"Bro, tadaaaaa!!!" Torin exclaimed excitedly as he gave an invitation to Zach.
"What’s this?" Zach asked simply.
"Geez, read it and you’ll see... We need to prepare for it in a rush... Gosh, I’m so excited... It’s a masquerade ball. Maybe, I should copy the mask of the Phantom from the "Phantom Of The Opera", what do you think, Bro?" Torin dreamingly imagined himself dancing with Lana.
He was sure that Lana would be there and he would have enough time to continue pursuing her. He had actually seen Lana at the graduation ceremony, but it would have been awkward if he approached her during that time given the commotion that Cielo had caused.
"Ahh, you missed so many things, Bro... Cielo’s shotgun wedding, announced by Russo’s dad. Who could have thought that Cielo would beat us like that, Bro... Instant husband, wedding and a son..." Torin burst out laughing as he recalled the scene from back then.
No one dared to oppose Drey’s father’s words about the wedding. Cielo’s family also agreed with Senior Russo who visited Cielo’s family that same day.
"I really admire that dad of Russo’s. Imagine, he was so fast like a lightning... faster than his son alone. I heard from Cielo that he had arranged everything so fast that both she and Drey were left with no choice. Man, I will miss Cielo a lot once she moves out." Torin continuously revealed everything to Zach who was just staring blankly at the invitation.
The invitation was for Keira’s twenty-first birthday and seemed like it was going to be a grand celebration in a masquerade theme.
"By the way, Bro, the Field Marshal gave me this box and said to hand it to you. He said that he would have loved to personally give it to you but he was busy and didn’t want to disturb your time with your family. So, he handed the invitation and this box to me instead. I was even threatened by him that if I open this box myself, I’ll be dead for sure!" added Torin as he pointed out his finger at the box that he had put at Zach’s table a while ago.
Zach creased his forehead and stood up. He got curious about what could be inside the box, but then Torin quickly pulled him away.
"Let’s go to the tailor shop now... We still have some time to prepare and customize a costume. You can check what’s inside it later... I’m sure it’s just confidential documents that he wanted you to review." Torin said and Zach followed him obediently.
He would love to witness Keira as she celebrated her twenty-first birthday... would love to have the opportunity to dance with her somehow...
.....
Today was Keira’s exam and audition for the position of one of the general reporters for Cooper Broadcasting News Network.
The line was long as there were many aspiring reporters like her who wanted to be given the chance to work at the leading broadcasting network in the country.
Mr. Cooper-the Chairman himself, let her father know that if she wanted to work in their company, regardless of the position she wanted, he would give it to her. But she wanted to start like all the others, fair and square.
Only a few people in the company, who were close to her, knew that she was Field Marshal Chan’s daughter.
During her internship at the Cooper Station, some of the employees were speculating about her identity.
They thought that she was someone prominent, undergoing her internship there just for fun. But no one picked on her except Mr. Holmes’ assistant. She was using every opportunity to criticize her opinion and ideas during their meetings.
Finally, her number was called. Keira was an expert prompt-reader, so it was easy for her to read and deliver the lines assigned to her well.
When Keira was done and left the room, one of the panel judges murmured, "She is totally comfortable, speaking directly to camera..."
Others had agreed because that was essential for an anchor reporter role...
"It is said here, she would love to be news anchor reporter... Hmmm, that girl has high potential," said another judge with a smile.
After Keira’s audition, she went straight to her family designer for the final fitting of her gown...
"Wow... It fits so perfect, Miss Keira. Look how stunning you are!" gasped Monique, her designer.
Keira smiled. She was satisfied to see the final version of her gown. Their discussion was interrupted when one of Monique’s assistants entered.
"Madam, two soldiers are here. The one endorsed by Field Marshal Chan..." said the designer that made Keira’s heart skip a beat.
She knew it was Zach and Torin because she was the one who persuaded her dad to invite the two men to her birthday and send them to Monique for their costume designs.
"That’s General Zach and his friend, Monique... Make sure to pair his outfit with my gown color, okay?" Keira smiled with a wink, and Monique smiled at her as she shook her head.
"Alright... I’ll do as you wish..." said Monique.
"Are they still at the waiting area?" asked Keira excitedly and the designer nodded.
"Wait, don’t let them inside a fitting room yet. I want to see them," added Keira as she changed back to her clothes in a hurry with Monique’s help.
"Hey, don’t you think that you’re too excited..." Monique laughed as she commented.
"That’s my future husband, dear... Of course, I’m in a hurry..." said Keira.
"Oh, I see... I’m so thrilled to meet him then," Monique murmured.
"Haha, take a note... He doesn’t know that he’s my future husband yet. So be careful with your words later," reminded Keira laughing. She was comfortable with Monique who was working for their family for a very long time.
"Oh, I see... Anyway, what Keira wants Keira gets, so who cares if he doesn’t know yet..." declared Monique that made Keira laugh and gave her a high five.
Before Keira went out, she made sure she looked beautiful enough for any man to fix his gaze only on her.
She walked straight and smiled widely only to purse her lips after entering the waiting room because it was only Torin who was waiting there.
"Wow, look who’s here... Our birthday girl who looks more gorgeous than ever," Torin greeted her with a wide smile.
Keira said a simple "Hello, Torin and welcome back."
Then she looked around, and Torin noticed her move so he said, "I was with Zach, but he received an urgent call from his sister Lyra. He left in a hurry and would be back, though it might be a little later."
Keira let out a long sigh, smiled at Torin and said, "I’ll go ahead, Torin... See you at my birthday celebration."
"Of course, I and Zach will absolutely be present, Keira... By the way, are you perhaps already in a relationship? Don’t get me wrong, it’s just that it’s been a long time, so I’m curious you know and how are Lana and May too?" Torin suddenly asked out of the blue.
Keira grinned and said, "Lana is still single, Torin... But a lot of people are trying to pursue her... Same with May and of course me. I should go now. Make sure you attend the party to see Lana, otherwise, you might be too late. Oh, and make sure you bring Zach too."
It was an unlucky day...
Maybe, it was not the time to meet Zach yet...
She wasn’t in a rush because she knew that, in the end, Zach would definitely end up being with her...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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EUSTOMA_rgc