CHAPTER NINE

The First public Appearance

Abigail sat still while an attendant added the finishing details to her face. She was sitting still, but uncomfortable as she wasn’t used to being treated like this, but she let the attendant do his job.

“Clarke, I want to see what I look like.” She said.

“I’m sorry, but I’d rather you not, ma’am. This is the first time I’m working on your face, and I’d love to see how you look when you experience the beauty I’m giving to you. Not that you weren’t beautiful before.” He quickly said.

Abigail sat still, sighing. She was about to go out with Luke. It would be their first public event since they got “married”, and she was getting ready.

This “marriage”, whatever it was, wasn’t something that she was enjoying, but for now, it seemed like she had no choice but to go along with it, and she would do it with her head held up high.

“Finished!” Clarke exclaimed, beaming. “You can look now.”

Abigail turned around in the swivelling chair and gasped when she saw her face. She looked like a princess from a fairy tale, and she loved it! It made her look the same, but so much better.

“There, that’s the look. All I did was accentuate your features and added a bit of pop.” Clarke seemed proud.

Abigail was about to speak when a voice interrupted her.

“We must leave now. You’re taking too much time!”

They turned to see Like standing in the doorway.

Luke caught sight of her before she turned her eyes away from him. Was she… shy? He wondered.

“I was doing my makeup.” Abigail said, wondering if Luke had anything to say to her, the least he could do was tell her that she looked good.

“Be ready in five or else I’d leave without you. The world already sees you as a negative person, so why not add to their beliefs?”

Luke walked away from her, frowning.

-

Millions of lights seemed to flash at once when they got out of their cars, and they were besieged by reporters immediately.

“Mr Vandell, what do you have to say to viewers?”

“Mrs Vandell, is it true that you’re only with your husband for his wealth?”

“What are you wearing today? It looks stunning!”

“Did you bag Mr with your great fashion sense?”

Abigail was trying to not get blinded by the lights, ignoring every journalist walking up to her. She was dressed in a stunning red dress that dipped low at the back, and highlighted her curves, yet leaving an elegant, glittery finish. Luke was dressed in a fancy suit with red trimmings and delicate designs on the front.

As they walked in, Abigail mumbled to him.

“There are so many cool people here! Is that Gill Bates?” She gasped. “And Micki Sinaj! Is that— we should go and get pictures with them.”

“You’re embarrassing me. Keep yourself in check, and don’t bother other people because you’ve seen them on your television and they’re popular.”

“I’m kind of nervous right now. What if I do the wrong thing around them?”

“See to it that you don’t. Everyone is watching, and just the littlest mistake could mean more than what you see it as.” He said, taking up her hand and kissing it tenderly.

Abigail felt heat crawl up her cheeks and she took her hand.

“Hey!”

“What you do when you get to events like these is to approach, or wait to be approached. This is not like your regular house parties.”

Abigail nodded, looking around.

“Okay, and if I’m hungry…?”

He gestured towards the middle of the hall, where tables of eatables were lined up.

“Help yourself, but not so much that you eat like a beggar.”

Abigail nodded, heading over there. She had barely eaten anything because she was getting ready to come to this gala. She had to eat something, else she’d pass out.

That was when she felt eyes on her. It felt like the entire proceedings had stopped to watch her make her walk to the food and snacks, and she felt her confidence melt away.

“Look at her.”

“That’s the one that Luke married.”

“Where do you think he got her from?”

“I wonder if we even know about her family.”

The whispers were getting to her, and it didn’t help that they didn’t care that she could hear. Abigail froze up, ready to break down and turn back, but deep down, she knew that that would only add to the fire. She could see the headlines now.

-UNKNOWN BRIDE RUNS AWAY FROM FOOD OUT OF FEAR.-

No, there was no way that she was doing that. She needed these people to know that she wasn’t afraid of them. Bracing herself, she walked to the snacks and grabbed a plate, putting a few snacks on her plate before she started to eat.

“My, this girl must have lost her way. She thinks this is a charity home.” A familiar voice said.

“How greedy to walk into an event and start by stuffing your face, don’t you think?”

Abigail shut her eyes and took a deep breath before turning around.

“Kate, Obetta, what do you want from me?”

“We couldn’t possibly want anything from you. We just feel sorry for you. Having no idea how things work here must be terrifying.” Obetta said with mock sympathy, tapping her shoulder.

Abigail glared at the hand on her shoulder like it was made of trash.

“Unlike you two who are like be too afraid to eat because you’re afraid of public opinion.” She scoffed, turning to Kate. “And that is why you do your damn best to control it.”

“You will say no such thing to me!” Kate exclaimed, pointing a finger at her.

Luke stood in the corner, completely composed. Some women and men were approaching him already, and he could see that they wanted to talk business. He shook his head.

Abigail had so much to learn, and the fact that his mother was against him marrying her would make her sink deeper into the metaphorical social drain.

Meanwhile, Abigail had taken to ignoring the two women behind them.

“Hello.” Someone touched Abigail gently. “Are you the Abigail Vandell?”

Abigail nodded at the stranger.

“I am.”

She snuck a glance at Kate and Obetta, and to her surprise, they both looked like they had seen a ghost.

“Walter Tennis?” Obetta gasped, and Abigail turned back in shock.

Walter Tennis was one of the largest sport-names on the continent. She was familiar with the name, but not his face. What was such a man doing talking to her in the first place?

She shook her head and tried not to stare at him too hard. Walter continued to speak.

“I have something important to discuss with you.”