12.

She happily turns around on the podium and let's me see the back as well.

A low back and front and the gown part looks like a princess's ball gown.

I raise a thumbs up at her.

"Let me try others before I make a decision." She informs me

"Knock yourself out darling."

She giggles and the door closes.

In my pocket, my phone rings.

"Hello Nathan? Any news?"

Nathan is my searchlight. Anytime I have to find a person or something, he does the job. If Nathan can't do it, no one can.

"None sir. She practically disappeared into thin air."

"What do you mean?"

"Miss Akeelah hasn't been sighted by any of my men anywhere. She's off the grid..."

As Nathan is still talking to me, the rack door opens again and there stands Akeelah.

Akeelah?

I wipe my eyes and check again. It's Anna.

What the fuck?

Anna just watches for the first few seconds.

"Find her for me. Keep trying and let me know."

Anna gets down from the podium and walks to me.

"Who was that?"

"Nathan."

"Who are you looking for?"

I hesitate before answering

"It's that damn woman isn't it? She divorced you, why are you still searching for her?"

Anna just rants on, not giving me enough time to process whatever it is I want to say in explanation and in my defence.

"...you're obviously not taking our wedding seriously. If you are, you won't be out searching for your ex-wife." She finishes and stalks back into the door.

Few minutes later, she stomps out in the clothes she came in.

She doesn't say a word to me and just goes into the car.

Women.

*Few Days Later*

*Akeelah*

Going back and forth is not easy but I am not complaining at all. Preparing for the party that will represent my debut.

And my debut has to be top notch and of utmost priority.

Rose Group is a big company but a big company that is short on funds. We have to manage what we have and that is another reason for our party.

My Debut and to search for Shareholders and Investors.

And being short on funds made us plan the party in the big Garden that gave Rose Garden it's name.

Behind the main building, is a vast land full of flowers, vines and trees.

Amidst all these, Eve and the event planners with one of my eyes, arranged all the tables and bar.

It will be a dinner so there are hung up lights.

It's almost 6pm. Guests will start arriving anytime soon and as the host, I must be there to greet them all.

*Andrè*

It's a welcome offer to attend that dinner as long as I have to leave whiny Anna's side. She's become more whiny and irritating these past few days since the boutique incident.

Moreso, it's going to be a once in a lifetime chance to enter into the famous Rose Garden. I never got the opportunity to go into the compound and now it's here on a golden platter.

Though there's a catch. The Damn Host didn't bother to give me an invitation but it doesn't matter for now.

I park my sports car right beside Aaron's car.

I've been best friends with Aaron since High School and now we've both succeeded in both our chosen paths but we remained soon.

He contacted me that he had an invitation to a dinner but he doesn't have a partner and wants me to go with him. I won't miss the opportunity.

We get out of the car and fist bump.

"How've you been man?" He asks me

"You still saw me four days ago."

"Are you sure you're fine? You seem worn out." He teases me

"I'm fine except for Anna." I open up to him

"Yeah... You brought it on yourself. Let's go in. There are a lot of people here already."

We walk side by side to the mansion.