Chapter 196
Darren’s question totally caught me off guard.
After a brief moment of silence, I heard him again, “Sorry, that was out of the blue.”
Looking at my old classmate’s embarrassed face, I could tell that for someone who always minded his Ps and Qs, he must have been pushed against the wall to make such a request. Recalling the helpless tone in his voice when he gave the call, I asked, “So what exactly do l need to do?”
Darren froze for a second, then he exclaimed in surprise, “Xaviera, you mean you’ll do it?”
His smooth and melodious voice, accompanied by those bright, piercing eyes, made the usually stern and proper guy suddenly seem a bit childlike.
“It’s no biggie,” I said; compared to all the favors Darren had done for me in the past, it was a piece of cake to play a role for him. “Just shoot me the details – the time, place, and any lines I need to watch out for.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than Darren let out a snort of laughter.
Curious, I looked at him and then heard him say, “It’s not that complicated; you just need to stand by my side.”
We agreed to meet at the Vienna Hotel’s tea restaurant tomorrow afternoon at three.
This joint is where all the Rivertown big shots love to gather for high tea, so I thought I’d dress up a bit to show respect. But to my surprise, I got stopped by a waiter as I tried to walk in.
“Miss, please show your membership card.”
I knew this place was’members–only, but since I was here at Darren’s invitation, I obviously. didn’t have a card.
I explained the situation, but the waiter replied in a snooty tone, “Then you’ll need to contact the person you’re meeting and have him come fetch you.
I reluctantly pulled out my phone, but as I was about to make the call, a familiar voice called
out.
“Xaviera, is that really you?”
I turned around to see Hilary, decked out in a classy Chanel suit, staring at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
A hotel waiter was at her side, politely holding her rare crocodile Hermes bag – she was the picture of a lady of leisure.
Sometimes, life’s just full of these weird coincidences.
Seeing me barred from entry, Hilary’s waiter immediately asked, “What seems to be the
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problem with this lady?”
The waiter who had stopped me quickly replied with utmost respect. “She claims to have an appointment but cannot present a membership card for our hotel.”
As he spoke, he glanced timidly at Hilary, and his voice dropped a few decibels, “I wasn’t aware she was meeting Mrs. Zade.”
His tone was clearly filled with fear and trepidation towards someone higher up the social
ladder.
Hilary stepped forward, and said to the waiter beside her, “I need a moment alone with her.”
The two waiters got the hint and discreetly backed off.
Once it was just Hilary and me, she looked at me and asked, “Hogan’s hosting Cecilia and Sibyl here today. Are you here to join in the fun too, Xaviera?”
Her words hit me, and it all clicked.
Thinking back to that meaningful look she gave earlier, I couldn’t help but feel amused and embarrassed.
She probably thought I was here to stir the pot.
Feeling like I had a lump of cotton stuck in my chest, I told her the truth, “You might have gotten the wrong idea. I’ve got my own meeting today.”
“Here?”
Her probing question was met with a skeptical look on her well–maintained face.
Those eyes seemed to be questioning me, “You? Xaviera? Why today of all days?”
