Celebration Time

"Jie Jie! Ge Ge!" Chloe called. She walked over to them.

"Hi Chloe," they said. Chloe gave Evelyn a hug.

"Oh my- is that what you're wearing?" Chloe asked looking Evelyn up and down.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Evelyn asked, glancing down at her clothes.

"You look like you're dressed for an interview," Chloe replied scrunching up her nose.

"It's called success, Chloe." Evelyn tossed back, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, but it's not right for the occasion." Chloe grabbed Evelyn's hand.

"Come on!" Chloe said tugging her.

"Chloe, we have to go in." Evelyn said resisting her tug.

"There's a clothing store right here! And we have ten minutes." Chloe said not releasing her grip. Evelyn had no choice but to follow her or risk being pulled to the ground.

They went into the clothing boutique and Chloe finally let go of her sisters hand. Evelyn rubbed her wrist. She knew at this point it would be pointless to refuse her fashionista of a sister.

Chloe quickly flipped through the racks and pulled out a cobalt blue long sleeved dress with a sweetheart neckline. Chloe shoved her sister into the fitting room with the dress and told her to change. While Evelyn changed Chloe walked over to the counter where there was a selection of necklaces. She spotted a simple necklace with a diamond that was in the shape of a teardrop. She told the sales clerk to take it out.

When Evelyn stepped out Chloe clapped with glee. It's perfect! The style was simple, it hugged her curves perfectly while still being modest.

"Chloe the dress is beautiful but it really isn't necessary." Evelyn said. Chloe walked over and yanked the tag off.

"Chloe!" Evelyn gasped, in disbelief.

"Whoops. Sorry miss but I need to purchase this dress and the necklace." Chloe said to the sales attendant. Chloe quickly paid for the dress and necklace and handed the necklace to Evelyn. Evelyn took it from her and put it on her bare neck.

"There you go, now you look ready for your party. Jeez, you really were going to wear a suit," Chloe said it like it was the biggest faux pas.

"Thanks Chloe, but please don't do this again," Evelyn stressed.

"Uh huh, sure," Chloe said dismissively. She handed Evelyn a shopping bag with her clothes. When they got back it was 6:35.

The others were already there waiting for them.

"Li Li, you look gorgeous!" Phoenix gushed.

"Thank you," Evelyn and Chloe said at the same time. Ben looked annoyed at his twin's antics.

"Are you done playing dress up?" Ben asked impatiently.

Zain gave a low whistle that earned a slap on the head from Jinhai.

"Hi Evelyn, you look great," Jinhai said. Evelyn smiled.

"Yeah, she's gorgeous. Can we get going? I'm starving." Ben said pulling the door open.

Chloe on the other hand zeroed in on Jinhai.

"What are you doing here?" She antagonized. Ben let go of the door letting it slide shut with a sigh.

"Hi Chloe," he greeted her.

"I asked you a question," Chloe said, walking toward him. She only stopped when she was right in front of him. He held his hands in front of him.

"I was invited," Jinhai glanced at Evelyn.

"Chloe, it's okay." Evelyn said to her sister.

"What do you mean it's okay? He's been avoiding you for years, now he just shows up out of the blue and he's invited?" She turned to Evelyn but pointed a finger in Jinhai's direction.

"He's not avoiding me anymore," Evelyn said.

"So you just forgive him?" Chloe said, clearly still angry.

"Yes," Evelyn said.

"Okay," Zain intervened stepping between his brother and Chloe. Chloe clenched her fists but dropped the subject.

Ben opened the door again. Zain walked in first as the reservation was under his name. Followed by Evelyn and Phoenix, Chloe, Mingxi, Jinhai, then Ben. A woman led them to a private room in the back. They took their seats. On one side, Evelyn, Phoenix and Chloe sat together with Evelyn between them. On the other Ben, Jinhai and Zain sat together with Zain between them. Mingxi sat by herself on one side of the table.

"Can I get you guys anything to start with?" A waiter asked.

"Your nicest bottle of sake," Phoenix said. She didn't wait for anyone else. They've eaten together enough to know what they all liked. The only exception was Jinhai but he didn't protest.

A waiter came by with seven glasses of water and a check off menu. They liked eating here because it was all-you-can-eat sushi buffet.

Each side got a sheet of paper and they coordinated what to get. On one side they got the sashimi, and the other got the sushi rolls. When they finished the sake came.

When everyone had a cup Phoenix stood up.

"Ahem, I would like to officially kick off this celebration in honor of Evelyn's new home!" She said raising her glass. Everyone raised their glass as well.

"And to her new position as VP at WWO," Chloe said. Everyone raised their glasses even higher and took a sip.

"I'll toast to her getting rid of that useless husband of hers," Ben muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. Chloe kicked him under the table and he winced.

"Ben," she said fiercely.

"What? I never liked the bastard," he said glancing at Evelyn. Evelyn's face took on a sad look.

"I never hid the fact that I didn't like him." He shrugged.

"Yeah, I know." Evelyn said.

"Knock it off Ben. We're celebrating, and I don't feel like dampening the mood." Phoenix said. Zain, Jinhai, and Mingxi kept quiet during this exchange.

"Alright alright," Ben said.

"I'm sorry," he said to his sister. She nodded and didn't talk about it further.

"When are you going to start at WWO?" Zain changed the subject.

"After I settle in but I might start as soon as this Monday, April 6th." Evelyn answered.

"But that's only four days away!" Chloe complained.

"I though we could spend some time together," Chloe pouted.

"Like you said it's four days away. I mean I need to go furniture shopping tomorrow." Evelyn contemplated.

"I want to come!" Chloe said.

"Me too!" Phoenix chimes in.

"Me three!" Zain added.

"Don't you have to work tomorrow?" Evelyn asked raising her eyebrow.

"Yes, I'll just work overtime." He said waving his hand nonchalantly.

Jinhai shook his head but didn't comment. The food arrived and everyone dug in.

Ben and Evelyn were particularly famished since they had skipped lunch. They finished all of the sushi for round one and went for round two and three. Everyone was stuffed and happy by the end of dinner.

"Do we want dessert?" Zain asked the table. The girl's looked at him incredulously.

"Yes," they said as if it was an absolute given. The girls were definitely a gluttonous bunch.

"How do you guys still have room for dessert?" Ben groaned placing a had on his stomach.

"Everyone knows that there's a separate stomach dedicated for dessert!" Chloe laughed. The other girls giggled as well in agreement.

The waiter came back and the Evelyn and Phoenix ordered a green tea and vanilla ice cream swirl. Mingxi ordered vanilla ice cream and Chloe ordered red bean ice cream. Zain ordered a strawberry and whip cream filled crepe. Jinhai ordered a coffee jelly, it came topped with powder sugar. Ben didn't order anything except for tea claiming that he was too full.

When the dessert came they chatted and Evelyn showed everyone pictures of her new apartment.

"Oh I can't wait to use that hot tub!" Phoenix invited herself. If Phoenix wasn't her best friend Evelyn might have been annoyed.

"Is that the only thing you like?" Evelyn asked.

"No, the outdoor space looks great! It'll be perfect for a barbecue." Phoenix beamed excited.

"It's a good thing I'm going with you tomorrow! I can get you a housewarming gift before you decide to buy everything yourself." Phoenix said. Evelyn laughed. Chances were she was. From new towels to cookware to furniture. She was going to have a very busy day tomorrow.

When they finished dinner it was almost 9 o'clock. They had lingered for a long time chatting with each other. When they parted they agreed that Phoenix, Chloe, and Zain would meet her at her hotel at 9:00 so that they could have breakfast together then go shopping.

Ben left with Chloe and Mingxi. They were dropping off Mingxi before they going home. Jinhai had driven so he was going to drive Zain to get his car then drive Evelyn back to the hotel. It worked out that she didn't have to explain that Jinhai would be staying with her tonight, although she was sure Jinhai had something to do with it.

They dropped Zain off at Li Corp and then Jinhai drove off. It was about a twenty minute drive back to the hotel since the traffic through the city wasn't too bad.

"How did your presentation go?" Jinhai asked her. She hadn't brought it up at dinner with everyone so he hadn't asked her then. Evelyn was quiet during the ride thus far thinking about her conversation earlier with Phoenix about him.

"Huh? Oh, my dad gave me the opportunity to do the presentation." She answered him.

"What's wrong?" He asked glancing at her.

"Nothing's wrong. Thank you for helping me last night." She offered him a smile.

"Evelyn," he said not buying her act.

"Let's talk about it later." She said. She knew he wasn't going to give up. He pursed his lips not liking that idea but couldn't refute her.

"I am worried about Zheng's presentation." She said.

"Why?" He asked her. She looked at him from the side. She took her heels off and sighed in relief pulling her knees up.

"Because I made their pitch," she said.

"But you aren't giving their presentation," he rationalized.

"They may have your material but they still don't have your passion or drive, that can make or break it," he said. She nodded, deep in though.