Watching Her

CHAPTER 3

Alika Langston opened the present from her father and her face instantly lit up. He still remembered her favorite colour was white. She wondered how much more things about her Maurice Langston remembered. To her, at least, the littlest things like this mattered the most.

A knock came on her door and she left the dresser to see who it was. Maurice Langston held Giovanna Langston's arm in his. "Give the dress to Giovanna... I'll get you another." Alika who wasn't really surprised wanted to refuse but could only stare at him for a few seconds before going to get the dress.

She handed the fancy package to Giovanna. "Don't be mad at me sister. I can give you mine instead. It doesn't really suit me." Giovanna explained.

Alika thought that she could have only told her about it and not drag her father along. Perhaps she thought that Alika wouldn't let go of the dress.

On the other hand, Giovanna Langston only thought that Alika's dress was much more suitable for her because it was a bit more expensive than hers. So saying that her dress didn't suit her was only a cover up in order for Maurice Langston who besides would not want to spend another dime on a dress to support her. After all, Alika had a perfect figure that could fit in any dress she wore.

Knowing that Maurice wouldn't spend another round of money on an expensive dress, Alika accepted to put on Giovanna's dress.

***

All the elite members of A City were seated in their respective tables. It was quite telling that the event was held by a prominent family in A City- The Sullivans weren't only known for their incomparable power in the entertainment industry but also for their great influence in the world of business. Many influential families envied their power but also admired them. Some even wanted to associate with them from any angle possible. In other words, an invitation to such an event was a smooth road.

There were many of other young celebrities and socialites; most forced to attend to procure favour with them.

Included in this group of people were the Langstons. Although they had much influence in the international business, they were yet to make an impact in the business world of A City. Maurice Langston had worked several years for his success and had actually made a profound name for himself which was one of the reasons he was highly admired by the socialites and dregs. So many youngsters dreamed of having such success internationally.

Also, he usually kept his family off the screen until recently when he had acknowledged his youngest daughter. Many of them knew that Maurice Langston had two daughters but had never set eyes on the eldest- they cudgel their brains about what she really looked like. But they were going to see her tonight.

"Is she healthy?"

"What if she's just like the son of the Grahams?"

Even though Alika had seen this, she really didn't think much of it. To her, it was better to stay and live peacefully without the prying eyes of the meddlesome netizens.

***

Alika accidentally bumped into someone on her way as she was already in a hurry. She looked up to see Stefan who was equally in a rush. "I'm sorry." She apologized but got a calm smile in response. "Are you Noor's friend?" He asked knowing well what kind of risk he just took. Anyone would take such an opportunity to claim to be a Sullivan's friend. "Yes. I'mmm... Belle." She quickly said her middle name after noticing his discomfort and guessing that Noor had told him that name since she was not comfortable with the name Langston; especially in public.

Stefan breathed a sigh of relief after she had mentioned her name. He quickly took her to her table where Keeya Thurston and Noor were already seated. She noticed the expectant faces of the other people in the room. "What are they waiting for?" She asked.

"You." Noor stated.

"We wanna see what the eldest daughter of the Langstons look like." Keeya cut in sarcastically and almost burst into laughter thinking that these people were actually insane being too invested in someone else's life. What really was there to lookout for?

Alika rolled her eyes indicating how aloof she was of the situation. Her only reason for being here was the issue she needed to discuss with Stefan and that was it.

Since everyone was putting on a mask, it was impossible to recognize the other person except one came along with them or one eventually takes one's mask off. So nobody recognized Leonardo who kept sweeping his eyes across the crowd which eventually landed on a woman in a red evening dress. She seemed to be very ignorant of the party going on. To some extent, he could see her eyes but it seemed like they were cleverly covered by the venetian mask which was handmade and intricately designed to suit her facial features. It was intelligible that she appreciated crafts. He suddenly felt the strange urge to talk to her. What if she knows about The Golden Flower With Thorns? She was also a noble, was she not?

Alika on the other hand, felt that she had done a great job making a mask of her own and deciding not to put on the pink dress Giovanna had given to her. This way, no one from her family would recognize her and she could go about her business with Stefan smoothly. If not, the Langstons would have found a way to include themselves and she was not going to allow it.

She got a notification from Noor stating that Stefan was available to see her. Unknown to her that someone was watching her every move.