Florencia Long

[ Chapter 41 ]

Within the grandeur looking Venue. The moment the poised and dapper man in expensive grey appeared on the conference, time seemed to stand still for a fraction of seconds and what followed was smoldering gaze that could be seen from almost all fairer sex presented at the conference.

The man emanated an elusive aura shrouded in stark nobility as he stood facing the audiences with a magnetic smile on his lips. His set midnight eyes were sparkling with extraordinary splendor. Everything about him screamed attractiveness, and something about the way he's dripping with sex appeal hit his opposite sex with a spark of raw feminine awareness.

Impressed, desire, jealousy. All sorts of reactions were expressed on all audiences' eyes as they involuntarily set their attention on his captivating form. However, amidst the silent commotion, somewhere around the uppermost seating area, seated a woman who had her eyes glimmering with a different light from the others.

The woman was a beautiful middle-aged lady, possessed of an otherworldly grace that separated her from all others and gave her an air that fairest women from across the world came to envy. The lighting treated her well, as the brilliant lights speckled upon her lithe silhouette, making her appear intensely attractive.

Her appearance was exquisite, with rich distinctive of Russian features and glamorous red hair. Her temperament and disposition was refined and lofty. In spite of her mid forties, there's no age in her enthralling face, only youthful grace showed in her eloquence. She had a prime elegance and vibrancy that defied her mature age.

The woman dressed and carried herself in a very prim and graceful manner, a rich evidence of noblest birth. She's tall and very slim, with a distinctive womanly curve that completed her attractive figure. Holding herself very upright, her mannerisms and temperament showed that she's a very elegant looking, charismatic lady.

She's known as Florencia Long, the mistress of Long Household, and unlike most women, she watched the man who seemed to outshine the splendor of the world with a calm and indifferent look, it's as if nothing could move her. However, little did anyone know that the same enigmatic woman the world knew was now trembling within. In those bluish eyes of hers, buried deep behind a yearning smile.

Her womanly lips trembled and her eyes contracted. Florencia's expression appeared composed and self-possessed as always, but unbeknownst to the people around her, hiding deep behind those aloof eyes of hers was something that had been long laid dormant within her. For a moment, she felt a wave-like emotion was storming upon her.

Love, pride, sadness. These were all emotions that suddenly washed her over the moment Florencia set her eyes on the man upfront. Florencia longingly watched the man's charming, attractive form, remembering a distant time when he had been her sweet beautiful baby, a blooming flower of love between her and her husband.

Warmth was the feeling of his petite hands whenever they asked her for a hug and lovely was his innocent smile whenever he asked her kiss in his little pajamas. Florencia still could remember one of her life's happiest moments when his little mouth called her mama for the first time, that proud loving smile of her husband wasn't something she could forget.

Many years had passed and that sweet cute baby of hers had now grown into such a fine man. Those delicate hands he once had were now capable of sheltering her from rain and storm. When he was child, small enough for her to cuddle in her sleep, she always dreamt of what kind of man he would be grown into.

And now watching him, the man he's grown into. Florencia felt proud, content and satisfied.

Looking at him who looked dashing and very hypnotic, Florencia could distinctly see the silhouette of her husband in him, for they're very much alike. It's her husband that he had taken after when it came to his traits and charms attributes. That confidence, magnetism, prepossessing disposition.

A rare gentleness fleeting passed Florencia's eyes as she watched him, for how much he took after her husband, it amused her that she could even see her husband's hateful traits in him. Devilish gentlemen, she named them, him and her husband, were that kind of gentleman that could offer both thrill and raw excitement. Women's fatal weaknesses.

"Davien." Florencia sighed inwardly, "Look at what a man our sweet baby has become, he's very much like his father." She closed her eyes and embraced her longing. It saddened her that she couldn't share her contentment with her husband. He would be very pleased had he been here watching his grown baby with her.

With a warm motherly smile touching the corner of her womanly lips, Florencia opened her eyes and gently exhaled. Watching him with love, however, the smile that sparkled in her bluish eyes was soon replaced by sadness. For as much as she loves him, her heart couldn't help but shatter when she saw him growing further away from her.

Her sweet beautiful baby had now grown into a man, without her by his side. That closeness and intimacy of mother and baby they had was now nothing but a sweet, distant memory that she so treasured. He's growing further away from her. Her dream of watching him pass through his adolescence was nothing more than her wishful dream.

Love. She could see the love in his eyes, but sorrow and guilt were the only things she could feel whenever she looked straight into those eyes of his, for she knew that she didn't deserve such. His pain and suffering, it's the worst nightmare she didn't dare to forget for it reminded her what a worst mother she was. She couldn't even forgive herself

Florencia felt wronged, vindictive. She once hated the world that had once taken everything away from her. It's as if she didn't suffer enough, she's forced to part away with her two dearest ones, her husband and their baby. Had it not been because of their love, she would've long lost her sanity losing herself in that path of no return.

She didn't want to return to those days before she met her husband. That's why she's enduring, regardless of the pain, the hope of them coming back to her was something that kept her going. She would wait for them no matter how long it takes. As for now, though she couldn't ask for more, she felt content by loving him from afar.

Florencia released a breath and collected herself, as she continued watching him, a blooming smile graced her gorgeous face which then disappeared before anyone could notice.

"Morning everyone. I'm Julian Long." The man introduced himself with flawless fluency. "I'll be both Huaxian representative and official interpreter for this opening ceremony and in selected conferences for the entire duration of this event."

Right after the man's rich and elegant British accent echoed through the Venue. Many audiences and foreign delegates revealed a shocked look for a moment as they tried to process what they just heard. Julian Long was the Huaxian official representative and official interpreter of the conference?! Crown heir of Long Corporate-Group?!

"Julian Long?" A foreign woman seated in the VIP seat revealed a faint frown. "Who's this Julian to CEO Florencia Long?" She asked her business acquaintance besides her to which the latter replied, "He's her son, the rumoured dead heir of Long Household. CEO Long had officially announced her heir's return one month ago."

"How could this be?" A certain Huaxian old businessman was shocked by the information. "How could the heir of Long Household represent Huaxian official in this conference?!" He couldn't believe it as it sounded ridiculous in his ears. He gritted his teeth, "Since when did the people from Long get this close with the government?"

"Strange." A foreign delegate with an aloof look mumbled under his breath, his face looked confused. "Why did the heir of Long Group be a mere interpreter? And instead of representing Long Group as their heir, why is he chosen to be Huaxian official representative?"

Somewhere on the sideline, a blonde foreign reporter had a charmed expression as she drank in the sight of sexy Julian before suddenly, she got a call which she knew was coming from her supervisor. "Mischa," A voice from the other line sounded, "Forget about anything else, I want your team to focus and capture every single detail of Julian Long, it's a very important chance for us and I want you to give your best." The female reporter immediately acknowledged.

As the countless people began murmuring among each other regarding Julian, seated at the uppermost seat overseeing the conference, Cassandra could naturally understand why there's such a huge shock and commotion right after Julian's introduction. It's understandable, as she knew how surprising this was for Huaxian.

The reason was; one had to know that ever since the downfall of the former Chairman and President of Long Corporate-Group, Davien Long, especially when Long Group changed under the tyrannical leadership of CEO Florencia Long, Long Household and Huaxian Government had a strained and distant relationship.

Henceforth, seeing now that Julian Long was actually one of Huaxian main representatives for the conference. It told the current stance of Long Household and the Government, thus if Julian Long was capable to re-establish the strained relationship between both parties, as heir, his success foretold the even more stable position of Long Household.

Thus it's natural for many people to be shocked by Julian, for he's representing Long Household's stance, it would influence the structure of Huaxian power as whole. Definitely, it's a good thing for those who were allies and close to the Long Household. On the other hand, those rivals and enemies of Long Household would find it threatening.

Honestly speaking, as host who knew what Julian was after, Cassandra found him very impressive, for she's genuinely impressed by his intelligence. He's impressive to the point of causing her to think that this conference was arranged only for his bright light, the arranged stage for him to establish his name.

Depends on his performances throughout the conference, It foretold how dangerous he was as a businessperson.

Cassandra watched his dashing form on the stage. The MC was now speaking in Huaxian only, whilst Julian who towered the former by three inches was consecutively interpreting the former's words in very fluent English. In addition to his fluency, his well-pitched voice was intensely pleasant to hear, heightening the overall performance.

In the next moment after their opening, several officials and important guests were called to make speeches. Julian and the MC moved to the side of the stage. The MC sat down, whilst Julian stood behind the speaker. Practically outshining everything around him.

The invited speakers spoke in either Huaxian or English. As a result, Julian directly interpreted in English or Huaxian. There's no flaw in his translations. Whenever the speaker paused, Julian would seamlessly start interpreting in both languages. In addition to the interpretations, Julian would also try to match his tone to how the speaker just spoke. So far, his performance was flawless.

Everyone presented here looked very impressed by his performance, whilst most female audiences were smitten by him even further. Unwittingly, even Cassandra had her eyes gleaming with brilliant light as she watched him through the huge projector, incapable of taking her eyes away from his charming form.

Those dark eyes though, shine like two black diamonds and Julian had a way about him that spoke of charm and experience in a way that made him seem far mature and more worldly than many men twice his age. His suave smile, that sexy body language. It wasn't injustice for any woman to have her heart taken away by him.

After some entertaining cultural performances, the opening ceremony finally ended. The delegates started chatting among each other.

Florencia watched Julian's entire performance with satisfaction in her eyes. She so approved him as he didn't disappoint her. It's when the opening ceremony ended did she stand up and prepare to leave. Truth be told, she's here only to see Julian, as for the business affairs she had her own people to represent Long Corporate-Group in the conference.

On the way back, Florencia met one of her old business acquaintances and she decided to respond his greeting, they began conversing for a brief moment. "Brilliant and excellent." The German businessman praised as he conversed with Florencia. "CEO Long, this business conference just started but Julian already managed to astound me. I heard many things about him before and I find him more and more impressive the more I know him. You must be very proud of him."

Florencia responded with a composed smile as she spoke in fluent German, "Thank you Mr. Klaus. I'm sure he would be very pleased to hear such a compliment." Florencia appeared calm and indifferent outside, being a woman she's there weren't many things that could move her. Praise after praise was something she's accustomed to hear. However, deep within, her heart couldn't help but flutter each time she heard someone praise Julian.

There's a two-hour lunch break after the opening ceremony before the first batch of individual conferences would commence in the afternoon. After taking lunch, those who didn't have any conference in the afternoon and were done for the day returned to their hotels. Some even went on tours in the city. The ones who had conferences in the afternoon gathered in their own respective groups.

As for Julian, he ate with Professor Calysta Zhang and Professor Anderson Schwartz, they each were one of the world's most well-known translators and interpreters. They're here to help and assess his interpretations. After eating, he met his representative team to prepare the presenting material for the conference he would lead.

Finally, when lunch time was over. Julian headed to the conference he was assigned to as its sole interpreter, in this conference he would also be the presenter as one of Huaxian government main representatives. It was a conference between the Huaxian and French delegates.

When all delegates were seated, the host officially began the Huaxia-France business conference. Some Huaxian and French delegates are quite surprised to see Julian being the interpreter in this conference. Still, it's quite common though for businesspeople to be fluent in three or so different languages.

Julian curved up his lips and introduced himself once again. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Julian Long and I'll be your interpreter and Huaxian delegate for this conference." The French delegates nodded their heads as they're impressed hearing him speak in perfect Parisian French.

Just like during the opening ceremony in the morning, Julian interpreted for all of the speakers in this conference. The Huaxian and French delegates took turns in giving presentations. When it came to Huaxian government's turn, Julian interpreted himself and once again impressed everyone by his well-planned presentation.

The Huaxian-France business conference finally ended in the late afternoon. Because of Julian' quick tempo of interpreting, this conference was actually the first to finish ahead of the other conferences happening at the same time.

...

The following evening.

Inside a certain spacious room that's arranged for the official team, Julian found Cassandra was sitting by herself with a black tablet in her hand. He smiled, appreciating her exquisite back. Walking forward, he approached her from behind and curled his lips, "Well, Lady Qin, what a sight for my eyes."

Hearing a familiar and somewhat teasing voice from behind, Cassandra titled her head and was instantly greeted by his devastating sexiness. She responded with a brief smile, "Thank you for the hard work Sir. Today you look very impressive."

Julian settled himself standing close to Cassandra whilst pressing the back of his things against the table that was situated in front of her. His hands crossed in his broad chest. "Only for today hmm?" He displayed a handsome frown, resting down his gaze at her captivating face, a faint boyish smirk dancing in the corner of his curved lips.

At those words, Cassandra just chuckled with an arresting glint in her eyes and didn't answer him. Gracefully craning down her neck, she looked back at her tablet and finally spoke. "Commendable presentation you did there, you speak French like a native." Cassandra was there when he's presenting in Huaxia-French conference.

"Merci," Julian responded by flaunting his fluency in Parisian French. "Je parle français comme j'embrasse."

Cassandra had the urge to roll her eyes at his cheekiness but that would be very unladylike. He knew she couldn't speak French. Raising her head at him once again, she could see a dangerous glint glimmering in those midnight eyes of his. Even though she didn't understand French, one thing for sure that it wasn't something good judging by the way he curled those sinful lips.

Succeeded in earning her attention, Julian chuckled sexily and translated in a low raspy voice, "I speak French like I kiss."

This man, Cassandra clicked her tongue, he could make and say anything sound sexy. He could definitely say an ugly or swearing word in that way and still sound sexy. His Parisian accent though, being that hot should be a sin.

Cassandra pursed her lips and then covered her lips with her dainty hand as she gave a feminine laugh. "Are you suggesting something hmm? Should I ask you for a demonstration then?" Her voice was sexy and somewhat husky.

Julian smiled, that kind of smile that looked very suggestive. His intense eyes fell down on her enchanting lips. His lips parted, "I kind of hope you do." That way, both Julian and Cassandra continued to immerse themselves in their newfound closeness.