Illana wore a black dress with a high slit and an open back, a pearl necklace circling her slender neck and accentuating her beautiful collarbone.
Her long, wavy black hair cascaded down her back. Illana looked like a shining light, drawing attention from everyone around her. She smiled warmly, completing her perfect appearance.
Men of all ages, younger or older, would greet her, and Illana had to respond politely and courteously.
"My father couldn't attend tonight due to some business in Norway, he'll be here next time." She replied to Samuel's colleague who came with his wife.
"Mrs. Moana looks beautiful."
"Goodness," the woman in her fifties in front of Illana blushed, her cheeks growing redder after hearing the compliment.
"It's true, being complimented by a man is one thing, but hearing it from another woman is like having butterflies in my stomach, isn't it?"
They laughed softly, exchanging compliments before someone interrupted their warm moment.
"Ah, Mr. Steve and his wife."
Illana remained calm, but she read the situation and walked away without looking back.
"We can catch up later, Mrs. Moana."
"Of course, Illana."
The woman went to find her seat, each round table having assigned seats, Illana hoped she wouldn't sit with anyone she didn't want to.
"I'm lucky the seats around me are safe from unwanted company."
The seats were still empty, so Illana checked the name tags on the table, feeling quite calm and hoping the woman would have a good time until the event ended.
Meanwhile, from the main entrance, Mark entered with Deborah, they looked affectionate and happy, like a newlywed couple, without caring about Mark's previous divorce gossip.
"Mark, come here."
Mark joined Steve, discussing business and potential collaborations, many CEOs mingled at the charity event tonight, whether rivals or colleagues, all gathered in the grand building.
Interestingly, when someone spotted Lucas, they dispersed and looked for their seats.
Most businesspeople were wary of the mafia man, as if Lucas could mention their hidden sins or cheating just by looking at them for a few seconds.
He was like the ruler of this city. Not many people knew that the brotherly relationship between Steve and Lucas had strained since Steve's betrayal.
"Ah, I didn't expect to sit next to the owner of Cinnamon."
The voice made Illana turn around, she smiled finding a woman in her early thirties seemingly pulling the empty chair to her right.
"You wouldn't mind if I sit here, would you?"
"Of course not, it's your seat. You're the owner."
"Ah, very kind. You're so kind, Miss Illana, not like what many people say about you."
Illana tried to think about it, she didn't recognize the woman, from many colleagues she had met or done business with, this face was the first time she saw.
"Is that so? I'm curious about what others say, although it's not a problem if anyone gossips."
"Of course, I'll tell you directly, especially since we're sitting at the same table, it's like having a coffee agenda between women."
"Yes, you're right, Miss..." She glanced at the name tag on the table in front of the woman. "Miss Grace Eddison."
"Previously, they were talking about the arrogant and cold attitude you've always shown in front of many people, and your recent divorce. Should I continue? Are you sure you want to hear more?"
Illana nodded, she was ready to respond to anything, and the conversation between them flowed like water.
At least Illana felt lucky because someone had managed to dispel some of her boredom when she sat next to him.
More than half an hour into the charity auction, the man with a sun tattoo on the back of his neck decided to step out of the building to smoke a cigarette.
He leaned against one of the tall pillars that lined the roof of the building outside. Then, ten minutes later, a woman followed him out in a hurry, as if she was avoiding something that was chasing her.
She only slowed down when she reached her car in the parking area, her body bent forward, her right hand touching the door, while her left hand pressed against her chest. Something inside her felt extremely painful, making her cry.
The man with the sun tattoo watched silently. When he was sure of the person's posture, he threw away his cigarette butt, stepped on it, and walked towards the woman while removing his maroon jacket and placing it on her bare back.
"Illana, why don't you get into your car? It's quite cold outside, you should get in and protect your body."
Illana was startled, she hadn't realized that there was someone around her. When she turned around, she was surprised to see Lucas standing behind her, but Lucas was more surprised because the woman was crying.
"Illana, what happened to you that made you cry, huh? Did someone inside do this?"
Illana refused to answer, seeing Lucas made her cry even harder, as if the pain she felt wanted big attention from others.
Illana bent forward again, her sobs now audible.
"Hey, calm down." Lucas looked towards the lobby, but no one came out after the woman. "Calm down, even though I don't know the reason behind your situation, I hope you can hide it a bit, so others won't see you like this."
Illana remained silent, she just took out the keys from her large purse, and Lucas understood what she wanted.
He opened the door for Illana, adjusting his hands so that Illana's head wouldn't hit anything, treating the sorrowful woman with great care.
Without saying a word, Lucas stepped on the gas pedal, taking Illana's body away from this place, he had successfully read the situation without having to force Illana to explain it.
"Do you want to go back to your apartment?" Illana just shook her head. "Alright, I'll take you to a place that can make you feel calm. Please be patient for a moment, Illana."
He pulled out some tissues, handing them to her. "Also, you can wipe away your tears without worrying about anything. Maybe because I've seen too many crazy and violent situations, I've become desensitized to seeing someone cry, but because it's you, I'll try my best to be gentle. Hopefully, you won't mind my actions."
***