Chapter 13

It’s the Villacencio Construction Corporation’s annual anniversary, and my family had to attend. Dad was the Vice President of the company and one of the shareholders. The celebration was also a homecoming for Mr. Augustus Villacencio and his family. He’s not only the new President and CEO but the company's largest shareholder now, inheriting everything from his recently deceased father. The event was not just anniversary but also a welcome-back party for the new President.

I don't usually like parties like this and wouldn’t have gone if my father hadn’t insisted, demanding our family's presence out of respect for the Villacencios. I’m still estranged from him and we're still barely speaking. I tried to refused, but he commanded our attendance. Although I don't want to, I didn't argue anymore because that might tend to upset him if I did. I guess it's better to oblige his will than create another conflict between us.

Wearing a blue lace cocktail party long dress while my long curly hair is in a half-up dutch crown braid, for a fifteen-year-old girl, I knew my height was taller than my age. They could even mistake me for an eighteen-year-old lady with my posture and look right now. Funny because I never missed the slight irritation I saw from Leanna's face when she saw my appearance. Might be insecurity or hatred I guess, but whatever it is, it's my happiness to bring her such irritations.

Leanna is tanned and curvaceous- a physical attribute that a lot of girls want to die for. She's wearing a knee-length red party dress and her hair is in a French rope bun braid and she was beautiful alright. I was even kinda jealous of her tanned complexion and big boobs. I just couldn't help smiling evilly when I saw the disgust on her face after seeing my looks. Was it my stunning appearance that bothered her? If so, I was happy to be her nuisance.

As expected, the party was grand and extravagant. Rich people in their expensive clothes flocked and mingled together. I saw familiar faces such as friends and colleagues of my father in the business industry. This is the reason why I don't like this kind of party. Money and business is always the topic of the conversation. Exchanging pleasantries and compliments which I find unreal and shallow. This might be my mother's reason for aversion to such events, I guess.

As the party kept going, we were greeted by the Villacencio family and I must say that the President Villacencio looked splendid and noble. His aura exuded power and authority; no wonder he was successful beyond the fact that their family was rich and influential.

“It’s good to see you, President Villacencio,” Dad greeted happily.

“Thank you, Robert,” the man replied warmly.

"I'd like you to meet my wife Chelsea and her daughter, Leanna." Dad proudly introduced them.

Yes, he was so proud to introduce his wife and his stepdaughter as if it gives him pride and pleasure to show them to his colleagues and friends. I mean it happen all the time whenever my Dad was with his business colleagues.

"You have a beautiful wife, Robert. It's good you found another love after your wife's death. I'm pleased to meet you, Chelsea. I hope you'll enjoy the party." President Vilacencio stated.

"Thank you, Mr. President," Chelsea replied with her poker face.

"Thank you, Sir." Leanna also replied in her sweetest tone that made me wanna burst into a laugh.

“And, if you remember, my daughter, Gavriella,” Dad added. Finally, I thought he will not introduced me.

The man turned to me and stared at me for a moment. He gave me a genuine smile so I politely smiled back.

"You have a very pretty daughter, Robert." The President commented.

"Thank you, Mr. President." I politely replied.

"Is this Gavriella? Oh, Robert, she was such a beautiful young girl." The glamorous middle-aged woman standing beside the President stated.

I knew the woman was the wife of the President. Looking at the woman, beauty and sophistication simply exuded her posture. Admiration and astonishment are what I felt for the woman. She has an angelic face that you won't get tired of looking at and she looks sweet and generous. Her beauty and grace reminded me of my mother.

"Thanks, Madame." I politely replied.

"Oh dear, I want you to meet my son. This is Cedric Miguel, my only son." The woman said looking so proud and excited to introduce her son to me.

“Hi! I’m please to meet you." The younger man standing beside the woman approached me so my eyes automatically turned to the owner of the baritone voice.

Looking at him, I couldn't help batting my eyes twice. He has thick brows and a magnificent jaw, his dark brown eyes were so captivating and his voice was baritone and sexy. I was stunned for a moment and suddenly mesmerized. His presence was hypnotizing. The curve of his bottom lip and that tilted half-smile with his perfect white teeth was so mesmerizing. He was tall, tanned, and handsome. His tuxedo fitted him well with his broad chest and he looked so regal just like a prince. Strange, but for some reason, my heart suddenly raced in unreasonable joy by just locking eyes with the man I had just seen for the first time. Why does it seem like his face shines down on me?

I don't know how long I got stunned but I felt my cheeks turn hot in embarrassment when I realized my mesmerism and stupidity.

“P-Pleased to meet you too,” I stammered, embarrassed by my own captivated state.

How could I be foolish to be stunned like that? Next thing I knew, the younger Villacencio was now greeting Leanna and my father. I just felt relaxed when it seemed like nobody noticed what foolishness I had done a while ago.

After the formal introduction, I socialized a bit and greeted my father's business colleagues and friends. Although my eyes searched for the younger Villacencio from time to time, it made me smile when I saw him talking with the older men with his father. Strange but that boy is making some havoc in my feelings. He was… unsettlingly captivating.

Feeling a bit bored and uncomfortable with the place, I decided to walk around away from the party until I reached the dark poolside away from the party area. I took a long deep breath and looked up into the sky. It was a starry night and the moon was shining very bright in the dark. I decided to sit on one of the lounge chairs then take off my three inch black stilettos. There, I found comfort when my toes finally freed from my high-heeled shoes...

“You don’t seem to enjoy the party?”

I almost jumped in surprise when a baritone voice of someone talked behind me. To my surprise, the younger Villacencio came out from the dark. His sudden presence kinda startled me and I felt an unfamiliar nervousness. Why does my heart start to beat so fast and it felt so hard to breathe when I had a clearer view of him.