Chapter 416 - 00.00

Flashes of clicks and shots gleamed under the brilliant lights. The evening party's fame spread across the city in the nick of time. Fans lined up outside, leaning forward to eavesdrop, and daring ones tried to break free from the restricted area. The fervent guards would come at them instantly if they tried to stir trouble. 

Media lined up behind every celebrity to capture them in their cameras. The bigger the celebrity's fame, the more chance of increasing their channel TRP the next day. Amidst the chaos, all the reporters, including the fans, shifted their attention to the sleek Bugatti La Voiture that pulled into the entrance. Everybody eagerly waited to see the next celebrity in line.

A long leg footed to the ground, followed by a woman clad in gold, stepped out of the car. Instead of a roar, silence ensued in the crowd as they watched the not-so-familiar woman with utter curiosity. 

Seconds later, an uproar raised in the crowd again when a woman clad in red came to the fore. A cute dog jumped out of the car after her.

''OMG! It's Leena and her pet!''

''They are wearing matching colors! How cute!'' One of the fans shouted. ''Leena, when are you tying the knot with Devin?''

''We fans want to see your live wedding!''

''Who is the woman standing next to you, Mr. Hayes?'' The reporters and fans shoot questions after questions to Leena and Francis.

Often Leena appears with Francis at parties, but this is the first time they noticed a woman clad in gold standing next to the man. Judging by her features, the media and fans had an inkling already. The media very well knew Francis is not married and knew Leena is not his biological daughter. Just who is this stunning lady then?

Banquets, parties, and red carpets are not new for Leena. But this is the first debut party for her mother, and Leena could feel her mother clasping her arm in nervousness. She guessed her Francy also felt the same. ''Don't get nervous, mom,'' Leena muttered.

An hour ago, Heather was excited to go to the party, for she had not attended one in two decades, but putting on a spotlight, her confidence was crumbling.

''Take a deep breath. It's going to be alright, Heather.'' Francis whispered, squeezing her hands, in an attempt to comfort her. Swallowing hard, Heather nodded.

''Mr. Hayes, a word for us? Who is the woman standing next to you?''

''Leena, who is the woman holding your arm?'' One of the reporters demanded to pry as much information they needed for tomorrow's headlines.

Leena cast a side glance at her mother and Francis. In a determining consent, both nodded their heads. Turning to the anticipating reporters, proudly, Leena said, ''My mother and father.'' 

Her revelation not only blew the reporters and fans but Francis as well. He was used to hearing Leena calling him Francy, but 'father' emotion raised possessiveness. At the same time, his jealousy swelled when the devil inside his head screamed at him— that he is not Leena's biological father. He suppressed the urge to kill the devil when several reporters appeared to pry more details about his relationship with Heather, but the guards quickly set into action and led the three inside safely.

Upon entering, the first thing that greeted Leena's sight at the entrance was a masked waiter holding a platter of drinks in his hand. ''Drinks madam and sir.'' He offered the colorful beverages to the three.

Leena stared at him curiously. ''Umm..What's with your outfit?'' Leena inquired, looking around. To her surprise, she noticed the other waiters serving the gathering dressed the same. Ultra-modern shirts paired with vintage bell-bottomed pants and matching flowery masks to their faces. Except for their eyes, she couldn't see anything.

''It's a dress code for the party, madam.'' The waiter said. ''One of my co-workers suggested a unique dress theme for the party. The company's CEO was very pleased by the idea. So, here we are.''

Leena internally praised Devin for turning the party into an exemplary one. 

''That's a cool theme.'' Heather's mouth watered at the Tequila sunrise. Before she could touch the orange drink, Francis grabbed her hand. ''You agreed, Heather. No drinking.''

''Argh! You are unbelievable, Francis.'' Heather crinkled her nose in displeasure. ''I am going to find my friends. Don't follow me.'' She angrily turned and trotted towards the amphitheater to find her friends.

''Sometimes your mother is crazier than you, Leena,'' Francis said to Leena.

''And you love both of us crazily, Mr. Hayes.'' Leena's tongue itched to stuck her tongue at Francis, but she was afraid her tongue sticking video would be the highlight of tomorrow's headlines instead of Devin's hard work in bringing this party to life. 

''Come on, Carrot,'' Leena said, and both slipped into the crowd to find her friends. 

''We are indeed a crazy family.'' Francis chuckled, grabbing the Tequila sunrise from the platter, and went off to find his friends.

While walking, Leena scanned around, hoping to spot the familiar figure but not a trace of the man. ''Dunce idiot! You are not bothered that your wife is here_''

''Hey, Leena!'' 

Leena snapped to her left and found her friends waving a hand at her. Cutie donned in a princess dress was playing with the air balloons.

''Hey, birthday girl! At last, you have come!'' Considering the loud rock music, Jane has to shout to make her voice reach Leena's ears. 

''Hi, all,'' Leena said, sitting on the chair, her voice dull and lacked vivacity. 

''Where is your handsome husband?'' Jane asked.

''Don't bring his topic, Jane.'' Reese butted before Leena goes crazy again at the mention of Devin. 

Harley literally wanted to crush her brother's bones for hurting Leena's feelings. ''Don't feel bad, Leena_''

''How would you feel if Andrew and Jasper forget your birthdays?'' Leena calmly questioned them in return. She then turned to Jane. ''Did my brother ever forgot your birthday, Jane?''

All the three girls lowered their heads, not uttering a word. Jasper wished Harley at exactly twelve in midnight by sneaking into her bedroom. Wilbur surprised Jane by taking her on a long ride. As for Reese, she hadn't yet experienced the surprise, but she believes in Andrew.

Leena mocked herself for raising her expectations on her husband. The urge to increase the punishment for....Her brain ceased her thoughts in the middle when the lights turned off. The bright amphitheater swallowed into darkness.

''Why did they cut off the electricity?'' Jane pulled her daughter, knowing that she would be scared. 

The people sitting around the tables turned on their mobile flashlights.

''A breakdown, probably,'' Leena muttered, glad that the loud music came to a stop. The atmosphere suddenly turned quiet when a voice like a whispering meadow wafted into her ears. ''Thank you all...for joining tonight.''

''At last, I am hearing your husband's voice,'' Jane exasperated. ''But where is he hiding?''

''Hello, Mr.Showstopper! Show us your face.'' Somewhere from the left, Leena heard a voice scream at Devin. She guessed it must be Andrew or Wilbur.

Leena acted like she was not bothered, but her eyes were scanning fervently for that once face in the bleak darkness. Moments later, Devin's face emerged on the projector.

''Leena, look,'' Reese screamed, pointing her eyes at the bottom left corner of the video. ''It's a recorded video dated yesterday. The time is showing 11.57.''

Nothing gushed into Leena's brain. Her eyes focused on Devin alone. 

''Firstly, I want to address the beautiful girl in red.''

All the people's eyes turned to Leena sharply.

''I bet she would have googled up all the curses to use on me by now for not wishing on her birthday.''

''OMG! Devin planned for a surprise in front of the world.'' Jane screamed. ''This is a fantastic surprise I would ever think of.''

''You think you are special to me just because it's your birthday?'' Her heart skipped a beat. Leena felt like he was speaking to her heart directly. ''No, way. You are special to me every day, and with each year, I love you more.'' The moment the time turned 00.00, Devin's ''Happy birthday, Sweetheart.'' message reached her ears.

In a flick of a second, the lights turned on, and the man of her dreams appeared into her vision, opening his arms wide. The brightness of his eyes enchanted, warming her heart. "You remember!" Leena covered her mouth in naive surprise. She was smiling through happy tears.. Not wasting any more seconds, she raced into his arms.