Chapter 73: Happy Anniversary

Paige didn't say a word to him. She was just boiling with anger. She was angry that Simon waited for the guards to humiliate her before he interfered in the matter knowing so well that a word from him was enough to let her in. The time was 7:26pm when they arrived at the Tedsons. They walked down to the Tedson's Mansion as cars were not allowed beyond the first gate. "Are you okay?" He asked Paige who was walking ahead of him with annoyance. "Sunflower!" He called.

"I'm fine." She replied stopping and waiting up for him, "Sorry that I'm acting like a spoilt brat. I really do not know what's wrong with me." She apologized.

"It's fine." Simon replied. "Let's go. We're a bit late already." He told her holding her by the arm as they walked into the mansion which was already buzzing with activities. Simon do not understand her sudden change in character as well but hrt believed that whatever it was, they will definitely get through it together if she permit. The sight of extremely bright lights, shiny dresses, high heels clicking on tiles, perfect tux and shiny shoes filled their eyes the minute they stepped into the Mansion.

"Welcome Mr. Kentley." The Butler greeted as he walked up to them. "Welcome ma'am." He greeted Paige as well and she nodded at him just like Simon while following Simon behind having disentangled her arm from his hold immediately they got to the entrance of the mansion so as not to create a suggestive appearance. "This way please." The butler said leading them inside the hall towards the Tedsons who were seated having a chat with Mr. And Mrs. Ruben, Fiona's parents.

"Oh! Here comes the great Kentley." Noah Tedson announced standing up on seeing Simon. Everybody else stood up with him with genuine smile except Theresa Ruben who was choking with anger seeing Paige beside Simon. "Welcome to my humble home son." Noah said opening his arms for a hug. Both men hugged each other smiling. 

"Good evening Noah." Simon greeted. "Sarah, he called bowing slightly. Then turned to the Rubens, he nodded at the husband as a sign of greeting and the nod was reciprocated immediately with genuine and fake smiles. The Rubens immediately excused themselves to allow the Tedsons and Kentley a little privacy to catch up. "Happy Anniversary to you both. I wish you many more years in happiness." He told them smiling. 

"Thank you son." Noah replied with a handshake while Sarah grabbed him in a hug and kissed his cheeks. 

"You've grown so big Simon." She called smiling. "Oh, my darling girl, please forgive my manners." She said turning to Paige. "We were so happy seeing Simon.  Come here." She moved over and hugged Paige who flashed her most charming smile. 

"Good evening Sarah," Paige greeted. "and Happy  Anniversary." She said inhaling the sweet fragrance of Sarah's perfume as they hugged each other.

"Thank you so much." Sarah said. "Come." she drew Paige by the hand closer to her husband who was already sitted with Simon gisting about business and sourcing for contract opportunities since he overheard a rumor that Simon was making plans to expand or create another branch of his cardiac center Elfer-Town. "Baby," Sarah called her husband "this is Paige Patterson. Our special guest." She told her husband who immediately pushed a heartwarming smile.

"You are welcome to my home Paige." He said standing up. "She came with you?" He asked Simon.

"Yeah," Simon replied "I figured I could give her a ride since I was coming too." Simon replied.

"Thank you so much." Noah said. "You're highly welcome." He told Paige. "Please darling, you can show her around. The last I saw Franklin, he was somewhere around the garden making sure your game boards are in position." He said gaining a snarl from his wife who left with Paige. Both men watched the women leave the hall before they turned and burst in laughter. "Women, they're all the same." Noah said.

"Honestly, they are." Simon replied. "So, how is business and the family Noah."

"Pretty well son. Frankie is managing his branch so well. Fe on the other hand is giving me migraines on a daily. But he's getting better though." He confessed. What about you? Wait, I don't even need to ask. I heard your business have been booming and that can't be a lie. Especially with the rumour about the expansion of the cardiac center that have been going round town. Tell me, is it true?"

"No, Simon replied "it's not true. I only plan on investing in some real estate for now. There is a small place called the River village. It's actually good for vacations and relaxation. Lands are pretty cheap over there. I got some acres lands from there yesterday. I'm yet to decide what I want to use them for. But I'm definitely going to develop the place and maybe build a resort or something. Anything to create employment and basic education for the people living there while making little money off it." Simon explained.

"Attaboy!" Noah exclaimed. "You Simon, you're a genius in a man's body. What you see in seconds, I myself might not get to see it even in years.

Simon smiled. He remembered how Noah stood up for his family when they lost Theodore and how he helped him fish out and kill some of the culprits especially the Emerson's. "You could get some acres there as well and maybe expand your business. You can develop something good." He said picking a glass of drink from the bartender who presented a tray of drink to them. The host picked up a glass as well.

Noah laughed hilariously. "I wonder how many acres they have left. Because, the Simon I know would buy as much as they have." Noah said.

This made Simon smile so hard. We can cut out a good deal." Simon started. "You'll buy from me. But I won't sell at a very expensive rate. The price is extremely affordable." He said.

*I knew it!" Noah smiled. "I knew you must baby gotten all the ones available for sale. But, I will think about it and give you a call. It's a beautiful business idea." He told Simon shaking hands with him. " Let's forget about business and focus on the event. I wouldn't want my wife to get angry today. Matter if fact, I need to find her." Noah said standing up. "You good?"

"I'm fine thank you." Simon replied raising his glass to his lips. "I'll see you around." He said. Noah nodded and left to find his wife. Fiona Ruben who have been standing across the hall pretending to be chatting with one of the guests seized this opportunity to walk up to Simon.

"Good evening, Mr. Kentley." She greeted walking up to him. "It's so nice seeing you here. In fact, it's so lovely to know that our families share a common friend." She said flashing her cutest smile with her sparkling white bleached teeth in full display.

Simon looked at her from head down. "What are you doing here." He asked in a cold voice.

"I got invited to the anniversary of course." She replied excitedly.

"I mean what you're doing standing there. Your parents should be in the garden of you're looking for them." He said.

"Oh no, I'm really not looking for them Mr. Kentley." Fiona replied. "Can I sit?"

"Of course." Simon said with a mischievous smile. "Come sit beside me." He told her and she happily moved over to the sofa he was sitting on. She sat down happily with a big smile. 

"Thank you." She told him. "I've always known you to be a gentleman right from when we were young. You remember right? When we play at the swimming pool in the Mansion with an inflated seagull." She chatted away happily.

"That would be you and June or Annabel. Can't say which cause I'm so sure that our conversation today will be the longest I've ever had with you and today will also be the closest we've ever sat together." He told her straight up.

"Oh, I guess that's true." Fiona said. "I must have forgotten. Anyway enough of the old stories. How are you?" 

"I'm fine. And you?" Simon asked.

"I'm great!!!" She exclaimed. "Never been better."

"That's good to know." He told her. "Because the next time you as much as touch a hair on Paige's body or send a hungry looking man to threaten her, I will take away everything that makes you happy." He said with a smiley face. "And I will pull out all the hair on your body one by one until you're bald on your head and skin. Consider this a very friendly and cordial warning since we see each other as friends and don't forget, our families share a common friend as well." He told her not wiping the grin off his face. Did you hear me?" He asked smiling.

"Yes." Fiona whispered in shock. She couldn't believe that her sweet Simon was talking to her in such manner.

"Now, when next you see me on the road, make sure you enter your car and run far away from me and if you see any member of my family, walk away peacefully. I do not want to see you close to me, my family nor Paige Patterson as well. Do you understand?"

"Very well." Fiona replied standing up from the seat. She hurriedly walked away from him holding back the tears that were threatening to fall.