Chapter 12

*AURORA* After presenting my gift to Mrs Dumont, Lucien and I walked to where our table was located. No one was seated yet do we had to wait on the sidelines. His cellphone rang out. “I have to take this.”He said to me. I nodded and watched him walked away. I knew it was Carla calling. It didn’t bother me. I had genuinely lost all interest in being with him. I kept myself entertained by admiring the antiques inside the banquet hall. A blue and white porcelain, probably from the 80s was a jaw-dropping sight. At that moment, a young lady walked up to me. “You’re Mrs Sullivan, right?” I nodded.”How may I help you?” “I’m Allegra Montes, the daughter of the Montes family, as you know, we own the biggest perfume company in the country, I heard you make unique fragrances, I’d like to buy some from you. Name your price.” I smiled, politely at her.”I only enjoy formulating different fragrances for now. I’ve not monetized it yet but if I have time, I could teach you how I make my perfumes. Since your family own the biggest perfume company, you must already have interest in it, so I’m sure the little teachings I can give you would help you come up with new fragrances.” The lady smiled at me.”Thank you so much, let me have your contact details.” I had just humbly wanted to tell her a secret or two that I knew but before I could blink, a lot of ladies gathered around me, all wanting my contact details. Was every young lady in this party suddenly interested in making perfumes now? ******************** Isobel watched in disgust as ladies swarm around Aurora. Her mother, Hannah scoffed. “So they all want to make perfumes and send to Mrs Dumont now? They’re so desperate.” Isobel crossed her arms.”I can’t believe so many of them want to become Manuel Dumont’s wife. This is such a tough competition. But I can’t back down. Afterall, I don’t believe that Mrs Dumont can force her son to marry anyone. The one I should focus on winning is Manuel himself. I am sure he wouldn’t like these spoilt brats. He would want someone like me, if he finds out about my past, he’d find me the most humble of them all. People might call it fairytales but I strongly believe that a man like him wants a calm and humble Cinderella, not these brats who have been spoilt rotten by their parents.”She sneered. Hannah stared at her daughter.”I thought you hated being raised by Diego. Why are you sort of glorifying it now?” Isobel sighed.”I am not, mom. I love my life now and I’d have preferred I grew up with you and not have Aurora take my place. But I want to look at the bright side now, maybe we were switched for a purpose, maybe my terrible past would help in winning Manuel’s heart.” Her mother nodded in understanding. “You don’t have to worry, my dear. I haven’t done much for you since we were separated for so long but this time, I am going to make sure you get what you deserve. But I don’t want you to get your hopes up on this. As much as you want a rich man like Manuel, you should also keep your options open to other wealthy men, I can arrange blind dates for you.” Isobel eyed her.”Aren’t you supposed to be cheering me on as my mother?” “I was before we got here and I still want to. Even if our family is considered one of the top families in the country but compared to these other ladies here, it is quite a competition. Manuel might not easily take notice of you.” Even if Hannah didn’t want to tell her daughter this, she felt that Isobel’s theory of seeing Manuel as a prince who would choose her as Cinderella was unrealistic. Isobel scoffed.”I’m keeping my hopes high because I know Manuel is going to like me.” Hannah shook her head, helplessly. ********************** *AURORA* Soon, I got to know that the ladies only wanted to learn about perfumes so they could make some for Mrs Dumont. Apparently, they all had eyes for her son. I found that quite concerning though. Was he the only man left on earth? They were literally so many other bachelors in the hall but the ladies barely paid any mind to them. They were all awaiting the arrival of Manuel Dumont. As I stood in their midst, I heard them shower praises on him. Some of them who had met him at functions before described him as a god in human form. I personally felt it was too excessive to describe someone like that. Fine, I get it, he’s the heir of the wealthiest family in the country but do they seriously have to gush over him like this? All in all, it kept me entertained and I could only hope Lucien and I would be able to have the opportunity to speak to Manuel about the project. “Announcing the arrival of Sir Manuel Dumont!” A loud voice sounded. The entire hall fell silent. Oh boy, this man must definitely feel like a god. Everyone was literally treating him like one. The big doors opened and I curiously looked forward. I mean, I need to see the man that had the ladies losing their minds, had the men jealous and the elders so respectful of him. I caught sight of his long legs first, the man was tall. He was dressed in a formal, high-end customized suit with a dark blue tie. A potent aura of raw sexuality and gorgeousness surrounded him,he was the most elusive and sought-after bachelor in Spain.His hands were thrust deep into the pocket of his expertly tailored suit trousers. Manuel Dumont was a truly magnificent specimen of virile masculinity. And when my gaze landed on his face, I had to admit. He was worth the hype. Hell, the hype didn’t do justice to his looks. I can’t even find the right words to describe how handsome he was. His handsomeness was overwhelming. But the more I stared at his face, the more familiar he seemed to me. No. I have never met this man before. Suddenly, a memory flashed through my head. A memory of a man coming to sit on the bar stand…we agreeing to spend the night together. We had walked to a nearby hotel together and I had been fidgeting the whole time, wondering if I really wanted to sleep with a stranger. At the hotel room…giving him money. Realization dawned on me and I gasped, loudly, I quickly placed my palm over my mouth. Luckily, everyone around me were too focused on Manuel to notice. Shockwaves rolled through my body. I had met Manuel Dumont last night! I had given him 10 million, to discard him like a prostitute that I had changed my mind about sleeping with. Oh God!