The Goddess is a building with huge pillars like the one I usually see in front of a museum. The hall is amazingly decorated and it’s really really big. When I arrive there, tons of paparazzi are waiting for whoever comes out of this limo. Well, it’s me!
“Ready?” Vi asks. I take a deep breath and exhale, I’m nervous! So damn nervous! “should we come out now?” I ask.
“Yes of course. They are waiting for us, besides behind us is another limousine so please get your butt up right now!” The doorman has come closer to the car and he clicks the door open, flashes of camera light blind my eyes all at once. I get my shoes out and then my body, followed by Vi then we walk side by side across the blue carpet (blue, not red) to the big main door.
“Smile!” Vi nudges me, then I force a smile. The paparazzi shout questions to us and I’m like so deaf that I can’t hear them well. Maybe it’s because of those flashes that just don’t stop.
“Who is that girl with you, Ms. Freyson?!” I hear a question loud and clear, followed by other same questions. Ok, I know I look good, maybe they will follow me everywhere I go, just like those celebs!
“She’s my friend. Thank you.” Vi answers elegantly. Wow! I don’t know my friend could be that “cool”.
When we finally enter the big hall, the paparazzi stop those flashes on us and turn to another big socialite that just comes out of the car. When I look around the hall, I notice, it is so beautiful! The classical instruments playing on the background and many people, dressed in designer’s gowns and suits are milling around.
The decoration is really beautiful! Flowers everywhere and when I look up to the ceiling, there are colorful silk cloth hanging from corner to corner. Suddenly a guy in black suit comes to us, “You must be Ms. Freyson, right?” he asks Vi.
“Oh yes I am! Sir Howard, isn’t it?” Vi asks as they both shaking hands.
“Yes! It’s a pleasure to meet you,
“Oh yes of course! F&H isn’t it? I just can’t wait for it! When will it be launched?” Vi asks again. Ok everyone, she told me before that she knows no one here so she wants me to come, pfff!
“Next month! We really hope you can come! Especially since the business will be on your control isn’t it? Sooner or later.” The Howard man smile. Then they both separated and we are assisted by a skinny tall girl to a table with our name on behind the chair.
It’s written “Ms. Sugar Dale” how cool is it?!
“You told them my name?” I ask as we take a seat.
“Of course! They always ask each of the invited people here who they will come with.”
Our table is still empty and it’s the only one which is empty at all except us. Other tables are all almost full. I curiously look each name written on the back of the chairs. Soo..there will be Ms. Carey (will it be Mariah Carey?!), Mr. Tompson, Ms. Willis (will it be Rumer Willis?), Mr. Jean-Paul, and Mr. Easton.
“When will it start?” I ask Vi.
“I don’t know. Maybe in a few minutes.”
“But our table is freakinly empty!” as I say that a group of men comes in, then they separated and showed their seats. A tall guy with beard and cream suits sit with us, he is Mr Jean-Paul.
“Vous parlez français?” he suddenly asks. Oh. He’s a French guy!
“Un peu.” I say, try to look cool with some people from other table looking at me admiringly.
“trés bien! Je m’appelle Jean-Paul, et vous?” he asks my name! Wow! Thank you Daddy! For teaching me French words!
“Je m’appelle Sugar Dale.” I say, then we both shake hands.
“Enchantée!” he says.
“Wow! A French girl!” a guy voice suddenly interrupts me. I look at the direction of the voice to find Jeremy (yes that Jeremy!) is sitting right in front of me! He’s Mr. Easton!
“Oh! Hi! How come you’re here?” I ask. Stupid me! Of course he’s here! He’s a socialite! He must be invited to this kind of thing, maybe everyday! And suddenly I remember the time at his party when Vi set me up with Jeremy. He must think that I’m a lonely and pitiful girl. So he wants to dance with me! And now I get really embarrassed by that memory.
“Well, a month ago I got this invitation that says I’m invited to this Charity Evening. All the people that take part in the fashion industry are invited here.” He says.
“Oh right… so, what business are you into?” I ask
“Clothing. You know, Parsley’s? That department store in
No way! That big one is his?! But it’s Parsley’s not
“Yes I know. But it’s Parsley’s! Not
“No. Parsley is my mom’s middle name. She is the one who built that department store so it’s named by her.” He explains. Oh.
After all the tables have been seated, a voice of a man informs us that the Charity Evening has started and he welcomed all of us.
“Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Charity Evening: "To make a better world". I believe we are here tonight to take part in a mission to make a better world. Now, let me present you, Mrs. Stella Mills!” we politely clap as a woman with a slender body and beautiful face climbs up and replaces the bald MC's place on a little stage.
“Thank you, Eddy! Good Evening everyone! It’s a real pleasure for me to be able to stand here right at this time to serve all of you some facts that happen around the world under our own nose..” she takes a deep breath and look at her hands, there must be a cheat speech paper there! It’s a high-school technique!
“Well, let’s get into business everyone! As we all know for a very long time, poverty is our number one world enemy that cause starvation, viruses, lack of education,…..” as she gets along with the speech, waiters with nice suits walk around every table, pouring us a glass of champagne.
“We usually ignore them and think “at least, I’m safe” or “at least that’s not me!”, well let me tell you something everyone, that sayings doesn’t work again! We need their help too! Let’s move to
For like a boring half an hour she keeps talking and talking, I almost fall asleep myself. I don’t know how these people sitting around my table can still sit quietly, looking at her passionately as if she’s our saviors. or….maybe they’re just pretending to pay attention to her while their minds are off from this room?
“Kill me Vi.” I whisper to her.
“This is why I ask you to come! This is freakin boring! Imagine I’m here all alone with these people… I always pray that there will be an earthquake or a falling grandma from her chair or just anything that can drift our attention and make me a little cheered up!” she hastily says.
Ok, socialite’s life isn’t that cool anyway.
After Stella Mills has stopped talking (I notice by the applauses), we all raise our glass of champagne and make a toast “for a better future” and then we drink it together. This is more like a new year’s party than a Charity Evening!
The next thing I know, we all served varieties of yummy foods and we eat quietly. I don’t really have even the slightest idea of table manner so I just copy what Vi does. She takes the sherbet in front of us, bumps it in the air and slides it on her lap, and so I do the same.
Eventually, I notice that the right table manner is, not putting our hands on the table. The limit is on our wrists and we shouldn’t talk while we chew our food or when our mouth is full.
Ms. Carey is a middle-aged woman with wrinkles and stress lines clearly pasted on her face and Ms. Willis turns out to be a young lady in her mid 20s and she always smiles. Mr. Tompson is a white-haired man that owns The Heath! Yes! That The Heath that uses Kate Moss as their model with nothing in his boutique less than $60.
“So Vivienne, who is this pretty girl?” Ms. Willis asks, referring to me.
“Oh, this is my friend, Sugar Dale.” I shake her hand.
“So, what company does your parents own?” Ms. Willis asks again.
To be honest, my family never owns a company…
“My family ever owns a joining perfume line with…..with..” I scribbled a name furiously in my head, “..with Earl Gavin. But then they separated.” I say, trying to look cool.
“Wow! Really? You never told me about that! How come!” Vi protests. But at the same time Ms. Willis also asks me, “Earl Gavin? I never heard of his name before. Is he an American? Or British? Or French?”
“He is a…Scottish actually.” I say.
“Scottish? Wow, how weird I don’t know his name. I came from
Damn!
“Yes…he…died actually.” I add. My cheeks start to blush as I continue lying. Jeremy has paid full attention of this conversation and he asks, “Really? I feel sad for him. So that’s why the perfume company’s over?”
“Yes.” I answer, looking at my food on the plate under Vi’s staring eyes. God! Please forgive me for lying, please…just today!
“Well then, maybe your family can make a new business in clothing line with me! This is my card, I’m a fashion designer.” Ms. Willis hands me her soft, expensive-looking card with her name elegantly carved with gold ink on it.
After we finish our food, then it’s time for the fashion show. A disco music playing and one by one, tall slender models come out, wearing the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. The colors are so exotic and the details are neatly made. After 20 minutes or so the show is over. Then, it’s time for the auction! All the money will go to poor Africa and
I can’t believe how much a dress could cost! Averagely, one dress is about $250. wow!
When the auction’s going, I, Vi, and Jeremy are playing Bingo instead. It’s really nice to get a friend in such a boring situation!
The time now: 10 p.m., which means, the event’s finish!
After the “thank you” speech, we all get out of the hall. “Hey Sugar, why don’t you come evry event? It would be nice seeing you and Vi, so we don’t get bored listening to them!” Jeremy says when we’re already in front of the big entrance door.
“Uh well….” I start to talk.
“Of course! She’ll be very happy! Isn’t it, Sugar?” Vi says, stepping my feet with her high-heels!
“Ouch! Yes, yes of course.” I say automatically. I didn’t mean it! But….well…..why not?
“What about a little snack now?” Jeremy suddenly says.
“Now?! But my driver’s here already! Maybe you could take Sugar with you. Your curfew is on midnight isn’t it, Sugar?” omg Vi! She’s trying to hook us up!
“err, yes….but I have no one to take me home other than you!” I try to make an excuse. This is so embarrassing!
“I will.” Jeremy suddenly says.
Oh right.
“Have fun you two!” then Vi’s limo arrives, the doorman open the limo door for her and she gives me a wink before the doorman closes the door.
OH MY GOD
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