Chapter 244: Chapter 244
"You look lovely, as always!"
Shelby couldn’t help but narrow her eyes at Ian’s response. She wasn’t entirely sure that she could trust his words this time.
"Yes, I am sure! My wife is the loveliest and the prettiest, and no one can contend that!"
Ian added before Shelby could complete her statement. He played with her fingers as he said these. The two were in the back of their car that sped up and were heading towards the T-Vino Winery HQ.
These were words that couples usually share, but everyone could agree with Ian. Shelby really had no contender when it came to her looks. She was a breath of fresh air everywhere. She was the only one who could make males and females alike turn and have seconds and even third looks at her; it never mattered in these.
With all these, one would wonder why she was apprehensive on this day. Ian knew better than to ask because he was the reason. Who told him to kiss her senselessly in front of high-ranking individuals in his company. That had kept her so self-aware that the thought of meeting those men again put her on pins and needles.
Ian chuckled and brought her chin closer so that he could peck her lips.
"You are the most beautiful woman ever seen, my Elfin!" He whispered against her lips and smiled at her obvious blush.
Their car rolled to a stop in front of the company just as the sun started to set. Ian got out and then held out his hand for her. One dainty leg stepped out, followed by the other. Shelby was in a simple multi-coloured dress with a small sash tied at the waist. She paired it with a single sandal heel and stud earrings. It didn’t look like much, but all eyes turned to the couple immediately they stepped into the company lobby.
This was Shelby’s first time there, and she was nervous. Ian clasped her smaller hands in his larger ones and guided her at a leisurely pace and into the room for the event.
As for the looks, one could say that Shelby was more than used to these and did not butt an eyelid.
As soon as they entered, a few people, including Avril, greeted them at the door.
"Little sis, you made it! You’re just on time to appreciate the work done."
Shelby smiled, but her eyes narrowed a bit. Shelby was closest to Ava and, therefore, knew that Ava had spent the better part of the prior couple of days there. Even though Avril never said she did the work, her words were very misleading.
Shelby’s brows furrowed slightly, and Ian nodded at Avril. Just then, they noticed Alex making his way to the front.
Shelby glanced around once more and noted that most of the men there were in business suits, as the women were in not-so-formal dinner wear.
"Ian!" she whispered with a slight pout, and Ian could already guess what she was worried about. He himself was in his usual joggers, round-neck T-shirt, and leather overcoat this time. He was not formal in any way, but for some reason, Ian fit in perfectly.
"You said that we could dress anyway. It’s a formal event; why would you do that?" Shelby lamented while she tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. How could she, though? Shelby’s make and person was such that she was always in the limelight, so this was impossible. As more people made their way to the couple, Alex’s voice drew Shelby’s attention,
"Let’s give applause to our event organizer for today."
A light applause went around, and Shelby released her hand from Ian to join in as well. A few sent thumps up Avril’s way, and then Shelby turned to see Avril smile. Shelby was still puzzled, so she could not help but look around the room for a few minutes, trying to find Ava. It didn’t take her long enough to land her eyes on her.
Ava met Shelby’s smile, and then she shook her head slightly. They did not need words between them as they understood what those looks meant.
"She is none other than the new person that my lovely wife has set her sights on. You all know how Geneva is...." Alex’s eyes softened as his gaze landed on Geneva, and a few chuckles went around. The relationship between Alex and his wife was so sweet that it was the envy of even the younger generation; however, this was before Ian came in with his mysteriously beautiful wife. Alex continued,
"Give it up, once again, for Ava Burnett, a gastronomist by trade, and I am learning today that she is an event planner as well."
Ava’s eyes widened as Alex pointed out her in the small crowd. For a moment, there was a brief stunned silence and then surprised looks, followed by a few disapproving ones that went to Avril. They were smart enough to put together what had happened.
A thunderous applause erupted in the room. The people closest to Ava nodded to her, while a few madams couldn’t help but start flocking to her. However, Geneva beat them to it, taking Ava’s hand in hers, Geneva patted it in satisfaction.
"You did this? This is wonderful. I have an event coming up...."
"Hey, you, I was going to ask her first!"
Geneva chipped in cheekily, "My Ava is not going anywhere. She does not have the time for all you are asking for. In fact, if I knew they would make her work that much, I wouldn’t have let her come."
Ava’s eyes watered. This was for the simple reason that Geneva had called her, ’My Ava!’
When was the last time anyone called her that? Not long ago, though, a certain handsome boy popped out in her head.
However, Ava missed her adopted mother at that time. Ava could not help but look over at Avril as the women kept talking around her. She did not need to be a genius to see that Avril wished she could dig a hole and hide herself in it. Well, Avril could blame no one for her predicament. She dug her own hole, and Ava felt no remorse for her.
Shelby let out a sigh that she did not know she was holding.
Alex’s disappointed gaze fleeted over Avril, and he continued his speech.
"Thank you all for coming again. As you all know, my son Ian is back to work, so I have retired."
"What! Isn’t that too abrupt?" One person asked, and Alex rolled his eyes.
"Why is it abrupt? My 70th birthday is coming up. Do you still expect me to be working when I have able-bodied sons? I should be enjoying whatever life has left for me."
Another round of chuckles went around and then Alex added,
"I don’t need to remind you of how capable he is. Do I? Anyway, it is already done."
After this, Alex stepped off the limelight and made his way to his wife.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," This time, it was Currey who was speaking,
"Our wine-making department has brought up a few new recipes, which we are presenting to you today. Please be as honest in your responses as possible, as we hope that this new variation will become the pinnacle of our sales in the near future."
One could notice that Currey certainly did not mention Avril’s name as the one who made the wines. Technically speaking, that was not an omission because Avril belonged to the wine-making research department, so the credit went to them, not just her.
"Please use the small pad left on the tables. You can be anonymous in your answers or let you know who you are. That all depends on you. In addition to the new wines, we also made available some of the older ones that we know you love.
Lastly, we have opened a new wine brewing facility, which we’ll all take a tour of at the end of the day. Our gastronomist made nutritious snacks available, so take a bite alongside and don’t get drunk! We need you sober enough to do the walking tour later."
"hahahhahaahaaaaa..." They laughed and then started to mingle.
It was supposed to be a business conference event that had been held several times over the years, so they all knew the drill... except for Shelby and Ava, of course.
"Why that big sigh?" Ian asked as he gently caressed Shelby’s hair, not minding his audience.
Shelby turned to him, but before she could say anything, a strong perfume scent filtered over to her, and she frowned.
A click-clack sound followed as three people made their way into the place. This was none other than Abram, Abi and Brianna Mush.
Brianna looked exquisite as usual; it was just that she was dressed wrongly for the event at hand.
"Who wears a white dress to a wine event?" One madam whispered, and another added,
"Is she here to appreciate wine or appreciate herself? With this much perfume, I don’t know if we can appreciate the wine well. At this rate, we should put her on a pedestal and just appreciate her instead! "
Everyone could clearly hear the female voice, as she had made no attempt to lower her voice. Almost everyone turned to look at the embarrassed trio. However, even without those words, Brianna’s perfume had announced her arrival before anyone in the room did.
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