Chapter 3 3. The dinner

Jayla

I woke up to the sound of the bird chirping. The two days vacation I gave myself came to an end today. I got up from the bed, showered and checked out from the hotel ready to go back to the office.

"Remember the meeting with the car dealer" my driver Tony said as we arrived at my office.

"Okay, just give me a ring by noon and I will call him." I said to him.

The air condition in the office welcomed me, my eyes dashed to my personal assistant Naomi, the sounds of her keyboard clicking loudly as she focused on her computer.

My office has been very busy right after the exhibition, tons of orders and walk-in clients since the event was publicized and televised. I had a big client whose wedding dress I have been working with the deadline approaching.

"Ma'am, your meeting is scheduled to be held in five minutes' time, and it's all set." Naomi interrupted my thought.

"Perfect, thank you."

After the one-hour meeting session with a top client, I was taking a break when Naomi called my attention to a potential visitor here to see me.

"Hi Mrs. Megan, what a surprise visit, I wasn't expecting you until Friday." I said with a broad smile on my face.

"Yes, I just stopped by to look around and see if something else will catch my attention." she said as her gaze averted to the showroom section.

"How was your short break?" she continued.

"It was worth it, thanks for asking."

"This is so beautiful, better than in pictures." Megan murmured with an impressed look on her face.

"Oh, thank you, do well to look around to your satisfaction."

A few minutes later, she looked at her wristwatch and her eyes widened.

"Let me get going, I would rather not be late for my meeting."

I saw her off to her car and said my goodbyes.

"Do you need your drink now?"

"Not yet." I said to my PA.

I had earlier ordered apple juice but had forgotten about it.

"Call the car dealer, set up a review meeting with the architect." I quickly added.

Two hours later, Naomi gathered my files for another meeting in Temple city.

I had put on my seatbelt, waiting for my driver to move when a knock on the window startled me.

I rolled down the window, before stepping down, my eyes fell on Richard.

My eyes darted to his hair shining under the sun and his obvious sharp jawline.

He looked so intimidating.

"You must be in a rush." He said, reaching for a handshake while smiling.

I stared at the neatly manicured hands before taking it, he took my hand.

"Yes, Mr. Richard, Megan just left a few hours ago."

"To what honor do I have this visit from you, would you like me to tell my staff to give you a tour around." I said in a rush, giving him the hint I had something to quickly rush to.

His lips twisted up in a fainted smile before it gradually faded away.

"Is this what I get for putting so much money into J-Aurora Luxe." He said unimpressed.

"Forgive my manners Richard, I will spare ten minutes if that is okay with you".

He agreed, and we got inside the office, I quickly excused myself to use the restroom.

In the restroom, I sighed heavily and loudly. Why was he here in my office? I had tried to be very professional and real out there now, but I was getting paranoid.

I hope he was not here to talk about what happened months ago. Not only that, but I thought to myself then mustered enough strength, dabbed my makeup and went outside.

I showed him around each section down to the other side of the office that I was developing.

When I was done with the showings, he signaled Naomi to give us some privacy.

"You're a fortune yourself." he said while putting his hands in his pockets.

"Thank you, Richard."

"Listen, what happened then is in the past, do not be hard on yourself." I wasn't expecting him to say that to me, but it was a relief.

"Well noted." I replied to him.

"We host a monthly family dinner with close friends and a few acquaintances. Megan has asked me to invite you for Saturday, she forgot to mention it earlier."

I quickly checked my calendar with Naomi, but I had planned a karaoke night with my friends.

Richard noticed my sudden change of mood and cut me off before I had the chance to decline.

"Saturday we will be expecting you, Fabian, my son will be there, he's looking forward to meeting you, do not reject our invitation at 7pm."

I couldn't say no to the Garrison's dinner request.

"You have my words" I finally said and saw him off while I rushed to my meeting.

Saturday arrived faster, my cleaners were doing the laundry, and I was sleeping on the couch in my pajamas when a call woke me up.

"Hello mum." my voice low as I yawned out of sleep.

"How's my baby doing?" I heard my dad's voice from the background.

We spoke for a few minutes, giving them a little recap of how my week went and the surprise visit from the Garrisons including the dinner.

As the evening approached, I wore a silver long dress, with a red clutch purse to go with.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, satisfied, I called my driver.

The Garrisons' estate was a sight to die for, from the gate to the long driveway to the main building. I wasn't expecting less.

Getting down from the car, I heaved a heavy sigh after adjusting my dress with a quick glance at my makeup.

Reaching the entrance, I pressed the doorbell.

"Hello." the door swung open.

I instantly felt goosebumps climbing it way gradually to my skin.

My heartbeat began to pound, the figure standing before me left me speechless.