CHAPTER 293: HERE ENTERS THE FOURTH ONE

(Author’s POV)

"You haven’t told me your name yet. What may I call you?" Elio asked with earnestness.

The girl smacked her mouth rather animatedly and then replied to Elio’s question, "My name is~ ...." But as she was still in motion, answering Elio’s question, he got a mind link from Dion, "Come near the main gate fast. There is a bit of chaos." At this point, the chatter around them had become louder as well, so it drowned her words out completely.

But still being unaware of what was going on around her, she stated, "My name is Wendy Miracle." She then found Elio was unresponsive, so she called out to him again, "Mr. Elio?"

The mind link ended, and Elio shifted his attention back to Wendy. He started with an apology, "I am really sorry, but I just remembered, I need to be somewhere. Anyways, Miss. It was really nice meeting someone as refreshing and invigorating as you. I really enjoyed our conversation, really, I mean it."

Wendy was a tad bit disappointed. She didn’t want to end the conversation just yet. After all, who wouldn’t want to chat with ’the Elio Everests’, and she was enjoying it too. He wasn’t someone putting on airs or acting high and mighty like most, and had a nice, friendly, affable vibe around him. She felt comfortable talking to him, though in the beginning, she too was hesitant because of his social status.

Reading her expression, he flashed a smile and handed her his personalized card and added, "I will be in Esteria for a couple more days. Let’s hang out sometime then, okay, Miss~ ... Friend," he emphasized on the last word. She accepted his card with both her hands, a captivating, carefree smile gracing her persian red painted lips.

Elio gave her a genuine smile, nodded and then walked off in the direction where the main door was.

The entire scene, Elio and Wendy’s carefree and flowy conversation, their closeness, everything from the beginning to the end, was witnessed by Elisa. She was completely beaten and humiliated today. ’Tskkk ... these disgusting, pesty bugs, always flying around, trying to snatch the nectar, huhh.’

Though many people tried to catch her attention, both male and female, but she was too fixated on the Everests to give anyone even a second glance. And as far as the matter regarding the boys was concerned, nothing was going her way so far. Brave, despite wearing no bracelet, was behaving curtly towards her.

Dion was busy flirting, chatting with other females. And Elio~ ... even someone of his personality was speaking to a stranger, a female at that. And the last and the most difficult nut to crack~ .... Alaric wasn’t even there at the event, or so she thought.

Elio reached at the main gate and saw a huge crowd gathering around a standoffish, hot tempered man, whose face was etched with an expression that said he could wreak havoc at any minute if the crowd didn’t disperse. And that guy was none other than his elder brother, the only missing one, Alaric Everests.

Alaric had entered the venue just a couple of minutes ago, and he looked pissed as hell. What was the reason behind it? Actually, when Fabian and Myra were entering from the side gate, he caught the silhouette of Myra’s side profile.

Without thinking much and with a sense of urgency, he ran after the girl, but as he was sprinting in the lobby, a waiting staff member crashed into him. A champagne glass toppled over from the tray and doused his pristine all black suit jacket. He was dressed much more formally.

The staff was quick to bow their head and apologize, "I am extremely sorry, sir. I am really sorry. Let me help you." He was literally shaking as he tried to wipe Alaric’s jacket nervously.

Alaric was in a hurry, so he said, "No need for this."

But the waiter was adamant, "Please, sir. Let me help you with your coat. I insist." Alaric took off his jacket and tossed it to the waiter, saying, "All yours. I don’t need it anymore," and went inside the room.

As he opened the door, his eyes scanned the entire place in search of that girl. Alex was doing his job as well, trying to trace the unique, mesmerizing scent that Myra emits. It had been too long since he had taken in that sweet odour, but it was still ingrained very much in his memory, or more like it was ingrained in his very being and soul.

Even after trying hard, he couldn’t detect a whiff of her. But still in his heart, he didn’t want to admit that Myra wasn’t here and what he saw was just an illusion. So, he planned to look for her, but as he took a few steps inside, several guests, after recognizing who he was, came flocking towards him.

"Hello, COO Everests, you are finally here," one said.

The other followed, "We all have been waiting for your presence. I am so glad to see you in person, finally."

"Yes, Mr. Everests, Mr. Denver is right. Now, I can finally brag that I have met all the famous Everests siblings," another one commented.

Alaric was in no mood for any chit chat. He and Alex both had an important thing to do, which was to find Myra amongst the crowd, or the girl who looked like Myra. Whether it was her or not, Alaric wanted to be absolutely sure about it.

But as he tried to go, more and more people joined in. After all, they wanted to butter up and flatter the one who had made the redevelopment project in Austenberg a huge success, the one in charge. He had become a sensation in the construction industry. Out of all the brothers, he was the most popular and sought after one amongst the crowd.

So, how could they give up the chance and let him go so easily? Everyone was vying for his attention. For some, he was the next in line to take over the Everests Corporation.

At that very time, Elio and Dion were looking from the side. They could tell by their brother’s cold facial expression that if the guests didn’t stop now, Alaric would erupt any minute. And that would be really bad.

"Excuse me, but I need to see something," Alaric once again tried to escape, his words, although sounding polite but were strained.

"Mr. Alaric, why don’t I make a toast to you?" someone pushy and bold stated.

"No need, I~" he was about to decline again, but was cut off, "That’s not fair, COO Everests. You, along with your brothers and the host, are the star of the event. How can we let you go like that?" Everyone around giggled at this person’s words.

"Uhh ~ohh, he shouldn’t have said that," Dion remarked. "This person, he is in a lot of trouble, right Eli?"

"You are enjoying this, Brother Dion? Let’s go and stop Brother Al before he throws the glass filled with champagne on that person’s face," Elio was worried. They both were well aware of Alaric’s temperament, unlike that person.

They somehow parted the crowd and reached inside. Elio took the glass in his hand, which was offered to Alaric first and said to the person, "Why don’t I drink on my brother’s behalf, hmm, Mr. Evans? Saying this, he gulped down the glass in one go.

Dion then added, "Alaric needs to greet Chairman Larson. I am sure Mr. Evans or anyone else won’t interrupt that, right?"

On the mention of Jacob’s name, the excited guests calmed down a little. Of course, it was a basic courtesy that the first one Alaric would meet would be the host of the event. Seeing that they all had backed off, Dion and Elio, with Alaric, went to greet Jacob.

"Why do you look so pissy today, Al? So pissy, so that you even forget to wear the suit jacket as well, huhh?" Dion questioned.

"I don’t have time for this. You guys go ahead. I need to confirm something," Alaric’s mind was entirely on that girl’s silhouette. The way she walked was just like Myra.

"Confirm what?" Dion and Elio were both puzzled by his words. Then Dion continued, "Al, you know, since yesterday, you have been behaving moody and weird. Is something going on? Is it about the formal meeting?"

"It’s nothing like that. I~ ..." Alaric replied, but was cut off by Dion, "Then what’s the issue?"

Alaric didn’t want to utter anything about Myra without confirming himself. So, he muttered to Alex, ’Let’s just meet Jacob Larson and then I will search for that girl.’

Alex was getting impatient and antsy inside him. But he, too, was aware of the social etiquette. So, he agreed, though reluctantly.

_______________________

On the other side, Wendy was still in a daze, gazing in the direction where Elio had gone.

Yelena, Myra, alongside Fabian approached her as Yelena asked her, clicking her fingers in front of Wendy’s face, "Ayee~ Hey~ ..... Wends, what’s up? Where are you looking at?"

Wendy snapped out of her stunned state and answered, "Ohh~ ... you guys are finally here. But guess what, who did I just have a conversation with?" She seemed excited to tell them.

To Be Continued . . . . . . .