanor.

“Why can’t they sit somewhere else?”

“This is the VIP table,Bella.”She reminded.

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

I glanced at Cassie Mendez,the woman who ruined my parents’s marriage.

Next to her was her daughter,Anna Mendez…

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

So to me,she was fake.

She was wearing heavy make up as usual.

I wonder if anyone had ever seen what she looks like.

I glanced at Declan 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,Anna…this is Declan Hudson.He’s a son of a close friend of mine.He just became a CEO and I’m sure he’ll have a lot of business with us in the future.You should get to know him.”My father’s voice rung the air.

He runs a small security agency.

“Nice to meet you.My name is Anna Mendez.I hope we get to know more about each other.”Anna said,sweetly.

“Likewise.”He replied,politely.

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

I rolled my eyes.

I could already tell that she was into him.

I glanced up to see that Declan ignored her and started eating.

“Declan,how about I get your number?You know,we might have some business to go over in the future.”

“You can contact my secretary if you have anything to discuss with me.”Declan snapped.

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

It was funny to watch.

“Tessa,are you going to keep sitting there and pretend you didn’t see me?You’re so rude.”Cassie said to me.

I scoffed.

Rude?

I’m only doing my best to get through this night.

Why must she deliberately pick on me?

“So?”

“So?Young lady,you lack manner.”

I sneered.”Look who’s talking.”

“Patrick,Are you seriously sitting there and watching your daughter speak down on me?!”

My father instantly looked furious.”Tessa,apologize to her now!”

I snickered.

Apologize,my foot!