Chapter 50


    Chapter 50: Awkwardness


    And we finally get to the day of the anniversary party.


    If this party dragged on any longer, mom would die out of anxiety, and she would take every single one


    of us down to hell with her.


    On that day, she forces me out of bed at 6 o’clock sharp and pins me down in the makeup chair. Before


    ! even realize, there are already three people doing my hair, face, and nails at the same time.


    “Mom!” I protest. “This is your big day. Just leave me be.”


    “Oh honey, but I want you to look great as well…Apply more contour to her nose.” She instructs the


    stylist, while wearing a super expensive facial mask which costs like 100 USD per piece.


    Luckily, my makeover is done a little past noon. Just when I thought I was finally able to grab a bite,


    mom told me that I should stay famished, to better fit the evening gown.


    “Are you crazy?” I snap. My temper bes worse because of hunger. “I’m not going on a hunger


    strike just because of a stupid fucking gown!”


    “Language!” Mom dodges the stylist’s brush and yells at my direction. “Is this how you want to behave


    in front of all other guests?!”


    But I’ve already stormed out of the room before she could finish.


    I rush down the hall and almost bump into someone around the corner. Looking up, I find it’s Eason.


    “Hey,” his eyes light up immediately the moment he sees me. Then he smiles, “What’s with the long


    face?”


    “Mom forces me do a fasting before the party. She’spletely out of her mind.”


    Eason bursts intoughter, “You don’t need that. But I thought this could happen so…here, I brought


    you a sandwich.”


    “Wow thanks!” | take it and gobble down as fast I can. The burning feeling in my stomach finally eases


    up.


    His eyes trail across my face as I eat. Then he brings up his hand and caress my cheek. “You look


    absolutely stunning today.”


    I’m wearing that silver gown that he got me, which is tailored to my own size. The cut hugs my body


    perfectly. And the diamond ne serves as a finishing touch,pleting my look.


    The way he looks at me makes me blush.


    “Thank you. You look nice too,” I murmur.


    He does look nice. Today he’s wearing a very formal three-piece ck suit, with his hairs wore back.


    He looks handsome and sophisticated today.


    “So, shall we?” he offers his arm to me. “Dad asked me to find you. We are supposed to be at the front


    gate, greeting all the guests.”


    I take his arm and head downstairs with a heavy heart. “You sure I need to be there? Some of the


    Ramirez rtives are not very fond of me.”


    He pats my arm, “Don’t worry. I’ll be there for you.”


    All preparation works are finished at this point and the entire garden looks wonderful. A thousand small


    lanterns hang from the tree, glowing like stars and fireflies even in the daylight. Some long tables are


    situated on thewn, with centerpieces of white lilies and roses. Clusters of flowers decorate the dance


    floor and patio Eason and I walk across thewn and arrive at the front gate. The driveway is already


    parked with cars and a few servants are busy directing the traffic. We join Mr. Ramirez, who is standing


    right at the gate and talking to people.


    “Eason!” a middle-aged man who seems to be Mr. Ramirez’s business partner greets Eason with a


    hug.“ Haven’t seen you in a while. What’ve you been up to?” :


    “Uncle George, long time no see.” Eason gives him a polite smile. “School works keep me upied.


    But I definitely want to visit your firm again sometimes, if that’s not too much trouble.”


    “Oh god no, you are weed at any time. You are graduating next year, right? Do you want to do an


    internship at my firm? Or are you taking over your father’spany already?”


    Mr. Ramirez pats Eason’s shoulder, ‘We haven’t discussed that yet. But I’m sure Eason will appreciate


    the opportunity.”


    I don’t know a thing about what they are talking about and just stand there awkwardly. Luckily, the man


    notices me and asks, “And who’s this attractive youngdy? I heard your mom is setting you up with


    someone. Is this”


    Eason quickly cuts him off, “Uncle George, please meet my sister, Natalia. And Natalia, this is George


    Hannigan, the owner of the biggestw firm in NY.”


    “Sister?” Mr. Hannigan frowns, “When did you…Oh.”


    I be even more embarrassed seeing his smile fades away right after he realized who I am.


    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Hannigan,” I nod at him.


    “Um-hun. Right.” The man answers dryly and turns to Mr. Ramirez immediately. “So, I’ll see youter.”


    He leaves and Mr. Ramirez goes to greet another group of people. I sigh, feeling more out-of-ced


    than ever.


    “Isn’t this nice?” Eason whispers beside my ears. “He thought you are my girlfriend. People really think


    that we are a great couple.”


    | snort gloomily, “Stop fooling yourself. He thought I was the golden girl you are supposed to date.


    That’s why he said that.”


    “Hey, you are you, alright? Don’t let those shallow minded people ruin your good mood.”


    shake my head andpse into silence.


    The situation only gets worse when the Ramirez rtives arrive. Someone of them justpletely


    ignore me. Their eyes nevernd on me the entire time even though Eason tries to introduce me to


    them. A woman even throws her coat at me and asks me to check it for her.


    There’s this olddy-I think she’s Eason’s cousin’s grandma-and she starts talking about Eason’s


    marriage partner nonstop. Even Eason can’t get her to shut up.


    “…I heard that she’s a wonderfuldy. Well-educated, beautiful, and shees from a great family.


    This is a match made in heaven. You should definitely meet her sooner and stop wasting your time on


    those cheap missies,”


    “I know what to do with my life,” Eason has to increase his voice even more. “The resting area is over


    there.”


    I feel that there’s a lump at my throat. After the onlydy, I turn to Eason, “I’m heading out for some air.”All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Wait!” Eason grabs my hand. “We got more guestsing,”


    “And why do they need me, Eason? Most of them don’t care about my existence at all. They want me


    to be gone. I’m not staying here and make a fool of myself any longer.” | snap and hurry away


    immediately.


    The garden and the house are full of people. I wander all the way around to the Staff’s Exit and finally


    find a quiet ce to be alone.


    I finally get a taste of how it feels like to be a billionaire’s second wife. Being overlooked, despised,


    undervalued… this must be mom’s daily life. And if I continue my rtionship with Eason, sooner or


    later this will be my life.


    Is it truly worth it?


    I don’t have an answer now. So I just keep sitting there with an absent mind. The time travels by fast


    andter I hear musicing from the garden.


    The party is going to start.


    I take in a deep breath and pull myself together. I’ll think about theseter. Right now, my mom needs


    me.


    I stand up from the bench and start heading towards the garden. I didn’t watch where I was going and


    suddenly I bump into a staff with a trolley.


    “Oh I’m sorry,” I quickly apologize.


    But when the staff raises his head and meet eyes with me, I freeze on the spot. Cold shiver instantly


    runs down my spine. “How-what are you doing here?!” I cry out.


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