24 CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: THE ANNIVERSARY
"I'm dying to see how Drew will look when he appears" Vivian said with vivacity.
"Like seriously, you don't need to think about that. You should naturally know that he would come mouth watering" Joanna replied as if she's the one who dressed him up.
"I heard he came from his skin doctor three days ago and you know when he does that he glows" Lara said smiling.
"Lara, you of all people is expecting Drew" Barbara asked in mockery.
"What? I was only talking" Lara shunned.
"Continue. Just think of what Donald will do if he hears that you are expecting another guy" Barbara said in disdain.
"Don't think my words to another thing" Lara said bluntly.
"The simple truth is that, you are all just disturbing yourselves. You all know Drew won't take a second glance at you two talk more of having your time" Barbara said with a proud scornful look.
"Why are you always like this?" Lara said with a chilly voice.
"I was only talking so don't eat me up" she said laughing.
"Swear that you haven't admire the guy in question before?" Lara asked with hostility.
"It would be a lie if I say I've not admired him before but I didn't let it grow to lust" she said with pride.
"Who is lusting after him?" Vivian asked sternly with anger boiling in her eyes.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Don't eat me up. I was only trying to give you a piece of valuable advice as a friend" she snapped.
"No one needs it" Joanna hissed.
"You will aure need it because it will prevent your heart from getting broken when you see the Drew you've been expecting arrive and all he did is take a quick glance at you then all his remaining attention is on Melissa" she said with a plain serious look.
Lara's anger dissolved at the mention of those two. She quickly gave her attention to Barbara.
"Wait do you know anything about those two?" She asked quickly with a smile.
"Busybody" Barbara laughed.
"I'm serious. Please tell me" she pleaded ignoring her mocking voice.
"She didn't know a thing. She's only trying to make things up. You can't believe her words" Joanna said harshly not wanting to here about the relationship of Melissa and Drew.
"You can't be sure. You are mostly blinded by your feelings for Drew" Lara said with a calm voice.
"It's not that I saw or heard anything, it's just a whiff that those two has cockroach in their cupboard" she said with a confident look.
"Didn't I say it? Don't let her deceive you with her so called whiff" Joanna frowned.
"I'm been realistic here. It is only a blind person like you all that won't know that they have more than the so called boss and employee relationship" she said.
Lara dashed her a stern look. "Is it because I'm asking you to tell !e what you heard that's why you are calling me blind?"
"I'm only saying, I can't imagine you didn't notice" she said nonchalantly.
"You are just talking in parable because I don't get what we didn't see. Don't start making things up because you thought it should happen" Vivian said making sure her voice wasn't friendly.
I'm not forcing you to believe me. I just thought I should give a piece of advice to friends " she said with a scorn filled look.
"Don't mind them, just continue" Lara said with interest.
"Busybody won't kill you" Joanna said invective.
"Don't be sad since it isn't you it wants to kill" she eyed her. "Barbara talk" she faced Barbara.
"Haven't you noticed that Drew's eyes is always on Melissa no matter where she is?"
"Many times" Lara agreed. "There was even a day he was looking at her then our eyes met and he looked away" she said with exaggerated look.
"Because you saw him look at her doesn't mean what you are insinuating" Joanna said with mixture of anger and jealousy.
"Well you that thinks he likes you why isn't he looking at you" Lara asked intentionally invidious. "It's a nice thing he likes Melly. She deserves it" she added just to make Joanna frown which she did well.
"Don't try to pretend like if he ask you out you won't jump for joy" Vivian said scornfully.
"For your information, Drew and I has gone a date on three occasions. If I had interest in him, I would have make him mine" she boasted.
"Hmm what a lie" Joanna cackled.
"Are you saying you didn't go into a relationship with him because you refused him?" Vivian asked in mockery.
Her words weren't totally true. There was a time Drew was in need of a personal assistant, he chose her to fill in before he was able to employ one. The three occasions she talked about was when they went on for business meeting that last longer than they think. They needed to take a break to see to some files and this made them get into an hotel room to sort it out. Since she was hungry, he permitted her to eat. During all these she was praying for his to ask her out but now it's all gone because she already found the love of her life.
"See I don't hope for things I know I can't get. My guy is more than enough for me to start disturbing myself for a guy that doesn't have my time" she said tauntingly proud.
"You guys are arguing on a guys who doesn't even remember you exist aside him seeing you. What a shame" she said shaking her head pitifully with a sympathetic smile.
Candy came to interrupt their conversation and they were glad she did.
"Wow! You ladies are looking enormously elegant" she said with a bright look.
"Why are you just coming?" They asked in unism.
"Is that a way to greet a colleague?" She asked laughing.
"You need no greeting" Joanna said.
"C'mon guys. It's not as if the party has started" she said laughing heartily.
"Is this our proposed time?" Lara asked.
"Even the Kmetkos that owns this party is not yet around, then what are we talking about" she with pride. "Am I the only one that is just arriving? Where are the rest?" She asked looking around.
"Somewhere around" Barbara replied.
"Don't tell me you are going to seat together, where are your dates?" She asked zestfully.
"Where is yours?" Vivian mocked.
"In his car waiting for red carpet" she smiled happily.
"No wonder you are this happy" Vivian mocked.
"Why won't I? My husband didn't have to fly a plane today" she grinned. "Are you four telling me no date for you guys?"
They didn't answer her and she took it for a yes.
"And you too Lara? Where is Donald?" She seems surprised that such beautiful ladies won't have a date.
"He's working" she said palely.
"I understand" she gave her a pitying look. Then she saw Joanna's shoe. "Joan, didn't you buy a black shoe, why wear gold?" She asked
Joanna's face lit up and she smiled.
"I heard that Drew is putting on a gold shoe so I quickly changed it" her words were barely a whisper.
"You with this your Drew" Candy mocked.
"I'm just happy myself and Drew is putting on a match today" she danced.
"Why are you happy? One of us can come up with a gold shoe" she was looking at her fuzzy friend.
"That's not true. No one except Drew but a gold shoe including Melissa. I was when her shoes arrived and it is not gold" she replied grinning.
"It's not same pattern" she reminded.
"Never a bother. Gold is gold" she waved her hand curtly smiling.
They've known her for her Drew love thing so they were not surprised with the way she is acting.
"Your business girl. Anyways, you are looking so beautiful. Did you visit a beautician?" She asked with a scrutinizing look that made Joanna feel so important.
"Are you serious?" She asked with pride growing inside her.
"Of course I am. Don't you see that everyone's eyes is on you? Trust me the young Kmetko won't be able to take is eyes of you" she said with a raising and falling sweet voice full of so much exaggeration.
Truely Joanna is a beauty and ever since she got into the company, she's been topping on most beautiful until Melissa came. She felt Melissa is not as beautiful as she is and that's one of the reasons she hated her.
"Won't the party start?" Lara said impatiently.
"Is it someone that told you to come so early?" Candy mocked.
"They don't want to miss the arrival of the young Kmetko" Barbara mocked.
"Are you kidding me!" Candy asked laughing.
"Stop Bab it is not funny" Lara said with a frown.
"It is because I'm laughing" Candy said still laughing. "I thought it should be only Joanna that is suppose to be waiting for her golden Prince charming. Why you two" he pointed at Lara and Vivian who wore a grim look. "Especially you Lara? What about Donald?" She asked with intense mockery.
"Stop. Donald might show up" she cautioned frankly.
"Ok Mrs Donald we are sorry" she apologized feigning.
"Let's go show off our clothes at red carpet" Vivian said and they concurred.
* * * * *
The party started with the anchor calling everyone to their seat. Gave one of the pastor to give an opening prayer and he begin to welcome the guest on his list.
"Is Melly not going to come?" Vivian asked.
"Easy the party just started" Barbara said smiling.
Candy was already spitted with her husband but she was close since most of the top staffs were close.
"I heard her clothes got ruined by the designer" Joanna inserted as if she pitied her.
"How come?" Barbara asked doubtful. "All our clothes were perfectly sown" she added.
"How am I to know?" She asked rudely.
"That's bad. Does that mean she won't be coming?" Vivian asked.
"She won't dare do that" Lara snapped.
Lara is a huge fan of Melissa and everyone knows that. Some even call her hypocrite but she never cared.
"Then what will she wear?" Vivian asked with sympathy.
"I trust Melly, she would find a better option" Lara said confidently.
"Wait a sec. Joanna, how did you get to know that her clothe was ruined?" Barbara asked.
Suspiciously.
"Didn't you hear when I said I heard?" She snapped knowing Barbara is driving at somewhere.
"From who?" She insisted on knowing.
"Are you planning to go query the person?" Joanna asked in ire.
"No I was only trying to know how you get to know and we didn't" she said calmly just to elicit the answer from her.
Joanna calmed. "You know I love sticking to where Drew is. I heard when melly was talking to him about her ruined dress" she lied but it was sweet to hear.
"What was Drew's reply?" Lara asked anxiously.
"He said he's got nothing to do" she was glad they were buying her lies.
"He just said that he won't seat back and watch" Lara gave an assuring look.
"Of course he won't" Barbara agreed.
This was what Joanna didn't think about earlier before she did what she did and now remembering that Drew will surely get involved, it pained her.
"Yes that's his eyes" Lara added with a smirk.
"What eyes?" Vivian asked with a confused look.
"Did you think she got into the company the normal procedure? She was called from where she is and that will tell you that her importance is never joked with" Lara said with so much seriousness that it made Joanna frown.
"Smile Joan, your frown is ruining your beauty" Candy called from her seat.
Although she is enjoying her husband's company, she was still glancing at her friends once in a while.
"Mr Mayfield Kmetko chairman D-foundation" a loud voice announced.
This brought an uproar of claps and shouts. Mayfield walked majestically to his seat with his bodyguards round him. The anchor gesticulated in honor.
"Drew inherited his brain and looks from his father" Barbara said with a admiring tone.
"Even his cool attitude" Lara added.
"I really like the man" she said with enthusiasm.
"He is not too old, you can go for him" Lara jokes.
"Lara! Don't be silly" she said laughing and Lara joined her.
Drew and his numerous guys walked in after been delayed the paparazzi of reporters outside. Immediately he came to view, there was a great uproar even before the voice that was to announce his entry did. His glorious entry lot up the room. He didn't even look anywhere else aside where he was going.
"Dr Drew Kmetko President of D-foundation" the voice announced.
"Wow! What a perfect guy" a lady said with so much admiration.
"What has he not achieved" another said.
"No man can compete with him in this country. I'll just die of shock if he walks to me and give me a peck" she said holding her chest.
"You better stop daydreaming" the other mocked and laugh.
"Luck might smile on me" she said with hope filled eyes and they laughed at her.
"I told you he won't fail neither miss a chance to set the ladies on fire. Look at him he is looking like a god" Lara praised.
"Sometimes I wonder if the guy is really from this world. He looks exactly like a mermaid prince" Vivian said trying to sound casual but her excitement betrayed her.
"I do wonder if he is a fairy god" Joanna said with so much enthusiasm.
"Drew Kmetko, you are in trouble" Barbara grumbled.
It was until Drew got to his seat that he realised Melissa wasn't around yet. His faced looked around for her sisters too but they seem not to be found. Drew spoke to David who already came to his side and he told him he hasn't seen her. Drew sighted Chris and his boss and this made him smile.
"Drew is looking for Melissa" Lara said.
"That's because she ought to be on seat by now and she isn't" Joanna quickly hijacked the words from her knowing what she was trying to say.
Melissa and her sisters got down from the car followed by their entourages. Somaria first, Melissa next then Tyndall followed. All gloei with their conspicuous dresses and skin. Cameras where flashing at them like streams of disco lights. If it had been before, Melissa would have put her eyes down to avoid the flashes but today, she is feeling so extravagant and energetic. She wants to enter like an empress that she feels. She was even smiling and wavi at the cameras.
The voice who was introducing them called. "Miss O'Dell vice president of D-foundation".
There was silence as to see her walk in. As she came to view with her sisters everyone seems shocked. No one could clapp at shout for some space of time. Even the anchor was taken aback.
"Wow" was all he could say.
Everyone's shock wasn't compared to Drew's. He couldn't believe what he saw that the phone he held to his ears dropped to the ground and he never noticed.
It was as if the shout was remotely controlled. They was so much uproar that not even the loudest speaker could overcome it.
"Didn't you say that Melissa's clothes was ruined?" Vivian asked Joanna in loud voice.
Joanna was so shocked that her mouth hinged open. She was so sure that her plan worked because she saw Melissa walked into Drew's office with the gown.
"She's even putting on a match with Drew" Vivian added.
"My goodness! This lady is fit for fall" Dominic said smiling at his friend.
Melissa got to her seat and smiled at Drew who was on the same table with him.
"Hi" she said to Drew who was looking at impassively.
"Why are you so late?" He asked without returning her greetings.
"Is that a way to reply a polite greeting?" She asked and he snort.
"I should meet you on seat on the other way round" he gave a fake stern look.
"Well since you were not stopped form sitting dear, no harm done" she said smiling.
Drew chuckled. Looking at her didn't make him breathe well but he didn't want to stop looking. Then his eyes fell on her gold bag.
"Is this the bag you are scared of?" He asked with a mocking look.
"I'm not scared. I just don't have a good feeling about the source" she replied bluntly.
"Then why put it on?"
"Didn't you say if I want to find the sender I should wear it?"
Drew cockes a brow as if he didn't remember when. He smiled knowing his life has been so boring without Melissa in it and will be super boring if she left.
"Are you been wooed by a sorcerer that you are scared he conjured it with magic?"
Melissa looked at him amazed at what he just thought of.
"What!"
"I think it is true" he smirked.
"What exactly have I done to deserve this guy?" She sighed.
"Well thanks to the guy. It's really beautiful and it also made people cheer at you" he said in disdain.
Melissa gave a confused look. "How does shoes and bag make people cheer you?" She grimaced.
"Because they are super glowing. It made you conspicuous" he replied.
"Don't be ridiculous Drew" she snapped.
"Your sisters are stunning".
"Tell that to them not me".
"Are you jealous of your sisters again?" He scoffed.
"Look Drew and Melissa hasn't stopped talking since she arrived" Lara whispered to Barbara.
"Lara can you let those two be?" Barbara said.
"You know I love watching them" she smiled.
"All this your gussying up is just to seduce ladies. Must you do all these" Melissa said to Drew after a while he was silent.
"Are you jealous of my looks again?" He asked with an amused look. "Or better still are you seduced?"
"Why will I be seduced? It's not as if you are the only good looking guy in the building" she said plainly with no expression.
"Liar" Drew whispered. "Do you want to prove it?"
He placed his and on her lap that she frozed and suck in a tank of breath.
"Drew" she called softly and hit his hand away.
"I was right now you blush" he mocked.
If not for the make up that his her blush, it would have been no way to hide her deep pink face. Melissa touched her face. It was as if someone poured her a cold water.
"Well thanks for saying I'm looking good" he gave her a sweet smile.
"I've taken my words back" she said eyeing him still having aftermath of his touch. Sincerely, her body wants more. If she were to stand right now, she will definitely fall off her legs because they are shaking.
"Don't care, you've said it already" he smirked.
"Cut the sad face Joan it will ruin your make-up" Candy who was sitting close said to her.
Joanna didn't reply her.
Then she used her weak point. "Do you think Drew will like to see your face like that?"
This got her attention. "I can't help it Candy. How did that girl know that Drew is putting on a gold shoe?" She asked with a sad look.
"How am I suppose to know that?"
"The shoe was meant tobe for only Drew. Why then include her?" She said almost crying.
"Maybe if you ask them politely they might give you the answer" Candy mocked.
"Stop it. I'm serious here" she flashed her a stern sad look. "It's really painful" she sniffed.
"C'mon Joan, let your mind be at rest and enjoy the party. Let Drew be. No doubt about the fact that you are the most beautiful girl in this gathering. See guys ogling at you" she said with a serious look.
Joanna knows that her friend was only trying to make her feel good because ever since Melissa appeared she's been second. Even she can't argue that she's isn't as beautiful as Melissa and that's what makes her more angry.
"You don't know how I feel about him. He's become my world. No other guy can take his place I swear" she said softly.
"Ahh this is serious. I pity this love-lorn" she said laughing.
"Don't add salt to my wound" she warned bitterly and drearily.
"Sorry if that's what I'm doing" Candy said not remorseful.
"Are you satisfied now?" Drew asked.
Melissa didn't understand him. "About what?" She took a sip of her drink.
"Making your ex feel bad and missing you hot" he replied smiling.
Melissa choked on her drink that she coughed. "What the gruff are you saying from that your mouth?" She said trying not to cough.
"Easy" he said.
"Is it not your fault?" She hissed.
"How is it my fault? I just spoke the truth don't deny" he winked at her.
Melissa snorts and glared at him.
"Didn't you dress so much to make him know that he lost something precious?"
"I didn't dress for anyone. Moreover I'm precious to anyone who knows me. It is normal he feels that way" she said with pride.
"But not to me" he said haughtily.
"That's because we ain't friends" she replied bluntly.
"Then what are we, enemies?"
"I don't have enemies. We are on a neutral ground. Not enemies not friends" she said.
"What is that called then?"
"Frenemies" she replied looking at him firmly.
They haven't been concentrating one bit on the party. They just saw their names on the large screen wondering what his happening. The anchor looked at them and gestured with a bow for them to come forward.
The two walked out as if they are the one controlling the universe.
"Wow!! You two look spectacular" the anchor praised with scrutiny. "What's up with the match?" He asked with excitement.
"It's the leaders thing" she replied knowing Drew won't say a thing.
The man gave a disbelieving look. "But that doesn't explain the complete match" he said with a groovy look.
Melissa got confused with his words. She looked up at Drew but has usual has no explainable look. She looked at her wristwatch then to Drew and realised it was same pattern. How didn't she noticed since they sat together. She then stylishly looked at her shoes and. Drew's not wanting people see her. To her shock, her shoe is the same exact as Drew's. She gave a frustrating sigh and a stiff smile.
Tyndall and Somaria were equally surprised even when they expected it to be so.
"Put on a smile the frown doesn't suit you" Drew said as if talking to himself and Melissa quickly adjusted.
"Are you two couples?" The anchor asked but received Drew's cold look.
The man quickly adjusted and told them the reason for their coming.
"Give the speech" Drew commanded and went back to his seat.
Melissa didn't have a choice since everyone is staring at her. She went to give the speech.
As she speaks, her admirers begin yi give their opinion on her.
'I'm in love with this lady" a guy said.
"You better don't make fun of yourself" another insulted.
"No I'm not".
"We are talking about Melissa here not any random girl" he said.
"Something might smile on me" he said smiling.
"Or at you for how dumb you are. Continue building a castle in the air" he mocked.
"I like it" he said.
"How will you even get to meet her?"
The other laughed. "That's one thing you don't know. Melissa is one if the calmest and most cultured lady ever. She's not got pride. Blessed is the man that get to kiss such epitome of beauty" he said with so much enthusiasm imagining it was him.
"I feel jealous" another said.
"If I'm chance, I'm not going to let her go. I'm gonna treat her like an egg".
"If any man leaves such lady, never in his entire life be gifted with such virtuous woman" he said firmly.
"You are right" another agreed
"She will definitely get married to a King or President".
The three guys conversing were right beside Chris who with their words was having a heart pain. Although there were not the only one talking about her, but theirs was the most audible. He was feeling like a cat drenched in rain.
His boss could feel his uneasiness and asked if he is fine and he said yes with a fake smile.
"Ok ladies and gentleman, let's enjoy our day with dance" the anchor announced.
As their culture, they all formed a large circle except some few people, waiting for who the anchor will choose to open the dance floor. Normally it should be the head of the company.
"Sir we await you" the anchor gesticulated in front of Drew.
"Why me" Drew asked as a caught an head ache.
"Don't try to avoid your responsibility because you know your ladies may start fighting" Melissa who didn't join the circle mocked.
Drew looked at her.
"You wouldn't want to embarrassin him. Will you?" Melissa asked smiling.
He stood up grudgingly. At first he thought of picking on of Melissa's sisters but when he got to Somaria, he saw Juan beside her, to Tyndall her date was beside her. He then start to walk in his usual captivating manners. Every lady even the ones with handsome dates still want him to pick them. They were smiling profusely at him especially when he get to them but when he leaves they feel bad.
Joanna was the worse of all. She quickly adjusted and want to step out until she met Drew's cold look as he walked past her. She bit her lips sadly when she saw how he looked at her.
Drew ignored all those ladies and when for his everly stubborn Melissa. Who didn't even know he was coming for her. They parted way for him as he went to drag her up.
"Are you kidding me" Melissa asked.
"No" he said casually.
He opened the dance floor and everyone begin to pick their partners.
"Why are you like this?" Melissa asked with a frown.
Drew didn't reply her.
"Did I tell you I want to dance?" She asked.
"Don't pretend you don't like getting this close to me" he said with pride beaming in his eyes.
Melissa looked up at him. "Which like? In fact I'm leaving" she tried to pull away but he held her tight and pulled her more to himself plastering their body together.
Melissa knew there was no escaping until the dance is over.
"You should have just pick Joan, she will be glad" she said in mockery as she saw Joanna flashing her an angry look.
"She is the reason I picked you" he replied.
"What! Are you trying to use me to seduce and make her jealous?" She asked with a groovy smile.
"Why would I do that. That girl interest me in no way" he said irksomely.
"Is that true? Liar" she mocked in a soft voice.
"If I had wanted to make anyone jealous, I won't be using you. Moreover the person I will like to make feel jealous is...." He paused and looked into her eyes. "Not here" he completed it.
Melissa felt disappointed because he didn't mention the name of the girl. "Have you fallen for a girl?" She mocked.
"Why do you wanna know?" He asked with blooming pride.
"Are you going to asked something like that from a friend?" She said with curiosity.
"Didn't you say we ain't friends?"
"I said we are frenemies. Friend came before enemy" she said smiling dubiously.
"It's you" he said suddenly.
"Me?" She asked flabbergasted and he nod. "You must be silly. Am I not here?" She snapped.
"No you are not. Your real self is with Chris while your fake is with Drew" he said in disdain calling his name with pride.
Melissa stepped on his leg and he sizzled.
"Do you want to break my bones with that thing on your leg?" He asked in grimace.
"Talk about Chris again and I'll kill you right here" she asserted sternly.
"Is that a threat?" He chuckled.
"Yes a real and gigantic one".
"Don't you see the way the guy is looking at me? He feels like killing me".
"Drew" she called.
"You won" he said after a moment of silence.
"I don't get you" she said.
"Didn't you invite him to see you in your best?"
"What are you saying?" She asked sharply.
"You invited Chris not his boss".
"That's not true" she denied. "His boss was here last here".
"He was your guy then".
"I just send the card to his boss as usual" she said with a nonchalant look.
"Have you forgotten that it was Chris who pleaded to write his boss name among the invitees. You are a bad liar Melly" he said patting her head.
"Alright you caught me" she confessed defeated.
"You can't lie to me. We are both enemies and friends so I know you too well" he mocked.
"It is childish right?" She asked sheepishly.
"No. I'm enjoying it" he smirked.
"No jokes" she said firmly.
"I'm not. You did achieve your aim".
"You sure?" She looked up at him and he nods.
"So tell me why you don't want to dance with Joan?" She quickly changed to topic.
"Not only Joanna but most ladies here. I don't want anyone with lingering feelings. I made that mistake when I danced with Joan years back and I'm not gonna do it again" he said.
"I'm sure not the only one here that has a neutral feeling" she was looking into his cute eyes.
"Yes your sisters but they have their dates and they won't thank me if I take them away. So I'm left with option you" he said softly.
Melissa smiled
"Why are you smiling?" He thought she was mocking him.
"You don't like the way ladies ogle at you right?" Her looks was sincere.
"Of course I don't".
"But that's the pride of men"
"Not me"
"Why not go swap faces?" She suggested.
"My face is too expensive to be swapped" he boasted.
"Then swap position".
"My dad would never agree to that".
"Then you have to bear your cross" she said laughing.
