An Inevitable Fate?

Soon it was the day of the company's year-end celebration. Today, they held a banquet for all the business partners and officials. Every year the banquet was organized but it used to be a low-key version. But this time, it was a high-profile celebration.

They had organized the banquet in the Blue Swan Palace, one of the most reputed and luxurious halls. It had many VIP rooms, presidential suites, a large banquet hall, and even a mini club. Since they were going to announce the new project deal which was worth a few billion, they had chosen this magnificent place. The soon to be company partners, who were foreigners, were asked to stay in the presidential suites. The officials and many VIPs were given luxurious rooms.

Along with the company's news, Colin had decided to announce Darren and Rachel's wedding date to everyone. He wanted to make it official. So, it was considered as the most important day.

"Has catering come yet, uncle?" Rachel asked the manager, Mr. Kenly. It was already afternoon, they didn't have much time as the guests would be coming in the evening.

"Yes, they have and everything is ready." He replied. Since day one, he has been working for Colin, so he was familiar with Rachel and Jane.

"Okay, that's good." She saw her watch, it was 4 pm.

"But one problem." Kenly dragged his words to catch Rachel's attention.

"Problem? What problem? Who did it? I will-"

"Oh wait. Who is going to present the company's deal?"

"Me." Rachel frowned.

Why would he ask that? She was the project manager, so of course, she would be presenting it.

"Is it? Like this?" He sighed, seeing her.

She was in her casual shorts and a blue button-down blouse.

"Look at you, your dress, with your messy bun and flipflops, you look like a girl who has come straight from the bed. Aren't you going to change?"

He seriously didn't understand this girl. It was getting late for the event and here she was, still inspecting the place, hundredth time.

"Of course, I will change." Rachel laughed.

"Then, you better hurry up. Other girls would have been spending the whole day to get ready. What is wrong with you?" He shook his head.

"Okay, stop nagging, uncle. I will leave now." She bent forward and whispered.

"But you are not any better than me!" She laughed and went off before he could hit her.

Kenly looked down to see his dress. He was in tracksuit and running shoes.

"Ahem." He coughed to hide his embarrassment.

Rachel soon reached the mansion and went to her room. After taking a shower, she did her make-up. She dried her hair and did loose curls. Now that her make-up was done, she wore the dress and heels. With a matching clutch in her hand, she made her way out of the room.

When she reached downstairs, she saw her dad, Collin in his black suit with a bold red tie. His clack shoes were shining due to the light. He looked a lot younger than before.

"Wow, dad, you look handsome!" Rachel praised him.

He adjusted his tie and held his chin up.

"From that time, he is acting like a proud peac.o.c.k. Don't make this old peac.o.c.k fly even more." Her mom said in disdain.

"What is wrong in being proud. Ours is the first company in this country to establish a partnership with the McSweeney company. We all should be proud of him. Right, dad?"

She held his arm and spoke enthusiastically.

"That's my daughter. Some people are just jealous of my looks. Hmph!" Gabriel's mouth twitched.

"Old man, I am warning you, behave yourself in the banquet. Just because I am not coming with you, doesn't mean that you can go fooling around. Got it?"

She narrowed her eyes. She never attended the year-end banquets as it was nothing but pure business.

"I don't need you to remind me. But, don't regret not coming!" He scoffed and thought,

'What does she take me for? If someone hears her, they will think of me as some flirtatious person.'

"Ha! Why will I regret? As if it is some entertaining event. All you people do is exchange greetings, give speeches, make deals, and smile at each other even if you don't know who the other person is. Oh, I almost forgot, drinking is mandatory for giving fake smiles. Haha, right?"

There was a moment of silence.

"I hate to admit it, but, it's true," Collin said with his head hung low. He looked like a kid who got scoldings.

Rachel laughed but soon covered her mouth when her dad glared at her.

"Ha! Go by yourselves, I will never regret it." She turned her face, haughtily.

"Oh, we will see!" Collin smirked.

Gabriel was not told about the wedding announcement. Not only her, including Rachel, no one knew about this. Hence, he said to her not to regret it.

But he didn't know that he, himself would be regretting this day later.