The Party

"Josh, what are you doing here?" Hannah asked. She was so surprised to see Josh just when she had been thinking about him. A coy smile worked its way over to her face as her cheeks reddened. "Did you follow me here?"

"No, Hannah. I have a life of my own as well." Josh said firmly. He never thought to find Hannah there. "Take care."

"Wait." Hannah said before he could leave. "I really am sorry for your mother's necklace. And for lashing out on you without hearing the full story."

That was all he had ever wanted her to say! The way she sounded so soft on him, if only she had been kinder the day before when her family set him up.

"It's okay." Josh said.

They were walking out together, neither of them saying anything else. Then Hannah sighted a very important personnel, Mindy Anderson. One of the top businesswomen in the city. In fact, she was hoping that they would meet one on one someday and share business ideas together, maybe even have a partnership deal.

Until...she saw Mindy smile warmly as she walked over to Josh. It seemed as if Josh had known her before too. It didn't make any sense to her.

"I was just on my way around here so I thought I should stop and check up on the Sanchez." Mindy said to Josh.

The Sanchez?? Hannah did not hear her well. So did Josh know the Sanchez as well? How!

Before she could say anything, Mindy and Josh walked on like she had not just been standing there! Hannah wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole with the embarrassment she had just felt.

Before Josh went back to the hotel, he had escorted Mindy back to the Sanchez hospital room where they were all merry together like they had all been pals for so long. Margaret was no longer with them as Mr. Sanchez had sent her away.

It turned out that Mindy and the Sanchez family had been allies for such a long time now, and being in the midst of such powerful people made Josh feel proud of himself.

"We'll leave now. What do you say to that, Mr. Josh?" Mindy asked.

"It's okay to be casual with me. Call me Josh." He said to her in one of his warm tones. There was no need to be formal now as he liked the way she was nice around him.

Sofia noticed the tension rising in the air, the way they both glared at each other. And anger overwhelmed her. But she didn't understand why.

"You should consider getting an apartment. How long will you remain in the hotel?" Sofia asked.

"I'm sure he can manage for a few days, Sofia." Mr. Sanchez who didn't see behind his daughter's question said. "But once you are ready, please, let us give you some recommendations of one of the finest houses here in New York."

"Thanks so much sir. That would be nice." Josh replied.

Isadora got up as they were all headed outside. "My dad has asked that we gave you this."

It was an exclusive black card with it's whole body glinting of richness. "No, you don't have to. I'll have to decline. You really have done enough."

Mindy was waiting outside with Sofia, while Josh and Isadora were by the door side. "No, you have done everything for us. Riches can't buy health, we know that now. My father has spent so much in hospitals but with your treatment of not even up to two days, he feels better now."

"I'm glad for that." Josh replied.

"So please, accept this from us. Thank you." She placed the card gently in his palm and smiled warmly.

Josh knew how handy that card would come for him. He nodded and accepted their generous gift.

"Sofia? Where are you going?" Isadora called to her sister from the hallway. "Come on,"

Sofia wanted to see Josh off but figured her sister needed her in there. It saddened her to see Mindy alone with Josh but she had no choice.

"There's a party this Saturday. It'll be at the Crimson hall house. You should come." Sofia said.

"Oh that's right. We will totally be there. I'll give him the rest of the tea on our way back." Mindy added, not knowing it only made Sofia angry that she would be coming along with Josh.

Once he was back in his room, he headed straight for a shower, then enjoyed a delicious variety of food for his dinner and went to bed. The party was in a few days' time and since he had been persuaded by Mindy to come along, he had been making a few preparations like his outfits and getting a new haircut.

The day arrived in a breeze and he was in the car with Mindy on his way to the venue.

"I'll introduce you to a few of my friends. All big dons in the industry, I must say." Mindy said.

"So the man throwing his sixtieth birthday, he is a friend of your late parents?" Josh asked her and she nodded.

"Mr. Bills Astor, the founder of Astor law firm and enterprise." Mindy explained.

As soon as Josh arrived at the venue, he began to think it must have been a mistake coming in the first place. Although he had been trying to keep a low profile for so long, he feared his presence at the party might strike an old enemy from his past.

Everyone was highly dressed and even spoke richly. The decorations were magnificent and it was easy to tell that the party had just been an avenue for the rich to connect and grow their businesses.

Mindy had excused herself to fetch them some drinks, but Josh started to realize he had not seen her for a while now. He glanced around, hoping to see someone in a floral silver dress with fair spotless skin... The thought that he had pictured her dress in his head made him shake his head in surprise.

But he shifted his focus to finding Mindy. And maybe the Sanchez, since they had been the ones who practically invited him.

A loud burst of roar bought his attention and he saw that Mindy was been harassed by a tall light-skinned man on white blonde haircut.

"Hey, get your hands off me, Hank!" Mindy pushed him back but he kept forcing himself on her. He grabbed her waist as he forced her to a dance.

Josh was more irked that nobody did anything and they all stared like nothing was going on!

"Hey, get away from her!" Josh broke through the crowd to get to her.

The man had a wicked smirk on his face as he turned to see who was behind him. "You have a lot of nerves, don't you?"

"Why don't you hit on someone of your own size!" Josh advanced closer, but he was walking straight to Mindy.

However, Hank was not going to just let things slide. He grabbed Josh from the back with his collar, and tried to drag him off when he realized the man before him was packed with muscle.

Feeling embarrassed, he instead tried to launch an attack by throwing a punch on Josh's face. But with just enough speed, Josh caught his hand and squeezed it so tight that Hank began to whimper.

"Get away from him!" Mindy cried out. Sadly, she had been watching and felt totally angry at the way Josh acted caring with Mindy! "Get away from him, Josh--"

"What is the meaning of this?" Roared a voice from behind. "How dare you harass my good friend like that, white haired boy?"

When Josh finally let go of Hank, he turned and saw that it was Mr. Sanchez talking behind.