Chapter 30
Natalie was wearing a short flared orange gown and had put on the cap that was originally meant for Elvis as a disguise. It made her look a bit different, but a closer look would reveal her true identity.
She needed to avoid Olivia and Javier at all costs. Her plan was to familiarize herself with the mansion and its surroundings before meeting the family, so she wouldn’t appear clueless.
She hurried into the mansion, dressed as a waitress and joined the others. The place was beautifully decorated, with purple and orange lights everywhere. Natalie was amazed to see so many high-profile people, including models and journalists, filling the space. It was truly a grand gathering.
Her eyes shifted to the woman striding down the stairs. She caught everyone’s attention with her golden glittery dress, and her short heels clicked on the stairs as she walked. Natalie admired her elegant dress and wondered who she was.
“Come over here,” Helen signaled them to come over with her hands, and they quickly walked towards her. “Make sure everybody is well served,” she instructed and walked away to greet her invited guests.
All the waiters and waitresses sprang into action, including Natalie, and began serving everyone a glass of red wine. Helen signaled for Natalie to bring her and her friends some wine. Natalie nodded and arranged four glasses of wine in a small fancy tray, then started walking toward them with it.
Just a few steps away from them, a little boy suddenly ran and hugged her legs, causing her to lose her balance and drop the tray, spilling its contents everywhere, especially on Helen’s legs, staining her heels.
“I-I’m so sorry ma’am.” Natalie apologize nervously.
“What the heck!” exclaimed one of Helen’s friends, raising her legs slightly. “Are you insane?” she scolded, raising her voice.
“I-I’m sorry, ma’am,” Natalie stammered.
“Come on, Yvonne. You shouldn’t scold her like that. It wasn’t her fault, but the kid who ran to her unexpectedly,” Helen defended. “Come with me.” She handed over her small hand bag to Natalie and gesture her to follow her.
Natalie held onto the bag, and trailed behind her, as Helen made her way up to the stairs.
Natalie clutched the bag tightly as she followed behind Helen up the stairs. Suddenly, Javier emerged from his room with Elvis trailing behind him in the hallway. Javier looked sharp in his orange suit from Italy, his hair slicked back. They were deep in conversation, and when Natalie heard their voices, she quickly lowered her head to avoid being noticed.
Javier looked up and saw his mother approaching, stopping in front of him. “Mom, what’s the rush?” he asked, focusing on her and ignoring the savant behind her.
Helen explained with a smile, “The savant spilled wine on the floor, staining my shoe. I need to change quickly before the party starts.”
That was the moment Javier’s gaze averted again to the savant standing behind his mother, her head so bowed that it was clear she was trying to hide her face. However, he quickly turned his attention back to his mother and nodded.
Helen swiftly walked past him and entered her room.
Javier turned and glance at his mother that was walking away, “Why is that female savant acting so weird?” He then looked at Elvis, who already knew what he was talking about but pretended not to.
“What do you mean?” Elvis asked.
“Didn’t you see how she was bowing as if her head would fall off her neck?” Javier pointed out.
Elvis chuckled, “But you were the one who said none of the savants should look you in the eyes, so why are you complaining?”
“Never mind. By the way, have you seen Carlo? He should be here with me,” Javier asked, glancing downstairs.
“He’s in your room with Olivia and her sister,” Fabby’s voice chimed in as she strode towards them in her orange ball gown, paired with black knee boots and holding her small white handbag in her left hand.
“My baby looks so pretty,” Elvis ran towards her and crouched down to her height.
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I’ve heard enough of that this evening.”
****
Carlo smoothly withdrew his hand from Jesley and flashed Olivia a smile. “Can I talk to you?” he whispered to Olivia, who nodded in response.
Jesley observed as Carlo gently took Olivia’s hand and led her to the corner of the room, where they began whispering to each other to keep their conversation private.
Jesley shook her head and smirked as she retrieved a pair of scissors from her handbag. She glanced over at them still deep in conversation and took the opportunity to grab one of Olivia’s engagement dresses. With precision, she began cutting the dresses in a zigzag pattern, starting with the first purple dress, then moving on to the second and third dresses. She successfully ruined all three dresses without Olivia noticing, and she carefully placed them back on the bed as they were.
With a satisfied giggle, Jesley stood up from the bed, holding her bag. “Sis, I’m going to join the guests downstairs,” she said with a smile, pleased with her successful revenge.
“But I want you to walk down the stairs with me?” Olivia said, turning to face Jesley as she pouted her lips.
Jesley chuckled softly, “I came with my friends and I’ve left them downstairs for too long. Don’t worry, I’ll see you downstairs,” she said and began walking away.
As Jesley stepped out, Carlo stole a kiss from Olivia, pulling her closer to him. However, the door suddenly burst open, revealing Javier and Elvis. Carlo and Olivia quickly separated.
“Um, Olivia, Aunt asked me to call you downstairs,” Carlo stammered, nervously touching the back of his head, hoping Javier and Elvis wouldn’t notice anything amiss.
“Yes, you just told me. I’ll be on my way soon,” Olivia replied, her gaze darting around anxiously.
Javier entered slowly with Elvis behind him, both looking confused and suspicious. Javier gave his cousin a cold, suspicious glare.
“Carlo, we need to talk,” Javier said coldly, then walked away without saying anything else, leaving with Elvis.
*****
Natalie slowly closed the door behind her, and as she turned around, her jaws instantly dropped at the size of the room. It was three times the size of her whole house. Her gaze wandered around, taking in the neat arrangement and the family photos framed on the walls.
“I can’t decide which shoe to wear to match my outfits,” Helen said, rummaging through her extensive collection.
“I’m really sorry for ruining your shoe. I apologize, ma’am,” Natalie said, pulling her cap down over her face.
Helen stopped what she was doing and turned around with a smile on her lips. “You keep apologizing. Why don’t you come closer and help me choose a shoe to wear?” she suggested to Natalie, who returned the smile and approached Helen.
The door suddenly burst open, revealing Reyes, who was also dressed stylishly. He entered with a serious expression, his hands in his pockets.
“Shouldn’t you be with Olivia now? What are you doing here?” Reyes asked, his gaze cold.
Helen turned around, puzzled by her husband’s presence. “Excuse me?” she responded, unsure why he was confronting her.
Reyes chuckled dryly, shaking his head. “Finish what you started, woman!” he yelled, his anger rising.
“I’m done!” Helen retorted, her voice matching his intensity as she walked towards him.
“Did you just raise your voice at me?” Reyes questioned, advancing towards Helen with fury in his eyes.
“Yes, and I will continue to raise it if it helps you understand that I’m tired. I’m tired of watching our son suffer because of your decisions. You’re destroying him, and I won’t let you do it this time,” Helen declared before a powerful slap silenced her.
Reyes pointed his finger at Helen’s face, “You need to learn how to speak to me and stop yelling like a mad dog,” he spat.
Natalie watched in shock as Helen shivered in fear. Ignoring Natalie, Reyes turned his cold gaze to Helen.
Tears streamed down Helen’s cheeks as she held her burning chin. “Reyes, you hit me again and called me a dog?” she cried, pushing him away. “Go ahead, hit me more, you bastard!” she yelled, gripping his suit.
Reyes pushed her away and threatened, “Go downstairs and continue to pretend nd or you’ll be kicked out of my house for good.” With one last glare at Natalie, he walked away.
Helen slumped on the bed, sobbing heavily, ruining her makeup. She didn’t care, she just kept crying.
Natalie rushed to comfort Helen, but her phone vibrating interrupted her. She quickly retrieved her small cell phone hidden in the skin-tight shorts she wore beneath her gown. Seeing an unknown number calling, she hesitated before answering.
As Helen continued to cry, Natalie took the chance to pick up the call. Javier’s voice angrily demanded, “Where are you, bitch?”