The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 66: The Patriarch’s Birthday Party

Chapter 66: The Patriarch’s Birthday Party

During the week, Arayana heaved a sigh of relief that Gaeya Corporation was not in charge of the logistics for George Lee’s birthday celebration. Erik however needed to do a brief presentation of the company’s current standing. She and Erik were busy the entire week.

On Wednesday, Antonio paid Erik a visit.

"Hello, my friend." He greeted Erik warmly then shifted his attention to Aryana who was sorting some documents for Erik.

"I came here for Aryana but found out that she is no longer in the training department."

"Yeah, Camille is on emergency leave and I needed a temporary secretary," Erik answered coldly.

"I will not beat around the bush as I have other matters to attend to. I came here to hand this invitation for this Friday’s party." Antonio passed an intricately designed invitation card to Aryana.

"All the models of the products that will be launched during Mr. George’s birthday are invited. Be my female date." He said as he winked at Aryana which did not escape Erik’s hawk-like eyes.

"Don’t bother. She will be attending with me." Erik said in a chilly voice.

"As what? As your secretary? She deserved better than that." He snickered.

Erik threw daggers at him. "That’s not your business at all Antonio. See yourself out." Erik commanded in a domineering tone.

"See you on Friday Aryana. You’ll be surprised how beautiful our photos and videos are." He snickered before striding towards the door.

Erik clenched his fist and banged his hand on the table. Aryana was startled.

"Erik?"

"That maniac has malicious intent on you." He then approached Aryana and pulled her into a hug.

"I’m sorry I cannot bring you as my wife," Erik said apologetically.

"Erik, I understand," Aryana said gently and stepped out of his hug. "We are still in the office. Someone might barge in."

Erik hugged her one more time and kissed her on the forehead before going back to his chair.

...

On the day of George Lee’s birthday party, Erik and Aryana arrived at the hotel early. Erik was wearing a black Armani suit and a burgundy tie. Aryana was wearing a pastel-colored off-shoulder mini-skirt dress overlaid with a silver flowing transparent tulle that ended just below her knee. She wore matching cream shoes and a diamond necklace. She looked delicate and innocent in her dress.

Aryana helped Erik welcome the VIP clients of Gaeya Corporation. It was an opportunity for her to learn who were the important clients and who to prioritize when scheduling appointments.

"And who is this pretty lady standing beside the cold CEO?" A middle-aged man greeted them with a gentle smile.

"She is Aryana, Camille’s temporary replacement. Aryana this is Gram Ham, our partner in our Amusement Park Projects."

"Nice meeting you Mr. Gram." Let me escort you to your seat.

Mr. Gram nodded at her and let her lead the way.

"Isn’t it a waste of your beauty to be just a secretary?" Mr. Ham suddenly blurted beside her.

"I just recently graduated so I am starting from scratch. I do have big dreams, Mr. Ham," Aryana said meekly.

"With that face, you’ll do great in modeling or entertainment." Mr. Ham paused and considered her. "I have a subsidiary on these lines of business. That company is managed by my eldest son. Here is my business card." He handed Aryana a black card with gold prints on it.

"Actually, I am working part-time as a model. I have an agent working for me. I can do modeling as long as the schedule is not in conflict with my work." Aryana casually placed the card inside her purse. She was about to leave when someone grabbed her shoulder.

"Uncle Gram, you found her. Aryana is my partner in the commercial for the Bay Gardens residences. You will definitely love the photos and the videos. So, Aryana, you already meet Uncle? I am supposed to introduce him to you. He is chairman of Galaxy Entertainment and I am his top model." Antonio boasted.

Aryana forced a fake smile. "Yeah. Mr. Ham has given me his business card. He is Erik’s important partner for the amusement park projects. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back and greet other guests." Aryana turned around and walked towards the direction of the banquet hall entrance.

"Her dress is not the most catching tonight. However, if you look at her overall, she is the most beautiful. She has a unique ethereal beauty and her dress always leads you to look at her face." Mr. Ham commented.

"Indeed! You have a great eye for beauty Uncle. Can you poach her?" Antonio looked at his mother’s eldest brother expectantly.

"Fool! That sly Erik will not give her up."

Aryana meet a few more guests of Gaeya Corporation and escorted them to their respective tables. As the minutes went by, the banquet hall fill in. All guests of Gaeya Corporation has already arrived and Aryana was done with her tasks. She looked for Marlon to join him on the table assigned to Gaeya’s staff. Erik will be seating with his grandpa and the rest of his uncles who were CEOs of the affiliates of the Lee Conglomerate.

All the big shots of the Central City were in attendance and as beautiful music filled the air the banquet officially started.

Antonio approached Aryana and whispered to her.

"Aryana, since we are partners, we should sit together. The models’ tables are over there." He did not give her or Marlon a chance to protest and dragged Aryana to the opposite side of the banquet.

The food was served and the speeches were done. Erik’s presentation was awesome and his company registered the highest revenue compared with the other affiliates. His grandpa was grinning from ear to ear and congratulated him enthusiastically. His other uncles regarded him with jealousy.

Soon the new products of all the affiliates were unveiled. For Gaeya Corporation, it was the Bay Gardens Residences. A diorama was placed on the side of the banquet hall, along with product samples of other affiliates. No one bothered to look at the diorama. It was just another condominium. So what’s new?

The lights in the banquet hall dimmed. Soon the videos of different amenities of the Bay Gardens were shown. It caught little interest from the audience.

The last segment was Antonio and Amaya’s video which was titled "The Water Nymph bathes at the pool." It started with Antonio and Aryana’s walk along the cobbled stone path, then her underwater acrobatic scene. From the underwater scene, she emerged, like a water nymph who was satisfied with her refreshing bath. She stood there in the shallow part of the pool, her white dress still dripping wet, and her face that was looking back was a picture of purity and innocence. She was beckoning to the man setting at the far side of the pool.

The scene transitioned into Antonio and Aryana standing at the edge of the pool at arm’s length and holding each other’s hand. Aryana’s hair and dress danced gently with the breeze creating a beautiful visual effect with the beautiful sunset as their backdrop. The pool and the bay seemed to converge creating an infinity pool that hid the fiery ball of orange that quickly receded in the east. The video ended after sunset and the pool area and its surroundings exploded into a myriad of colors transforming the pool into an artist’s canvas of abstract masterpiece.

The entire banquet hall descended into silence.

Thirty seconds...

Forty-five seconds...

One minute...

The entire banquet hall exploded in deafening applause.