****
"i thought you will be going together with Charles why do you choose to go with me at the last minute?" Sonya asked as she and Evelyn continue to try on their dress for the ceremony.
"i don’t know who you are talking about" she said and continue.
"did you guys fight again?" she asked inquisitively and remove her clothes.
"i don’t know why you two are together, since you start seeing each other again, you've fought for more than ten times and they are all about meaningless things" she said.
"says who that they are meaningless. he is always the one at fault but he wants me to be the one to talk to him first"
"what did you guys fight about this time?" she asked painstakingly.
"i just complained a little about the way he interacts with girls at his restaurant. i mean he is the boss so why did he have to go there all the time and flirt with them" she told her.
"Em Evelyn, are you sure you complained just a little because i know you very well" she gave her a knowing look.
"maybe a little more than that. but still is that something to get angry over? i mean he has a girlfriend so his interactions with other girls should have some limits" she said accusingly
"maybe its your imagination that he's flirting with them. he wont do that especially not when you are there with him" she replied
"are you with him or me?" she asked
"of course am with you, lets forget about boys for today and just enjoy ourselves to the fullest" Sonya replied to cheer her up.
"is Max busy again? he is supposed to pick us up today" she complained.
"i don’t know. we haven't talk much in the last few days so i guess he is busy" she answered sadly.
"okay then, we will have a girls night today" she said heartily
"Evelyn, have you heard any news about loveth? i tried to find her in school but she has been absent" Sonya said shortly.
"i haven't, she is the one to come back for us not the other way round" she answered and discard it.
after some minutes there was a knock on the door and Evelyn went to open it.
"Mr Hart sent us to bring miss Sonya" the lady at the door said.
"he sent someone to bring his girlfriend and totally forget his sister" Evelyn said and close the door in her face.
"Sonya, your boyfriend sent someone to come get you" she said loudly.
"am coming am not done yet" she yelled back. the woman at the door opened it and entered.
"am sorry ma'am you are also included" she informed.
"so he surely remember that i still exist here" she said lowly but the woman still heard her.
"wait here. its still some hours away from the time for the party, i need to get ready" she said and made to leave.
"that's exactly why am here. to get the both of you dressed and ready for the party. please lets go" she said politely.
"give me a minute then" she entered to meet Sonya and came back outside with her and they drove them off.
****
Sonya and Evelyn were taken to a place near to the venue for the party and they were directed in.
"which artist did he sent to attend to us?" Evelyn asked and sat down on one of the chairs.
"Ray Steve" the attendant answered.
"Ray Steve?!" she exclaimed loudly.
"he invited Ray Steve over here? is there something special today?she even begged him on her last birthday to help her invite him over but he said he cant" she thought.
"what's wrong? why are you so surprised?' Sonya asked.
"don’t tell me you don’t know who Ray Steve is do you? am sure you must know allure right, Ray Steve from allure" she said excitedly
"really? but i heard that he does not just work for anyone. maybe its one of his student"
"that could be it then...and may not be" she said as she turn her head and saw Ray Steve walk in.
"oh my god! its really him" Sonya exclaimed totally surprisingly
"hi, miss Sonya right? i will be in charge of helping you get ready" he said politely with a smile.
"hi, its a pleasure to meet you" she said happily.
"hi, am Evelyn am one of your biggest fan ever" Evelyn said eagerly.he nod his head at her and face Sonya again.
"please lets go" he said and left with her.
"wait, what about me?" Evelyn asked
"am only assigned to miss Sonya" he replied and close the door after him.
"Maxwell hired him just for Sonya? foolish brother" she said angrily.after a few hours, both their dress and make up was done. Sonya wore a cream high low gown. it looks very lovely and gorgeous. her hair was made in a side swept curls a diamond necklace with a small piece of earrings. she check herself in the mirror and was surprised at what she saw.
"you are beautiful" she said to herself and smile foolishly at her image in the mirror. Evelyn also finished and went to meet her.
"you look stunning" Evelyn exclaimed.
"i love this dress. its the latest design" she said again admiring her.
"you also look great" she said and they chatter away.
"is time to leave" the attendant said to them and they went out and saw a car waiting for them, they entered and the car drove them there.Evelyn and Sonya entered and met Charles at the entrance waiting for someone.
"you are here" he said to Evelyn. Evelyn pretended not to see or hear him and turn her face away.
"i will leave the two of you to talk" Sonya said and excuse herself.
"are you still angry?" Charles asked in a low voice.
"what do you think?' she said and folded her arms.
"i will accompany you in" he said and held her hands. Evelyn allow him reluctantly and followed him in.
Sonya walk in and took a drink from one of the waiter while Amy sighted her from the front and walk up to her.
"Sonya you look very beautiful" she said and hugged her.
"have you seen Maxwell?" she asked.
"yes, he was with me a little while ago but he has to attend to some important guest. let me take you to your seat"
"wait, i will just sit somewhere in the middle" she rejected
"no you cant do that. Mr Hart arrange your seat beside his" she said and they continue to walk to the front. just then they bumped into Micheal with his mother and sister, Sonya and Amy bow their head to greet his mother.
"ma'am" they said together and nod their head to greet Micheal.
"you look so beautiful. what is your name?" Stephanie, Micheal's mom asked.
"Maxwell's girlfriend" Joyce answered and smirked at her.
"you are Maxwell's girlfriend?" she asked in disbelieve.
"mom, lets go" Micheal pulled his mother with him to leave, but then Maggie walk up to them stopping them.
"Maggie, you look great. when did you get here?' Stephanie said with her gaze on her. Micheal wanted to leave with Sonya and Amy but his mother stopped him.
"Micheal do you remember Maggie?you two use to hang a lot when you were kids. she just got back" she said and made Maggie stand beside him.
"Micheal, its been a long time. how have you been?' Maggie greeted tenderly and link hands with him. Amy's countenance changed and she frown her face. Micheal remove her hand from his and try to keep a distance.
"Maggie, right? why don’t you go take a seat with my mom for now"
"why are you not coming with us? i want you two to get to know each other tonight. i already discuss with her parents about the both of you, after tonight we will meet to discuss your engagement and wedding"
"engagement? wedding? mom do you know what you are saying?" Micheal was astonished.
"yes, Maxwell is getting engaged tonight am sure his mom will start bragging about it and you told me to arrange it for you" she replied.
"but mom that was months ago. i don’t want you to arrange any relationship for me"
"why don’t i have to, Maxwell is getting engaged to some unknown girl so i want you to beat him by getting married to Maggie. am sure whoever the girl is she is not comparable with her" she said acting like Sonya doesn't exist
"lets go" Amy suddenly said and drag Sonya along with her.
"why didn't you say anything?" Sonya asked as they sit down.
"say what?"
"you both like each other and his mother is forcing another girl on him shouldn't you say something?"
"that's for him to decide, lets forget about it and talk about something else" she replied.
"welcome ladies and gentlemen to Hart group of company thirtieth anniversary" he said cheerfully earning a loud cheer from the crowd
"to start this wonderful occasion let's welcome the chairman to give us his speech" an applause was given as Maxwell climb on the podium he smiled broadly as he stand on stage
"i appreciate everyone for coming here today and i wish for more success for Hart group of company" he raise up his glass and the crowd followed cheering to the happy occasion he got down and the party continued, Micheal came over to meet him
"you could have said more than just that" he said taking a sip from his glass of wine
"like what?" he replied nonchalantly
"well like appreciating some special personnel, you know talking more" he said demonstrating with hands
"why would i appreciate anyone i was the one working my butt off for the past five years because of my hot tempered father's decision"
"well you didn't do that alone, everyone in the company had a part in it"
"go check if the party is going well"
"why would i do that? am no more your assistant remember and besides the party is going great already"
"since you are jobless" he told him as he drop his glass on the passing tray and walk away from him. he walk toward Sonya and Amy.
"finally, you have my time" Sonya said and stand up. Maxwell stood a step away from her, he glare at her affectionately with delight and satisfaction written all over his face.
"why? cant recognize me anymore?' she said teasingly. Maxwell took a step closer and wrapped her in his arms.
"you are beautiful" he murmured under his breath.
"leave me people are watching" she said and pull away from him.
"thanks for this" she said referring to her dressing.
"i know this must be very costly"
"that's why its for you, so are you enjoying the party?' he asked just then Micheal walk up to them.
"i thought you will meet us here later but it happens that you came with your family" Amy said to Micheal.
"hasn't he told you? he resigned already" Maxwell informed and took Sonya away with him.
"you resigned? when did that happen?"
"i wanted to tell you but i was not able to" he tried to explain.
"so you went back to take over from your dad?"
"yes i guess"
"is it because you are getting engaged soon? anyways its not my business" she said sullen.
"am not getting engaged to anyone also don’t accept Maxwell's offer to become his assistant"
"why shouldn't i? he's my boss. what right do you have to tell me what to do?" she asked and walk away from him. she saw a waiter passing, she took a drink and gulp it all at once.