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Chapter 6: In The Back Garden

Xander and Lilian came just right before 8eight pm when the party is supposed to start. Xander offered his arms to Lilian as they walked the path to the center of the garden. People looked at the couple and some even murmured. Xander and Lilian circled their gaze at the crowd not minding if their smile can reach a particular person or not.

"Alex!" Gabriel shouted as he neared the couple.

"Gabriel, how have you been?" Lilian asked curiously.

"I'm good as always" Gabriel shrugged. To Xander: "Man, I thought you won't be coming, how can you be late at your own welcoming party."

"I wasn't late, I just came right in time didn't I?" Xander protested.

"Fine, fine, fine" Gabriel grabbed Xander's other arm causing him to separate with Lilian. "Come with me, the guests from overseas are seated at that one table." He whispered.

"Lilian, you attend to the people from the company here." Xander told to Lilian as he started walking away leaving her at the middle of the crowd.

She nodded and followed Xander's image intending to know where he is headed.

"Aren't you Mrs. Galvez?" One woman approached her with a friendly smile.

"Yes I am" Lilian replied.

Soon, a flock of Madams from different families started to chat with her and Xander has disappeared from her sight.

Ethan's POV

It's been a while since Rian left. I wonder where she is now? I've heard from passing men that the CEO of G&G Incorporation has arrived. She should be here already.

On my far left I could see a group of merchants seated together. They don't sound Spanish. They only speak English while talking to each other but each of them have different accents.

I'm starting to get impatient when a woman suddenly showed up right in front of me.

"Good evening, I'm Lilian Galvez the—

"Wife of the new CEO". I continued standing from the chair and offering my hand. She smiled as she shook it.

"Are you waiting for someone? She gently took a piece of card from her bag ang extended it to me.

"Yes, my fiancé hasn't returned yet so I'm quite worried" She looked at me amused.

"Heh, so you're the clingy type aren't 'ya" She chuckled playfully.

"N—no, I'm not."

"Eyy, look at you all red" she stared at my face, taunting me with her gaze.

I took a deep breath. "Please stop teasing me Mrs. Galvez. My fiancé is quite clumsy with a bit of peculiar personality." I fixed my posture and put my hands inside my pocket.

"And I must say she is the kind of woman that men bend their neck's on. I'm scared she might get into trouble being left alone for long." She might have noticed it as I stood proudly saying those words.

It took her seconds before saying anything, once again she looked at me blankly with amazement. I then saw a slight smile on her face.

"Good for you to have such a fiancé. It must be hard having many rivals." She stared down avoiding any eye contact. "Treat her well so she doesn't find someone new or get snatched by others."

I was left speechless as I watch her turn her back and wave her hand signalling her goodbye. Why do I kinda felt sadness from her tone?

Lilian roamed the whole garden looking for the spot where she had left Ethan. She didn't thought she'll be having a difficult time finding it as new tables were added and many visitors have come blocking her sight. She even gets stuck on couple of groups exchanging greetings and business cards.

She passed a table with businesspersons that she knew were big shots. She didn't lose this chance to introduce herself and hand out her business card. Right after that she was relieved to see Ethan standing not far away. She saw a woman walking away from him waving her hands.

"Have you missed me." She said as she got close enough for Ethan to hear it.

Ethan turned at her direction. "Goodness Rian, I thought you're having fun so mich by yourself that you have forgotten me." Ethan responded.

"Oh c'mon, don't be so dramatic." She passed on a glass of wine to him. "I can see that those treatments for your anthropophobia have resulted well."

"You're right, many being around many people no longer causes me anxiety like before." Ethan smiled happily as he took the glass from Rian.

"Cheers" she said as she brought together their glasses to make a sound.

"Isn't it early for a celebration?" Ethan asked as he hesitates to drink.

"Wine calls for any occasion". Rian winked at him as she gulped down her glass and in a wink, she have finished her drink already. "By the way, who was that woman earlier?" Rian inquired.

"Oh, you've seen her?" Said Ethan after taking a sip.

"I just saw her back."

"She's the wife of the new CEO—Lilian Sanchez Galvez."

The atmosphere between them turned serious.

"How was she? Did you get some useful information?" Lilian stared at the crowd.

"Not much. She's quite playful like you, also a tease. Her marriage with the CEO might not be blissful considering that she is left wandering alone." Ethan responded.

Rian didn't reply instantly, she switched her look at Ethan who cluelessly gazed back at her.

"Is she pretty?" Rian suddenly asked.

"Yeah" Ethan nodded.

Rian raised her eyebrows "Prettier than me?"

Ethan jolted by the sudden question. "O...o—of course not!"

Rian smiled mischievouslly. "Yeah, that should be it. Next time you see her, try coaxing her a bit until she spill some info about their company. The more we know, the better."

Ethan remembered, "By the way, where have you gone earlier? It was too long for to just spent on shallow conversations"

Rian blinked looking for an excuse. Ethan stared at her waiting for a reply. He was taken a back when he noticed a sly aura clouding her face. Rian quickly shook it off and pretended that she needed to go to the bathroom and rushed her steps away.

While strolling, Rian have reached the other side of the garden where the pool is located. This side is also full of businesspeople.

She was just walking alone minding her own business when a group of kids suddenly ran towards her. They looked like they we're playing tag. They ran past, bumping into her as they go. Unconsciously, Rian was swept near at the edge of the pool loosing her balance. The next thing she knew is that she was already submerged in water wildly splashing her arms and legs holding for dear life.

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