005 The Retirement Party (1)

"Wrong place and wrong time my dear," Gertrude replied, the older woman gave Eden a shrug and a small smile as she continued to order the maid around to decorate the rest of the space for the event.

As she watched the woman work, Eden resolved when she became head of the company Gertrude would be able to live out her dreams as an event planner. The older woman loved children and had been with her since Eden was a child.

No doubt she would be able to come up fanciful ideas that would attract parents and children alike.

The short haired blonde smiled to herself, walking out of the hall so as not to interfered with anyone's work.

Eden hummed as she moved, taking care not to disturb the flower arrangements that rested on the wooden side tables and on other prominent spaces in the foyer and hall.

After inspecting everything from the tops of the stairs to the banisters and even the railings, Eden was satisfied enough to go to her room and gaze upon the luxurious dress her fiancee had purchased for her.

The stunning silver ensemble stared back at her like a twinkling fairy's dress. Eden ran her hands through the shiny material, noting that the high quality glitter didn't come off on her hands as she did.

The dress was a long sleeved gown cut to flatter her figure, one of the few dresses she could wear without feeling overly self conscious.

"I can't wait to wear this and meet Danny," Eden said squealing to herself, "It's going to be so exciting when they finally make the announcement, ugh all these years of waiting and I'm finally going to inherit Marshall Toys,"

Tears filled her eyes suddenly, she wiped them off with the back of her sleeve.

"After all this time I can finally make a name for myself, I can finally turn this company around and best of all Dad might actually be proud of me for once," she said quietly.

"Everything's going right," 

Eden crossed her room and went to sit at her work table, where she would work until the retirement party would begin.

"Now let's pick up where I left off, clay? Or porcelain?"

----------

The halls of the Marshall estate were filled with the murmurs of several guests all there for the retirement of Frederick Marshall. The lights of the chandelier shined down of on the guests all dressed to the nines with opulence.

Only the best for such a prominent member of their society.

"Where is Miss Eden?" one of the maids serving drinks whispered to the other. They looked over the people standing around making conversation and small talk as they waited for the celebrant to arrive at his own party.

"Well she's never been a fan of parties," the other maid replied as she passed by the other, whispering under her breath.

Eden stepped into the hall in her silver dress, the material was silken, flattering her curves in the right places as she walked in, her short hair swished in a cute bob, and matching sliver jewelry swished with her hair as she greeted her father's guests tenderly.

"Eden," one of the older women said, drawing closer to kiss Eden's rosy cheeks. She pulled back to inspect the girl's attire finding her absolutely stunning. "My dear you look absolutely gorgeous,"

Beside her someone scoffed, Eden already knew the man as one of her father's associates, a man who tried to get on the board of Marshall Toys but was shunned and stooped to simpering to gain her father's approval.

"Thank you, Mrs. Robinson, you look amazing as well. I love that red dress it's always been your color," Eden said.

The older woman flipped her salt and pepper hair, basking in the compliment. Eden almost couldn't remember her name.

Rose Piper.

"Thank you, darling," Rose said before moving on to talk to the other guests who appeared at the event, she shook hands, laughed, and engaged in conversation without missing a single beat. Eden watched her go, wondering how a woman of her age could have such energy.

Eden hesitantly moved through the small crowd looking for a particular face. 

"Huh? Where's Daniel," she asked, looking from face to face. It wouldn't be hard to spot him.

Many attendees present were old men and women who had known her father since childhood.

Eden knew almost all of them but couldn't say they were close. She had few extended family, with her father cutting ties long ago. It was all a mystery to her.

Eventually, the sight of a tall, broad shouldered figure caught her attention. He wore a black suit tailored to every inch of his frame.

He was talking to a group of people around her father's age and seemed to be doing a good job from the way they laughed at his jokes.

Eden smiled, walking up to him.

"Eden there you are," Daniel said turning around as if he could sense her presence. Eden gave him a one armed hug not wanting to stain his suit.

"You look gorgeous, I knew that silver gown would do you justice babe!" Daniel said beaming with pride at his clothing choice. He lifted her hand and spun her around to get a full view of the gown.

"I must be the luckiest guy in the world, I can't wait to make you my wife," Daniel said with a tender smile.

Eden couldn't stop blushing at the kind words. Her heart swelled at the compliments she received from her beloved fiancee, she knew she had made the right choice in agreeing to marry him.

Daniel, the handsome, kind, and loving man she accepted into her life.

"Clink,"

"Clink,"

"Clink,"

The sound of a champagne glass being tapped caught the attention of all the guests invited to the retirement party.

From the top of the stairs, Frederick Marshall stood arm in arm with his daughter Lily. He had a smug expression of self-importance and after all, why shouldn't he, he was the one they all came to see wasn't he?

He gazed upon the crowd, eyes landing on his first daughter and her fiancee.

A sneer of disgust tugged at his lips as he looked upon her face. Did his idiot child really think she was fit enough to run his company?

Well, she was in for the shock of her life tonight.