Chapter 941 - EY fashion show in LA (1)

~ Los Angeles, Convention Center ~

Wednesday, October 23, 3:52 PM

Sophia and Felix are seated in the front row. The fashion show with EY designs as the highlighted brand starts in 8 minutes.

Sophia could not hide her surprise when she saw Jeff coming with JoAnna. "I thought that Anna was kidding when she said that you are coming."

"Oscar is still here, so I can leave work early.", Jeff smiled smugly while taking a seat next to JoAnna.

"Aren't you busy with the preparations for company's annual meeting?"

Jeff gave Sophia a knowing look. "That's also on Oscar."

Sophia laughed. "Enjoy while it lasts."

Jeff didn't deny that he is taking advantage of his father. "My thoughts exactly. They are going back this weekend, and I plan to squeeze every workday I can out of him. He tried resisting, but mom told him to help out as much as he can. I think she is hoping for a grandchild." Jeff glanced at JoAnna and she rolled her eyes.

Jeff is happy because he gave himself an extended honeymoon by coming home from office early. He is enjoying extra newlywed time with JoAnna while Oscar wraps up with the work. Perfect.

They don't have a heart to tell Elanor that JoAnna is on a pill and there will be no grandkids anytime soon. As much as Jeff wants a baby (or two), they agreed that right now is not a good time for JoAnna to go through pregnancy. Until they stabilize as a Madam and Master of White family, they don't know who will oppose them and what their methods are.

Jeff remembered. "Before I forget... Here is your parking pass for tomorrow. I got you one where VIP employees park, so you are closer. Information about entry is sent to your email, with picture IDs you will have access to our private booth for the event."

Since Sophia and Felix plan to come for the event in the afternoon, they will arrive without Sarah and Aiden who will go early in the morning to help with preparations.

"Closer?", Felix asked while taking the parking pass from Jeff.

Jeff nodded and explained: "Five blocks around the event are closed for traffic, and parking is preassigned. VIPs park closer than the others."

Felix approved closer parking. Sophia does not need to walk much.

Sophia has her concerns: "Preassigned parking? Isn't that a security risk?"

"Maybe…", Jeff mused. "If we had a choice, we would get Sarah and Aiden to help with security. But they were not available recently, so we did what we usually do. All the people who feel that their security is jeopardized can have their personal bodyguards to escort them. Benefit of a preassigned parking is that everyone goes to their spot instead of causing a congestion by trying to park as close as possible."

Felix thought how this makes sense. Levi and Ryan, their bodyguards, will escort Sophia and him from the parking lot to the event. With them occupying a private booth, Levi and Ryan can stay close by.

The lights dimmed signaling the start of the event and the audience fell silent.

Floor lights lit up the start of the catwalk, showcasing four large butterfly wings, two on each side of the stage. Music started and models emerged from behind the wings. The runway was designed like a silver-speckled snow surface. Colorful spotlights took turns hitting the sculptures suspended from the ceiling which were shaped like butterfly wings. It looked like models are making their way through an enchanted icy butterfly garden.

The audience itself was in the dark, so Felix didn't shy from pulling Sophia to lean onto him. Two of them spoke silently, commenting on the people and outfits which are passing in front of them.

For Jeff, it was his first time to attend such an event. He is not interested in models or fashion, and he would not show up here if not for JoAnna. He wanted to spend time with her, and knows that she wanted to attend this event. Jeff didn't have a heart to ask her to skip it. It's only few hours. He held her hand in his and played with her fingers, occasionally lifting her hand to kiss the back of her palm.

Well, the audience was in the dark, but they were in the front row, so part of the stage lighting illuminated them occasionally. Jeff attracted attention of several people in the attendance. Even with him staying out of the media, he is still a known figure and individuals who keep track of prominent people in the area know that he usually does not attend fashion events.

One person who noticed Jeff is a lady in her thirties. She stared at him for some time, to confirm that it's Jeffrey White and then got her phone. She sent a text to Mrs. Morgan, Harriet's mother, before her gaze returned to observe Jeff's interaction with JoAnna. Whoever watched them, could not ignore the fact that Jeff is not interested in the show. He obviously came only to accompany his wife.

Backstage, the staff came to tell EY crew that they are up in 15 minutes.

The stylists busied themselves for last minute touch ups and assistants were making sure that models are in their assigned spots.

Sarah and Aiden are in oposite lineups, wearing their couple's outfits. Two of them will emerge from opposite sides of the stage and then meet in the middle, between large wings, and strut on the catwalk together.

Aiden saw Sarah take few deep breaths. He can tell that she is nervous, and he is proud of her for not crumbling under the pressure and running away.

"Can I have your number?", female voice got Aiden's attention.

He looked at the girl in front of him and showed his devilish smile. "Only if my fiancée says it's OK.", he gestured toward Sarah.

The girl was confused. His expression said 'yes' , but did he say a fiancée? What trickery is this? She decided to check with the fiancée girl after their walk.

Aiden chuckled and leaned closer to the girl. "I thought you wanted my number."

She stared into his dark eyes and as per command moved toward Sarah.

Sarah's attention moved to the girl only when she was right in front of her. Sarah looked at her and frowned slightly. She is nervous, what does this girl want? To give words of encouragement?

Sarah's face darkened when she heard the girl talk.

"I want the phone number of your fiancé."

Sarah blinked few times. "You are kidding me, right?"

"No.", she honestly responded. "He said that I can have his number if you say that it's OK."

Sarah's face darkened. "You know that he is my fiancé, and you dare to come in front of me and ask for his number?"

"What is going on?", Ellie approached Sarah and the girl.

Sarah looked at Ellie and answered in an almost robotic voice: "She wants Aiden's number. From me."

Ellie inhaled and panickily looked at the girl who still didn't understand what is wrong. "Crystal, go back to your spot. And if you even look at him again, forget about working for EY again!"

Ellie looked at Crystal as she walked back into the second lineup and took her position in front of Aiden.

Ellie frowned at the thought that this is one of examples of people meddling into someone's relationship. Ellie realized that she probably witnessed something like this more than once, but only now, when she has a relationship which needs defending, she started noticing it.

"Why do you look more upset than I am?", Sarah's question pulled Ellie out of her thoughts.

Ellie forced a smile. "I'm fine. Are you?"

"I will be.", Sarah admitted. She has a mix of anxiety because of the upcoming appearance in front of the public, and this incident with Crystal only made it worse. Or did it? She is more upset about Crystal than anxious about the walk. Sarah realized that Aiden did this on purpose… he sent that girl to her to rile her up so that she forgets about her stage fright. And it's working... because she is angry!

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