Chapter 139 - Sweet Sixteen (3)

The two Wilde daughters were dolled up nicely for the gala event. It wasn't an ordinary gala event. In fact, it was a special kind of gala dinner planned by a certain someone whom neither girls knew about. Leonce looked over his work and had unshed tears of joy in his eyes. He'd known the girls since they were ten and time flew way too quickly. Now, he was looking at two very beautiful young ladies like budding flowers in spring.

Once the girls left, he texted his old friend and patron.

Leonce: They've just left my humble shop. Are you sure it's wise not to tell them about the gala's purpose?

Orita: Why not? It's their sweet sixteen and knowing how dedicated they are to their work, I don't think they'll be able to make it back home to celebrate. Besides, Wilmer is funding the gala dinner and announcements. We're making this official to the public as well so they need to look their best.

Leonce: Are you doubting my skills?

Orita: Of course not! You're the best that I know. I just can't wait to see them in all their sweet sixteen glory! Oh, I've got to go now. The organiser is looking for me. Once again, thank you for taking care of my daughters. I'm sure this is a birthday party in advance that they won't be able to forget in a long time.

Leonce smiled. Of course they wouldn't be able to forget it! He definitely outdid himself tonight and pulled out his best skills honed from years of experience. Scarlet and Alex were going to be formally introduced to the public as daughters of the Wilde household tonight. There's no telling how the world would react to knowing the two most popular teen actresses were sisters. Britannia's fame was something that ended prematurely and the stylist was a little sad about that. He was a huge fan and enjoyed helping them with their image style. Thankfully, that was just the opening act. They're mysterious beginning and their even more mysterious ending made the audience crave for more. After tonight, there will be nobody who will doubt the Wildes' place in this world. Fame and money go hand in hand, Leonce wished the girls all the best.

Alex and Scarlet decided to eat in the car and take a nap. It was going to be a two hour journey to get to the gala event's venue and their managers will join later. Scarlet blessed Tina's soul for actually getting them rice even if it was brown rice. Scarlet missed eating rice ever since she had to diet strictly for her upcoming acting role. Likewise, Alex was touched. She never thought she'd be able to eat beef again ever since she started modelling seriously. Thankfully, the Fashion Week was over and Alex could relax a little.

"Tina's an angel," Alex said and dug into her beef bowl enthusiastically.

Scarlet nodded. "Pamela is surprisingly strict about my diet. I'll never get to eat rice with her around, this is a real blessing. I have a feeling lady luck is on our side tonight."

Alex laughed. Ever since Scarlet started working in China more, the girl had picked up quite a few superstitions. They never slacked in their studies and with Jean's help, they picked up new languages required for work. Scarlet learned Chinese, Japanese and Korean while Alex studied French, Italian and German for her work. When they first started, they were surprised that Lin Lin actually spoke more languages than she let on even if she wasn't the most fluent in them. The violinist was a great conversation partner.

As they chatted about the more trivial things like the latest things their Special Class classmates were up to, the sisters also took time to talk about Jasper's new company. Kiwi Cat Studio had been featured more frequently and Scarlet wondered if Alex was going to help Jasper promote it as the ambassador.

Alex sighed. "I did bring the topic up but Jasper said it wasn't necessary. He said that he would use a mascot instead of a celebrity model to advertise his company and their games. Sometimes I wonder how he actually managed to convince the E.C. Class to graduate high school successfully. None of them failed!"

Scarlet laughed. "Si-Han said the same thing. Also, I heard that Tom decided to debut as an idol with Si-Han? They were one of the few who didn't take up Jasper's offer to work at Kiwi Cat Studio."

Alex thought about it and burped once, startling herself before laughing it off. "Well, they're doing very well and although I don't hear from them as often anymore in the chatroom, I know they're in contact with Lin Lin. The boys have been bugging me to try convincing Lin Lin to compose songs for them too."

The young writer smiled. Indeed, she had received similar pleas and tried to change Lin Lin's mind but the musician was stubborn about wanting to compose for Scarlet only. Of course, that wasn't the true reason. Scarlet knew that Lin Lin didn't want to write songs for the idol industry simply because of the rigid requirements. Lin Lin was a free soul who loved exploring new ideas and genres. Writing bops all the time simply wouldn't do.

"Alex… do you know what this gala is for? I didn't really hear details about it from Pamela but she claimed that it was very important and cannot be missed. We flew straight from Beijing over just for it."

Alex thought about it. "Now that you mention it… Claire didn't give me details either. Then again, I'm not the kind to ask for details. I leave most of my jobs and planning to her because she's very capable. So far, she's been plotting out my career path and it's working. I'm just very tired because Claire doesn't really give me much time to slack off."

Scarlet only laughed at her sister's complaint. Indeed, Claire treated Alex rather differently from how she treated Scarlet. With Scarlet, the head maid was usually nagging and forcing her to eat or go to bed. Scarlet was a notorious workaholic but Alex was just the opposite. Claire once described Alex like a helium balloon. If one didn't hold onto the air-headed girl tightly, she would probably drift off and never return. Scarlet couldn't fault Claire for it but she certainly thought that Alex matured over the six years and such strict control certainly was a little overdone.

Still, it was odd for the managers to not give them more details about the gala they were attending. Leonce also did a lot today, it was practically a full princess pamper package and something just didn't add up for Scarlet. Unlike her carefree sister, Scarlet had long grown used to being suspicious of things that were too good to be true. Her commoner background made it easier for Scarlet to relate to the ugly nature of humans who were striving to get to the top. Often, they would employ unscrupulous methods to attain what they want. If not for Claire, Alex would have been badly hurt by those petty people by now. Things like putting needles into a model's shoes weren't uncommon in the industry but Alex had never been exposed to such dirty tricks under Claire's protection. Scarlet was thankful that the head maid agreed to become Alex's manager and personal bodyguard on Scarlet's request after much persuasion.

Scarlet trusted Claire so she didn't pursue the matter. If the gala's purpose was a secret, there had to be a very good reason why the invitees were not briefed about it. As a manager, Claire wouldn't accept any suspicious invitation after screening through. Scarlet knew that much. She would wait till later to find out what it was all about. Alex decided to take a nap and Scarlet thought it was a great idea. She was severely jet-lagged and no amount of make-up will cover up the fact that she was exhausted. In order to present only the best on such a social occasion, Scarlet decided to nap as well even though she had caught a few Z's at Le Beau's earlier.

Orita was already at the event greeting guests and talking to the paparazzi. The gala wasn't a very large scale one but it would definitely make for headliners on tomorrow's papers. Wilmer was sad that he couldn't attend the gala because he was currently in a business conference event in Norway to buy over a VR technology company. Ever since Jasper's company was listed, Wilmer had taken Jasper all over the place, introducing him to the Wilde's business contacts and buying over companies to help Kiwi Cat Studio expand its operations.

Orita initially wanted to invite Jasper for the gala but seeing how busy the boys were, she decided to keep it a girl party. Lin Lin was stuck somewhere in Europe and unable to attend it according to Scarlet so the heiress dropped the thought. Knowing the Special Class, they would most likely be equally busy. Most of the E.C. Class were working with Jasper's company so Orita assumed they wouldn't be able to attend either. The sweet sixteen party that she wanted to throw everyone became downsized by so much that the heiress decided to plan the reunion separately.

"Is everything in place?" she asked Jenna who was in a c.o.c.ktail dress instead of her usual butler suit. The lady butler looked stunning and the pair was the centre of the camera crew's attention as they spoke.

"Yes, milady. Everything is ready according to plan. Claire and Pamela said that the girls are on the way. They left Le Beau's about an hour ago so their estimated entrance would be at nine in the evening. Shall I call for the performers to get ready?"

Orita smiled at her efficient butler. "Yes. I shall hide and get ready for the surprise speech later. Let me know when you spot the girls and tell the managers to keep those pesky boys away from my girls. I will not be accepting any marriage proposals."

Jenna laughed. Over the years the mistress had been receiving marriage proposals for her daughters but every single one of them was turned away. Orita wanted her daughters to find their true love in the old romantic fashion and the butler couldn't say she didn't feel the same way.

"Understood, I shall take my leave now," Jenna bowed and left to find the stage manager while Orita made her exit discreetly to wait for her grand entrance later. It was going to be a Sweet Sixteen party that neither of her girls would forget.