Chapter 87 - Chapter 86

@International_Pen

((( CLAIRE )))

"Champagne," Derick offered me a glass.

"Non-alcoholic. Don't worry."

"Thanks," I took it and looked back at Deo.

What's he doing here? Was Zhion here too?

We were about to take our seats when a woman called Derick's attention. She's so beautiful and stood tall like a model.

"Jessica…"

Jessica Mendez? Isn't she the beauty queen who won the Miss Universe crown some years ago? I couldn't believe I'd meet her in person.

"Who is she?" she asked him as she looked me from head to toe.  

"She's Claire, my fiancé."

Fiancé? We aren't engaged yet!

"Fiancé, huh?" she sneered.

"Plain Jane. Did your taste with women went that bad?"  

I was unsure if I'd get offended but it's true that I'm nothing compared to anyone he's dated before. Whatever she meant, I just didn't care.

Before we reached our table, a middle-aged couple greeted us.  

"Aunty," Jessica kissed the woman on the cheeks and turned to hug the man.

"Happy birthday Uncle."

Governor Brundon! These were Derick's parents!

"Your girlfriend?" Derick's mom looked at me and smiled.

"Mom, dad. I want you to meet my girlfriend," he shoved me gently on the shoulder,

"Claire."

"Lovely woman!" she hugged me briefly.

"Good choice," the governor added.

"Nice to meet you dear."

I shook hands with him and smiled at both of them,

"Thank you. Nice to meet you too."

"Join us," his mom invited us to the biggest table at the center of the room.

It was full of executives in business suits.

I tightened my grip at Derick's arm and whispered.

"I don't belong there. Please just let me sit somewhere else."

"Relax. I know it's intimidating to sit amongst a group of men but this is normal in the business. Zhio doesn't accept women in his companies," he smiled again.

"Zhio…" I looked at the group.

Someone among those men was the famously rich billionaire.

"Who's he in there?"

He laughed lowly.

"You don't seriously know him? He isn't here yet."

"Son, is Zhio really coming?"

Mrs. Brundon asked when we we're seated. Nobody even lifted their heads at our presence.

"He'll come," somebody from two seats away answered.

He looked like a very professional and intelligent doctor.

"He's Dr. Eriez," Derick whispered to me.

"Zel Cantheliz's executive pathologist. And the spectacled man beside him is Atty. Wenziel, a c-level and Zhio's personal lawyer."

I nodded.

"They look to be over their fifties. Is Zhio that old?" I asked curiously.

He chuckled.

"We're childhood friends. He's just around my age but I'm undoubtedly more handsome."

I raised a brow to tease him.

@International_Pen