Chapter 99 WHOSE MAN IS THAT?!
The evening air was filled with laughter, chatter, and distant music at the legendary Prestigious School's outdoor garden.
Decorated with a large budget, a red carpet, a glow-up photo stand, a pool, and an archery target with your worst teacher's picture, many interesting and fun activities were available at the event.
The guests and former classmates were already mingling, sipping drinks, and greeting each other excitedly.
The huge hotel, where they would all be spending the night, was a new project sponsored by Beyoncé. Beautifully lit, it made the perfect backdrop for the reunion party.
At the entrance, Beyoncé sat confidently on a plush chair, directing the flow of guests. Dressed in a sparkling, fitted sequin gown worth millions, she looked every bit the queen of the night. Of course, the award for the most expensive and well-dressed would be hers.
Her closest friend, Aliyah, equally stylish, sat by her side with a judgmental look. Heavily pregnant, she flaunted a sparkling diamond wedding ring on her finger. A small cat lay on her protruding tummy as she gently petted the soft animal.
A young man, his arm proudly wrapped around a smiling woman, approached the entry desk with an eager look.
"Welcome to the Class of 2014 reunion!" Beyoncé said, forcing a broad smile.
"Thanks," the man replied politely.
His wife handed Beyoncé a printout of her invitation as their entry ticket.
Beyoncé's eyes slid over them, sizing up their outfits with barely concealed judgment.
"Oh my God, I just love your dress," she said, giving the woman a once-over.
The lady smiled shyly, clearly flattered.
"Aww, thanks, Beyoncé! It's me, Felicia! Remember me?"
Beyoncé paused for a beat, feigning a moment of recognition. Then she widened her eyes dramatically, her smile stretching even wider.
"Felicia! Of course, I remember you!" she exclaimed, laying it on thick. "Wow, girl, what a glow-up!" She winked.
Felicia blushed, smiling proudly as she clutched her man's arm a little tighter.
"Thank you! That means a lot coming from you."
"Totally! You're killing it!" Beyoncé replied, handing them little gift bags. "Everything you need is in there. Enjoy!"
She waved them through with a bright grin, watching them walk off into the glowing lights of the mansion.
The second they were out of earshot, her smile dropped like a rock.
"Who was that? I definitely don't remember that church rat. Those were the ugliest pieces of fabric I've seen since New Year's. That dress is straight out of 2010, and not in a good way. I bet that guy regrets every second of his life with her. Poor thing."
She cast a mocking glance over at them as they disappeared into the crowd.
"Are you serious? I almost burst into laughter when I saw her," Aliyah snapped, drinking from her water bottle.
"Some people just never grow out of their high school phase. It's like, come on, it's been years. Still stuck in that tragic, outdated fashion." Beyoncé groaned, rolling her eyes.
"She looks better now, to be honest. Felicia was the ugliest in class back then."
"No, Fatty was the ugliest. No one comes close."
"She's just fat... I don't know. She was really pretty. I know you hate her, but she's kinda pretty, you know."
Beyoncé rolled her eyes. "I said she's ugly, so she's ugly."
"Yes, ma'am." Aliyah snapped, and they both laughed.
"Shh, someone's coming," Beyoncé alerted her friend as they masked their faces to welcome the next couple.
The couple approached them, wearing matching outfits, and this time Beyoncé didn't even bother to hide her smirk.
"Matching outfits? Really? What are they, twelve?" she muttered under her breath, loud enough for her friend to hear but quiet enough for the couple to remain oblivious.
"Welcome to the Class of 2014 reunion. Nice to see you again!" Her smile stretched wide as she greeted them.
"Thanks," they replied at the same time and chuckled at that.
The guy handed Beyoncé his invitation.
"Luke! Wow, you look great. Your wife is beautiful! So nice to meet her," she said brightly.
"My girlfriend, actually, but thanks for the compliment," he corrected her politely.
"You're welcome. Have this," Beyoncé said, handing them their gift bags.
As soon as they passed, Beyoncé turned to her friend and whispered, "They look like they came straight from a discount store or a clearance rack. God, does no one try anymore?"
Aliyah laughed out loud, still petting her cat.
"I'm yet to see that fatty woman... Do you think she'll come?" Aliyah asked, scanning the parking lot for any sign of Beauty.
Beyoncé scoffed, and her friend laughed at her reaction.
"You guys have similar names, you know," Aliyah teased.
"Quit the joke. Don't compare me with that clown. She better attend this party. I have a surprise for her," Beyoncé smirked.
"Well, isn't it obvious she couldn't find a date? She's scared to come alone. Who'd want to show up solo to a party like this?" Aliyah shrugged.
Just then, they were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling into the parking lot. It caught everyone's attention, and they watched curiously, eager to see who the successful classmate might be.
A sleek, shiny limousine, with its polished surface gleaming in the lights, rolled in.
"That's definitely not something an average millionaire can pull off!"
A voice said from
Beyoncé and her friend turned their heads, eager to see who was inside.
"Oh my gosh! Beyoncé, are you seeing this? One of our guys hit the jackpot," Aliyah exclaimed.
"None of our male classmates could pull that off. They're all broke! The real question is, whose man is that?" Beyoncé whispered with envy.
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Chapter 100 ANTICIPATION
EAST ASIA
Shelley walked into the house, her footsteps heavy and her face clouded with frustration. She dropped her bag by the door with a sigh and made her way into the living room, where her mother sat comfortably on the couch, knitting.
The rhythmic click of needles filled the cozy room as her mother hummed softly to herself.
"Good evening, Mom," Shelley said, walking straight to the refrigerator to get herself a cold drink.
Her mother looked up from her knitting and smiled warmly at her daughter.
"You're home early," she noted, her fingers still working skillfully through the yarn.
Shelley said nothing and kept gulping down the water like she had been deprived of fluids for a lifetime.
"What's wrong, Shelley? You look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders," her mother asked again.
Shelley stopped drinking and sighed. She put the bottle of water back into the fridge and walked to the couch, her shoulders slumping as she sat down beside her mother.
"The meeting with Mr. Bruno of F&F Fashion got postponed," she said, frustration clear in her voice. "Our manager just told us this afternoon. I've been looking forward to it for weeks, and now it's just... delayed."
She waved her hands in frustration. "Again!"
Her mother paused her knitting, setting the needles down gently in her lap.
"Oh, sweetheart, I know how much you were looking forward to that. But these things happen. Postponing a meeting doesn't mean the opportunity is gone."
Shelley rubbed her forehead in frustration.
"I know. I just... I really wanted to meet Mr. Bruno in person. You know I've been dying to meet him for so long. Now I have to wait even longer. Who knows if it's even going to happen? The company management is just playing us so we can put in more effort."
Her mother smiled and resumed her knitting.
"Well, if you're so eager to meet Mr. Bruno," she said with a hint of sadness in her eyes, "why not go to America? You could visit him there. It would be a double blessing-a business trip and a family reunion. Your family lives in America too."
Shelley blinked, the idea taking root in her mind. Slowly, a smile began to spread across her face.
"That's... actually a really good idea, Mom. I could visit my sister and my parents, and maybe even get an in-person meeting with Mr. Bruno if I go to F&F headquarters."
Her mother nodded, a satisfied look on her face as she tried to hide her sadness, pulling more yarn through her fingers.
Shelley sighed. "The doctor said I have to take care of you. I don't want to lose you like we lost Dad. I don't want to be far away from you."
She looked away sadly, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Her mother forced a smile.
"Come on, honey, it's just cancer. We're talking about your real family here. You've been anticipating a reunion. I'll be fine."
Shelley didn't say anything.
"Would you like to learn knitting, dear? My hands are getting a little tired. Maybe if you learn, you can help me at times like this," her mother suggested, trying to ease the tension.
Shelley's eyes went to the sweater her mother was knitting, clearly the work of gifted hands.
She smiled at her mom.
"Sure, I'd love to learn."