Chapter 9

Everybody was busy dancing or talking with their partners or in a group, listening to their topic of discussion, one will realize that they almost talked about the same thing: the politics, the top models, the best actress or actor. The top designer, the caret of gold they were wearing, the number of zeros for the gowns they were putting on. How much the diamonds on their necks cost and so on. Waiters served the drinks and everywhere was in merriment until someone gasped, getting everyone s attention to the double stairs with golden handrails, the stairs was a beauty but its beauty was not to be compared to the two people standing on it, the man in black including his shoes and the lady in Augustus Hawke s Black seductress that was released few months ago. People were momentarily frozen by the thought that it took a long time for them to show any reaction. The man was easily recognized as the CEO of Brand s entertainment, Sean Brand but who was the woman, an international model? An actress or perhaps a new artist that the Brand s are planning on signing, but if she was a new artist, why would she stand with Sean Brand? The questions were going through every body s minds and some were already promising themselves to ask the question with any opportunity that they got. The couple came down from the stairs and with all eyes all them, they remained the center of attraction. While Sean stood with gracefulness and accepts being in the spotlight, Athena was doing everything she could not to collapse with all the attention. So many times she had wanted to free her hand from Sean s hold and run back the way they came but he held her tighter and wouldn t let her take a step backward. The first person to approach them was a young man who looked not much older than Athena, he had red hair and little freckles over his nose, his hair was in curly faux hawk and it added to his beauty. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he walked gracefully towards them and smiled to them. Sean raised an eyebrow in greetings to him and the man turned his gaze to Athena and offered his hand to her. Athena glanced at Sean who winked at her and she gulped and placed her hand in the man s hand, he smiled and turned her hand in his, placing his lips softly at the back of her palm, "forgive me, but I can t help but want to admire the woman who brought my design to life. It almost looked like you were my muse when I was designing it," his voice was velvet, smooth and enticing and if not that the man beside her was as handsome as well, Athena would have shivered in pleasure. She looked down shyly at the compliment and Sean rolled his eyes, he didn t need her blushing at every compliment, she needs to keep her head high and accept every praise, he made a mental note to tell her that when they are alone, that s what she gets being in his world. His world doesn t accept bashful, blushing lady, they love women who stand proud and look a man right in the eye and thank him for the compliment. "Well, I figure I should flatter you a bit," he said to the young man who hasn t taken his eyes off of Athena. He looked at Sean and smiled, "then I must thank you, Mr. Brand, no one advertises my works like your models." "Now, don t flatter me, Augustus, if it wasn t worth it, believe me, they won t wear it," Sean replied. Athena looked up at his words, so he is Augustus, the youngest and most known designer of Fashionista that Frank had spoken so highly off? He was younger than she expected, and what s more? Never in her life had she expected to ever meet him or even have him kiss her hand. She wanted to rush off and tell Frank what had just happened and then she remembered what happened and her happiness dampened. She looked from Augustus to the people watching them and her eyes met with green ones that were just looking at her. "Tell me, Mr. Brand, is she your newest model? If she is, can I borrow her as my muse every day? I have every reason to believe that with her by my side, I will design thousands of clothes in one day." "Dream on, I need her by my side to produce more models every day," Sean said and the two men laughed. "Fine then," Augustus looked at Athena, "I hope you would let me have a dance with her?" He was asking Sean but his eyes remained on her. Sean felt Athena stiffened and smiled, "I m sorry but she is not a fan of dance and only dances when she was in the mood, let s hope she would be in the mood when you want to dance. Now, if you could please excuse us," he smiled and led Athena away. He heard her breathe in relief and whispered, "do you hate dancing that much?" "I can t dance and certainly not in these heels, I m afraid I will make an embarrassment of myself and…you as well," she looked away at that. Sean wanted to say something but they weren t alone anymore, he smiled when he saw the people approaching them, "now, what do we have here?" Athena glanced up at his words and she froze when she saw Frank and a group of four approaching them, her heart was thudding in her chest and she looked down immediately, she wanted so badly to free herself from Sean and run away but he noticed everything she was doing and letting her go was not in his agenda for the night. He grabbed onto her hand tightly and smiled at their new companions, "Simon Bridgeton, long time no see." "You are a hard man to see around, Mr. Brand, how are you?" The elderly man identified as Simon, asked. "As you can see, I am looking very well," he smiled, then he looked at the people with him, "I know everyone with you except one, who is he?" He asked, his eyes on Frank. Frank came forward immediately and offered his hand for a handshake, "Mr. Brand, I am Frank Jones, the newest designer in Fashionista, I was signed months back but I have never been able to meet you and I must have you know that I have been looking forward to it, sir." Sean smiled, he looked down at his hand and then shook it briefly, "oh, well, a lot of people wants to meet me every day but only few are lucky with that." "Then I will consider myself lucky, sir," Frank smiled. Sean nodded, a smile playing on his lips, then he looked at Athena, "take a look at my date, isn t she beautiful in Augustus s Black seductress?" He pulled slightly on Athena s hand, making her look up, her gaze met with Frank s and she looked down immediately, fiddling her dress. Sean frowned in disapproval at her action but he didn t let it last for more than a nanosecond on his face. Frank stare at the woman, he can t help but feel that she looks like Athena but it can t be Athena, he means, where would Athena in all her life meet Sean Brand and also come to his party with him as his date? For what he knows, Athena should either be on her way or already in the slums by now, where would she have found the money to purchase Augustus s Black Seductress that was released few months ago and have many zeros to the price tag? Even he can t afford the dress yet, let to talk of Athena. He shook his head softly at his stupidity; it could just be a little resemblance and nothing more. He cleared his throat and answered Sean s question, "yes, she is indeed very beautiful." Sean smiled, "she is the type of woman every man would love to keep, right?" "Yes, very much, sir," Frank agreed. Sean nodded, "alright, I have a task for you, Frank. You think you can design a dress for her that would make her look more beautiful than this?" The group gasped, design a dress solely for Sean Brand s woman? What kind of an amazing contract is that? Even Augustus hasn t been that lucky before which was why everyone was praising him that the woman Sean brought as his date wore his design and now Frank was offered to design a dress only for her? Simon Bridgeton, the manager of the talent department of Fashionista looked at Frank with praise, only few months with them and he was already soaring that high? Their boss would be amazed by that. Frank was overjoyed, he couldn t contain his happiness and immediately nodded like a chicken picking grains, "of course, sir, I can do that, and with pleasure." "Great," Sean smiled, "oh and Frank, the dress must speak about three things." "What s that, sir?" "Uniqueness, elegancy and gracefulness, you think you are up to that?"