Chapter 9

"Damn girl, you look gorgeous. And I am not just saying it. You really do look gorgeous." Ava complemented Audrey. She looked amazing in her long sleeved, full length soft-teal see-through lace dress. The embroidery of the dress covered most part of the dress making her looked modest while the front part showed enough cleavage. The dress fitted her perfectly showing the perfect figure and flowed elegantly from her lower thigh to the floor. Her brunette hair was flowing freely over her shoulder and the simple make-up only accentuate on her already beautiful features.

"You looked beautiful as well, Ava." She responded her friend's kind remarks. Ava was wearing a lavender sleeveless gown with pearls beaded on the top waist. The plunging neckline was not exaggerated instead showed classic sexiness. Her black hair was clipped to the side and a simple make-up emphasized on her brown eyes.

"I will see you at the event later. It's almost eight and I believe your ride will arrive soon. I'll drive there myself and you can inform me whether you'll need a ride home or not, okay? Bye!" She walked out the door while Audrey waited for her date to pick her up.

My date. It sounded weird enough that I have to call him Cale instead of Mr Russell.

Ding. The doorbell rang and she hurriedly walked out to the door.

"Audrey, you looked gorgeous, my dear." Cale looked at Audrey in amazement and felt proud to have her as his date for the night.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Mist... I mean Cale." She corrected.

"Almost slipped there. Shall we?" He handed his hands out and she quickly locked the door behind them and head towards the car. They went inside the limousine as the driver held the door opened for them. They drove in silence as they sat side by side while he was busy checking at his phone continuously until they arrived at the hotel. The door was held open then he walked out, he held his hand out to her while pictures were taken by the dozens of paparazzi and media outside the hotels. They walked in together into the grand ballroom and were greeted by countless guests congratulating him on the success of his business. They made their way to their table and were seated at the table together. She was introduced to a few of his business partners.

"Audrey, meet Mr Howard Jenkins, an old friend of mine. Howard, this is Audrey." She held out her hand, greeted them with her smile and took a seat at the table.

"Excuse me for moment, dear." He excused himself to greet the other guests while she sat on the table with his few other guests. His business partners were rather busy greeting other special guests and families, leaving her sitting awkwardly alone.

She felt it was the best excuse to leave for a moment and check on the situation in the kitchen. She excused herself from the table and walked towards the kitchen. She checked on Carrie who was doing extremely great and outstandingly kept the kitchen under control. She exchanged a few words with Carrie and with a heavy heart left her to do the job. She walked out of the kitchen feeling rather upset for not being able to help in any way to her staffs. She went back to the table and sat.

Cale stood on the stage with his father and gave an impressive speech together. Everyone clapped at the end of their speech after which Cale returned to his chair.

"That was an amazing speech." She praised him sincerely as he sat down for a few moments before being bombarded by other guests. Cale excused himself again to greet other guests. She sat there alone again, holding a glass of wine in her hands and swirling the glass around staring at it blankly.

"I thought it was you. Not in your chef attire I see." She looked up and saw his annoying handsome face again.

"Mr Loyd. Of course, you'd be here. Nope, I'm here as a guest, tonight." She responded.

"So, where is your date? Running and hiding from your harsh remarks?" He teased.

"I'm not with a d... yeah he's somewhere. Perhaps. I guess. Maybe." She drawled monotone not wanting to fight a battle tonight, she had enough regret to be here at this event with Cale who had been excusing himself leaving her alone too much without an apology already.

"That was easy. So he finally can't stand you huh?" He provoke her even more.

"What is it, Mr Loyd! Can't you just be a nice person for once. You do know most of your employees are afraid, no, terrified of you, right?" Finally she shot back.

"Now that's the feisty girl I knew. And yes I know that because I made sure of that. Nobody messed up, everybody works properly and then you can get the actual work done efficiently." He replied.

"That is an interesting perspectives, Mr Loyd. No doubt, you have the best insight on your employees' well-being." She said sarcastically.

"That's why I am Ethan Loyd, who owns the Loyd's corporation, Miss chef." He smirked arrogantly and his smile disappeared as Cale came walking towards us.

"Congratulations Cale, I didn't expect that you could actually make it this far." He said mocking.

"Of course, you didn't Ethan. You'd be surprised when I'm above you one day and your empire crumble slowly to the ground." He replied arrogantly.

"Knowing your cunning behaviour, I'd be ready and will be waiting, looking down at you from the top." He said confidently.

"Why are you even here Ethan?" he scowled.

"As much as I hate to be here, our father made sure we have to support each other. I am here on my father's behalf. Well you have my worst regards. Hope I don't have to see you around, Cale. Have a good evening Miss Bouquet." He nodded to her and left them.

"How do you know Ethan?" He asked looking at the back of Ethan who was already walking out of the ballroom.

"He was my former boss, before I quit and work as a chef." She answered.

"You worked in Loyd's company? You must be in quite a high position to get to work along with him, then." He stated in disbelief.

"Yeah, I was working as the managing director at the Loyd's New York division before I quit." She explained.

"That's quite foolish of you to quit, don't you think?" He asked ignorant of the statement he made.

"I don't think so, I quit my job and found a better one that actually makes me happy and proud. There's nothing wrong with that." She rebuffed.

"My apologies, I didn't mean it that way. Of course there's nothing wrong with that. Shall I get you another drink?" He diverted and she lets him as this was his day after all.

"Sure." She smiled at him. They spent another few moments and sent her home when the event ended. He held her hands out the car and walked her to the doorstep.

"Thank you for tonight Cale, and congratulations once again for today." She said. He took a step closer to her and leaned in when she turned her cheeks slowly to the side and he kissed her cheeks instead. Knowing how most women usually behaved towards him, she surprised him. He smirked and thought that he was mistaken to think that she would be like the other girls. He was intrigued by her behaviour, there was something fascinating about her.  He wished her goodnight. She smiled, turned and went inside the house as he walked towards the car and drove off.