Chapter 145 - DV Gem Dinner Meeting
Evening...
After Hailey prepares dinner for her three guests, she changes her casual clothes into a dress.
Tonight, she is wearing a red backless dress with a long slit on her right leg. The front of the dress is a deep V-neck that displayed her two proud chests.
And then, she is wearing a Red Diamond jewelry set. Tonight, she was a blazing red.
By seven in the evening, her guests had arrived one by one. Fraine comes one hour before the said time to prepare the agenda of this meeting.
Hailey's new business partners are two famous personnel in P Country, and the third one to join them tonight is an old friend. So then, only two people she has to worry about.
The first woman who arrived is Leticia Javier, the wife of Senator John Javier. She was known as an iconic fashionista. She's not only known in Asia but a favorite fashion icon by European designers.
Then, the next woman who arrived is Dana Curtis Hanes. Aside from her business tycoon husband, she is a self-made millionaire. She put up multiple clothing stores.
And lastly, Gigi Chan. Who didn't know her? The Chan is the most powerful and wealthy family in S Country.
Leticia and Dana were overwhelmed to meet Gigi. The three women did a cheek-to-cheek greeting before they sat on the dining chair at a round table.
"Hello, ladies. The co-owner of DV Gem Inc. is on her way."
Leticia and Dana shared a glance. They both anticipated at the same time excited to meet the co-founder of DV Gem. They have heard that four women built this company and each year, more women become an investor in the said company. Gigi Chan is an example.
Not long after, two of the waiters opened the door, and a beautiful woman appeared.
Leticia and Dana couldn't believe what they were seeing. At first, they thought it was a mistake. But Gigi sat up and greeted the woman.
"Hailey, I missed you!"
"Hi, Gigi! Thank you for coming!"
"Of course, I can't say no to the Queen," Gigi said, winking at her.
The two women giggled, then hugged each other and placed a cheek-to-cheek kiss.
Still, Leticia and Dana were in a trance, but the way Gigi greeted Hailey Hillson, they looked like a very good friend for a very long time already.
"Hello, ladies." Hailey warmly smiled at the two dazed women in front of her.
On the other hand, Leticia and Dana snap themselves from shock. They returned a warm smile while musing inwardly.
'The famous Mistress is a co-owner of DV Gem?'
"Allow me to introduce myself formally. My name is Hailey Hillson, co-owner of DV Gem Inc."
"Wow. This is like a bomb thrown in our faces." Leticia muttered with excitement in her voice! "You were rich! I mean..."
"Vincent didn't know." Hailey cut off whatever Leticia wanted to express.
"Wait... So are you saying that?" Dana is confused, but she's trying to process the whole picture.
"Why don't we take a seat? Let's have a toast because this is our first official meeting as business partners."
Fraine serves five glasses of wine, and one is for her. She was standing on the side and ready to assist these ladies tonight.
Watching on the side, she felt overwhelmed. These four ladies are admirable! They were famous, wealthy, beautiful, and glamorous except for one who is hiding her true identity.
After a loud toast, they sip on their glasses and take a seat.
"I know the two of you had many questions that are now running inside your head."
"Yes, I do! I mean, if Vincent didn't know, then his mom. Madame Hilda Lopez Shen didn't know that you are as wealthy as she is?" Leticia queried with intrigue.
Hailey smiled bitterly. "I don't want her to accept me because of my wealth. I want her to see me as a woman who loves her son dearly."
"Then how about Vincent's marriage? Why he hasn't divorce Eva yet?" This time it was Dana who asked curiously.
"What!?" Gigi burst out in shock. She only listened to the conversation as Hailey instructed her while she gains these women's loyalty. But this shocking news? "What are they saying, Hail?"
Hailey looks at Gigi with pleading eyes. She apologizes, "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you, Gigi. I promise. In one of these days, let's have a coffee and chat, okay?"
"But why are you in a relationship with a married man? You, as a wealthy woman, are just someone's mistress? I never heard such a thing in my entire life! Not to mention you keep it a secret from me! Aren't we close?" Gigi pouted.
Hailey chuckled. She reached Gigi's hand and said, "I'm sorry. Look, Kelly didn't know as well. So don't be angry."
"Humph! You're using that spoiled tone of yours on me!" She said with hurt.
"I need to hide it, Gigi," Hailey said with sad eyes. "If dad will know about it, can you imagine what he can do to the man I love?"
Gigi pondered, and she understood Hailey's reasoning.
"Dad will bury Vincent alive. And the boys..."
"Yeah. I understand." Gigi snapped at Hailey to stop her feeling down. 'But still, the guy has a wife!'
"Where is his wife, by the way? Does she know that her husband has a wealthy mistress?" Gigi emphasizes the word wealthy.
Hailey shook her head. She explained, "It was an arranged marriage. I know you understand this matter among everyone else. You were in an arranged marriage before."
Gigi smiled bitterly and mumbled to herself. 'Life isn't perfect even to those who sleep in a bed made of gold.'
"Does he truly love you?" she asked afterward. Hailey nodded, and she saw how her eyes spark. "Oh my gosh! Finally, you fell in love!"
Hailey nodded once again. "Yes. Vincent is my first in everything."
"Hey! I could understand the meaning of your phrase!" Gigi shriek, and they both giggled.
Later, Hailey's facial expression turned solemn, and with a serious gaze, she stared at Leticia and Dana, whose admiration exhibits on their faces. They could still not believe the friendship they both have.
"As you can see, things are very complicated. I set this meeting because of a favor I wanted to ask from both of you." She began.
Dana shared a glance with Leticia. The two women nodded at each other before they fixed their eyes on Hailey and smiled warmly.
"Of course! We understand your struggles." Dana sounded like comforting her.
"Dealing with the fact that Vince is legally married, you can't introduce him to your father." Leticia echoed, then she asked, "Do you want my help? I have a good friend in Need in York. She is an outstanding lawyer working in one of the biggest law firms in the US... I can introduce her to Vincent."
"Thank you. But what I know, Vincent's lawyers already appeal to the court. But they could not locate Eva to invite for a hearing."
"Oh..." The two women nodded at her.
"Anyway! I invited you, ladies, not to talk about Vince's divorce. I want our partnership to have trust and loyalty as well, to form a friendship."
"It's my pleasure to be your business partner at the same time, being your friend, Miss Hillson," said Leticia.
"Same to me. Be at ease. Whatever I saw tonight, it will be like it never happens. I'm not fond of gossip. I hated it."
"I know how dirty the entertainment circle is. They will always make up a story and don't care whomever they write about."
Hailey smiled. "I think we all can cooperate regarding this matter."
"Yes! Your secret identity is safe with us!"
Hailey keenly observes Leticia and Dana nodding in unison.
"Thank you, ladies. Now, could you accept my gift?" She said after a brief moment.
There is a red box on a separate table. Fraine opens the cover and takes out two packages. She placed each box in front of Leticia and Dana.
Suddenly, excitement crept to their chest, seeing the name of the boxes. They already guessed what it was inside, but still, they gasped when they opened it.
"Oh, my..." Both are speechless, but their eyes are glimmering like the stones on the jewelry set in the box.
"I hope you like it." Although she is confident, she needs to remind the two women that this gift is the reminder of the secret they must keep until she reveals herself on her own.
"We love it!"
The two women were delighted to receive such a gift. To be honest, they could afford to buy it. Still, it's different when it was a gift from a new friend!
Hailey watched the two women wearing the pieces of jewelry. Before she arranges this gift, she runs an investigation about them, including their favorite color.
Watching enough, she turned her head to Gigi, who also enjoyed the show. The woman is leisurely sipping her glass and wink at Hailey.
"I didn't forget yours, of course." Hailey sat up from her chair; she took out a black box and placed it on the table.
Gigi excitedly opened it, and even though she owned countless expensive jewelry, she still gasped with awe. She took the ring and placed it in her hand.
"Blue Sapphire..." Hailey curled her lips.
"You do know my taste."
Hailey even smiled sweetly; she then clapped her hands and announced. "Now! Let us have our dinner."
"Fraine, come and sit beside me."
"Okay, Miss Hailey." Fraine quickly sat on Hailey's left side. Now she is seated between Hailey and Dana Hanes. Then, she was surprised when Hailey placed a box in front of her.
"Here, this is for you."
"Oh. I have too?" she stammered her words due to excitement.
"Of course! Silly. I will never forget you." Hailey chuckled. Fraine always amused her. No wonder she captured the Lopez cousins' hearts. And good to know her life story.
"Thank you, Hail! I mean, Miss Hailey."
"Please, I don't want you guys to feel like a stranger around me, especially you, Fraine. You need not slip out of addressing me formally. From now on, we have the same goal. To make women feel special and beautiful by wearing our jewelry."
Hailey picks up her glass and raises it. "Bel Avenir!"
"Bel Avenir!"
*
Extra Scene:
**Morning News: Last night, President Zaijan Lopez and Director Rodney Lopez were seen outside La Fleur Restaurant with their dates.
Earlier that day, several customers reserved a table since last month suddenly canceled due to a private dinner of an unknown person.
It turns out it was the Lopez cousins along with... Their Mistresses?
We all know that President Zaijan Lopez is engaged, but the girl he is with last night is the rumored mistress he lives with in one roof, and the other woman of that night is none other than President Vincent Shen's Mistress!
What is she doing in that place when President Shen is out of the country for a business trip?
It looks like it was a dinner date to me!**
*
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"Exaggerating!"
Rodney didn't finish reading the whole article. Furiously, he threw his phone on the couch.
"I'm going to kill whoever is behind this article!" He stressed out. 'Or else, Vincent, kill me first!'
Meanwhile, Hailey felt displeased. Early in the morning, she will greet this kind of news.
Well, she doesn't care about the gossip. What enrages her are these people creating a hype when Vincent has to focus on designing her city.
"Vincent should have no distraction!" She stressed out angrily.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶