"This is the first time, I saw you flattering someone, quite impressive."

He was laughing at how I blarneyed Mrs. Salvadge, I too smiled playfully at Elijah's words, "I was just following the route, you know these people-" I pointed toward the crowd and burlesquing Elijah's way of saying, " -rich people- they are used to listening good about them, so they don't like when someone tells them otherwise or disregards them."

It's no hidden fact how much Nicholas Salvadge appreciates and loves his wife, offending her means disrespecting his husband. So after a pause, I continued, "Now, why would I want to spoil my association with Mr. Slavadge."

"But you still deliberately disregarded him? Didn't you?" With a taunting smile, he added, while staring at me with his raised hazel eyes.

At Elijah's baseless accusation, I raised a brow at him. I know who he was talking about -Aris Salvadge. Now, why would I ignore him -No- but the question should be, why should I give my attention to him?

Yeah, I know, I followed him around for about three years -gosh, how did I do that- so I thought that seeing him face-to-face, I would feel something, like a sudden rise of heartbeat, or my heart would skip a beat or something like that but nothing happened, Nah. Not a single fluctuation in emotion, it was just like countless men I meet and see in the business meetings, empty regard. I guess that was truly just that -an infatuation- and what happened and what my past self saw was enough to get over it.

"His father was whom I'm familiar with, so there was no point in talking to him," I offhandedly shrugged and took my wine glass, a soft smile appeared on my face as I took a sip. "Besides, have you seen his face? It's written clear and wide, 'I know who I'm and I don't need you to tell me, so just'," I showed him my middle finger to complete the sentence, at which he just laughed and agreed with a nod.

Slightly shaking his head, Elijah stated, "And here I always thought you don't know how to socialize, you just don't want to."

That much Elijha's right about -I don't want to- he may not know but I have done quite of a lot of socializing and greeting with these people, but all they did was scorn at my face and condition, I don't blame them and I have no right to. This is in the nature of things, that's how this world works. In a time of need without benefits, they won't even help their friend or even brother and I was no one to them. With one look, I can recognize quite a lot of snakes, I didn't associate my company with them nor I will in the future, they're no less than scum no matter how expensive their dresses are.

That's why I don't believe in connections or earning resources anymore, I have always strived to make Allgaier Corporation stand on its own. I want Kai to do the same, no one can help when you truly need it, so it's only our feet we can stand on, our own power we can depend on, and our own strength we can lean on, make yourself so strong that no one can dare to shake your base. So they can assume as much arrogant they want I'm. First, I don't care and second, I'm arrogant. So what? I have learned & worked not to depend on people and I'm proud of it. They can't even think of touching me or Allgaier Corporation, and this is only the beginning, the future is yet to come.

My eyes flickered toward Elijah, come to think of it, I wonder why Elijah didn't greet Aris Slavadge, he's working with him he should have met him, Elijah was standing at my right, while he was few steps far on the right side, but Elijah did saw him. "Why didn't you greet Mr. Aris Slavadge, isn't his company sponsoring you?"

"Yeah, at first I also didn't notice him, later I thought it was unnecessary, we would eventually meet." I nodded, and I also noticed how when Nicholas Slavadge came, he tried to disappear himself, I assume, Elijah thought he came to meet me and his presence was not needed, this guy.

"Okay, but you tell me, why are you here, you're a celebrity, go ahead and meet people," It's understandable why I'm standing here, but Elijah is no less than a celebrity even more famed and idolized, I can see countless women sending him coy glances, and also subtle ones toward me, for keeping him with me. I pity them, really, because even if I wasn't holding here with him, I think he still wouldn't have given these gorgeous women or men alike any glance. As far as I have come to know Elijah's likes, he's a simple man so he likes simple people, probably not so high-end like here.

"Is it strange to spend all the party standing here?" he asked, instead of responding, with a thoughtful look.

"I don't know, you tell me, as you know it's my first time attending such a party." Well, second time attending this party, but he doesn't need to know.

"I have also never stood at one place the whole party, let's test this today, okay?"

No commenting further at his silly ways, I just nodded. I know why he changed the topic, Elijah's not fond of social gatherings but he knows how to treat people and whom to associate himself with, in other words as he attends a lot of parties so, he can be sociable when needed. But today he was here to just accompany me and don't want to leave my side because he knows without someone's company I will alone stand here, and not even feel awkward even if I have to stand alone the whole night, I'll gladly do so.

I would prefer to stay alone than to meet these people, in these years I have enlightened myself with this stubbornness, I don't really need people to make myself assured. Why can't you stand alone at the party? Why force yourself to smile and bear their words when you don't want to or cursing them inside. Better than this double-face thing, I prefer this lone-thing. I don't care how people see me, they can assume, predict, think, whatever they want.

Elijah's iPhone made a sound, after checking it when he looked up again, he started searching for someone in the crowd, "What is it?"

"Where are Ben and Nayla?"

"I don't know, somewhere here, enjoying the party and socializing on my behalf."

Elijah once again tried to identify them in hundreds of people in front of us, but it was useless, before he could call any one of them I interpreted, "Don't disturb them If you want to go, go ahead."

"Yeah...Nial Delton, wants me to meet him, greet some people, you know, the launch of car's quite big."

Nodding my head in understanding, I urged him, "Go then, don't be annoying, and make me force you."

He sighed, knowing too well that I'll kick him if I have to convince him to leave, that extra words will annoy me and he has to bear its consequences. "Okay, don't drink too much and just...be less rude if someone dared enough to approach you."

At his words, I titled my head like an obedient child and mocked, "Okay, mother-hen."

At my words, he smiled at me and turned to disappear in the crowd, I once again comfortably leaned against the counter, although there were wooden chairs and furniture to sit, going well with the interior but I don't mind standing. I'm just waiting for Nicholas Salvadge to make an official announcement of his retirement and merging companies, then I would leave. At first, I thought, I would just leave after showing my face to him but on a second thought without attending the main point of the party that would be considered rude, I just respect that old man, probably the only man in the business world who I sincerely respect and regard so I can do this for him.

"Miss Ciarve, allow me to introduce myself."

When another unfamiliar voice interrupted my thoughts, I raised my eyes to see the man, staring at me with an obvious fake and wide smile, oh, how could I forget that my past self also met him here. This party was quite a tragic turning point in my past life, but now, I would have laughed out loud at my calamity if not for the man in front of me, that I know quite well. Should I call this fate or coincidence, that out of all people only he came forward and we still meet but I'm glad this time -it's he who wants to introduce himself.

"Please," was my amiable response at his kind request.

Hearing my word, his wide smile incredibly stretched, "Robert Smith, Co-CEO of Xit Corporation."

Twirling my glass, I asked him with an edgy arrogance in my words, "Oh, do I also have to introduce myself?"

His smile wavered for a second, but he quickly nodded, "Of course not, how could I not know the CEO of Allgaier Corporation."

My past self had to tell him my name again and again, "Good."

At my short response, a sudden ponderous silence fell between us which was not slightly bothersome for me but the man in front of me. He started fidgetting, I can notice his nervous eyes moving, finding words to continue the conversation, while I just stood there nonchalantly pretending to take a sip from my wine, I have already sipped enough, I need to stop filling my stomach before it starts disrupting my senses.

"I saw you standing alone, so I thought why not get familiarize with each other," He tried once again with his wide smile. Although I was way, way younger than him, my status was still high than him, he truly has the guts to directly jumping to his purpose without making further worthless words.

"I was not alone, I was enjoying my own company and wine."

Then you should have stayed home, who enjoys their own company at a party?

That's what he should say but I know he won't, he doesn't have courage. A person who's here to have a good impression on me so I could maybe think of having a contract with their measly company. He won't say anything to offend me, he's in no position.

I was giving him the idea that I was not quite thrilled to meet him, I can see the frustration that filled his eyes, but he still somehow managed to hold his smile, "Oh...well, I was thinking, after this party, if we could meet somewhere else. You know...and maybe discuss business."

I guess he couldn't control his eagerness, at his world a smile appeared on my lips, "Sure, give your card to my assistant."

At my sure, the relief that filled his voice was crushed by the word assistant, he looked around me, but there was no one near me, except some people steps away from me enjoying their own drink. "Assistant? But where's he?"

I raised a brow at him, and then waved my left hand toward the crowd, "Somewhere."

His fists clenched at his sides, frustration combined with his fake smile, I can see he figured out that in other words, I was telling him to get lost. He gave me one last stiff smile, "Very well," with that he turned and mixed with the people he came from.

I know how selfish he can be and for his benefit can cross every limit, even if he has to find my assistant in such a crowd, he will. How amussing~

In past years, the thought of this man never crossed my mind, I would have forgotten his existence if not for making himself appear in front of me, again at this party.

That man was none other than my biological -wait- Is it appropriate to call him father? Won't it be an insult to the whole father thing? Well, what can I do if he's one, let just stick with what he is; sperm-giver.

I don't exactly recall how my mother's relationship was with this man, from the faint memories I have, he never stayed with us just visited us occasionally from time to time, and then one day he never returned. The man who left me and my mother when I was four, it's no wonder that he doesn't even remember what I look like. When my past self saw him, she recognized him, even if I was four, I had his picture which I kept. So I never forgot how he looked, and when I met him again, it didn't take long after hearing his name to recognize him, but he didn't. For him, I was a useless thing that he left behind for a good life, a good for nothing sperm that he wasted, and when he left I was Allea Robert Smith, thank God my mother changed my name and also that my features resemble my mother.

He never turned to have a look at us or how we have been all the past years, what funny is, he doesn't even remember my mother, after meeting him in the last life I realized that he had even forgotten that he had a daughter or a woman that once loved him -or that he just pretended to forget. I don't know which one, but one thing I know is that when my stupid old self recognized him, she foolishly went to greet him and repeated her name again and again but he still didn't show any signs of acknowledging me. I know for a fact that after my many proclamations it was unlikely that he didn't recollect -that yes he maybe had a daughter years ago- but surely admitted to forgetting in front of his wife and children.

Later, I even went to his company to beg for help, but he did nothing, like others, he too scorned me. What hurt that time was: I never counted him as others- My past self hated him when he too acted like the ones insulting me, I cried a lot, but now, I don't feel anything for him, not even disgust or dislike. How could I? Once I was just like him, selfish to fulfill my needs, wanted to have everything, no matter how detestable and sickening it may feel but the same blood run inside him and me. His parsimonious self was just trying his best to have a good life, did what he thought was good for him, even if he was wrong he never considered himself one. Who corrupt person likes to admit that he's wrong? His conscience won't allow and slowly all -including wrong- starts becoming right.

Well, as for my mother, she never told me about her relationship with him, she even once scolded me harshly when I showed her his picture and tore it, I was eleven then. But one thing I understood was that my mother loved this man, she left her family and everything behind for him, but he never considered her anything in his life. When my mother became Mrs. Allgaier she could have easily appeared in front of him and gloat, but she didn't. She never wanted to see him again, maybe that's why they didn't cross paths, and with time -eventually- his existence too became nothing in her life. Instead of getting back at him, my mother chose to focus on herself, getting over him and raising her daughter. That's also why I don't want to associate myself with him in any way.

If my mother chose to let him go, then who am I to hold anything deep against him, but...there's nothing wrong in playing with him a little for amusement.

Not wanting to think further about him, I shrugged off his thoughts and took a light sip of wine.

"Miss Ciarve?"

I once again came out of my world when a well-suited man called my name respectfully, with one glance at him, I recognized who he was and restrained from rolling my eyes because I know he wouldn't have something good to say and I was right.

"Mr. Salvadge was hoping if you could accompany him greeting some guests." I subtly sighed at Nicholas Slavedges' assistant words.

I have always tried to have just business relations with Nicholas Slavadge but he always tries to be super friendly and itching to guide me. He's a kind old man, in the past years whenever shareholders stood against my decision which they considered reckless keeping in mind my 'young inexperienced age, Nicholas Salvadge stood on my side. He considers himself some kind of a mentor of mine, for what I greatly respect him -but this was unasked- only because I respect him, therefore, I refrain from telling him otherwise and tries to follow his words. But have never been able to tell him, that he doesn't have to feel the forced need to guide me in any way. And I'm still struggling to find a respectful -not to hurt his feelings- way to decline his support, therefore, I always have to follow along with his words.

Nodding at the assistant's words, who was waiting for me, I told him to lead the way.