Dating Mr. CEO - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

FAY
My heart pounded against my chest as I stood with shaky legs in front of the Chesterfield mansion. I knew my mother was in there, I knew her wife, Sarah, came along... My eyes met with their couple car, packed amongst the other cars around.
I decided to keep my hair straight today. I needed that straight hair confidence.
I was putting on a white designer gown  that reached my knee, with no color heels. My red purse was held tightly in my hand as I tried to calm my nervousness.
I felt a presence beside me. Already knowing it was Elroy.
"The brunch is happening inside, you know..." He said, I could hear the amusement in his voice.
"I know." I muttered as my grip tightened around my purse.
He moved to stand behind me as both of his hands touched my shoulders, massaging them in attempts to calm my nerves, but my pulse only increased in pace. Shivers ran down my spine at our closeness and the feel of his hands on my shoulders.
"You can end this now... All you just have to do is call up Yvonne and end your contract with her. If you do that, then I promise to not bring it up during the brunch." He said.
"No. I don't care what you do Elroy... I've made my decision." I said.
His hands still massaged my shoulders in a calm way. "Okay then. We could have done this the easy way but it turns out that you'd rather have everyone tear their throats out today."
I could tell that he was smiling.
"If you have any love for your grandmother at all, you'd make sure this brunch doesn't end up hurting her." I said, using his tactics over him.
He gave an evil laugh. "I do have love for my grandma, and that is why I'll make sure, nothing falls on me." He leaned closer to my ears. "There's a reason why they call me the manipulative one amongst the three." He said, giving my shoulder a light squeeze. "Now cheer up darling... It's pretend time..  and please, less touching. More talking." He added coming to stand beside me.
I shot him a hard glare. But all he did was smile. "After you, darling."
I let out a breath of frustration as I walked ahead.
"Oh, they're finally here!" Melissa's voice filled the large and spacious sitting room of the Chesterfield mansion.
I plastered a smile on my face as she came closer, engulfing me in a tight hug. "Hi Melissa!" I said, hugging her back.
When she broke the hug, she smiled lovingly at me. "Fay! As radiant as ever." She complimented.
I chuckled. "Thank you Melissa, and so are you!" I smiled at her.
Her radiant and wrinkled smile extended towards Elroy.
"Grandma." Elroy said, hugging Melissa. "I've missed you... Look how beautiful you are!"
She smiled. "Oh stop it!" She said...
"Fay?" My mother's voice cut in.
I sighed, turning to her direction. She was putting on a black armless gown... Her ever modeled shape perfect body stood out as usual. Her smile was well calculated and perfect. "Mom." I said, as she placed invisible kisses on both my cheeks. "You look amazing."
"As always." She grinned, exposing her perfect white teeth.
"Where's Sarah?" I asked her.
And just on cue, Sarah appeared. "Here, darling."
Sarah was more on the average side, she had curves in the right places and her beautiful maroon dress did nothing to hide every angle of her curves, if anything, her gown brought out her shape.
She placed invisible kisses on both my cheeks. "Love the gown Fay." She said, eyeing me.
"Love yours too." I said, forcing a smile on my face.
"Oh Elroy!" My mom exclaimed, "Look at you!" She grinned.
"Catherine... You look amazing." Elroy smiled.
"I do, don't I." She said.
Sarah went over to acknowledge him too.
"Fay Henderson." I smiled, knowing exactly who it was. Turning, I found Cade, holding a glass of champagne.
"Cade Chesterfield in the actual flesh... I was almost starting to believe there wasn't a face attached to the name." I smiled.
He Chuckled. "Ha... Perks of handling two companies."
"Perks?" I asked.
"Yeah. Being in crowds just like this isn't my thing."
"Crowd? They're family." I corrected.
"That's exactly what I'm saying.... Crowd." He muttered.
"Leave it to Cade to call a small family gathering, a crowd." Rhea's voice resounded from behind him.
I recognized her perfect smooth voice even before seeing her.
I smiled. "Rhea. Glad to you see you." I said as we exchanged hugs.
"I can say the same." Her light hazel eyes scanned my face. "You look exceptional as always." She complimented.
"Thank you... You also look amazing." I told her.
She shrugged. "I try."
We all knew that was a lie. Rhea paid too much attention to her looks... She was even more cautious than my mother. She always had the perfect dress for each occasion. Her smile was almost too perfect and her words were picked carefully. She was like a princess. The way she walked, talked smiled, laughed. Everything was calculated.
Cade scoffed at Rhea's statement. "Well, we all know you try. Don't we?"
"Cade. Don't tease our little sister." Damien said, appearing from no where.
"It's okay Damien... I'm used to his endless whining." Rhea gave an evil smile before adding. "Since that is what he ever does." She walked away from our direction to where my moms were standing, talking to Melissa.
Cade scoffed, walking to another direction of the room.
Damien sighed. "I'm beginning to think this was a mistake."
I chuckled. "Obviously, everyone is just waiting to rip each other apart. And Elroy is going to be the one to open the dance floor." I muttered.
"He still wants to talk to your mom about the contract?" Damien asked with disbelief.
"He is as determined as ever." I said.
Damien's brow came together. "But he promised to drop the issue during the brunch."
"Let's just say, Elroy doesn't keep to his promises, but he sure as hell is going to keep to his threats."
Damien groaned. "This is going to be a disaster."
__
We all were in this noisy silence for almost half the brunch until Elroy decided to break the silence when we began to have our dessert.
"Catherine. Uh... How are you preparing for the merge program?" He asked my mother.
My heart hammered against my chest, as I exchanged glances with Damien who stopped midday from putting his pudding into his mouth.
My mother smiled, dabbing her lips with a small pink cloth. "Oh, the preparations are going smoothly. My team found the perfect venue and the designs and layout for the runway show are already in order. Have you been merged with any industries yet?"
Elroy smiled. "I was wondering when you'd ask. I have been merged with Judy Devon industry and Yvonne Deere's Industry." He said.
My mother's eye widened. "Oh, that's delightful. Congratulations."
"Thank you Catherine. Those companies are highly respected. In fact," Elroy stole a glance at my direction. "Fay signed a contract with Yvonne Deere's Industry. She's modelling for the merge after program."
My mother frowned as her eyes met mine. "You're what?" She asked.
Elroy, relaxed back on his chair, sipping his wine slowly as he watched.
"It was a contract Mom-"
"For a competing brand? Are you out of your mind Fay? Your loyalty is to Sparks, you know you can't just run along to some other company." She addressed. "You're calling off the contract right this minute... Give me your phone."
"I'm not going to call off this contract Mom.". I stated.
Everyone stared in shock... This was usually the time where I stop arguing and hand my phone over to my mother.
Rhea cocked a brow at Cade who looked rather amused at my retort. Melissa had a sad look on her face. Sarah gave me a look of disappointment while Damien sighed, dropping his pudding.
"Excuse me?" My mother said, placing a hand over her chest like I had pierced her heart with my words.
"I'm sorry mother but the merge program is a big deal for Yvonne and I want to help her out." I said.
"Are you also aware that the merge program is very important to Elroy, whom you should be working for." My mother said.
"I've been there for Elroy since the merge program began... I think Yvonne industry has great potential, all I want to do is-"
"Shut up!" My mom stood up, looking so mad. "Stand up! Come with me now." She said.
I could feel my whole body tremble with fear as I stood up. I took a quick glance at Elroy who had a small smirk on his face.
I looked away, following my Mom.
This is going to be bad... Bad bad bad.