Chapter 125 The Red Carpet
The city of New York was in a buzz because of the annual Corporate gala. Media houses sent their best reporters to cover the red carpet worthy event happening a the Metropolitan Museum of Art! A red carpet had been laid out on the steps leading to the entrance, a section was allotted to the media and the fans who turned up tonight screaming and shouting the names of their celebrity business persons! News Channels, online forums, and bill boards around New York City; broadcasted the event live. But something else, besides this event, had caught the attention of many!
Reporter 1: "We're here live at right the Metropolitan Museum of Art where this year's Corporate gala will be held! This year they have gone bigger, foreign business representatives have also been invited to this year's function! We're talking France, Italy, The Great Britain, South Africa, and the list goes on! So much is happening tonight!"
Reporter 2: "But what's in talks at the moment is the news of Logan Howell's soon to be fiancé! That's right! The couple will make their first public appearance tonight! This has created quite a buzz on all social media platforms! Fans have turned up just to witness this moment!"
Indeed, it was a lot more crazy than when the Met Gala is held and fans come out to see and cheer on their celebrities. Victoria, who was home, turned off the TV in annoyance. She was currently standing in her bedroom as a stylist worked on her gown. Her makeup had already been done but what was left was to check for final touches.
"This is a business event, what does she think she's doing?" She muttered with an evident scowl on her face.
"Stay still, Madam", the stylist spoke.
"Oh! Sorry dear", Victoria said.
The woman resumed her duty of fixing up Victoria's dress and soon finished to be replaced by a makeup artist who did the same on Victoria's face. Once done, the two stepped back and let her look herself in the mirror. She gasped when she saw the job well done.
"And who is this?" A voice spoke from behind her. "It can't be my mother!"
Victoria had on a bashful smile as she suppressed a giggle. He walked over and held her hand. "Tell me my fair maiden, which family do you belong to?"
"Xavier, stop it already!" She laughed as she slammed a fist in his chest as her face was red from embarrassment.
"Mom, you look beautiful!" He said with a genuine eyes and smile.
"Thank you dear. And you look handsome as well! Hearts are going to break tonight!" She chuckled.
"That's the plan", he said with a smug smile.
He was wearing a velvety black suit, his jacket collar was decorated with the similar silver and diamond designs like ones on his mother's dress, and diamond cufflinks. It wasn't too flashy nor too simple. It suited his tall and muscular build. This was a different look knowing he always wore colorful suits that complimented his pretty face.
"Ready?" He held out his elbow.
"Can you believe Logan is announcing his relationship tonight? This is all Kris's plan, I can smell it", she grumbled as she walked beside him.
"Mom, it's their life, they can do whatever they want", he said.
"I know! But it's so annoying! Can't there be something else that will suppress their hype? I'd love to see Kris's face when that happens!" A sly smile spread on her face as she imagined it all.
"By the way, Zach said he'd meet us there", he changed the subject.
"Really? Is he planning to introduce his boyfriend to the world? My gosh that would be more explosive than Kris's stunt!" Her eyes were big and bright at her obvious excitement.
Xavier only chuckled. Sometimes, this woman felt like a younger sister than his mother. He wonders how she would react when Zach tells her that his boyfriend is actually a woman since she's so supportive of the 'man'. Well, that was Zach's problem to handle.
A black Maybach was waiting outside Victoria's house. Xavier's driver jogged over and got the door for the mother and son pair. Soon, the three cars convoy left for the Corporate gala.
Victoria felt her nerves kick in as they approached the museum. Cameras were flashing, the media were shouting, fans were screaming, while celebrity business representatives paused for the cameras. She had been in the limelight a few times but she never got used to it. Xavier patted his mom's hand in comfort and she gave a grateful smile. It was now their turn.
The doors were open and bodyguards quickly surrounded them when they stepped out. The mother and son pair walked arm in arm. People were used to seeing Victoria accompany Xavier to such events.
Fans screamed when they saw Xavier and took pictures of him! Without leaving his mother's side, he smiled and waved at the fans and media. But they had to move on and so they did. However, a commotion was heard from behind them. They both turned and Victoria fought to not show her displeasure. Walking on the red carpet was Kris and her husband, and behind them:
"Logan! Logan over here!"
"Logan Howell!"
"Logan Howell please tell us about your girlfriend!"
Fans screamed when they saw their business idol walking hand in hand with his girlfriend! Kris could not help her smugness at the attention the media was giving her son! She looked up ahead and saw Victoria. Her lips lifted into a provocative smirk!
Reporter 1: "Mr. Howell, is this your girlfriend? Please tell us about her!"
"Uh, tonight is especially for the corporate gala. Let's talk about that another time but to answer your question, yes, she is the one", Logan replied with all smiles as he squeezed her tiny waist towards him.
Reporter 2: "But there have been news that you will soon propose to her. Can you at least confirm this?"
Logan gave his mother a long side glance and she looked away. Trust his mother to keep a secret! His girlfriend gasped in surprise as she looked at him expectantly. He chuckled, unsure of how to handle his woman. If he denies, how will that look, if he agrees, it will will just put pressure on him. As he mentally debated how to deal with the situation, a black Rolls Royce Phantom pulled up by the red carpet.
Everyone was still focused on the Howell family when a pair of long legs in black trousers stepped out. The movements were unhurried and deliberate. The man stepped out, his hair had been styled back to reveal his beautiful masculine face. He stood tall and his aura was commanding, instantly drawing the attention of people as the place fell quiet. The red carpet has never fallen quiet, why now? The man pulled on the hem of his jacket to straighten it.
"Oh, he's finally here", Xavier mumbled.
Victoria followed his line of sight and took in her older son looking otherworldly in his black and gold ensemble! She gasped in astonishment. But Xavier was shocked by how perfectly the suit fitted him. How did she know his brother's size? 'These naught people', Xavier mused.
Seeing the media was occupied with the Howells, Zach used that chance to freely walk down the red carpet and soon joined his brother and his mother to whom he gave her a kiss on the cheek as greeting.
"It's Zach Frost!"
"Oh My God! Zach Frost is at the gala!"
"Mr. Frost, an interview!"
"It's Zach Frost! The Chairman of Frost Corporation!"
The fans and the media went crazy when they finally recognized him! It shook them up knowing how low profile the man was and he had only attended the gala once. His appearance shook the city much more than Logan's news.
"Seriously? This is all it took?" Victoria laughed when she saw Kris's ugly expression.
With his stoic expression, Zach looked back down from where he stood. His eyes fell on a black car that pulled up by the red carpet. The doors were open and out stepped a man in a dark blue suit, his hair had been gelled back. He tied up his jacket button before extending his hand inside the car. A beautiful brunette appeared beside him holding his hand.
They were the Italian business representatives namely: Aldo and... Esmeralda.