Dave
Nothing feels more satisfying than seeing Sarah keep her mouth shut. Why does she bother herself with me and my family, anyway? Seriously!
We arrived at the hotel by 6:5 p. m. Sarah was guiding us towards the venue on the 27th floor.
After taking the awkward elevator ride we got off onto the 27th floor. As soon as we stepped inside the party hall we were surrounded by servants who welcomed us with a bow.
“Ooh…. He really went all out to impress the investors. As expected,” Sarah comments, turning to me. “Your dad is a genius, don’t you think?”
“Yes, only when it comes to business and money.”
“Welcome to Hotel Celestia, I’m Rik, your host for the day,” A man in black comes forward with a name tag attached to his suit. “Are you Mr. David McGarten and Mrs. Sarah McGarten?”
“Yes”
“Yes, we are,” Sarah interrupted, smiling meekly, wrapping her arm around mine.
“I see, the guests are expecting you inside. Please come with me.”
“Sure.”
I snatched my arm the very minute, glaring at her.
Sarah showed no reaction to it. And eventually, we arrived at the party hall.
All the investors were sitting side by side at the big table. In the middle sat my dad. He was smiling happily and chatting with them.
I could hear their voices from quite far away.
“What a noisy bunch of old men,” I said out loud without realizing.
“Did you just call them a bunch of old men?” Sarah teased, “Don’t you think you are disrespecting them a bit? They are an important asset of our new company after all. You shouldn’t talk like that.”
I glanced in her direction, “Do I really need to learn manners? And from you out of all the people out there? I must be really insane.”
“Yeah, you are. Don’t you realize that?” Sarah laughed. “Anyway, if you are done with your chit-chat, we can go join them finally.”
“You are the one wasting my time here,” I grunted, walking over to Dad’s side.
“Mr. McGarten, your guest has arrived,” Rik said, pointing in my direction.
Hearing this everyone’s attention in the room turned to me.
“Oh, my son!” Dad got up from his seat to come and stand beside me. “You finally came. We were just discussing about you. There must’ve been a lot of traffic on the road. You are a bit late?”
“Uh, not”
“Yup he was caught in the traffic,” Sarah yelled, “I was there with him so I know.”
“Is this Mrs. Sarah McGarten? She’s really young,” one of the investors spoke aloud, staring at her in awe.
“Yes, I forgot to introduce her,” Dad replied, wrapping an arm around her back, “Meet her. She’s my dear wife, Sarah.”
“Good evening, Nice to meet you, everyone,” Sarah greets, smiling gracefully.
“Anyway, dear, can you go and sit somewhere else? Enjoy your time here. The entire floor is booked for tonight. We need to begin the meeting soon.”
Sarah gave a nod, looking in my direction. “See you later, Dave. Hoping to have a meal together. Come Lancy.”
Both of them left and I took a seat next to Dad.
“Let’s begin the meeting then,” he began to speak. The discussion went on for an hour as Dad was the one who planned everything. It took me a long time to understand everything fully.
He’s so evil for not letting me know anything beforehand at all. That’s why, it took an additional one hour for Dad to explain everything.
And one more hour for me to know the investors and their names and contributions to the upcoming company.
Time was running out so fast I thought we wouldn’t be able to sign the contract but we did manage to find the time for it.
Dad signed it first, then I did it. I was so exhausted by then, I had no energy left in me.
“Congratulations, Mr. David, Looking forward to a successful future ahead of us.”
The round of applause brought a smile of satisfaction to my dad’s face. It’s not that easy to please this old man. Guess, he was really looking forward to this.
After a few handshakes, we talked a bit more. I was feeling so exhausted that I made an excuse to get out of the meeting table.
I went to the bathroom to relax. Then, splashed some water onto my face and went out after 30 minutes of break.
As soon as I walked out of the bathroom, I heard Sarah’s voice.
“You really took your sweet time inside, didn’t you?”
I looked beside me to see Sarah standing right next to the door with her arms folded over her chest.
“You again? Do you find it funny to bother me around or something?” I retorted, putting my hands in my pockets. “Or do you suddenly have a crush on me after seeing me in so long? I can’t seem to find any other reason than that.”
She snorted in response. “A crush on you? You must be dreaming.”
“Why? Am I not handsome enough? Or do I not have enough money to satisfy you?”
“I’m nothing but a greedy woman in your eyes, aren’t I?” she comments, coming over to stand in front of me.
I smiled. “Why? Is that not the truth? Your greed is what has brought you where you are right now. Under the stars as you had wished for. The present is the ultimate proof of your greed. You don’t need anything else to justify your actions.”
“Dave!” she took me by the hands, looking deep into my ears with a pitiful expression. “I understand you don’t like me. But, for the time we are here together, can you please stop lashing out harsh words towards me? It’s really disturbing, you know? And it might look weird in the guests’ eyes as well. Cause we are considered family in the eyes of the outsiders. So, treat me like one. I beg of you.”
“You used the same face to make my dad fall for you, didn’t you?” I sneered, jerking her hands off. “Why pretending to be innocent which you are not?”
She looked at me surprised. “I’m not”
“Stop bothering to lie. Your cheap tricks won’t work against me. I’ve seen through your pretty face, hiding a hideous ugly personality. Your attempts are in vain.”
She went silent adverting her gaze. “Even now, I only want the best for you. But, you don’t see my efforts, do you?”
“My best? Yes, you wished for that long ago. That’s why I’m so happy without you in my life. Now, let me enjoy the rest of the evening till we are here. And I’m really exhausted. So, don’t bother talking to me again. It’s only because of Dad and the guests present here, that I’m tolerating you here right now.”
“You make it sound like a noble work indeed,” she glared, looking straight into my eyes. “But, are you really as noble as you make yourself sound like? Who knows what kind of an ugly face you have hiding behind that saint-like picture of yours? Is it more ugly than mine or better, I wonder?”
I smirked, “Obviously better than yours. Cause I don’t have an ugly side to begin with. I’m not two-faced like you. I don’t know how to pretend to be dumb just to act cute and innocent. In fact, nobody does that except for you.”
“You”
“I’m sorry for disturbing you, Madam. But, sir is calling for you down the hall,” Lancy’s voice drew our attention.
I looked behind me to see her standing a few inches away from us.
Sarah looked a bit annoyed by her presence.
She walked past from my side to stand in front of Lancy.
“He’s calling me? For what?”
“Uh, to attend some of the guests while he’s going to make a call.”
“But why? I’m not an entertainer, am I? I don’t have any party tricks up my sleeve.”
Lancy lowered her gaze. “I think, Sir is very much aware of that. It’s the guests that wanted to talk with you. That’s why he told me to get you. And as you are his wife, you are equally responsible, don’t you think? It’s not my opinion, just saying.”
Sarah sighed, looking back at Lancy. “Okay, I understand where you are coming from. I’m going. And have you brought the lipstick that I asked you for? My make-up is almost ruined for running around all day. I’ve been so busy today.”
“Uh, yes. You can fix your make-up before going there. It’s in this bag,” she handed out the kit to her.
Sarah took out the lipstick and seemed quite disappointed by it.
“Lancy! I told you to pack the dark red colored one for the day. Why did you bring this pinkish lipstick? I’m going to look horrible if I go out putting that on!” she yelled in her face.
“What? But, I did make sure to bring the correct one. Are you sure you asked for the dark one? ” Lancy stuttered.
“Of course, I did. Are you blind? You can’t differentiate between colors anymore? You are practically useless at this point then. Why am I even letting you work for me?”
“Uh, I, I’m really sorry. I must’ve forgotten to switch the lipstick from yesterday. I’ll make sure not to do this”
“Enough! I’m tired of your sorries!” Sarah retorted, fisting her hands. “Is there a place for me to sit on and fix my make-up in peace?”
“Uh, yes. There are empty rooms right across the hall. Should I accompany you?”
“No thanks! You’ve helped me enough. Go and do what you want to know,” Sarah replied with a disgusted look, walking past from her side the very second.