Cassian tugged at his tuxedo in front of the mirror, his eyes examining every part of his face.
"Cassian, you're going to be late." Ryan's voice echoed through the hotel bathroom, where Cassian had been holed up since forever. "If mirrors charge rent, you'd be broke."
Cassian turned toward him. "Perfection takes time, Ryan."
Ryan was leaning against the doorframe, dressed in his usual polo shirt and jeans. His slightly round and small eyes sat behind square glasses resting on the bridge of his nose; his build was a little broader than Cassian's, but his stature was shorter than the guy's.
"You're already lucky you didn't get punished severely," Ryan said, reminding Cassian of his earlier mess. "So don't be late."
"Why do you think I booked this room?" Cassian replied. "So I won't be late, and so I can have plenty of time perfecting my look."
After all, Cassian had moved into the closest hotel to the venue early that morning. Since the event was scheduled for the evening, Lynsandra still had other matters to attend to. She told him to meet her there instead, as she would head straight to the venue afterward.
Ryan let out a deep exhale and checked his wristwatch. "Just finish up quickly," he urged, pushing himself off the doorframe. "It's better for us to wait than to make a royalty wait."
"I know, I know!" Cassian smiled brightly as he turned back to the mirror. "Hehe. Lizzie will be so happy when she sees me. Ah! I should take a selfie first."
Ryan paused mid-step, glancing back at Cassian and shaking his head.
"For some reason, I feel like he's gonna screw something tonight," he muttered, shivering slightly. "I really hope not."
Minutes later, Cassian was ready, nearly sprinting out of the suite while Ryan nagged him relentlessly.
"What?" Ryan asked when he saw Cassian rush ahead. "You changed again? The last one's great!"
Cassian clicked his tongue. "This one's better. Let's just go, alright? I don't want Lizzie to wait!"
"Fine, fine!" Ryan raised his hands in surrender and walked alongside the overly excited Cassian.
Little did they know, minutes after they left the suite, a phone began to ring inside.
Beneath the blazer Cassian had taken off last, his phone vibrated against the table.
The caller ID read:
Lynsandra.
*****
Minutes ago…
Lynsandra stretched her neck from side to side as she sat in the backseat of a sedan, alone except for the driver taking her to her next destination.
"Luna, you should've let me cancel your last meeting," Virgo's voice came through her earpiece. "You would've had plenty of time to prepare for the event."
"Prepare?" she arched a brow, glancing down at her cream-colored formal suit.
It was simple—just a black top beneath the blazer, paired with understated diamond jewelry—but it looked more than presentable. This was what she had worn to her previous meeting, one that involved individuals far more influential than the Clarks.
"I just thought you might want to look less… formal," Virgo hummed. "And you should've let me accompany you."
"Virgo," she replied calmly, gazing out the window, "if you came with me, then I wouldn't be able to attend this launch at all. That meeting you're going to in my stead is far more important—and if I couldn't go, you should."
Virgo sighed. "Alright, Luna. I'll bring you good news soon."
"And I'll be expecting no less."
His voice faded from her earpiece, and Lynsandra removed it. Aside from the driver, she was alone, and she didn't need a large entourage. They were better off accompanying Virgo.
She took out her phone and scrolled to Cassian's contact, which had only recently been added. She dialed, listening as it rang once… twice… then stopped.
"Huh." Lynsandra made a small sound, staring at the phone. "That's a first… in a long time."
Whenever she called someone, the line was usually answered before the first ring ended. She shrugged and tried again, but the result was the same.
"He's not answering." She weighed whether to call again, then dismissed the thought. "Oh, well."
She slipped the phone back into her purse. The venue might be loud, or Mother Earth called first, and Cassian was now busy. Either way, she didn't dwell on it.
"We're here, Luna," the driver announced, glancing back at her.
She checked her wristwatch. "We're early."
"We avoided traffic," he replied. "Shall I accompany you inside?"
"Don't bother, and don't bother opening the door," she said, reaching for it herself. "And you don't need to wait for me."
"Yes, Luna."
The driver watched as she stepped out and headed toward the venue. Guests streamed in the same direction, yet none stopped to greet her. Dressed more simply than most, she blended easily into the crowd.
She could put them in their place if she needed to, the driver thought, before quietly driving away.
*
*
*
Clark Consortium's Metro Expansion Project.
That was the first thing Lynsandra saw hanging above the stage in the grand hall.
Then came the guests.
Men in tailored suits with carefully styled hair and practiced smiles. Women adorned in designer dresses, luxury handbags in hand, faces flawlessly painted.
In a sea of vibrant blooms, standing out was difficult. Meanwhile, simplicity made one fade into the background… like Lynsandra.
"Wine or champagne?"
Lynsandra turned and smiled at the server holding a tray.
"Wine, please," she said, taking a glass. "Thank you."
She swirled it gently, lifting it to her nose to inhale its aroma. It smelled pleasant. The corners of her lips curled faintly.
"Surely…" she murmured, scanning the venue. "He's gone far… in just two years."
Surprisingly, she felt no bitterness. She had always known Victor would succeed, just not this quickly. Even so, good for him.
As she raised the glass to her lips and took a sip, a figure at the edge of her vision caught her attention.
She arched a brow before she slowly turned. And as if fate were just as eager as she, there he stood.
Victor Clark, just a few steps away, staring at her wide-eyed.
"Li… Liz?"