GALA III

"It is you. I knew I wasn't mistaken. What are you doing here?" Sophia faked a smile. She made it so obvious that I could tell.

Two can play that game.

I feigned interest in her. "Hey, Sophie. I didn't know I'd run into you here?"

"Neither did I. Are you lost or something? Cause this party is for people way above your league and I don't think anyone can invite your kind here, so which is it?"

I pressed my lips together as her shrill words reverberated through my head. She didn't change at all.

We've known one another since high school when my family was still well off, but once we went bankrupt, she developed a different perspective on me. She would often make fun of the circumstances in my family when I was in college, but I had grown accustomed to it by that point and it no longer bothered me.

Today is surprisingly different, cause it got to me for a reason - my overwhelmed feelings for not being able to do my job.

"Or are you doing another part-time job here? If that's the case, the kitchen is far from here. I can do you a favor and ask one of the waiters to lead you there. I'm sure your dad would also agree with this favor."

Okay, she's crossed the line-

I chuckled and she looked at me surprised, "It seems Miss Sophie hasn't taken care of her insecurities yet."

She cast me a bewildered look, and that broadened the faint smile on my lips.

"They say people with insecurities tend to taunt others just to make themselves feel better, I see that now. I always wondered in the past why you always slurred me even if I was so good to you, but now I think I finally understand. It's all because of your insecurities. Deep down you know that no matter the wealth your father has acquired now, he was nothing compared to mine before he went bankrupt. You'll always be that little girl who went on her kneels in high school before me, begging to pay her family's rent."

She exploded, her eyes burning with irritation, "What the fuck did you just say to me?"

Her right hand accompanied her words to my face, but I was quick to move backward just in time to avoid her hand.

With my impromptu defense, I missed a step but it was already too late to balance myself and I fell to my side. I would've fallen to the floor if not for the huge muscular chest that aided my balance, and the champagne I held in my hand splashed on the person's suit.

My eyes widened in horror as I looked at the damaged suit. A glance at it told me how expensive it was and I didn't have to look at the face of the person to know I was given a death stare.

What am I supposed to do? I don't have any money to replace it if I am asked to.

Gathering all the courage I had, I looked up at the person to render my apologies and probably suggest compensation for the damaged suit.

The beautiful sight my eyes held made me freeze unintentionally. I can bet my life that he was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life, even without getting a full glimpse of his face.

I didn't need to see his entire face to recognize how stunning he appeared thanks to the perfection of his long lashes that framed his gorgeous eyes and his expertly shaped nose.

"Sir, are you okay?" The man who was behind him sprinted in front of him to wipe his suit with a tissue.

I watched as he was attended to, speechless and unsure of what to say. I was ready to apologize when I heard his voice.

He spoke calmly but with a tinge of distaste, "Save your pathetic apology, you filth. It's not like you can compensate for my multi-million dollar suit." He looked at me for the first time after the incident.

He truly was perfection as I had earlier presumed, but his harsh words blinded me from his beauty. Just who the hell does he think he is to call me filth when he knows nothing about me?

His deep, dark blue eyes returned to mine as I scoffed mockingly loud enough for him to hear. "You don't have to be so rude, you know? But what can I say, there's nothing impossible for you useless folks."

"You know thinking that I wanted to even apologize to someone with a disgusting attitude like you, makes me sick. Your pretty face is a waste of existence."

One of his brows pulled up, probably in shock.

I added, "I'll take what you said earlier as you not wanting compensation from me. Have a wonderful evening." With that, I turned away from him and made my way back to the party's location, infuriated.

Even as I retraced my steps around the mansion, I fumed as everything played over again in my head. Just when I thought I was beginning to enjoy this party, this had to happen.

"Miss Abigail." I heard Khloe's voice behind me and turned to her amazed.

I thought she wasn't attending the party, seeing how she beckoned me to get out of the car earlier without accompanying me.

"Miss Khloe..."

"Where have you been? I've been searching all over for you."

"Uhm..." I couldn't tell her I already made a scene even if I'd only been here for barely an hour, so I just said, "I got bored, so I decided to explore a little," as that was the first thing that came to mind.

"It's time to head back. I have someone to introduce you to."

I nodded and walked silently behind her.

We returned to the party, but this time it wasn't as odd as when I had first entered. I was now aware of how to behave since I had been here for a while.

Khloe walked beside me now we were inside the hall, instead of in front or behind. I figured she wanted to blend in so as not to raise questions about us, and I was fine with that. Truth be told, I was fine with anything as long as it didn't put my work in danger.

When we arrived at a table with a stunning woman holding a glass of champagne, we stopped, and Khloe bowed slightly when she saw us. I was about to do the same cause I figured that if Khloe was bowing to her, it only meant she was someone important.

I was astounded by the stunning woman's actions when she stopped me from bowing, but approached me rather and embraced me for a little period.

She pulled me out of her grip and looked at my face intently. Now she was up close, I could see her stunning Hazel eyes and flawless white skin. With the way she looked, I could tell she was quite wealthy.

"Nice job, Koko. You picked the perfect person for the job."

She knows about my job?

"Thank you, Miss Monica."

Was she the one Khloe described as her partner when we first met?

I looked at Khloe behind me, and when my gaze returned to the stunning woman's face, it had become heavy. "Abigail, isn't it?"

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am. My name is Abigail Mckay..."

"I never asked for your full name," she cut me off.

I looked at Khloe, and when I saw how her head was bent to the floor, the realization hit me. This woman isn't Khloe's partner. She's the fucking boss.

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

"You'll be addressing me as your aunt Monica who you came to visit during your vacation. That's all you need to say when we get to meet the Andersons."

I nodded.

"Good." She turned to Khloe, "You know what to do," and Khloe gave a slight bow before walking away.

"Stick close." My attention was suddenly pulled away from Khloe to her when I heard her last orders.

My heart raced as I walked beside the woman, but I concealed my anxiety with a beautiful smile I faked as she exchanged pleasantries with some of the guests. She even did some introductions and I played along with the whole charade.

We kept moving to tables until we finally stopped at a table where a woman with a wheelchair was, accompanied by a man who stood beside her and some guests who walked by to exchange courtesies.

I noted that the woman seated on the chair appeared unconcerned about the visitors' presence, but her face brightened when we drew near.

"Monica," she called out with a beautiful smile on her face, and the woman who walked beside me hurriedly went to her side and embraced her.

"It's good to see you, Mirabel." Monica released herself from the woman's embrace with a smile.

"Likewise. You look stunning."

"I was just about to say the same. Yves Saint Laurent's white designs always look good on you."

Mirabel smiled, revealing her beautiful perfect white canines.

As I watched her from behind Monica, I could tell she was one of the Andersons Miss Monica had mentioned, and I couldn't help but admire her beauty. Here I was thinking Miss Monica was the most beautiful woman at the party when I hadn't even met the gorgeous woman who sat in front of me.

I took notice of how her icy blue eyes twinkled with joy as she interacted with Miss Monica. They must be acquainted with each other to be this joyful around each other, but then again, I couldn't help but feel Miss Monica's smiles and playful attitude were unnatural.

Her beautiful eyes left Monica to me, and I suddenly became aware of myself.

"Who's she?"