''Mr. JSC, I think you made a mistake with my outfit. Were you going to give it to your girlfriend and it got switched with mine? Are you not afraid people would start to spread rumours about us being a couple after the event? We are wearing matching outfits'' Alice asked as they walked side by side.

Josh stopped and turned to face her, ''I don't have a girlfriend and I don't mind as long as those rumours link us together. Miss Jun, do you have someone who will not be happy seeing us wear matching outfits?''

''No, I don't have such kind of person in my life… either'' Alice said and nodded.

''Then, be my date for today''

''Huh? But…''

''No?''

''No… no, I mean yes… sure'' Alice said and blushed. Even though she was confused, she still nodded.

Josh chuckled and held her hand, walking her inside the private waiting room.

Outside the entrance, Zeya also arrived with her assistant by her side. After posing for a few pictures she also answered some questions from reporters. She looked extremely uncomfortable while doing that but she still kept on a poised smile because of the order she had received from sister Lylia earlier on.

Lylia had asked her to go and also take part in the program so that there won't be rumours about them favouring one artiste and looking down on the other.

Inside the conference auditorium, there was a separate place for the guests, media, businessmen and women, actors and actresses. It made it easier for everyone to be able to locate their seating area more effectively.

When they entered, Mikael led Natalie to the top of the auditorium seat where there were no particular allocation, because it was meant for VIPs, partners of the hotel and other important dignitaries.

''Mikael, you don't have to sit here with me. You can join the businessmen and women's wing. It is important to make new friends at programs like this''

''And leave my wife alone? No chance'' Mikael said, turning to look at her with flirtatious smile, ''you look so beautiful tonight, I am scared to leave you for even a minute. Men are dogs and get attracted to what they see''

''Are you not a man?'' Natalie asked.

''I am a man but I am not a dog because I am your husband''

Natalie's heart skipped a beat. She blushed and looked away. Her eyes scanned the auditorium and she saw two people at a corner. They were wearing black outfit and looked really suspicious, especially the one whose gaze seemed to be towards her.

''We need to get out of here, before someone recognises you, Thomas'' the lady with him said.

''Aurora, she is looking at me. Could she have recognised me? I want to speak to her''

''Not yet, Thomas. This is not the right time. Remember, you promised to follow my orders. There is something else you need to do first before you can appear before them again. The world thinks you are dead, let it remain that way for now'' Aurora replied before going out and Thomas followed. When they got to the door, Thomas bumped into Niania and the things in her hands fell.

''My apologies'' he said and his eyes blinked a few times when he recognised who she was but he covered up his face and walked away.

''What is wrong with him?'' Niania frowned and her body suddenly tensed up, ''wait! Why did he sound just like Mr. Sun?'' Niania shook her head, ''how can that be possible? Mr. Sun is already dead'' Niania picked the things on the floor and walked away.

….

Conner looked at the woman sitting beside him and smiled. His gaze shifted to her feet and he noticed they were shaking. Something she used to do whenever she felt nervous. He couldn't believe he had finally been able to find her after so many years. It felt like just yesterday since the first time they met.

His secretary walked to them and handed over a paper to him before saying something to him. He nodded and took the paper from the lady and turned his gaze back to Kim Xia.

Xia kept pressing her phone, doing nothing in particular with it. She could feel the intense gaze of the man sitting beside her. It made her feel jittery. She sighed deeply and muttered to herself.

''He is not going to ask me about that day, right?

''No, I won't so relax Kim Xia Xia'' Conner said and Xia looked up to meet his gaze. Her face was extremely red. ''You know, you always had a bad habit of speaking out loud whenever you are nervous. Relax, Kim Xia. I promise to not make things hard for you. Here, the list of questions you are supposed to ask me when we go on stage''

Xia snatched the paper from him and muttered, ''hello, do I know you?'' she asked and glared at him before looking at the MC who was speaking at the moment.

Conner's secretary who saw their little exchange furrowed her brows. She scanned Xia and shook her head. She felt she was having wild thoughts. Maybe they just knew each other. Her boss couldn't possibly be attracted to a tomboy reporter.

''Right now, as you can see, we have our CEO Conner Cobbs and Famous Designer, JSC is also here. We also have our newest face of the hotel, Miss Alice Jun. We have a lot of important people here. I will call our CEO, Mr. Conner Cobbs to give us a word'' the MC said and the crowd applauded.

Conner smiled at Xia before standing up to go to the pulpit. Alice caught the little exchange and turned to ask Josh.

''Mr. JSC, why do I feel that your brother and my best friend know each other?''

''Josh. I told you to call me Josh'' Josh said, looking at her.

'We are at a formal gathering; I don't dare to call you by your name. when we are alone, I will call you Josh''

''When we are alone?'' Josh said suggestively but because Alice didn't understand his statement she nodded and asked curiously.

''Is your brother hitting on my friend?''

''Who knows, maybe they knew each other before today. Let's call it their little reunion''

''Is Xia's spring coming up…'' Alice teased, sounding excited.

''You seem happy for her''

''I am an actress and I play different characters all the time but do you know the most fulfilling thing that I find joy in? watching people fall for each other in real life. Not the kind that the movies portray. The kind that, you just feel happy being closed to that. getting to know each other and…'' Alice flushed when she turned to find his gaze on her, ''sorry. I am talking nonsense again. I should concentrate''

Josh smiled and shook his head.

''How have you been?'' Conner suddenly asked and his gaze shifted to Xia at the high table. ''I missed you, so much'' he added and met her gaze before turning to the guests.

Xia clenched her fingers around the bag tightly as she looked at him. Her heart couldn't stop beating as she looked at her. She couldn't help assuming that his words now were directed to her and not the audience. But she also wanted to shake those thoughts away.

Back then, when those girls exposed her for liking him and the whole school wrote malicious comments about her trying to seduce him, he didn't do anything. He seemed to be shocked by the possibility of her liking him back then. It had been the most dreadful situation for her, so she did what she knew best, running away.

''It has been a while since the last time we met like this, right?'' Conner smiled as he continued. ''Black Horse has been with us since our parents started it 15 years ago and it has grown to become one of the most sort after hotel in the whole of Country Z. This is all thanks to everyone who enjoys our excellent services.

The question and answer session will begin soon, so I wouldn't say much because all your questions that you sent in will be asked by the reporter and I shall answer them''

''I am so proud of Xia. This is a big opportunity for her. it will make her more popular and her horizon will be broadening''

''Xia is a capable person. She will go places''

''Mikael, my mind is made up'' Natalie suddenly said and looked at him with a determined gaze.

''You look scary when you talk like that, but… I like it, so tell me''

''I want to be the best jewellery designer ever. I am going to work my way up until I get recognised for my work''

''That is splendid, but the path to that isn't smooth''

''I know, but I don't mind facing those hardships. I will sail through''

''And I will always support you''

''The questions and answers session is about to start. I want to see how Xia will perform''