Chapter 4 THE PARTY

Miriam woke up early and prepared for work, she went downstairs and met her family about to have breakfast, she greeted them and wanted to leave but Sophia stopped her and asked,

''Where are you going to?''

Miriam looked confused, she looked at everyone, spreading her hands, she said,

''Work of course''

Sophia went to her, held her hand, and said,

''Baby I know you want to work but you have to eat before going to work or you won't be able to concentrate''

''I know but I don't have much time, I might be late''

''You won't please''

Miriam rolled her eyes. She had no choice but to join her family for breakfast. After eating, she hurried out and went to work. When she got to the company, she found out that everyone was busy, she was heading to her office when she saw Sarah coming towards her direction, she decided to ask her what was happening,

'' Hey Sarah, what's happening?''

Sarah with excitement in her voice said,

''The company signed a contract with Lions company, the most powerful company in China, the owner of the company Mr. Charles is coming here today to seal the contract, so the boss decided to throw him a party''

''Wow, that's good, I will be on my way now''

''Alright''

Miriam went up to her office and met the boss coming out of his office,

''Good morning boss''

She greeted him, and he just walked past without saying a word. Miriam wasn't expecting a cool reply, but snubbing was out of it, she just sat on her chair and started going through the documents on her table. After a while, a very beautiful lady came up to Miriam and said,

''Hello dear''

''Good morning ma''

''Where is Anthony?''

''He just left ma''

''Alright, I will wait here''

Miriam offered her a chair and she sat, she kept starring at Miriam and this made Miriam uncomfortable, she tried to avoid the lady's eye but couldn't, so she asked,

''Sorry ma, can I help you?''

The lady smiled and came closer to her,

''My name is Sarah, Anthony's younger sister, I own the best modeling company in America, competing with a company in India, my girls are not up to theirs, but I think you can help me out''

Miriam looked at her speechlessly, she wasn't sure if the lady meant what she was thinking, so she asked,

''Ma, are you asking me to model for your company?''

''Yes''

Miriam nearly jumped up from her seat, she was very happy, she couldn't hide her excitement, so she asked the lady,

''Oh my God, I will love to''

''Tomorrow, I will tell my brother to..........''

''She's not going anywhere''

Everyone turned around as Anthony said that while walking in. Miriam felt like grabbing a knife and stabbing him to death. As he came close to them, Sarah asked,

''Why not bro?''

''She's my secretary, she needs to always be around in the office''

Sarah frowned and said,

''But....''

''No buts Sarah, where is my date?''

Sarah angrily went to her seat and said,

''I couldn't find anyone that meets your standard''

Anthony looked Miriam up and called out to his righthand man Frank, he whispered something to him, and Frank nodded and went to Miriam,

''Please follow me ma''

Then he left and Miriam followed him, while Sarah pulled Anthony by the hand as he went into his office. Sarah sat opposite him with her hands folded and asked,

''Why can't you do this for me, you have never said no to me''

''Sarah please she's my secretary, you can't have her, pick another person and I promise you will keep them''

''No, she's the one that I want''

''Stop arguing with me, this discussion is over''

Anthony stood up and walked out. Sarah followed him still nagging. Miriam was taken to a clothing store by Frank. He asked her to try some clothes on and finally picked a beautiful long red gown for her, he also got her some shoes and pieces of jewelry, Miriam didn't understand why he was doing that and had to ask,

''What's happening, why buying all this stuff for me?''

''The boss asked me to. You will be his date tonight at the party''

''What, why did he pick me?''

''A lot of girls would have killed to be in your shoes''

Frank concluded and left. Miriam followed him with the bags in her hand and kept wondering why people would be madly in love with someone as cold as ice. They drove to a store where she would get her hair done, she asked Frank if she would be able to go home that night, but Frank kept a straight face, so she murmured some words to herself, took her cell phone from her bag, and called Sophia her sis,

''Hey Sophia''

''Hey baby, what's up?''

''I might not come back tonight, there's a party in the company and the boss asked me to be his date''

''OMG, is there something you have to tell me?''

Sophia asked in a silly tone. Miriam rolled her eyes and said,

''Nothing Sophia, bye''

''Have fun sweetie''

Miriam hung up the call, why would Sophia be thinking like that? When her hair was done, she went to meet Frank and asked,

''Please can I get something to eat?''

Frank asked her to get into the car and he drove her to a restaurant, he asked her to order anything she wanted, she was about to order but suddenly stopped, she turned to Frank and asked,

''Please will the money be deducted from my salary?''

Frank couldn't stop himself from laughing,

''No dear, eat, I will handle the bills''

Miriam smiled and ordered chicken stew and ate to her satisfaction, and then they left. When they got to the office, everything was almost in order, she went to her office and met Anthony going through some files, she greeted him and as usual, there was no reply, so she went straight to her chair and started going through some files. Anthony came to her desk, placed his hands on the desk, leaned forward, and said to her,

''My sister insisted on you modeling for her company, I want you to refuse the offer, I will double your salary and give back the money I deducted''

Miriam was excited, she wanted to say something, but he didn't wait for her response and left. Almost at his office door, he said to her,

''Get ready, they are almost here, look for Frank, he will assist you''

Then he went into his office. Miriam stood up and went downstairs to look for Frank, she saw him talking to some people and she went to meet him but was stopped halfway by Sarah, Anthony's sister,

''Hey Miriam, about the offer I was talking about earlier, my brother already agreed for me to take you''

''Sorry ma, I can't take it, I am the secretary, I have to be in the office always''

Sarah rolled her eyes and said,

''I saw the excitement in your eyes when I told you about it, I'm very sure Anthony made you do this but I'm not giving up on you yet''

Sarah said as she smiled and walked out. Miriam was convinced that rudeness and determination were in their blood. She went to Frank and told him that Anthony sent her to him, he led the way and she followed. They went to where she would be made up, the make-up was simple, and she was asked to dress up. Miriam looked in the mirror and couldn't believe her eyes, she looked so stunning. She came out of the store and met Frank waiting by the car, then they went back to the office. When they got to the company, Sarah her co-worker rushed to her and screamed,

''You are stunning Miriam''

''Thanks''

Miriam said and quickly left, she didn't want to engage in much talk as she saw the visitors already arriving, so she rushed to Anthony's office and saw him waiting. For the first time, Anthony didn't have his usual cold look as he looked her up, he was already dressed. He quickly looked away when he got himself and said to her,

''We will pretend you are my girlfriend. You know what to do as a girlfriend right?''

Miriam bowed her head as she said no and Anthony was taken aback, he asked,

''You have never been on a date before?''

''Yes sir''

Anthony was surprised, he was silent for some time and said,

''Alright, just stay with me and do as you are told''

Miriam nodded her head then there was a knock at the door as Frank came in and said,

''Sir, the visitors are here''

Anthony took Miriam by the hand as they went downstairs, he saw Mr. Charles, the owner of the company he was about to partner with, and went to meet him,

''Good to have you here Mr. Charles''

''The pleasure's mine Mr. Parks''

They shook hands and Anthony went to greet the rest of the people invited. Miriam just followed like a little lamb. The party started and everyone drank and danced when it was time to give a speech, Anthony went to the stage and started,

''I want to thank everybody that came here, I am happy you all made it, a toast to the new partner Mr. Charles''

Everyone cheered and the party continued. When it was time to dance, Anthony was asked to open the dance floor, he led Miriam to the dance floor, gently placed her hand on his shoulders, and held her by the waist, locking her eyes with his, he pulled her close to himself that she could feel his breath on her face, then he slowly started moving his body and she followed his lead. When they danced for ten minutes, others joined the dance. Jane who has been watching with jealousy written all over her ran off from the party. As they continued dancing, Miriam felt a butterfly in her belly, she could smell Anthony's perfume, she started seeing the handsome boss, and she saw the reason why every lady fell for him. She was lost in her thoughts when Anthony said to her,

''Are you ok?''

''Yes, I am''

Anthony smiled and drew her closer, she could feel her heart jump into her stomach, she felt her legs becoming weak, she couldn't believe she was about to fall for this cold boss. The party finished at midnight, and she went out to look for a cab, she was standing when a black car pulled up in front of her, the back door opened and she saw the boss who motioned her to get in, she obeyed and went in then they drove off. The car pulled up in front of her house, she thanked the boss for dropping her off and wanted to leave when he dragged her back and kissed her.