A Lavender Yuletide

Ruelle~

Sometimes it leaves me in wonder how I make decisions only to regret over them in silence.

Public statements didn't unnerve me, though they did leave me on edge. The slightest bit of anxiety would sneak in when I'd lose control of my emotions and that small slip was something I did not like.

I had decided to publicly announce the opening of the 63rd branch of Ardor across the continent. If that wasn't enough, I had agreed to give a speech to show how elated I was about the news.

I was more than elated but there was no need for people who would entertain themselves on seeing me stumble on my own two feet know.

"My my, aren't you looking like the perfect catch in the single market?"

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I gave a bored look to my nana who swatted her hand in the air only gushing around me with words of utmost praises and prayers to get rid of any unwanted eyes.

"You say that every time."

To my monotonous words, she kissed my cheeks and patted my back. Her wrinkled hands were anything but frail and the white hair she harbored with pride would let anyone mistake her age for less than 65.

"Because you look like an angel."

I heard a faint snicker from somewhere behind me and glancing back at the mirror, I raised an eyebrow at my assistant who straightened on sensing my gaze and smiled sheepishly.

Angel.

It was a funny word.

If you look good, you're an angel.

But what was good?

That we may never really know.

"Ma'am, the event starts at ten. It'll be better if we leave now."

Giving a nod to Louis, I turned to the side to check myself one last time in the mirror. I did not like being coddled and touched, the reason why I opted to get ready on my own.

Owning a fashion brand with a skyrocketing reputation should surely give away enough of my fashion sense.

The black form-fitting gown made my light dusky skin sparkle, an added benefit of the diamonds embedded on a golden plate on the chest region. The leather belt around my waist divided the material from transparent to the translucent chiffon length of the dress that ended past my feet. A long slit showed a good inch of my left leg till my mid-thigh. Knee-high-heeled black boots balanced the feminine touch with a hint of my usual aura.

Nana had insisted that I put on the diamond studs that true to her words looked good enough. My fingers as usual were adorned with rings and my left wrist was covered with Fossil Jacqueline's latest watch.

I especially liked dressing up— to admire myself.

"Lead the way."

Louis gave an excited nod because, for some reason, such functions were his favorite part of being my secretary. What was so good about being surrounded by biting shadows and two-faced dolls was something I could not comprehend.

Nana walked ahead of me, talking animatedly with Louis who made sure to keep her entertained. A small smile touched my lips seeing their interaction. No matter how the world portrayed my small family circle, it didn't dull the love I have for them.

Nodding at my head of security, Jose, I got in the white-tinted Volvo. Nana got in from the other side while Louis sat in the passenger seat beside Jose.

Louis briefed me about the guests and the approximate paparazzi that were given entry to the venue. My experience with the media has left a mark that strengthened my resolve to keep them at arm's distance.

I respect every profession but when it came to the media, I wasn't ashamed to say that I was biased- all for legitimate reasons.

"Oh.."

The hesitant exclamation made me glance at Louis. His eyes were fixed on the iPad screen and long gone was the excitement. He resembled a nervous deer as he looked my way. Raising a stern eyebrow at him, I watched silently as he chuckled and cleared his throat, murmuring incoherent words to himself and successfully testing my patience.

"Louis."

My words were void of any emotion but he knew well enough what I implied.

"W-well, you see, there's a small mishap."

"Mishap?"

It was Nana who questioned him. My nonchalant gaze turned into narrowed slits when he wouldn't say anything else, simply staring helplessly at the iPad as though asking it to speak on his behalf.

With an irritated breath, I snatched the device from his hand to which he shrieked, caught off-guard by the action.

The screen showed the guests that were invited and with furrowed eyebrows I scrolled down the list, unable to find a fault until a certain name caught my attention.

My grip on the device turned from casual to agitated the more I stared at the name, hoping for it to disappear but it never did. Keeping it on my lap, my eyes found Louis who was now fumbling on his seat and I did not miss the discreet move he made towards the door handle.

"How?"

I saw Nana frowning at the edge in my tone. She took hold of the device to see what was wrong. It wasn't long before I heard her taking a deep breath.

"I-I don't know. I- I swear, I asked Melli-"

"I ordered you to make the list, not anyone else."

His eyes met mine for a split second and they were laden with guilt.

"I-I thought a l-little bit of help-"

"You-"

"Rue."

Taking in a harsh breath, I gave Nana a look which she returned with equal intensity. We shared more than a few traits and anyone who knew us knew well that the feistiness in my blood was a gift from my Nana.

"Louis, it's alright. Mistakes happen."

"It's not alright."

"Behave."