chapter 5

Immediately as Bastian and Patricia walked out of the elevator, Mrs. Caroline, an elderly waitress and organizer, approached Bastian.

“Mr. Bastian, the waitress on duty for the funeral, isn't here yet. All my efforts to reach her to no avail.” She reported.

“I hope she is safe and fine,” Bastian showed concern. “Is there any alternative? What can we do?” 

“Let me help. I will take her place.” Patricia offered.

“Hun!” A surprise tone escaped Bastian’s mouth as he turned his head to glance at her beside him.

“What do you mean? How can you do that?” Bastian queried, stating his worry. “Cohen and Anna will be there. They will see you. How can you-”

Patricia cut him off. “Don’t worry. I just don’t want to sit and be idle. Or do you want me to be crying in the hall?”

“No, but-” Bastian opposed.

“I will be busy serving the audience, so I won’t have time to think about their present. That will make me feel more comfortable.” She poured out.

“But I can’t still let them see in that dress.” Bastian objected.

“Then I will just wear an apron on my dress,” she suggested, leaving Bastian to be speechless.

She beamed and wrinkled. “Am I good to go?” 

Bastian sighed and gently nodded. “Okay. Just make sure you are fine. If Anna made any silly move, I won’t hold you back, and you shouldn't hold me back either.”

“Deal?” 

“Deal!”

Patricia followed Mrs. Charlotte, and Bastian walked to the hall.

_______

“Where is Patricia?” Anna whispered, looking around the hall, but Patricia was nowhere to be found.

She glanced at Bastian’s table and saw Williams sitting with him.

“Is Patricia babysitting Bastian’s son? Bastian doesn’t have a child yet. I heard nothing about it?”

Anna created lots of theories in her head, wondering what was between Patricia and Bastian. She didn’t want Patricia in any position higher than her, and she was worried that Patricia might have any connections with Bastian.

She tried to compose herself till a thought zoomed into her mind, thinking Patricia could be Bastain’s girlfriend, and they might have a child together already.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she turned to Cohen and moved her mouth closer to his ear. “Dear did you-” she wanted to ask a question, but Cohen raised his right index finger, shutting her up.

Anna moved his mouth away from him and sat straight, facing her front. 

Anna clearly saw and understood Cohen’s expression and reaction while he watched Patricia walk away with another man, so she started a conversation to hurt his feelings.

“I’m just wondering about what’s between Bastian and Patricia that he stood for her and protected her in public,”

Cohen’s mind boiled in anger at the mere mention of it. He set his hand, wishing he was in a private space, and could hit something.

He composed himself and ground his teeth with each other, holding his trouser on his lap to calm himself.

Anna was happy to see Cohen like that, so she furthered. “Aren’t you also curious? Patricia must have seduced Bastian. She is just-”

“Seems it's difficult to put your manner under my control. It’s not too late to walk out with your feet,” He cut her off. “Will you behave or will you go?” 

“I will behave.” Anna opted. She picked the glass water and sipped a bit to cool her mind.

A few minutes later, the program started, and since the program was organized for businesses’ friends and partners, everyone with speeches to deliver got on the stage as their names were called, and delivered their speech.

After everyone had delivered their speech, Bastian was called to the stage to come and give a sneak peek about how the company affairs would be run, and to announce the new president.

Immediately as Bastian arrived at the stage, Patricia and some other waiter entered the hall, holding wines.

“Oh, here comes Patricia.” Anna announced with a smile on her face, making Cohen look in Patricia’s direction.

Cohen eyed Patricia, and couldn't take his eyes off her, watching her walk around the hall to serve people.

“Seems she is actually doing great,” Anna sighed. “I am just curious to know who her new great guy is.”

Cohen took his eyes off Patricia and looked at Anna with his red eyeballs. “What guy?” He inquired.

“Didn't you hear her mention a guy earlier?” She let out, quoting, “she said, I'm doing great, especially when I have a great guy next to me...” 

“Can the great guy be Bastian? Nope, that's not possible. If it's him, why will he allow her to serve others?” She talked without taking a break for a minute.

“It's okay, it’s her life. Their business and you shouldn't be interfering.” Cohen said.

“Okay, then I will stop talking about them,” Patricia let out. She stared in Patricia’s direction and waved her hand, calling, “hey! Waitress, I need a cup of wine.” She requested.

A waiter, who was near their table, walked closer, “offering, I am here, ma. I have the same wine as hers. Permit me to serve you.”

“No, I want-” Anna wanted to decline, but Cohen cut her off.

“Anna, your manner.” He warned.

“Okay, serve me.” Anna accepted.

“Okay, ma.” The waiter served with a cute smile on his face, and walked away from their table to serve another person.

“Thank you, everyone for being-” Bastian started his speech, but had to stop because of Anna’s voice, which echoed the hall.

“How dare you!”

“How can you do this to my dress?”

“How will you pay for this?”

“I will make you regret this!”

Anna threatened, and everyone in the hall shifted their attention to her.

Bastian quickly descended the stairs down from the stage and walked towards them to defend Patricia.

“I will teach you some lessons!” Anna yelled. She raised her hand to slap Patricia, but Cohen held her hand.

“What are you doing, Anna?” He questioned.

Anna freed herself from Cohen. She elevated her eyebrows, asking, “what do you mean? Can’t you see what she just did? She just destroyed my dress!”

“But it wasn’t intentional. She slipped her leg.” Cohen defended Patricia.

“Oh, really?” Anna let out. “Are you defending her because she is-” 

“I’m sorry.” Patricia apologized to maintain peace, though she knew Anna intentionally put her leg on the road to make her fall, resulting in the wine to also splash on her dress.

Bastain reached their front, asking, “what’s going on here?”

“She poured wine on my dress?” Anna reported.

“She didn't pour wine on your dress, she fell, and wine splashed onto your dress. There's a difference. Don’t mix it up.” Bastain corrected.

“What difference does that make? She has ruined my dress. This dress cost a lot. How can she pay for it?” Anna challenged.

“Ivy hotel will pay for it. A new dress will be sent to you by tomorrow.” Bastian implored.

“Do you think the problem is about the expenses for the dress?” Anna refused to accept and wanted to drag the conversation a bit more.

“Then what’s the problem?” Ailee’s voice came from the right side, and they watched her walk closer to them.

Ailee was close to Anna and Cohen’s table, so she saw everything that happened. “Mrs. Anna, what happened isn’t Mrs. Patricia’s fault. You caused it,” Ailee revealed. “You're behind her, falling to the ground, and the result is the wine ruining your dress. That's even. Why drag it further?”

Anna blinked her eyes twice, surprised. She didn't expect anyone to see what happened. “What do you mean?” She pretended.

“You and I understand it, but if you still won’t apologize to Mrs. Patricia, should I call the record room and let them display what happened on the big screen?” Ailee threatened. “Reporters are here for easy broadcast and within a few minutes, the public will help judge who is at fault.”

Anna’s reaction made Cohen figure out Ailee was telling the truth, and since Anna was his wife, his reputation will be at risk once the public knows about it.

“Anna, apologize for what you did.” Cohen instructed.

“Honey, I did nothing. Why will I apologize, don’t you trust me?” Anna tried to defend herself.

“Will you apologize or I should let Ivy organization take a step?” Cohen queried.

Seeing Cohen wasn’t supporting her, Anna feared facing the law, and she quickly apologized. “I’m sorry.”

“Cohen, I told you earlier I won't step back again. Will you wait until the program ends and watch the security drag your wife out?” Bastian gave an option. “Or, you will wait for her in the car, and wait for the security to bring her to you?”

Anna didn’t expect to be humiliated to that extent, but she still had hope, expecting Cohen to defend her.

“Chairman Jackson is a great man. It won’t be nice of me to leave while the program is still going on…” Cohen said and paused.

Anna stared deeply at Cohen and fixed her eyes on his lip to watch him complete his statement. 

“Let the security do their work.”