Chapter Seventy Four; A private party

I have always kept my promise to everyone I ever made one to," he said, placing his briefcase in the back passenger seat before moving back to the driver seat.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue yesterday," she spoke with her two hands held together as she pinched them.

"He now stared at her in a way that could tell a hundred stories.

"Maybe I have never told you, but you need only call me once if you ever needed me and I will be there.

Raymond thought she looked charming that morning, especially the warm smile on her cheek. He had a few flashes of how they used to be, he missed that, he missed her. She was perfect for him, but when would she realize that he had never looked at her and wished she was different in any way. She had always been enough for him and still is.

Raymond was invited to a party, he was invited by the Prime Minister of the country. It was a book lunch party for his daughter, Laura. Ray and his dad knew  Prime Minister Troy Brown for quite a while now, he had met his daughter a couple of times, but he wasn't familiar with her.

With the current attention in his life, going to parties or public gatherings was not advised, but he couldn't turn down the invite of the Prime Minister of the country. Good thing that it was a private party and regular folks would be found lacking there and he didn't want any form of attention. He only wanted to respect the Prime Minister's invitation and support his daughter Laura. 

Maybe Scott would have driven him, maybe he would have called in some of his security that morning, but he just didn't feel like it 

He stopped by at Tyler's, they had a few discussions about the company business, which was why he went to see him. They also discussed the next step regarding his divorce and other stuff.

Well, Tyler also didn't forget to mock him about having two of his Ex's work for him and within a close space.

He left there after a couple of hours, he hated going alone, Tyler wouldn't go with him because he claimed that Sundays were his self care day. He would have asked Amanda, but it wasn't a good time to be seen publicly with another woman and it might put her on a spot. Well, his dad was not in the country but sent his support across.

He got to the venue around 2 pm, the press was outside, but the guards on standby had helped him get in without much harassment. The venue had a normal setting and people were already seated, he was a little late, so, a little attention was drawn to him when he showed up.

He was directed to a round table where one of the chairs had his name tag. He now sat among other influential people which included the CEO of Ephones, Tamara Isben, a  renowned fashion designer, a famous model who he wasn't sure of her name, and then himself. They exchanged pleasantries and the occasion went on. 

It wasn't a usual private party, this one had close to two hundred people, but only important people. It was past 5 pm already, and meals and drinks has been served, but Raymond only wanted this over so he could go home. People now stood around the hall, getting to know each other and exchanging pleasantries. He was with the Prime Minister who formally introduced him to his daughter.

Though they have met before, but never in a one on one meeting.

Laura had short brunette hair which she patted by the side. She wore a bright red matte lipstick which seemed rather distracting.

"Hey," she said, reaching out to give him a handshake.

"Hello," he reached out to her and returned the shake. 

"Thank you for coming," she spoke wearing a wide smile that showed almost all her teeth. 

"It was my pleasure to be here," Raymond noticed how her cheek almost became flushed, she was blushing and he wondered why.

"Congratulations on your book lunch," he said, overlooking the expression on her face. 

Laura was a twenty six years old college graduate who graduated from Harvard University. She was a little chubby, beautiful, and obviously spoilt.

"Oh, thank you," she said still wearing a smile.

Prime Minister Troy had been distracted from their conversation by the people who now seemed to have engaged him in a conversation. He had shifted away from them, giving them the privacy he was sure he didn't need.

"It's my first," she added still with the same smile.

"I guess we could cheer to many more to come?" He said moving the wine glass towards her and they cheered. 

"Thank you, maybe you can tell me what you think about it when you eventually read it?" 

"RAYMOND!" Raymond was a little surprised to see  Beatrice, but not too surprised. She and her family knew everyone. The first time he saw Laura was at one of Beatrice's weddings, but he doubted he saw her at her last wedding. 

"I have been trying to find you," she said giving him a hug. 

"How are you? I didn't know you were here, what about your latest husband?" he asked sarcastically.

"Stop," Beatrice said tapping his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, let me rephrase,"

"Where is the love of your life?" They both smiled at each other before she spoke.

"He couldn't make it," she said before moving her attention to Laura.

"And here we have our latest author," she reached Laura's side as they exchanged a hug.

"You look beautiful darling," Beatrice said patting Laura's hair by the side.

"You too," Laura responded.

"I haven't seen this man for a while now, I hope you don't mind if I borrow him?"

"Sure," she responded. 

Beatrice put her hands around Ray's arm as she led him away.

They rested on the pillar which the side was decorated with plastic wall flowers. This little outside space was more like a porch. 

Their discussion was mostly about Ray's divorce and then a few about her new marriage. They haven't seen each other for a while now, after her marriage, she and her husband had gone away for some weeks, honeymoon in different cities abroad, and after they returned, she had been up and about. 

"I and Rebecca are friends, but I can't imagine being stuck in the same space with her," 

"I would hate to imagine it too if not that it's already my life," Raymond responded before sipping his wine gracefully.

"So, now, you going through a divorce for a nine year old marriage you never really participated in?" Beatrice spoke as she glimpses at his face.

"Literally," he responded.

"I have been through two divorces, so I know what this feels like," She put her hands around his shoulders in a way to console him.

"I will be fine," Ray said.

"Yea, you will" she responded.

"We should get back," she added. 

"I think the party is over already,"

"Yea, it's almost over, but  I need to say goodbye to the host,"

"Mm, okay, you can do that for two," he said adjusting his suit.

"Okay,"  she made her way out of the wide porch.

Ray was standing erect, just gazing outside before he heard a familiar voice.

"Here he is ..." Ray turned, now faced with Laura who he'd rather not even see at all. He knew women and he could read them like a book.

In Laura's case, she had grown an affection for him. When? Was what he couldn't really tell because they weren't close before now or even friends at all.

"Was I being looked for?"

"Mmm, she looked straight into his eyes before immediately dropping them at his feet. She was shy and for some reason, he didn't find it pleasing in any way.

'somebody tell him how he is supposed to be of help to this big baby?' 

He took a sip of his wine, shoving his thoughts aside as it wasn't fair on the lady.

"Not really, except by me," she said, looking up at him again and wearing her usual smile.

"How about my request that you read and give me a personal review on my book?"

Okay, first of all, Ray didn't know she had made this request before now, secondly, he was not mentally in a place that warranted him to read books now. Thirdly, her book was a story about herself, a book he couldn't even remember the title and he didn't think he would like to know more about her, so the book would likely not to be read.

"If I could find time, sure," he responded.

She looked up at him, immediately leaning in towards him and gave him a brief kiss on the lips.

'Now what was the meaning of that? why would she kiss him? He was sure he never gave her any form of approval, he felt like he was just violated. He looked around to find the press far but their camera on them. Why would she get her self in his drama?

The only thing that could grow out of that act was more drama and nothing else.

"Till we meet again" she said making her way back into the hall.

Hello guys, the truth is that I'm not really motivated by how some of you rate me really low stars for almost nothing or a reason I can't do anything about.

Most read books here has over 100 chapters, and so many others has over 500 chapters, then there is mine with barely 75 chapters and people are talking about "complete it" 

This book still has over 45 chapters to go, so get familiar with this, so you can be relaxed.

And again, I can't do more than 1500 in a day, if not, I will not be paid for the extra words. Most time I do more than that, but I can't get too far from 1500 words.

Please, be kind with your ratings. Also, you should try "Mr. Devil And little Me"