All Eyes On Me.

"We'll take the main entrance," he tells her after trying numerous calls, which unfortunately doesn't go through as everyone is having the time of their life.   

"So long as I'm far from you, that works just fine."

Leia surveys the large entrance of the Hotel which was teeming with noisy socialites. 

"Let's go this way," he tells her.  

They help themselves over the tiring walk around the building till they reach the front. 

Leia couldn't help but feel her eyes water from all the glaring flashes as she experiences life on the red carpet for a second time in one day.

Her annoyance levels suddenly skyrockets when she hears the cloying voice of another devil. 

"Oh, Leia! It's such a surprise to see you here!" 

Leia could tell that voice even if it were faint. 

Her eyebrow twitches in irritation and she places on a fake smile for the sake of the camera.

"Janette darling! It's great to see you". 

The feeling is neutral for Janette, who fakes her smile at her discomfort, baring her white teeth in a twisted version of a snarl. 

She leans in as she embraces Leia. 

Leia felt her hot breath against her ear as Janette whispers. 

"I didn't think you would be shameless enough to show your face here but it seems like I was wrong." 

Her words were quiet but the underlying malice in her voice was very clear. Leia could feel her skin crawl at Janette's proximity. The moment is broken when a random camera guy approaches them.

"Hey! It'll be great if you guys give us a few pictures for our magazine."

She giggles as she releases Leia, a sweet smile overtaking her features as she faces the man.

"It would be my pleasure," she tells him.

They both turn towards Leia with enquiring eyes.

Leia swallows, trying to keep the unease from her face. 

"Sure," she says with a short nod. 

They quickly take poses, Janette pressing against Leia's side before flashing lights overtook Leia's vision again.

"Look over here girls!."

"You both look so beautiful!."

The shouts overlap with the clicks of the cameras. 

Leia tries her best to not blink even when Ciara leanes closer to her.

"You know Leia… I didn't think that places like these would let trash like you in here." 

Her words cause a spark of rage in Leia's chest and it was with great effort that Leia refrains from breaking her perfect nose.

Rather she smiles at her before hissing 

"Oh is that what you think? Well seeing as you've never won anything in your life but a gift certificate for a new boob job, I think it would be safe to say that your opinions don't matter here."

Leia could practically see the anger wafting from her. She waves off the cameramen, ignoring their shouts of thanks. 

As soon as they leave, Janette's facade of sweetness drops for a second as she disregards her with cold eyes before she smiles once more.

"What a crazy thing to say. I wonder…. is your husband aware of your savage nature?"

Leia's brows drop to a frown as her mood switches full three-sixty. 

"Listen here yo-." Her words are cut off when she feels a broad palm embrace her back.

"Pardon me ladies but I think the opening ceremony is about to begin." 

Mark appears out of the blue with an apologetic smile.

Janette who is startled at Mark's sudden entrance quickly puts on a fake smile. 

"Oh my! We must have lost track of the time while we were talking. Silly me!." She says with a delicate giggle. 

She runs appreciative eyes over the man's tuxedo-clad body, her eyes lingering on his well-defined shoulders and unruly locks. She licks her lips before continuing.

"You're the second son of the sky family, right? You must be so devastated after the arrest of your older brother, you can't imagine how heartbreaking it is, both sons of the Sky family with criminal records." The sympathy in her voice was cloying and Leia felt her spine stiffen. 

'How dare she?' she thought. Leia takes a quick peek at Mark's face but he gives no outward reaction to her words, he just stares blankly at her before turning and ushering Leia towards the ceremony with Janette tailing behind.

He suddenly stops after taking two steps and says, "I wonder what your family would say about your little stunt in Ibiza. Should they be appalled at the quite brazen actions of their only daughter? I know I would."

His words were said in a pleasant voice, like the kind of voice one would use to discuss the weather. 

Leia is confused by his words when she turns to get a proper understanding from Mark, only to catch the slowly paling face of Janette. 

Her face was bloodless, her garish red lipstick only highlighting her paleness.

"H-h-how did y-you know that?" Her lips were trembling, while Leia watched, her body itching to know more about this sizzling conversation.  

Leia feels a spark of curiosity. She wonders what secret was so bad that it could turn the one and only Janette of all people into a stuttering mess.

Mark doesn't answer her question and just keeps on walking forward, leaving Janette, voiceless.

Inside the ceremony hall, Leia takes a seat at her assigned table with Mark. 

The hall is pleasantly cool but she still feels suffocated in her sequin dress. The tight bodice pressed against her lungs and the cinched neck rubbed her shoulders raw. All in all, she feels uncomfortable in something she would usually like. 

The light music suddenly comes to a halt as Mr and Mrs Fabien climb onto the stage.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I hope you all are having a wonderful time and thank you all for coming this evening to the celebration of our 50th anniversary!." 

The congregation claps at this. 

Mr Fabien clears his throat after the claps had died down.

"However, none of this would have been made possible if not for the contributions of Sky family who had seen the potential of a little inn and had turned it into a giant among other hotels. My husband and I would like to say, thank you."

Leia feels a bead of sweat inch its way across her face as all eyes are upon her, as Mark waves to the audience. 

"You don't look so good," Mark says. Leia gives him a dirty look as she swips her hand across her forehead.

"I'm fine." She snaps, but her body begins to heat up. 

She turns her attention back to Mr Fabien as he continues with his platitudes.

"That's why I would like to give the award to the representatives of the Sky family as a token of my thanks and a symbol of friendship between our families, before our big announcement," he says, gesturing his hand towards her. The hall erupted into noisy claps as she rise to her feet, accompanied by Mark. 

Leia felt a tingling sensation in her head all of a sudden, as she made her way to the podium to receive the award.

She knows her fever is getting worse and yet, she strives on, taking each step one at a time, until she finally reaches the last stair.