Chapter 321 - Madam Hilda Shen's Birthday Party (One)
Grand Hall, Metro Palace Hotel
Everyone was dressed elegantly, from children to the Old Masters from the Shen and Lopez families.
Since there are so many children, a special place was set up in the reception area so that even kids running around cannot bother the adults.
All enjoy this wonderful evening, have a good time, and share laughs with your loved ones. It can not compare to how great it feels to be around family.
*
6:00 P.M.
At the Grand Hall lobby, professional photographers and experienced camera operators from Metro City Group of Companies were on standby to take a Red Carpet photoshoot of all the Lopezes, Shen, and attendees on Hilda's birthday.
As this was only an exclusive birthday celebration, Hilda didn't allow any reporters from outside. Even so, the MCGC, Lopez Corp., and Shen Group website and social media accounts are active in posting the ongoing party.
Now that the entire world knows Hailee's lucky fiance, netizens worldwide are waiting for their latest post.
On their posts, dazzling evening gowns and pieces of jewelry are flashing on the red carpet. Even the kids are all lovely.
Finally, Vincent arrived in the lobby, walking on the red carpet with Hailee and her family.
In front of a luxurious, beautiful backdrop, Vincent and Hailee pose for a picture. Then, the photographer asks Jacob to join the couple. Next, Andre and Allen joined them. After that, Anna Hillson and Jennifer Wright requested to join them.
After a few more poses, Vincent remained on the spot and had a photoshoot with Jacob and Allen on his left side while Andre was on his right side.
When it was posted on social media, everyone couldn't help but comment on the photo. They praise how the men are all handsome, despite their age. Others were saying pleasant words. They could see that Vincent had a good relationship with Hailee's family and remarked how lucky he became Jacob Davies' son-in-law.
The photoshoot continues until everyone has arrived. And even after it ended, the photographers continued taking snapshots and visited every table for family pictures or random shots with the other guests.
Sat at their table, Hazel, Liza, and Nadia were still in a daze watching these wealthy people walking around to greet relatives or someone from the special guests.
After ogling at Vincent's handsome men's cousins, their eyes shifted to Hailee's cousins and friends. This morning, Prince George arrived in P Country, and it was a surprise, so the media didn't see it coming.
Not only that, a few of Hailee's executives are here! And all are handsome!
Hailee's three executives talked in low voices, standing not that far from the girls' table. James nudges Geoffrey's arm when he sees Vincent's two cousins are coming to them.
"Good evening, Mr. Wilson! Tyler Lopez." Tyler extends his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lopez." Geoffrey lifted his right arm and shook hands with Tyler.
The guy replied, "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wilson." After saying this, Tyler shifted his attention to the other guy. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Liang."
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Lopez." Chester took Tyler's hand and shook it.
"I am thrilled to give you a tour of our Lopez Steel Corp. plant," said Tyler.
Geoffrey was in the country to visit LSC to observe the plantation. He will inspect all the materials that LSC made. Although the sample was already sent to Dream City, their goal was to have a deeper relationship with their contractors.
Besides, LSC is Vincent's family's business. It was something that was a huge advantage of Shen Group. Their family produces all the materials they need for their projects.
Meanwhile, Nadia stares at Hazel with awe. "Hey, Hazel! Snap it out!"
"What?" Hazel, who was in a trance, came back to her senses after Nadia snapped her finger close to her face.
"Enough drooling over Hailee's CEO of her company."
"Huh? I'm not!" she denied.
Nadia and Liza shared a look. Both had an ugly grin on their faces, then returned their gaze at Hazel. "Even you deny it. We already caught you!"
"What are you guys talking about? I am not! And how can you be sure I am staring at Davies Group CEO? I am looking at someone else." Hazel pouted, and she cast a glare at them.
But, of course, Nadia and Liza knew Hazel very well. Even if she would deny it to the death, they knew it was the opposite of what she was saying.
"What happened between you and Jake?" Liza mentions the guy. Hazel's delicate face soured.
"Humph. I realized that my feelings for him were just puppy love, and it's not worth forcing it to mature."
"Really?" Nadia mouthed. She was sipping on her fruit juice leisurely as she listened to the gossip.
"I thought you guys would become official soon?" Liza asked between stuffing her mouth with mousse chocolate cake. She needs to fill her stomach while interrogating Hazel for juicy gossip.
However, as her two friends asking further, the more the frown on Hazel's deepened.
"That guy has countless girlfriends. It's so annoying that different women approached us when we went on a date, and this girl acted as if she never broke up with Jake! I realized I could not control my temper as I got jealous easily. Also, I never had a boyfriend before, and so I could not understand him. I am still inexperienced, and I feel like I can't keep up. All his past relationships involve physical… You girls know what I mean." Hazel shared.
Liza and Nadia nodded in unison. They were eager to listen to this drama, and they wished there was popcorn they could munch while gossiping.
And before Hazel continued, she hurled a deep breath. "I'm not ready to be in that kind of relationship, and I better stay single."
As she says this, Hazel sees Jake entering at the door. Her eyebrow rose upward to see that he wasn't alone but had a date.
She really likes Jake. She had had a crush on him for many years, and so she could feel a bit hurt inside her heart. But she is determined to forget this feeling. She isn't ready to gamble for love. And maybe there is a deserving man to become her first love.
Like Hailee, even she was engaged to her best friend before, but there is no love, and she only had felt this for Vincent, her first love.
Then, she has plenty of time to find the right guy, and she need not hurry.
Meanwhile, Liza and Nadia noticed her silence but eyes fixed somewhere. When they turned their heads, they saw Jake and the guy on a date.
"Well, we are still young for serious love. There are plenty of men out there!" Liza, who had no experience with love as she is younger than Hazel, gives advice. "We need not hurry, you know."
"Yup!" Nadia echoed, but soon, she was teased by Liza instead.
"Shut up, girl! Like your eyes don't twinkle every time you see Mr. Cha!"
Nadia dropped her mouth open at Liza's statement. She quickly looked around and might have heard someone. She is grateful that the tables are not closer to each other.
"What are you talking about, Liza? That's not true!" This time, it was she who denied the tease. She explains Pitt is just her employer, but Liza teases her further.
Watching her two friends, Hazel had a huge grin on her face. Now the table turns, and Nadia, who was put in the gossip chair.
"Okay, girls! Just carried on! I'm going to the restroom."
Staring at Hazel's receding back, both Nadia and Liza shared a meaningful gaze.
Meanwhile, on Hazel's way to the restroom, she meets Jake's eyes. She noticed Jake attempted to step forward, but the woman holding his arms pulled him back.
Hazel immediately hastened her steps and ignored them. As she avoided contact with Jake, she didn't see when the guy forcibly took back his arm and threw a dark glare at the woman.
Inside the restroom, Hazel heaves a long sigh. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, scanning her face to see if she looked beautiful tonight.
She put effort into looking like a mature woman with a class. However, she still looks like a teenager who knows nothing but is only pampered all these years. Her family isn't super-rich, but her parents give her everything she needs.
If it wasn't for Hailee, there was no way she would be invited to this extravagant birthday celebration of Madam Shen, where her long-time crush was also here.
Hazel shook her head and shrugged the heavy feelings lingering inside her chest. She is determined to stay away from Jake.
After making up her mind, she left the room.
As she was trailing the aisle back to the Hall, Hazel stopped on her track.
"Hazel…"
She was surprised to see Jake leaning against the wall. 'Is he waiting for me?' She muttered.
The guy walked closer to her, but she was not in the mood to talk to him. Hazel resumed walking, but Jake held her arm.
"What do you want, big brother Jake?"
The guy darkened his expression. He muttered, "You are not my sister."
"You are my older cousin's best friend."
Jake assumed he didn't sense the coldness in her tone. He spoke up, "Why aren't you replying to my text and ignoring my calls?"
"I am busy with school." Her excused.
"I ask you to drive you home if you don't want to have a meal together."
"It's unnecessary. I have a car." She reasoned out stubbornly.
With what she said, Jake furrowed his brows and even darkened his face. "Why are you avoiding me?"
Hazel finally meets Jake's gaze. The entire time, she only looks away, as she doesn't want to see him in the eyes. Might she suddenly change her mind.
"You can ask someone else for a date."
Jake pursed his lips and said, "Are you jealous?"
"Why would I?" she denied. And she has no plan to explain this matter to Jake.
Jake scrutinizes Hazel, trying to read her mind. However, the girl just frowned and looked away.
"If you are jealous, I was with another girl. Why are you avoiding me and rejecting all of my invitations?"
Hazel straightens her back, then clears her throat. She said, "We may aren't in a relationship yet. But I want to break up with you already."
Jake has rendered speechless. 'It's the first time I heard such a thing,' he thought.
Jake was lost for a moment. Before he could open his mouth, someone spoke behind Hazel.
"Hazel, is everything alright?"
Hazel's eyes lit up after she recognized the man. She pursed her lips into a smile, then turned around.
"Yes. Everything is fine. I… I just lost balance, and so, big brother caught me and held my arm to steady my stand."
She knew her explanation was lame. And the way James shifted his gaze from at Jake then back at her is obvious he didn't believe her. But she has to continue these lies and pretend.
"I'm going back to our table. Let's go together." After saying this, Hazel gathered her courage to walk toward James and hold his arm.
James, on the other hand, did not ask further but nodded, then walked with her. However, Jake grabs her other arm when they pass him.
"What are you doing, big brother?" she asked Jake with big eyes, acting like she was confused.
"Stay…"
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