CHAPTER 00

The sun is setting. The colors dark blue and orange blended, making the sight of the sky more mesmerizing. The roads are busy and full with blinding lights coming from the cars in the city. I am silently sitting at the backseat of the car, watching over the people's motion on the streets. "We'll arrive at Casa Salam in 15 minutes, Miss L." Mr. Jo, one of the company's chauffeur informed me. They sent someone to drive me to my destination tonight. I nodded to what Mr. Jo said then laid my eyes back to the outside world.

Minutes later, I arrived at the address where the business convention I'll be attending will take place. "Just text me Miss L if the business has ended already. I'll come and fetch you home." I nodded as a response to what he said.

"Have a great day, Miss L." he smiled and I smiled back at him. "Likewise, Mr. Jo. Have a safe trip back." I was assigned to be our company's representative in this gathering of big artists and brand companies. This opportunity is an honor for anyone who'll have the chance to take this shot because it is a rare privilege for some. But honestly? It would have been better if someone else was tasked to do this activity. I mean, it's not like I let go of opportunities. Carpe diem is one of my life mottos. It is just that I am the last person to like this kind of affair. Socializing with people.

"Ya Ymira, yeogi!" an American-looking woman who's trying hard to speak a language that's foreign to her waved at me and walked towards my direction. I rarely use the language I've grown up speaking. Only on the chosen situations.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" slightly shocked, I approached her and gave her a peck on the cheeks. She's Sheryl, the coolest friend I've ever had in my life. "How long have you been here?"

"Just came here like half an hour ago?" she stated, looking confused.

"You're not sure?" she just stared and gave me her here-she-goes-again look. What?

"I mean, when did you arrive in the country? I heard you're all busy in the company chasing to finish the remaining backlogs?" I said because I was a bit surprised she made it here. "So why are you here?" I asked again because the last time I heard about the happenings in the company there is that they are all hands-on on completing a deadline of some big project.

"I just arrived yesterday. They sent me here for an important matter." we ambled along the grand staircase leading us to the main floor where the event will exactly take place.

"Yesterday and you didn't even bother to message me on sns." I complained. We chatted along, trying to catch up with the things we've missed with each other while heading to each artwork displayed in the convention hall.

The venue is like an art exhibition where the artworks of the local and student artists are being displayed too. I'm glad the gathering is held in a place like this. I'm not a real artist but I also paint and draw whenever I'm stressed-out of something or sometimes just a pastime hobby of mine.

It is a form of stress-reliever for me.

And I damn love art galleries. My love for art is matchless. There is something in art that can both build and kill the vibes inside me.

"I'm not even sure what's the key agenda of the event here." I utter as we each appreciate the paintings hung on the cream-colored wall. Paintings would never not mesmerize me whenever I set my eyes on it.

"Same here. They told me it's an important business wherein my pretty presence is needed. I didn't ask further questions because why hesitate when I also want to see the most beautiful friend of mine personally. Finally after months."

"Good for you. Bet your day is complete now because you saw my beautiful face already." I decided to ride on her pretty sassy jokes. "You should make the best out of it while we're together" I added.

"Who said it is you I'm referring to with that epithet?" her face red, trying not to burst into laughter as she makes fun of me.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. Here she goes again with her tosh in-jokes. "Go to that person you're referring to and never ever come back to me. You, gaejas*k."

***

We continued to analyze and be amazed by how magnificent the artworks are. We saw artwork inspired by Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night Saint Rémy and several abstract paintings painted by the locals here. What an awe-inspiring masterpiece these are. And the artist's golden hands, what an envy.

The event has not officially started yet. People with their grandiose dresses and suits are arriving at the place slowly filling the venue. They are not those kinds of people that you can just see casually. Most of them are those from the higher ups not just in this industry but also in some other aspects that take shape globally.

I don't care about the businesses of other people's lives but from what I can see, the folks here appear naturally expensive. And clean. From the shining glitters and gems of the ladies' dresses, to shimmering jewelries on their necks and ears, and to the luxurious brands of what they wear, they seemed to be one unreachable VIPs in the world. Of course I know. I can tell by the design of the attire which style is from which brand.

A clink on a glass made by someone was heard all throughout the floor. A sign that by any second now, they will officially open the ceremony. Today was supposed to be my day break. But why the heck am I in the middle of all these showbiz people, meddling and socializing with them?

The president of Black Swan Robe, Mr. Bernard Johnson, stood up and went in front of the crowd. The people gathered around semi-encircling Mr. Johnson. We went near them and involved ourselves in the group of influential individuals. We raised each of our glasses for a toast as Mr. Johnson officially commenced the event. I sipped on my glass of champagne then minded my own thing. I roamed my eyes throughout the room, scanning every unique pattern of the room's wall structure.

I am wearing a floor-length lavish black velvet tube dress. While Sheryl is on her white crystal cowl neck, backless silk gown.

"Let's go home later together, okay?" Sheryl said then excused herself because the chief executive officer of a brand partner has something to discuss with her. "Do not drink too much." I mouthed and warned this big drinker friend of mine.

The presidents of numerous big brands are talking about the future plans of the joint companies. We listened to their matters but I soon left the scene and left the area. I know this affair is gonna bore the hell out of my lazy ass. But no choice, I've got to go with the flow.

I went out to the terrace garden of this floor to have some breather. I met some of the artists from our partner companies on my way out.

I met Shammy, a singer artist, on my way. "Hey, you look extra stunning tonight, Miss L!" she complimented. I shyly smiled. "But you look ten times gorgeous, Miss Sham." She's with their team's producer. "Geez, I feel flattered. So, what do you think of tonight's event?" We chatted a little about the newly proposed future game plans and target objectives for the next year's agenda.

After our little conversation, I walked towards the smoking area not to smoke but to standby with a cigarette in my mouth, unlit. I was feeling the cold breeze that is touching my arms and bare back. Christmas is coming and that is why we are having cold weather. The night's about to end. After thirty minutes of stay in the terrace garden, I decided to go back to the lobby and just find Sheryl. As I turned, I smiled as I saw Jackson on the entrance door from here to the inside of the place, waving and smiling big at me. He called me to come to him and I excitedly took steps towards where he was waiting. Finally, I got to see someone I'm close with here in the gatherings.

But when I was about to continue my move, I saw someone that made me halt. That even my breathing became unstable. I felt like I was being splashed by a bucket of water full of ice. It felt like I lost all the energies I have in my body. My knees become weak and I can't even move them. Why in the world is he here?