Chapter 76
Clara's POV
I smiled, watching him as he was about to make his speech.
I heard laughter behind me, and I knew exactly who it was from.
I slowly turned around, facing Jocelyn and her two minions. She just wasn't brave enough to meet me without her minions. I felt my blood boil as I was reminded of the event earlier.
What did she even want from me? It's not like she was interested in Derek. She had her rich husband to sponge on.
To draw my attention, she cleared her throat. "Isn't it cute how the charity case made it to the charity ball?" she said.
Why did it feel like I was walking into mean girls? If I had wanted the high school experience, I would have stayed there.
Right now, she was making my blood boil. By now, it wasn't just about me anymore but about teaching her how to treat people better.
"Jocelyn!" A voice said behind me. I turned around, and a woman approached us. She looked elegant and confident in her one-shoulder dress with a long slit. I couldn't help but get a familiar sense from her. She stood beside, staring at Jocelyn, who suddenly looked tense. "You'd think that for such a two-faced person, one of your faces would at least be pretty." The woman said.
"Nicole," Jocelyn answered, her eyes widening, almost as if she was about to choke on her own words. "I was just... "
"Leaving." Nicole finished her sentence.
Jocelyn and her friends made a U-turn, Nicole eyeing them as they walked.
"I don't know what I did to her," I whispered with a sigh.
"Don't worry, she is just bitter because her husband has taken on a mistress because she can't have any children." She answered. "You shouldn't let people talk to you like that, you know?" she said.
"I was about to punch her in the face," I answered.
"Then maybe we could light her cheap hair extensions on fire," Nicole added.
I stood silent, not knowing how to react. It was a bit too violent, but I liked where she was going with this.
"Maybe that's a bit extreme," she admitted. "I'll just get some popcorn and watch. Punching her implants out of place would also work just fine." She laughed.
"We could have worked with that," I answered.
I turned away, paying attention to Derek delivering a speech.
"How do people stand to be around him?" I heard Nicole whisper. "He looks like a representation of every hair commercial." She added.
"You don't like him, do you?" I asked her.
She turned around, giving me her full attention. "Like him?" she repeated, her eyebrows raised. "You can say I hold a little bit of resentment." She replied.
"I find that difficult to believe. He is too likeable," I answered, recalling our moment earlier.
"Well, on his twenty-first birthday, my parents brought him a Porsche. They completely forgot about my birthday and didn't get me anything." She answered.
That must have hurt. "I'm sure they probably forgot because they are very busy people," I answered in their defence. Anyone who can buy a Porsche is probably not sitting around on the couch.
"We were born on the same day," she answered.
"Ouch," I answered. There was no defending that.
"So, I'm guessing you two are related," I answered, trying to make sense of everything. They didn't have much of a resemblance, but what were the chances?
"He is my cousin," she answered.
"I don't remember Vincent having a sister," I answered.
"Not that pea brain. Our parents were triplets." She clarified. "I'd like to think that I'm the one with the brains in the family," she added.
So far, I was impressed.
"Wait, you two were born on the same day?" I recalled.
"Our parents were competitive. Vincent's parents won the first one. Right now, there is currently a 'who gets a grandchild first' race, and it's more intense than the space race." She answered.
The crowd was now clapping. Derek had just concluded his speech, and I hadn't heard any of it.
He stepped down from the podium and approached us with a smile.
"Nicole," Derek said, acknowledging her presence with a smile. "I wasn't expecting you. What happened to 'I'd rather die than attend any of your events?'" He asked.
"It was either this or going on another arranged date. I thought it would be a lot better if I'd just come here to support my little cousin." She answered with a smile.
"I'm older," Derek argued.
"I'm not about to argue which one of us is the older. If you are referring to your ego as the bigger one, I'd have to agree with you." She retorted.
"Yes, thank you. You ruined my birthdays for me, you know? This is what I had to deal with for more than twenty years." He pointed out.
"I see you didn't even invite Aunt Layla. I was looking forward to seeing her today." Nicole smiled.
"You know she'd do nothing but embarrass me. She'd think this whole event was about her. I can't have her here." Derek answered.
"That's true." She smiled. "Every time I see you, I feel much better about my parents." She admitted.
"Does anyone remember when your parents got me a Porsche on your birthday?" Derek laughed.
Nicole's smile quickly disappeared. "Fine, you win." She admitted.
Derek's smile disappeared just as quickly. He wasn't taking victory like I would have expected. He now looked rather concerned as he stared past my shoulder. "Grandpa is coming this way." He whispered.
His grandfather was here? I wasn't mentally prepared for this. How was I even supposed to act around this man? I had not received any warning or prep talk before this.
I took a deep breath, surprisingly managing to calm myself.
A man approached us. I knew it was Derek's grandfather by the way his cane clicked against the floor, demanding everyone's attention in the room and by the stern look, both Derek and Nicole had as he continued walking.
"Derek, son," He walked over and approached Derek, giving him a pat on the back.
I stood frozen, not knowing how to react.
"I look forward to buying most of the items tonight. I have my check ready to go," he said. "I look forward to seeing everyone's faces, giving them a chance to think that they can have it, then taking it away." He laughed.
"I don't remember you sending that kind of money the last time I hosted an auction," Nicole interjected.
"I also don't remember your last name being Montenegro." He said bluntly. "Your mother did not want to change your last name as I suggested," he said.
I sensed a bit of resentment there.
"Aren't I lucky not to have your last name?" Nicole answered sarcastically.
A waiter walked past us. Nicole took a glass of champagne for herself, which she drank in a few gulps. Who is your friend over here?" His grandfather asked.
"This is Clara. She is my guest tonight." Derek answered. As if holding a treat behind him, his voice sounded defensive.
"I brought my guest here tonight, too." He answered with a smug look. He was more relaxed, ignoring Derek's and Nicole's hostile attitudes.
So far, he didn't seem too bad, unlike most guests I've met. Sure, he had a couple of issues he needed to work through.
I found my mind drifting away as I looked towards the door.
All the emergency alarm bells in my head immediately went off.
I couldn't believe who had just walked into the building.
With her slick hair, a navy-blue mermaid-shaped dress, and popping red lips.
Madison was walking towards us.
What is she doing here? My brain immediately yelled.
Derek noticed her appearance not long after. He seemed just as shocked as I was as she continued to approach us.
She stood right behind Derek's grandfather, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Grandpa, what is she doing here?" Derek asked. His fists were clenched. "Maybe we should have security throw you out," he told Madison.
I hope I haven't walked into a bloodbath. She didn't look happy the last time she left.
"You haven't told them already?" Madison asked, surprised, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Derek's grandfather cleared his throat. "Derek, son, that is not how I raised you." He began. "That is no way to talk to my wife." He announced.
