Chapter 86 - Chapter 85

@International_Pen

(CLAIRE)

My heart is beating wildly inside my chest. Whatever confidence I had before had gone into ashes. I felt anxious to be meeting his parents and every of his acquaintances.  

We had arrived at the parking lot and in the distance, a hotel grandeur stood intimidatingly.

Expensive arrays of car laid by the corner as a sign of rich invited guests. Faint orchestral music wafted to my ears and the imagery of delicious cuisines popped into my mind.

I still hasn't eaten.

"Ready?" Derick smiled. "Princess…"

I didn't lie.

"No. Can we stay here for a little? I'm nervous."

"Relax," he curled the long lock of hair that hung loosely at the side of my face.

"You're the most beautiful girl tonight."

I feigned a smile.

Nearby, several more guests were walking towards the venue like superstars in the red carpet. Cameras flashed and everything smelled like millions of wasted money. Derick himself was wearing an Ermenegildo Zegna. Meanwhile, I'm in rags.  

We really doesn't suit each other.

"Count 1 to 10 and exhale," he advised.

I closed my eyes and dumbly started counting but halfway through, he reached for my hand.

"Shall we go?"  

My mind was protesting but I just nodded.

The first thing that caught my eyes when we entered was the huge fountain-like chandelier. Then the expensive draperies hung at every nooks of the reception.  

I blushed up as all the guests turned their heads as at us; the Prince and Cinderella walking through the carpeted isle.  

"Bro! Derick," a young man called out happily as he approached.

"I'm glad you made it here," Derick answered.

"How's the flight from Europe?"

"Just fine," he shrugged at looked at me with wonder.

"Your girlfriend?"

"Yup. Claire," Derick gazed at me with a smile and back to the guy.

"He's Lance. My cousin."

"Hello," I extended my hand for a handshake but withdrew it back instantly when I noticed he wouldn't take my hand.  

"Hi," he looked back at Derick.

"You've got one simple girl here. Is this a sign of you settling down from high maintenance women?"

"C'mon. I just want to have a simple wife like her," Derick winked at me.

"Don't get too fooled by this womanizer Claire," Lance teased.

"Man, I've changed already."

While they talked, I caught a sight of a familiar face in the distance.

Was it Deo?  

It was unmistakably him! Zhion's friend.

@International_Pen