Chapter 38: Chapter 38

"I lost count on how many times you sighed for the past hour," Cynthia said beside me while applying make-up to my face.

I gave her a side glance. "Until now, I still don't get the reason why I need to come to that party with them. Does Sir Garren not trust his relatives?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"And also, why do I need to dress up like this? I feel like a knockoff."

"It's better to blend into a crowd of elites rather than go there looking like a rag. You don't want to have a dose of their obscene attitude once they perceive even a tiny bit of squalor in you," she said while applying a setting powder to my face.

I planned to do it myself, but she insisted that she'd want to do it. In the end, I just agreed so she wouldn't kick up a fuss.

"And, you're done! I love looking at my art," Cynthia exclaimed while looking at me through the mirror.

A smile crept between my lips. I told her to apply light make-up, and she perfectly did it. Props to her.

I stood up from my seat and scanned myself in the mirror. The red dress suits me... I guess. Cynthia curled the ends of my hair.

"You're so beautiful, I'm getting insecure," she blurted out and wiped fake tears from her eyes.

I chuckled. "You're still prettier than me, don't worry."

She humorously rolled her eyes. "I'm glad that you know that I still hold the crown."

I shook my head. Cynthia took a couple of pictures of the two of us. We only stopped when we heard a thump on the door.

"Cleo? Are you done? Dad is waiting for you outside." It was Greyson.

That was my cue to leave. I got my bag and opened the door.

His eyes widened a fraction after seeing me, and that made me chuckle.

"Wow! You look absolutely divinie!"

I pinched his cheeks. "You're tooting my horn so much. Anyway, you look dashing too."

He's wearing a black tuxedo and an adorable red bow tie.

"I'll never get tired of telling you how gorgeous you are!"

"I already knew that you're going to break a lot of girls' hearts in the future."

"Just like his dad," Cynthia whispered behind me.

I shot her daggers. But now that she mentioned it, I suddenly remember the first time Garren and I met at the bar.

So the woman whom he was with at that night isn't his girlfriend whatsoever. Though there's nothing wrong with that because he's practically single, I still wonder how many women he screwed in bed after his fiancée left him.

My cheeks flushed with that repellent thought. Why am I even curious about it?!

Cynthia wished me good luck before she left us. She even winked at me and smiled mysteriously.

The two of us went to the living room, where I found Garren sitting on the couch while calling someone on the phone. He's wearing a white long-sleeve polo shirt and black slacks. A tuxedo is sitting beside him. His hair is neatly brushed to the side.

I've seen him in that attire numerous times and yet I still wonder how he can look noble and majestic. He looks like those princes that come straight off of royal movies.

"Dad! Cleo's here. Let's go!"

He turned his head at us when his son called for his attention. An expression of surprise ran past his eyes. His lips were slightly parted too.

I can't help but raise my eyebrows. Is there anything to be surprised about?

"Dad, I know that Cleo looks extra gorgeous tonight, but you need to close your mouth."

My cheeks burned when Greyson said those words. I chastised him, but he just scorned.

I turned to Garren and flashed an awkward smile. "Good evening, sir."

He didn't reply. As a matter of fact, he didn't even bother taking his eyes off of me.

What the hell is wrong with him?

The awkward atmosphere was killing me when Aunt Esther appeared out of nowhere.

"Cleo, you look gorgeous in that dress," she said while smiling brightly at me.

My heart leaped in delight. "Thank you very much, Aunt."

She looked at Greyson. "Look after your nanny. I'm certain that a lot of men will wheedle her."

I scratched my cheeks sheepishly.

Greyson giggled. "You can count on me, Aunt. I'll make sure to block any douchebag from getting close to Cleo."

"Greyson, language."

Garren finally talked. A great sense of relief filled my chest. His stares were suffocating me.

"Sorry, dad. I won't say that word again."

He stood up and put the tuxedo on his shoulder. That's when I noticed the gold necklace hanging on his neck. Is it weird to say that he looks hot with that? It probably is.

"Let's go. Your grandpa and grandma are waiting for us already."

Greyson held my hand as we followed  his father. Aunt Esther is also walking beside us. The cold breeze of the night fondled on my skin as we stepped outside.

"Have fun at that party," Aunt Esther reminded us.

Garren actually told her to come with us tonight because his parents also wanted to see her, but she refused. She said she'd just go there some other time.

After we bade our goodbyes, Garren began driving the car.

"I can't wait. I'm so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa," Greyson, who's sitting in the backseat, said frantically.

"They certainly miss you too. You have to prepare your cheeks because they will surely pepper them with kisses," his father replied, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

Now I'm eager to meet them. I'm also curious about his parents. It seems like they are indeed amiable, like what Greyson told me.

Much to my delight, the entire drive wasn't filled with deadly silence. All thanks to Greyson who kept on blubbering about how feverish he is.

It took us almost an hour before we reached a huge, silver gate. The words "La Cassa De Royal" were written on top of it. Two men opened the gates and we headed inside.

I really thought after we entered, the mansion would already greet us. But I was wrong, because we had to drive almost a kilometer before I finally saw a mansion ahead of us.

What the deuce? Don't tell me they own this entire hectare of land?!

I couldn't see any house aside from the white mansion, so I have that assumption.

Garren finally pulled over. He parked behind a blue Porsche. When I looked ahead, there were a couple of cars too, which I assumed were their visitors'.

We stepped out of the car at the same time. I shivered a bit when the night breeze blew. We crossed the road, and my jaw was on the floor while staring at the tall gate in front of us.

Even from outside, I can already see how huge the mansion is. The entire place is surrounded by walls. I don't think the term mansion can describe this house, palace is more fitting. The Montreal mansion is already palatial, but La Casa De Royal is much bigger.

Their clan is without a doubt, well heeled and rolling in money.

"Cleo."

I looked at Garren. "Yes, Sir?"

"Don't socialize too much. I want you to focus on Greyson, and you can't be out of my sight."

The last part of his statement caught me off-guard, but I just nodded.

The maids greeted us as we entered, but this man beside me didn't even bother to greet them back. I shook my head.

Their attention went to me. I smiled at them, but what they gave in return was looks of utter  bewilderment.

"Do you know her? Why is he with Sir Garren?"

"I don't have any idea. Do you think she's his wife?"

The gossip from the two maids didn't escape my ears as we walked past them. How did they even get that idea? Garren and I were not even walking side by side.

I ignored them for my peace of mind.

We walked through a long outside aisle before we reached a circular path where a fountain is standing in the middle. On top of it is a marble statue of a man holding a sword.

This day will pass with me getting constantly amazed by how sophisticated this mansion is.

We walked for a bit more until we heard indistinct noises from the distance. As we got closer, I finally caught a glimpse of the party. There were men in tuxedos and women in gowns gathered in their spacious backyard.

There are several tables around and a long buffet table on the side. There are lights hanging on the trees, accentuating the place. In front is a low platform stage where a mic is placed.

"Mom! Garren is here!"

I was on pins and needles as all the attention went to us when Xavier announced that. He was the first one to see us.

He could've welcomed us silently! Now I have to flash a phoney smile in front of these people.

I looked at Greyson and Garren, and it seems like I'm the only one who's getting nervous because they still look calm and composed.

I've already came across almost every kind of person because of my previous work, but this is the first time that I'm surrounded by affluent people- and it's making me a bundle of nerves!

In the midst of my anxiety, Garren leaned closer and whispered, "You're shaking. Take a chill pill. They won't eat you alive."

His breath on the skin of my neck sends shivers down my spine.

I swallowed a lump. "T-Thank you, sir."

My feet were shaking terribly as we approached them. A woman wearing a long, silver gown appeared beside Xavier all of a sudden.

"For the love of God, I've been waiting for your arrival!" she exclaimed dramatically.

Garren scoffed and replied, "Mom, we're just in time. The others are not yet here either."

My heart leaped. So, is this their mother?! This is the Veronica Montreal?

Despite her age, her beauty is still out of this world. The way she stands and holds the champagne glass in her hands screams sophistication. Her presence alone is intimidating. Rich people and their genealogy.

She looked down at Greyson and smiled. "Oh my goodness! Moonpie!"

The latter giggled as she slightly bent down and peppered his face with kisses. "I miss you so much! It's been so long since we met that I even thought your father was hiding you from us."

I smiled after hearing her nickname for Greyson. Moonpie sounds so adorable.

Greyson smiled cordially and kissed her cheeks. "I miss you too, grandma. Where's Grandpa anyway?"

"He's talking to his compadres. I'm pretty sure he'll be happy to see you as well."

She turned to me. The tension I was feeling a while ago came back.

She arched her brows at me. "And who's this young lady that we have here?" she asked in a dubious voice.

Before I could even open my lips, Garren answered for me.

"She's Greyson's nanny, Mom. Stop scaring her."

The woman looks surprised. "O-Oh. She's just a nanny."

My smile fell off. The way she used the word "just" riled me. I don't know if she's being insensitive or she really has an inferior view to the likes of me.

Nonetheless, I'm irked... and upset.

"Amma, Cleo is not only my nanny. She's also my second mother. She loves me just like how you and Grandpa love me."

I glanced at Greyson, surprised by what he said. A smile gradually made its way on my lips.

He made me love him way more than ever.