A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE SIXTY ONE

THEME: Devilish Stares of Ashley Crawford

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

CHRISTOPHER CRAWFORD APARTMENT

Christopher paced the living room grounds like a soldier on duty even as he kept glancing at his wristwatch. It was just about five minutes to three and he was meant to lead by example if he was to be taken serious. He knew his father would try getting to the venue before him if he wasn’t careful. He had intentionally told Raven to be prepared by three to enable them get to the venue latest few minutes to four. The program was slated for 4:00 p. m.

Just as the clock stroked fifteen minutes past three and he was about to stomp onto the stairs and drag her by the tail. With that thought in mind, Raven appeared dazzling in the attire she wore. He needed to admit, she was beautiful and every look did fit her perfectly.

Raven walked down the stairs nervously, hoping she hadn’t missed the scheduled time. In her excitement, she had gotten back to the room after breakfast and put a call through to her son through Tiana. Her intention was to sleep a bit, thankfully she had fixed an alarm for 2:30 p. m but she almost slept through it. She was beyond exhausted. Her Sundays were meant for resting and not to prepare for parties. Waking up she had hurriedly gone through her bath and did a fair make up. Her hair was the only thing she took time out to perfect.

The look on Christopher’s face proved that she was late and they had to hurry. Raven increased her pace as she walked towards him.

“Sorry.” She whispered.

And without saying anything he walked out of the house. The driver Steve was waiting by the car to take them to the venue. Raven had only heard of his name but she had never actually seen him.

“Hello sir. Hello ma’am.” Steve greeted as he opened the car door for them.

“Hi Steve.” Raven smiled at him before getting into the car. The driver only nodded stiffly in response. They drove in silence to the venue.

****************************************

GRAND HALL

Just as the car parked in front of the corporation, Christopher held her hand back when she attempted to get down from the car.

“Steve will handle that.” He told her.

Raven nodded in understanding. “Are you okay?” He asked. The question was necessary as Raven was shaking profusely.

“I should be fine.” She murmured.

“Just hold my hand.” Christopher added.

Steve opened the car door just in time. As promised Christopher offered her his hand which she held on to like her life depended on it. As they got closer to the hall, it dawned on Raven that this was finally it. The wedding still seemed like a dream until now that they had to show themselves in public. Judging by the number of people touring in, there was surely going to be press and the woman next to him would obviously be probed.

However, it seemed more like a private dinner among the staffs of the corporation as there was no such thing as the press. People were screened thoroughly and allowed to come in based on invitation.

‘The Crawfords must be really private people.’ Raven muttered to herself.

Her palms grew more sweaty as they entered the grand hall. It was like a party of tuxedos and fancy dresses. Raven eased up her breath seeing that she dressed just right for the occasion. She muttered a silent thanks to Tiana.

As they got closer to the table where they were meant to seat that had been reserved for them, James and Hope showed up in front of them with their hand in hand.

“Hey there my favorite couple.” James called out to them. And they all exchanged pleasantries.

“How are you doing Raven?” Hope asked as she held her hands.

“I am doing just fine. Thanks.” Raven responded.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“You both should take your seats please. It has been reserved for the family.” James gestured towards the table that had the Crawford’s labeled on it.

“Where is Ava?” Raven asked Hope.

“She got called for a shoot in Atlanta. She won’t be back until two weeks time. I thought she messaged you.” She replied.

Raven stared in doubt. She wasn’t certain because she hadn’t checked her inbox. “I didn’t notice.” She finally replied when she went through her chats. Ava had indeed dropped a message to tell her she wouldn’t be around for the company’s dinner.

Raven almost screamed in horror when she saw Ashley and her husband walk towards them. She didn’t want to be anywhere next to Ashley. And considering the absence of Ava, she was stuck with the one person she would rather be far from.

“Hello there!” Ashley smiled widely, hugging her parents and brother. Then she waved at Raven with an unexpected vigor. Matthew muttered his greetings and they all took their seats when the host spoke into the microphone to have everyone’s attention and settle down in their places.

The talks went on from the corporation’s achievement in the first and second quarter of the year and how hardworking the staffs were. After some speeches by the board members, James Crawford was called onto the podium to address everyone.

“Hello everyone, your good looking faces is making me short of words.” He said, causing the whole room to burst into laughter. “I want to thank everyone for gracing this occasion. It has been a tradition for years to celebrate the first half of the year to embrace and encourage our staffs. However, today is more special as I would be leaving the reigns of Crawford corporation to my son, Christopher Crawford while Matthew King, my son in law turned son would be taking the post of the managing director. And I am proud to announce the both of them, please applaud them as they walk up to the podium.”

Christopher’s heart rang heavily as the applause mounted. It felt like his dream has finally come true. And with a nod from Matthew they both stood up at the same time walking stealthily to the podium. Raven had zoned out as the program was beginning to get boring. Hope had gotten up to be at the podium with her husband, Christopher and Matthew who kept the table a bit crowded were also away leaving Raven and Ashley alone on the table.

Raven had started to feel really uncomfortable especially when she remembered what Tiana had told her. To avoid any complications, she attempted to stand up when Ashley held her back.

“A word Raven.” She sounded at ease but with a dubious look on her expression.

Raven had never felt her heart run so fast like it did at the moment. She sat down rigidly. “I don’t want to exchange words with you, Ashley.” She said gently.

Ashley chuckled with a smirk. “I don’t intend to do so either. I just want to talk.” She had been having different thoughts in her head on sighting Raven. It hadn’t come to mind that she would be at the occasion. Her anger had mounted when Raven’s so called friend had had the guts to face her. Her intention was to let Raven loose a bit till she got in touch with Jessica.

Ashley hadn’t given up her search on contacting Jessica. She didn’t want to give her brother’s new wife any benefit of doubt simply because she was certain people of their class had nothing to offer but heartbreaks. And she was hell bent on making her message clear to Raven.

Swallowing what seemed like a lump in her throat, Raven mumbled. “Ok.”

“This is really funny.” Ashley spat in distaste with her face morphed into a vicious sneer. “People of your Calibre really think so highly of yourself. I am still wondering how in the world you got on my brother’s radar-”

“Ashley, you don’t know anything about me.” Raven tried to stop her.

Gritting her teeth with a glare. “Don’t, don’t you dare try to shut me up!” She laughed oddly. “Ok, pardon my manners. Tell me something about you?” Her eyes taunted.

Raven had never felt so small like she felt in the presence of Ashley. Her eyes watered, her lips shaky from the obvious despise coming from Ashley to her.

Ashley let out a taunting laughter. “See? You can’t even defend yourself. For someone who is said to be nice and kind and all sorts. You seem lost to me.” She looked up briefly and sighted Christopher and Matthew getting off the podium. She decided to hasten up her words. “I still won’t sit around and let you stick your dirty feet into my brother’s life. Forget that you both are married, it stands for nothing. The only one I know who is Christopher’s love is Jessica. And I will surely get to the bottom of this, I promise you.”

Raven didn’t even bother to make a direct eye contact with her. She felt embarrassed and was deeply hurt by her sister in law words.

“Come here.” Ashley initiated a hug, seeing both men get closer. She wanted to make it seem like she was trying to make an effort to be friends with her brother’s wife.

Raven stood rigid in her hold. “And that friend of yours tell her to watch her awful mouth and never come in front of me again! That is if she knows what’s good for her. Peasants!” She spat, letting go of her.

Not being able to focus, Raven unintentionally asked. “You mean Tiana?”

“Yes, that’s her name. Tiana.” Ashley laughed scornfully, holding her wine glass to her lips.

Pulling her shaky self up, Raven held onto the table edge. Seeing Christopher walk towards her with his eyes asking where she was headed.

“The restroom!” She said in response to his silent question, moving at a stiff pace as far away as she could get from the devilish stares of Ashley.