Ria

Episode 35

THEME:ABOVE EVERYTHING!

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RIA POV ?♀
Ben drove us to the place where the dinner was. It was a big fancy Hotel. There was a long line of Limousines,Benz,BMW,Bentleys and expensive sports cars. As we got close to the entrance I could see all the people walking in. I did not look like them,the fancy clothes and suits and flashing lights from the paparazzi.

“Ziggy..I..don’t think I can do this..” I said shakily

“Ria just relax.. I’ll walk you to Ian. And all you have to do is smile,shake a few hands and look pretty for Ian. He is the main Man”
Look pretty for Ian?

That sounded like Mrs Elise.

I made the steps out of the car looking as graceful as possible.

I was blinded by Paparazzi camera flashes. They were packed behind red ropes yelling and taking pictures. Ziggy wrapped his arm around mine as he led me through the blind lights.

And i suddenly wished that it was Ian holding me.
How do celebrities put up with the lights on daily basis?

It took us more time to get to the door.

This is so annoying!

The inside was over packed and roomy. People were hoarded all around and this was just the lobby.

“You did well Ria..you didn’t fall or trip”
“I couldn’t do that not with 20 million dollar necklace hanging on my neck” he laughed
And I’m only doing this because of Ian.
We took the nearest elevator and started feeling nervous cause I was been stared at. I found a few people whispering in each other ear while staring in my direction.

“Are you okay?”
“Yes I’m fine”
I need to collect myself.. Act cool and calm if I was going to make it through tonight.

The ride to the top floor was long. I did feel a little exposed in the dress. And I worry that the back of the dress will slip down and my a-s will be out..plus I wasn’t wearing a bra under the dress. That added to the nervousness.

When the elevator dinged and the door opened I gave a quick breath. We stepped out into the hallway.

I grabbed Ziggy’s arm again and we walked down the hallway. Few people were standing around and they stared and whispered.
“If you let that get to you..you’ll never survive the night” I nodded
“I’m glad Ian has an understanding with a woman now. This is the first time he’s coming here with a date”

“Really?”
“Yes. And I must say that Ian is lucky to have you by his side”

No! It the other way round..I’m lucky to have Ian by my side!

We walked up to a set of door and two men opened them when we got close.
The room was filled with rich people with Fancy million dollars outfits, accessories and services.

White tables were set up at side of the room…waiters walking around. And there was hardly any way to walk.

“Look..Ian is on the other side of the room”
“Where?”

I asked while following Ziggy. I tried to look for Ian but I couldn’t see him.

Eyes were plastered on me as we walked the room
I avoided their stares by looking at the ground.

“You have to get used to it. You will be a star soon”

“What star?”

“A fashion Star. Ian told me about your business”

“He did?”
“Yes.. You have to learn to get through with events like this”
I sighed

This was going to be a Long night!

I will still have to give this Diamond back to Ian.
Talking of Ian..I spotted him as we got closer.
His hair sleeked back. He was dressed in a black suit which matched with a black tie,shoe and light brown handkerchief folded with just a triangle point sticking out of his b—-t pocket. He was different!

More handsome with the champagne glass in his hand.

He was talking to a man.

As Ziggy and I walked up.. Ian gave a quick glance but had to quickly turn back for a second stare. His eyes opened wide just staring -moving them to look over every inch of me.

“Ian I brought your date as promised” Ziggy said with a nod.

He slipped his arm out from mine.

Ian was still lost in trance.

Ziggy went to him,balled his fist and gave him a smack at his back. Ian jumped all the way back to reality.

“Your date” Ziggy pointed
“Oh!.. Thanks Ziggy” he stuttered
“Anytime”

Ian leaned close and planted kisses on my cheeks. I saw the look on the other man’s face. He was amused.

He stared at me!

“Your date is very beautiful Ian, it would be rude not to introduce us” The man said
“Of course Harvey this is Ria Robert. Ria meet Harvey Wesley the deputy of the BMW association. He also owns the largest Construction Company in Chicago”
I hesitated before sticking out my hand for him to shake

“It’s a pleasure to meet you”
Harvey grabbed the wrap of my fingers and slowly pulled them up to his lips and planted a kiss just above my knuckle.

“Meeting a beauty like yourself the pleasure is all mine”

My impression of this guy is that..

He is a sweet talker. And he better not get any silly ideas in his head.

“You flatter me”
“A woman like yourself deserves much more than mere flattery”

I wasn’t comfortable with this guy.. Ian sensed it too even as he was losing his mind over a simple dress.

“Harvey would you please excuse us,I would like to talk to my date alone”
“Of course! It almost time for my speech”
Harvey gave Ian a stern handshake before disappearing into the crowd
“I’ll also take my leave” Ziggy said

“Thanks once again” Ian said and Ziggy left too
I raised an eye brow at Ian when he covered the inch between us.

“You look beautiful” he complimented and my cheeks flushed pink.

“Of course I’m wearing $3000 dress,$500 make up,$700 shoes and $20millom Diamond -” Ian rolled his eyes

“Stop being concerned about the money. And you will still look beautiful even without the accessories”

And I realized I was blushing..but I shied away from it.

We grabbed a few glasses of Champagne before dinner started. I was amazed at all the people Ian introduced me to. I got to meet a couple of people, famous business owners,oil tycoons and fashion designers some who admired the dress I made for Amber Foundation Kids. Some of the people Ian introduced me to attended the event and had received my cards.

Walking around all these people was actually kind of interesting.

And for the champagne, I had never had one before.. It was pretty good but I didn’t drink too much.

“Everyone..”

A man on the stage said into the microphone. A spotlight was on him.

It was the same guy.. Harvey Wesley!
“I’d like to start out by telling you thank you for attending the party. And on behalf of Amber Foundation, Madam Charity is saying a big thank you to everyone that attended the last party. She’s also using this medium to appreciate Ian Bryant for donating $2million to the Foundation”
A spotlight found us

“And BMW is saying Thank You too for giving $1million for today’s dinner party” He completed

People turned to us and began to clap.
He donated such huge amount of money to the foundation! And for the party too!
“That quiet generous of you”
I said to him

“Well I do like helping others when I can”
The spotlight disappeared and reappeared back on the stage

“Now Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you Charles Willard! The president of the Association!”

Everyone clapped

And elderly man with white hair wearing a grey suit stepped on the stage.

“Hello Everyone” He said
“That man you’re seeing up there is the richest man in USA” Ian said
“Really?” I looked back at the man on stage
And I wondered what it feels to be the “richest”

“I would like to start by thanking you all for coming. This Association is still bent on making the country a better place!” Everyone began to clap

“And i Hope you all enjoy the evening. Thank you”
They clapped

He stepped off the stage.
He and Harvey disappeared below the crowd level

“Let’s grab something to eat at the table” Ian said

Thank GOODNESS!
I was hungry!
We both turned towards the direction of where the table was. But Ian stopped on track.
I saw the woman standing in front to us.
She was dressed in a skimpy red cocktail dress. If it was lifted higher she’d be showing the world her a-s.

She was well toned like models, her skin was tanned gold and her hair was blond. Her chest was large too.

“Please tell me this is your girl?”
Ian met her eyes and tensed up
“Valerisa” he said
His arms came around my side as he sq££zed me closer.

Her eyes turned away from him and stared directly at me. I could see her sizing me up.
“Ian,don’t be rude you should introduce me to your friend here”

He cracked a smile on his face
“Darling this is Valerisa -”

What?! Did he just call me Darling?!

Valerisa interrupted Ian as she held out her hand for me to shake

“We used to date..and you are?”
I cringed at the word “date”
She is Ian Ex!

Well Ian hasn’t told me anything about his past girlfriends or relationships.

Did she live with him when They were together?
Different questions flooded my mind that moment and at the same time I tried to imagine Ian’s relationship with Valerisa.
“Ria Robert. It’s a pleasure”
I replied with a half smile
Suddenly feeling like Ian invited me to this party to warn off his Ex girlfriend!

He called me Darling and even sq££zed me to his chest when he saw Valerisa.

Harvey Wesley came up behind Valerisa.

“Valerisa can I talk to you for a second?”
He said to her

Valerisa looked at me before giving Harvey a hard nod.

He winked at Ian before pulling Valeria along with him

“I’m -”
“It OK” I cuts him off quickly
He stared at me in shock
I bit my lower lip and clenched my fist.
“Valeria and I -”
“Ian I said it okay”
Pang of anger shot through me as I recalled the look on Valerisa face while she was sizing me up.
“Okay” he pointed to the table
“I’m not hungry”
I said

Ian closed his eyes
I looked around to avoid his gaze.
I saw this man out of the corner of my eyes. He was searching the room.

He was dressed in a brown suit,his black hair wasn’t geled back, instead it fell naturally on his face.

And I didn’t know why he seems to hold on to my attention but he did.

♪♪♪♪

“I wanna be an open book
Lately I’ve been hard to reach…”
??
Gosh! Now Valerisa ruined Ria’s mood!
Why did she even show up at the party?!
Hmm to see Ian!

Now don’t go about commenting that the man Ria saw is Drake!

Drake did it make it to the party.. Oh! I forgot to write a scene about it!

Thanks for reading anyways!
Kindly hit the like button!