Chapter Two The Shadow of the stranger

( ...Franco, assisting as a guide..

hello Sir, good afternoon. They are guests of Mr Drake Shaw of CLE.

... As Franco was talking to the front desk of CLEs .. )

Bren Frontdesk:

Yes sir, Franco Hello sir!!! good afternoon. . They can now enter the venue. .

( ...As Franco was talking along with the front desk.. )

Franco :

Thanks Bren!

(...Bren., had his phone call then another

from crew of the site welcomed them.. )

(...Maggie, personal manager of the family of Shaw's... )

Maggie personal Assistant of Family Shaw :

Hello. Ma'am, Sir. you can call me Maggie I'm one of Mr and Mrs Shaw's Family's Personal Assistant. Welcome to the CLEs. . Since I am working with the shaw I already knew her family very close to the shaw.

I already knew Miss Nicole as first cousin of Mr Eric Shaw. Hello Miss Welcome back to CLE..

(The couple standing in firm while listening to Franco's discussion upon entering and welcoming them, following franco's lead walking inside the Firm of the shaw's while in holding hands until Franco pass them over to Maggie's care. )

(Nicole replied a smile on Maggie one of the Shaw's Family Personal Assistant. As Nicole enlightened as she recognise maggie from their past encounter. )

Oh. Hello Miss Maggie!!! Im so glad to see you again. Yeah. Its been a while since we visit. You still look fresh, warm blushy, and always pretty in glasses. And I like that dark curly hair. In an office suit.

** nicole winked **

Oh. Thanks miss. You too. I still admire your pretty ocean eyes. And its no wonder why, this man beside you never get to missed a chances to cling on you miss.

(Nicole standing firm, took off her hands off to hilton then turned her whole body like a robot facing hiltons direction)

(Hilton smiled then have his both arm crossed standing firm raising his left eyebrow meeting Nicole's "what now" )

** then both their eyes met. Both in ocean blue eyes ** "

both. what now!

** then they both played raising eyebrows at each other like " what now!" aahh!! how sweet!!! does that sound sweet!!!** and all present crew has witnessed the scene** while maggie ... Just rolled her eyes.. raised both hands with a fountain pen on her right, and on her left carrying a notebook and phone ..**

** it did get their attention when miss maggie raised hands **

Hilton:

Ahh. miss. what time is the gathering and where are they??

Nicole:

Isn't it ..

** both froze in shocked **

** hilton and nicole in chorus **

Late already ..

Late already ..

Miss Maggie:

Yes maam, sir. They're all already inside. Please follow me. This way. and by the way..

** Miss maggie hand over room keys to each of them **

Miss Maggie:

Here is your Room Keys.

Sir Hilton here is yours.

And Yours miss Nicole.

Both of you will share one room, any of your arguments in between to you both is already out of the managements care.

All your luggages and things is already packed into your room. All of your things is already packed by one of our crew. Anything you need is within our managements care. Such as Food and Room Kits. You can approach any of our crew or you can call me via extension to my help desk. If you need else or something. Got it??

** both smiled **

Thanks maggie.

Yup. we got it.

Nicole:

Ohh..My sandals..

(Nicole noticed the paper bag is on hilton's left hand)

(Hilton hand over to Nicole the paper bag with a silver high heeled sandals inside)

(Nicole slowly get the sandals and slowly and surely wore the sandals safely with hilton and maggie's care)

(Maggie is leading them while walking on a hallway inside the 9th Floor. . From the front desk they have walked passing by Four in alternate left and right Private Doors.. And still walking with maggie ahead of them )

(Its a huge hallway tiled in wood color flooring and a dark digitalized carvings on its walling.. With some bulletin boards on some other walls in alternate, with photographs of the Shaw's family and associates.)

(Both hilton and nicole enjoyed the walling and other thingys while walking to the hallway, then miss maggie stopped her footsteps on the 8th door on their left)

( The 8th door is a huge door than the others they passed by. The Inside can be seen from its 30inches side to side sound protected glass frame of its huge theatrical style hallway door. And it really looked expensive.)

(Hilton take a peek. From the glass frame to its inside. Then Nicole did the same.)

Hilton:

..I think they're starting. It look so formal..?? come nic.? look.

Nicole:

Yup. Only shaw's and Chants.. and other members of the family's Corporate.

And I think. I saw my cousin and my mom.. Hey!

Hilton:

Com'on babe. Can't wait to snucked in. And please introduce me now. To your beloved mother.

Miss Maggie:

(Smiled ).

You both really are buddies.

Huh!!.

Okay so, we are here and come on. .

Why take a peek, when we can get inside!!! Huh!!!

( The inside is a formal silver and blue dinner dining. Its just a three long dinner table. The present people is very few, its like 35 people members of the family corporate. Who is present. With Eric Shaw his cousin, and Eric Shaw's father. Nicole Chants mother Silvia Chants and some few young adults. Who is also a member of the family. Counting Nicole Chants with Hilton Taylor )

(Maggie went to guide them to Eric Shaw)

Eric:

Ohh wow. Is that you now Nicole. Its been a year Couz! I miss you. Gorgeous!

(Eric welcomed with Hugs and kisses in the right cheek of nicole with a goblet glass on his right with a pineapple gin)

Oh. Maggie. I miss you too.

Hello aunt silvia! I missed you too.

(And a kiss on the cheeks)

And .. .. ???

(Eric got froze .. Facing Hilton Taylor with curiousity. Eric three steps backward. Raising both hands, still with the goblet on his right.)

(Then Eric went raising eyebrow. Turning his face to Nicole)

Eric:

Whoow. Couz.??? Is he yours??

Nicole:

Whoow!!! Yup! couz! He is mine.

** nicole winked **

Eric:

whoow!!! is this a betrayal???

(Eric stared at Hilton from head to foot with a grin)

Eric:

Hello..

( Eric put down his goblet on a table on his right, pat his hands with a hanky of cloth from the table. . Then reached out his right palm in front to Hilton)

Eric:

Im Eric. That woman beside you. Is my First Cousin.

** Eric winked at Hiltons**

Hilton:

(Just smiled with a hint of raising eyebrow)

Ahha.. So your Nicole's cousin. She always mentioned. . Its nice to know you.

(Its been long year for Eric, since he got to see his family. Since he enrolled to College. He have to left his family and travel far from his hometown to attend his college. And he missed a lot of his social life with his real family. And all .)

(After the welcoming. They had a small talks. Nicole sneeked her mom privately about their talks with her father and with hilton. Then they left their talk on that dining table. . With a small laughter and sighs. Silvia was left on the dining table with some few picky foods and glass of wine. Silvia hug Nicole with warm. Then nicole left to get back to Hilton.)

(Hilton and Eric was enjoying their talks about life. And talks not for women, college and after college. Hilton is two year older than Nicole. And Nicole is a two year older than Eric. That makes Hilton more mature than Eric's.)

( Along with Maggie and Eric. Nicole and Taylor walked each member for a proper welcoming. And a small talk. While Introducing them to some of the Corporate members present to their gathering.)

(After all the small talks. That they have walked. Nicole went to that corner on that dining table where she left er mom and miss maggie, after introducing Hilton Taylor to her mom. )

Nicole:

Hello.

Mom. I've tried to get some cakes.

Want some. Ahh. I didn't know its going to be a tough gathering. With those guests. So, how is your talk with miss maggie.. And uncle Rob?

Silvia:

Thanks... lil. Come here. to Ma.

(Silvia used to call Nicole as 'Lil' as her call as a little miss. Or lil missy.)

I miss you so much. Come on little closer. Can you hug me lil. Thanks for the cake. Honey. And thanks for letting me come along. I have enjoyed a lot. And I have found out few fwends and foes already.

(Silvia is already a little bit drunk)

Nicole:

Ma. of course. Well get to enjoy together right. And I didn't even know you have drinked that whole bottle of wine alone. . Mom.!!!

Silvia:

You know me better right. I have a lot of wine at home. You might wanted to add one as a gift to me.

** Nicole and Silvia both smiled and grinned in holding hands **

Nicole:

Ma, why dad left us ????

( Nicole stared at her mom curiously with authority)

And you... Woman!!! How did you become so rich... As a widow... That seem so impossible...

(Nicole pinch her mother Silvia in everywhere with giggle. Pinch on her hands. Pinch on her cheeks. Pinch on her underarm. Pinch on her hips . And Pinch back to her hands.)

Silvia:

Ooowe.. Owwe.. Owe.. Dear stop it.

Owe owe.. Its my secret. Owe. Im a daughter of a goddess okay!! Owe.. Nicki.

Ok. Okay..

Nicole:

Goddess.. Huh!!!

.So that means to make me as a Granddaughter of a goddess huh!!!

Silvia:

Well.. that now.. Seems to answer all your question..

( The crowd and other visitors are still so busy. Hilton and Eric have enjoyed togethers small talks. While Maggie followed Mr Drake Shaw in along with the associates)

..