15 Voice of an Angel
Kristofer adjusted his tie and plastered on a fake smile. He grimaced at his reflection. He did not really like having to put up socializing with people. It was not his forte.
It was his father's.
But since he was already acting as the CEO, he had no choice but to put up with the pretense of mingling with people he knew his father would find valuable.
People who will be beneficial for the company.
Kristofer sighed before leaving the comfort room and returning to the party. It was just like any party.
Uniformed servers offered food and drinks to each guest they came across. Serenading music was played by a live band somewhere close to the stage.
Wanting to drink his night away, Kristofer took the chance to snatch a drink as he passed by a server before making himself less visible amongst the crowd.
He might have accepted the task of mingling, but if he could have avoided it, Kristofer grabbed every chance to do so.
There was really nothing exciting about the party.
It was a casual birthday dinner for Brett Prestman, one of the younger CEOs around Kristofer's age.
Though, as far as Kristofer was concerned, he remembered speaking to Brett only a few times, and mostly, it was about how the other was doing. Other than that, Kristofer had yet to learn who the guy was and what he did for his hobbies.
Kristofer scoffed, thinking it was ridiculous for people like them to invite one another, and neither of them even knew each other that much.
He can't even call Brett Prestman one of his acquaintances. They weren't business partners, nor did they hang out with one another.
Kristofer shook his head, the drink in his hand becoming his only source of comfort.
Grace was quite occupied with her wedding preparations. Kristofer would at least have someone to annoy if she had been at the party.
Taking a sip at his drink, Kristofer let his gaze wander around. It was his and Grace's habit to watch people whenever they were at social gatherings that their parents had forcefully made them attend despite not wanting to go.
It became their little entertainment, and Kristofer felt a little lonely for doing it alone.
With his drink almost finished, he was about to wave over one of the servers when a sweet voice from the on-stage singer instantly grabbed his attention.
Somehow, Kristofer was drawn to the voice of the woman singing for the live band on the stage.
It was not only him whose attention had been captured by the sweet sound coming from the mysterious owner of the golden voice. Most of the people at the party were captivated.
The woman was wearing a mask. From his standpoint, Kristofer could only make out the curve of her lips, which he somehow found familiar.
As much as possible, Anna tried not to have any regrets. However, she can't help but feel frustrated at herself for not thinking it over.
The consequence of being in a photo with Kristofer Almodiel, which the press has released, made her vulnerable to the public.
Anna thought nothing of it before. But she felt a little stupid for underestimating the effects of that photo being available online.
It could jeopardize her business, and she did not think of that sooner.
In line with that, Anna had to ensure no one would ever see her face. She had made it official to avoid Kristofer Almodiel at all costs.
If she were caught with him again, another photo would surely spread, and the rumor of them dating and even making her his fiancé would be too much for Anna to handle.
Gratefully, Anna had Nikki take care of the first photo. Sooner or later, people would surely forget what she looked like.
Plus, she had dyed her hair recently to a different shade, and she could wear contacts to make her comparably different from the press's photo.
Smiling as the song ended, Anna hit the right notes and left her audience spellbound by her singing.
It was all part of her plan. Brett Prestman was her next target, and she needed a way to capture his attention.
The thought amused Anna that she was crashing his birthday party this way, and none of them knew about it.
Finally done with the initial step of her plan, Anna got off the stage and decided to get herself a glass of water from one of the servers.
As expected, Brett Prestman came to her and smiled broadly.
According to what she learned about her next target, he had attended a music school and was usually drawn to anything that could remind him of those days.
Like Kristofer Almodiel, Brett Prestman had no choice but to pursue the path of running the company their great ancestors had put up and passed down from one generation to the other.
Anna could sympathize. However, it was also in her belief that they had a chance to fight for what they had wanted.
They do have a choice. But Anna was also aware that with their way of life, it was not easy to choose to do what they loved and give up everything else they used to enjoy.
It was always that way. And yet, these people tend to blame their sealed fate on their parents.
"I think I visited heaven when I heard you singing."
Anna smiled lightly, pretending to be overwhelmed by Brett Prestman's praise.
Though, she had to admit. The photos of him did not do justice. Brett Prestman looked even better in person than Anna had seen in the pictures.
"Why, thank you. It is an honor to sing in front of such an audience."
"You mean to people like me."
Anna joined Brett Prestman as he let out a hearty chuckle.
"Indeed. I rarely have the opportunity to attend such grand occasions."
"We are the lucky ones then."
Anna smiled shyly. At the back of her mind, she was cringing at what she was doing.
Anna was about to respond when, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a figure coming towards them. It was a very familiar figure and one whom she had vowed to avoid.
