Chapter 17 - Rivals

“What?” Arabella was stunned and couldn’t believe what she had heard.

“Check it out. It’s all over the news.” Farrah said with amusement.

Arabella quickly browsed the updated news online.

‘Top-notch bachelor, CEO Bill Sky of Sky Corporation was engaged to the famous actress Ms. Trishia Meyer, the only daughter of Senator Gregory Meyer.

Trishia Meyer was famous in Capital Z because aside from being the most popular actress, she also came from a family of powerful politicians. Her dad was expected to run for the presidency next and also expected to win.

Arabella read the whole story. She felt quite at a loss. For some reason, she felt a sharp sadness in her heart that she couldn’t explain.

‘Gosh. Why do I feel this way? What we had was nothing. It’s just a chaotic, messy encounter which includes pestering, teasing, and scheming.’ Her thoughts tried to calm her heart.

Maybe because this role was offered to her once. Maybe they had kissed twice and felt his warm hug when they slept together once. Maybe his scent and the complex sensation he gave to her were already installed in her body and couldn’t be removed anymore.

One thing Arabella was sure of was that Bill Sky doesn’t need her anymore. He doesn’t need a contractual wife anymore. She was a nobody to him now. They have nothing to do with each other in the first place. Bill Sky would not look for her now. Bill Sky would not pester her anymore.

Arabella knew that she needs to give up the hope that Bill Sky will help her. That’s merely impossible. She would make her his laughing stock. Not just for him, but a laughing stock to the whole city as he had already a fiancée.

Now that Bill Sky was already engaged, it’s just right that she keeps her distance from him. What she was about to do could mislead her attention and that would definitely ruin her reputation and her family.

Arabella completely dropped her thoughts about Bill Sky. Let them be strangers forever. She put everything, even a small single thought about Billy Sky aside. Her mind is always preoccupied with her family and company matter as she moved to their villa with her mom.

With her family's problematic situation now, she needed to manage their family real estate company.

Their company was on a brink of bankruptcy since her dad is still in a coma. Her dad was the President of their company, but when she replaced his position, she found out that the company is under huge debts.

They need to find great investors for their new project so they can get over the crisis.

Next, she needed to find legal evidence so that her father’s case will quickly move forward.

Again, these problems were very easy if only he can ask Bill Sky for help freely. Arabella shook her head for thinking of him again.

She shook her head of the thoughts of him again.

The next day, Arabella’s company received an annual banquet invitation letter from the City Business Chamber. The party will be held tomorrow night.

Maybe his father annually attended this kind of party to represent their company. Arabella didn’t have any idea how this annual party works, but this time it seemed that she needs to be present on behalf of his father.

This would be a great help for their company if she can find businessmen who are willing to invest and trust her and her father’s company.

Arabella quickly dialed Farrah to asked information about this banquet.

“Hello, Bestie.” Farrah answered cheerfully.

“Do your company received the City Business Chamber Annual Party invitation?” Arabella was hoping that Farrah has also an invitation so they can go together.

“Yeah. My secretary just informed me this morning. But my parents usually attend this party. You know, I hate socializing. Why are you asking?” Farrah asked.

“I received the invitation for my father and I’m planning to attend on his behalf.” Arabella explained.

“Oh. But that’s a party that needs to have a partner. Everybody there will come with their muses and gentlemen partners. Are you sure you wanna go?” Farrah worriedly asked.

“Yeah. I’m serious Farrah, I need to find investors in this party. You know my company’s status now, right? I will never miss this chance.” Arabella sighed.

“Okay. Calm down. Let me think.” Farrah paused “Oh. Got it. How about asked Jayson your ex to be your partner at that party? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Even if you broke up with each other you still have good memories together. Right?” She then added.

“Hell no, Farrah! He was already engaged with Margaret. He will have a baby soon with her and a family of his own. How could it be? I cannot be an intruder of their life.” Arabella was firm about her and Jason.

“Well then, who’s gonna be your partner in that party? You don’t want to be out of place, right?” Farrah replied.

“You. Let’s go together, please.” Arabella was kinda begging Farrah.

“That’s too awkward, you know. We are both girls in there and will be the laughing stock in the party if we don’t have partners.” Farrah exclaimed.

“Then you got another idea?” Arabella was already drained about this partner issue thing.

“Hmm… well, maybe I have to bother my brother to ask him to go with you to that party. But you know this will cost me a lot for him to accept this offer. As we all know, he also hates to socialize.” Farrah’s tone was subconsciously somewhat hopeful.

Enrique is Farrah’s older brother. He also has beautiful genes like his sister Farrah. When they were just in their teens, Arabella used to have a secret crush on him. Instead of working in their own company, he pursued his profession as a doctor. He is a famous surgeon in Capital Z. He is a genius in the medical field and is devoted to studying new research that’s why he doesn’t have time to socialize. He doesn’t like to talk much and doesn’t like noisy people and places. Arabella remembered when she used to hang out in Farrah’s house, Enrique was always in his study room the whole day. He was always reading a book whenever he's not in his study room.

“I know you can do it. I owed you a lot. But what about you, who’s gonna be your partner then?” Arabella was curious.

“Hmm… Don’t worry about me. I can always ask my brother’s best friend, Mike. I think he likes me. I am sure he will not reject me.” Farrah laughed after claiming it.

It seemed that Farrah had gotten over with Gab. She didn’t mention him anymore. Arabella didn’t hear Gab’s name from Farrah’s mouth for a long time now.

“Okay. We already have partners next is what should we wear then?” Arabella was still problematic. Since she was back from abroad, she doesn’t have enough decent clothing for formal parties.

“Oh. Leave that to me, Baby! Come to my place tomorrow night. We should be the brightest among those brightest stars at that party. All you need to do is have a beauty sleep tonight.” Farrah was with full confidence in her tone.

Arabella and Farrah share the same sizes of clothes. Farrah is the fashionable and daring type and Arabella is the formal and the usual type. Now that she will be using Farrah’s clothes, she was sure that she will be wearing daring clothes at the party. But this didn’t matter at all, the important thing is Farrah is there willing to help her. It's just right for her to be submissive to Farrah and shouldn’t put Farrah into a difficult situation.

She ended the call with at peace. She was now settled. Thanks to her best friend, Farrah. Now, all she needs to do is how she could find an investor for his father’s company. She didn’t sleep the whole night. Arabella made a portfolio and a brief presentation about their company’s project. She was very preoccupied that she lost the track of time.

She woke up with a restless ringtone the next morning. It was already 10 a.m. It was Farrah.

“Hello?” Farrah answered lazily.

“It’s time to wake up Sleeping Beauty. I have a piece of good news for you. My brother said YES. He just had a duty today in the hospital, but don’t worry, he promised to be here on time.” Farrah cannot withstand the excitement in her tone.

“That’s great! You are really my angel. I love you. Mwaahhh!” She owed Farrah a lot.

“Hurry up and come over now. Will have to fit your gown for the party. I already prepared some for you here. I’m sure you’re going to like it.” Farrah was more excited than her.

“Okay then. I’m just going to gather my things and I’ll be heading there now. See you in a little while.” Arabella ended the call and quickly jumped out of her bed to prepare everything for tonight’s party.

The two have lunch together in Farrah’s house before they messed up on Farrah’s walk-in closet.

The night came, Arabella and Farrah were ready.

Enrique came as he promised. When he saw Arabella, he couldn’t help but appreciate her goddess-like beauty. He seldom recognized beauty as he thought that humans are the same when they get old. Arabella had been just exceptional.

Enrique was undeniably handsome and very elegant in his tuxedo.

Mike also came with a Lamborghini and fascinating charm. He was also captivated by Farrah’s beauty.

They went to the party together but in separate cars.

Farrah and Mike came in first and followed by Arabella and Enrique. All people at the party were stunned. They are very dashing good-looking couples.

Farrah and Mike started to greet familiar people in the industry.

Arabella and Enrique tried to make friends with some friendly people at the party. Good thing, Enrique is a famous doctor that some people like to be close to him so as his partner it’s her great advantage.

She got the chance to open her company’s project and offered some proposals to some approaching businessmen.

“Hi, Arabella. It’s nice to meet you here.” Margaret together with Jayson came from her side. As usual, she was hugging Jayson’s arm possessively.

Jayson was stunned to hear Margaret’s greeting. He didn’t know that Arabella will come to this party as she never did it before.

Arabella quickly faced them with Enrique. “Hi.” She spoke.

She never expected them to be here since Jayson’s company is the 2nd biggest company in Capital Z. Farrah said those biggest business groups never show up at this kind of party.

“So, Is he your new boyfriend as you have mentioned before?” Magaret started her vicious tricks again.

Jayson faced was unhappy. It was obvious that he wanted also to hear Arabella’s answer.

Arabella was stunned by that abrupt question. She didn’t expect it. What is she going to answer not to be humiliated by this Margaret and not to be misunderstood by Enrique?

She was quite at a loss.

“Hi. I’m Enrique Lin. I am Arabella’s boyfriend.” He got her obviously. Arabella blushed a bit. She felt ashamed.

“Oh. Gosh. Enrique Lin, the famous and the best surgeon in Capital Z. Did you hear that, Jayson? I’m so delighted to meet you.” Margaret extended her hand to Enrique in a seductive manner.

Jayson froze. His expression was obviously annoyed that he dragged Margaret to go home.

“Thank you for saving me from embarrassment” She whispered to Enrique.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our guest speaker for tonight, the one and the best. No, other than the CEO of Sky Corporation, Mr. Bill Sky.” The master of the ceremony announced in front of the crowd.

The spotlight spotted Bill Sky near Arabella’s table.. He walked elegantly to the stage with his perfect handsome domineering and powerful figure.