Chapter 2 CHARITY GALA

Lucas's Mercedes-Benz entered Saavedra's mansion. Wearing his black suit, Lucas got out of the car and was greeted by her grandparents' long-time butler, James.

He gave him a nod and strutted to the living room. He sat on the two-seater leather couch and grabbed a magazine to read while waiting for his grandma to come down. He just barely opened the magazine when he heard some noise on the staircase. It was his grandma talking to someone on the phone.

Lucas stood up, walked to the staircase, and waited for his grandma patiently until she reached the bottom.

"Lucas, my dear grandson. You're so handsome today!" She said with a sweet smile.

"Thank you, grandma! You look amazing yourself tonight," he replied and gave her a quick hug.

Mrs. Saavedra gave him a deeper look and saw that everything was perfect, as always. She grinned and gestured to Lucas to go.

He opened the back door of his car to let his grandma in and went around to open the other door for himself. He gave his driver a nod when they were seated comfortably. The drive is not far from the hotel where the charity gala will take place.

When they reached the hotel, there's a purple Cayenne Porsche in front of them by the entrance. The driver opened the trunk and took a purple wheelchair out. It piqued his interest to see who's going to be sitting on that wheelchair. It reminds him of the woman he saw at the coffee shop. The design and color are the same as hers.

He waited patiently and watched as he wanted to know if it's going to be her or not. The passenger doors in the front and back lift up, and a purple cane landed on the ground along with beautiful legs. He then saw a woman's hand reaching the armrest for support and smoothly transferring herself from the car to the wheelchair. She then folded the cane, put it in the back pocket of her wheelchair and pushed a button, and left.

He smirked and muttered to himself, 'I will see you woman.' Many women hover around him wherever he goes, but no one piqued his interest until he saw that woman in the coffee shop. He thought he would have a boring night and would waste his time accompanying his grandma. But he is glad he came.

They entered the hotel's ballroom and found their seat near the stage. Lucas was about to go directly to their table when his grandma stopped him. He looked confused and noticed a man in his fifties with a woman behind him looking down. His face became gloomy when Lucas realized what's going on. He almost forgot that he was with his grandma, and when his grandma brings him to any event, she will match him with any single woman in her circle.

"Lucas," called her grandma trying to get his full attention.

"This is Mr. David Chavez of CH group and his daughter Rica Chavez." She winked at him and gestured to greet them, to which he complied.

"Nice to meet you Mr. and Ms. Chavez," he said politely.

"Same here, Mr. Saavedra. We heard only good things about you," Mr. Chavez smiled widely, trying to make him feel comfortable with him. Rica Chavez shyly offered her hand to shake his, but Lucas ignored her.

Rica Chavez was embarrassed, but she did not let it get on her and instead smiled at him.

His phone rings, and he motions that he needs to answer the phone. He turned around and found a quieter place to take the call. He stood beside the sculpture pedestal and caught a glimpse of a wheel.

"Send me the data and I'll check it later," he said in a shallow voice and hung up. He sneaks, trying not to get anyone's attention. Seeing the purple color, he is sure that it must be that woman. Lucas stopped in his tracks when he heard a sweet voice talking on the phone.

"Charlie, I told you I'll be there before you even know it," she said in an annoying tone. She already told her that this Charity gala is very important to her, so she can't miss it.

"Your flight will be at midnight," she reminded her again. "The girls won't leave if you won't take the flight this time with them," she said pleadingly. These girls are so stubborn sometimes.

"Promise, tell them I'll go with them this time," she said, trying to convince her agent so she can let her go.

"Okay, see you then."

"See you later, Char," she hung up and looked at her watch. "It's early," she murmured. She looked around, and when she thought that she was alone, she stretched her legs and massaged them.

Lucas heard and saw everything. He was amused at what he discovered. The woman is not mute, and by the way, she can move her legs! That means there's a possibility that she's not cripple! But why? He asked himself.

He looked at her reflection on the window and was hypnotized. She is the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He leaned on the wall while keeping his eyes on her watching her every move. 'Woman, what's your story?' he said to himself. There might be a reason why she's pretending to be mute and disabled. And that, he would like to know and watch the show.

Sarah rechecked the time, and when the clock turned at exactly eight, she returned to her original position, and a woman approached her from the other side.

"Ms. Sarah, Mr. Chavez has been looking for you," the woman said politely while signing the words she said to her as well.

She signed back, and by her look, you can tell that she's irritated.

"Mr. Chavez brought Ms. Rica," the woman stuttered at the mention of Rica.

She signed and wheeled away.

"Ms. Sarah, your Dad will be upset if you won't join them on the table," she said in a pleading voice.

Sarah ignored her and entered the ballroom without looking back.

Lucas stayed for a few more minutes before he followed her. He was surprised that she was the daughter of Mr. Chavez, whom he had just met earlier. This woman is fascinating, he thought.

The gala had already started when he entered the ballroom. He looked around to find her table. He saw Mr. Chavez two tables away from their table, but Sarah was not sitting with them. He continued to search and finally saw her communicating with a man standing in front of her. He looked like one of the organizers of tonight's event.

After the emcee called his name, the man pushed the wheelchair up to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Angel's Hands Charity Gala!" He chirped. While he was speaking, Sarah was signing whatever he said beside him.

"Please enjoy the night and your donations won't go to waste because it will go straight to Angel's Hands Foundation. You may not know the name yet, because it was founded last year. At present, we have twenty children and ten adults with disabilities that need your help. And they are here to perform to you all," he paused and glanced at Sarah. Sarah looked up and gave him a nod.

He nodded back, then continued, "Angels!"