Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"Are they really married?" One of the young heiresses in the party solemnly asked. She was standing in the crowd with another group of heiresses who once and still is wishing to be on Maeve's position.

It was no surprise how these young and beautiful women eyed September Thorne as a material husband. For who knows what reasons, but women are actually more drawn to men with a bad boy image. Plus, the man of the subject is also undeniably handsome and filthy rich, who wouldn't like to be his wife?

"Maeve Miller dropped the bomb earlier and September didn't have any objections. And didn't you see how affectionate he is towards her?" One of the heiresses responded as they watched the couple graced the event hall with their overwhelming presence.

"What's to like about her anyway? She was just---"

"I think the question should be what's not to like about her." The group turned around and faced the woman who was almost on the same age as them. She was elegantly holding a glass of wine on her right hand while her other hand was folded in front of her chest.

She was awfully pretty compared to the rest of the women in the group.

Celeste Quintaña. The heiress of the Quinta Painting Industry. One of the most sought bachelorette in the country.

"Maeve Miller is a strong, independent, beautiful and smart woman." She said as her eyes remained on the couple before she turned to the group of the jealousy filled ladies in front of her.

"So what's not to like?" She asked with one of her brow rising as if asking a very obvious question.

The heiresses were left speechless as they stare at how a lady, same age as them scold them.

"As if. Come'n Celeste, there's no need washing your hands now. We know you also wishes to be on her shoes!" One of the ladies pointed out which caused for the other ones to gain back their confidence.

Celeste, clad on her red hermes long gown chuckled before she gazed back at the couple who were now busy talking to some older businessmen.

"To that guy? Give me a break." She said, sounded like she detested the idea so much. Which in fact, she does.

The ladies scoffed at her reaction thinking that she was just faking it to exclude herself from humiliation.

"I pity Maeve for marrying that guy. She doesn't have any idea what she had signed up for." She muttered to herself as she observed the couple's interaction.

Meanwhile, September and Maeve was preoccupied talking to some clients and partners when someone caught his attention. He smirked before he gently tried to get his wife's attention by pulling her a little bit closer.

He smiled sweetly when Maeve finally turned her attention to him. He leaned down a bit to whisper.

"Let's go for a bit. I want to introduce you to someone." Maeve's forehead creased as she looked at him questioning.

"Who?"

"A friend." Maeve's face then brightened up after hearing that she was going to be introduced to his friend.

"I thought you don't do friends?" She asked, her eyebrows burrowing after realizing something. September chuckled and softly massage the bridge of her brows to eased it back to place.

"Now, I wanted to know who your informer is. You found out about the orphanage where I came from but they didn't inform you about me having a friend?" He teased.

The people around them watched the rare moment of seeing the great manipulator smiling and laughing. With this bright face on, no one can tell that he had ruined hundreds of life before.

The group of heiresses earlier was again, lost with the unexplainable beauty of the man in front. How can someone so manly, looked so angelic when he smiles?

Seeing all the starstrucked faces of the audience, Celeste rolled her eyes and walked towards the table filled with food. She took a piece of toothpick before she pick some foods and dip it in the chocolate fountain.

Nobody noticed her unladylike actions as she gobbled up pieces of marshmallows all at once. Food is the least of everyone's concern tonight so she had the table all to herself, to her delight.

"Shit." She mumbled as she tries to swallow all the foods she had tossed inside her mouth.

"Still eating like a pig?" She glared at September who was smiling as he guided his wife near her.

"You really never change, Celeste." He said chuckling before grabbing the tissue offered by the waiter who happened to passed by them and gave it to Celeste who used it in cleaning up.

Maeve was staring at the beautiful lady in front of her. She seems younger than her, probably at the same age as Hillary. She was curiously eyeing her up as the lady took down a glass of wine to help swallow her food.

"Great. Now the spotlight's on me. What are you even thinking coming near me?" Celeste said in a bitchy tone as soon as her mouth was clear of the food.

Maeve was feeling kinda lost as she observed the interaction between the two. Didn't September told her that she was about to be introduced to a friend. But does a friend talk like that?

Maeve grew up only having her mother on her side. She studied abroad but still a little withdrawn from the public. Sure, she has a lot of acquaintances but that's just it. The nearest one she has to a friend was her sister, Hillary. So the interaction between her husband and the lady in front of her confuses her. She have a little to none idea of how friendships work but...they should be fighting together and not fighting one another.

"Hi, Maeve! Nice to meet you. I hope you know what you signed up before even thinking of marrying this asshole." Everyone gasps as they hear how Celeste addressed September.

Everyone knew how powerful the Quintañas are but still, September Thorne was a different level. Even the government officials are wary of him, so they don't know where Celeste's guts are coming from.

"I like you already." Maeve answered with a smile which was immediately mirrored by Celeste.

September shooked his head in amusement as a smile broke into his face.

Maeve and Celeste are both a woman of a few words. They would surely get along well. Especially on one of their favorite hobby.

Tormenting September.