#Chapter 70 – An Interrupted Gala
Adrian
The shareholders gala is much more boring than I originally anticipated that it would be. At these kinds of events, I am usually bombarded with dozens of employees and other socialites who wish to ask me questions about my work ethic and life. It is an interrogation that I am unable to escape.
Thankfully, with Stella taking my side, people have left us alone for the most part. They smile and pass us by, tipping their glasses in our direction before moving back to their own conversation. A few stragglers, though, approach us and the conversation is usually catered towards Stella, who is rarely seen at company events anymore.
“Have you been okay?” They ask her, always leaning in a little to close for comfort. Stella’s response is as cheery as always, though, and is just enough to keep their prying questions out of our messy lives.
“I’m okay!” she says with a bright yet undoubtedly fake smile, “I’ve just been busy with my own life and have been dying to come to one of Adrian’s events.”
She laughs alongside them, leaning in and sharing in the joy of their jokes. She even turns to me a few times and gets me to join in on the chuckles, making for sure to take a sip from her glass of water when it becomes too much for her body.
For my sake as well as hers, she sips from a glass of water with a lime wedge tucked inside the ice. It looks as if she is also partaking in the cocktail bar, fending off any other questions that may arise from nearby shareholders.
At one event, one that she attended with me about three years ago, Michael’s wife was caught drinking water instead of her usual glass of wine. That’s how the entire company found out she was pregnant and his job was suddenly on the line when the board thought he wouldn’t give the company his full attention.
“So, Adrian,” one of the men on the board of directors approaches Stella and I.
Stella turns to look with me, her hip attaching itself to mine. I sling my arm around her waist, giving it a gentle and reassuring squeeze, as we politely smile.
“Tell us about this secret project of yours,” he says with a smug smirk. He turns to the other people in the group, people who hold major stakes and shares in the company, speaking, “it is top secret. Nobody can know a thing except for those working on
it.”
“It is a software that uses formulas and data research to help inform patients of critical symptoms that show signs of bigger health issues,” I speak the words as calmly as I can, pushing the words through gritted teeth as I keep a calm composure on my
face.
“It truly is extraordinary what Adrian is trying to accomplish,” Stella chimes in and steals the small group’s attention. She places a hand on my chest and tilts her chin to look up at me, something she did while taking photos at the resort we visited.
“Is that so?” The man asks, choking back a scoff as it slips thorough his lips. Stella nods, confirming her stance. “Well please! Tell us why this project is so worthwhile while we wait to see any progress.”
“Well,” Stella faces them and sets her glass down onto the small table in front of us, her hand leaving my chest. “It is a software designed to help people. It’s a positive influence on the medical world that aims to help people rather than putting them through unnecessary loopholes of doctors visits and saving them from constantly worrying about what is going to happen to them or a family member.”
The group before us murmurs amongst themselves. Stella turns to me, her smile all knowing and helpful for my cause. I return it, unable to hold back the small amount of joy that I feel blossoming inside my chest.
This is what it should have been like the entire time. I should have never put Stella and her abilities on the back burner, dismissing her whenever someone asks about my wife at an event. She is clearly so much more than I originally thought.
“She’s right,” I add on, “It will help people and it will earn their trust. If you’re worried about sales and money, trust me when I say that this will skyrocket our annual projections and earnings.”
The man at the front of the group nods, his smug smile fading as the group begins to excitedly talk about how my project is going to help save the world and the people that live it.
I pick up Stella and I’s glasses, holding my arm out to her. She link it with mine and gathers her clutch purse into her hands.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us,” I say, guiding Stella away from the group.
We move to the opposite side of the room, taking refuge at an empty table. Stella immediately sits down and I place her glass into her hand, watching as she downs the rest of the water inside.
“Here, let me go get you another, okay? Stay here,” I look down at her and she nods.
Leave her side and head towards the bartender that agreed to help us. Right as I am about to reach the counter, my phone begins to ring in my pocket. I slip it out and step into the hallway, the noise of the gala now muffled in the background.
Clara’s name lights up on my screen. I’m about to hang up when the call drops just to be immediately called back. I answer.
“Clara? Is everything okay?“,
“Adrian?” Her father’s voice sounds out from the call. “Clara needs you. She’s not doing too well right now. She passed out and has bruises all over her body. The doctors think it’s cancer.”
My blood goes cold. My ears begin to ring and I begin to rush towards the building’s exit.
“I’ll be there soon. What hospital are you at?” I ask, pushing through the doors of the event hall, running towards my car.
“We are at the hospital on 23(rd) street. Please hurry! She keeps crying your name asking where you are!”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can. I’m on my way now,” I end the call and shove the key into the ignition. The engine revs and the car lunges out of its spot, barreling down the lanes of the parking lot, quickly finding itself in the open and empty street.
The world around me is a blur, the moon a pure white color against the night sky. I honk as I pass people by and even run through a plethora of red lights, almost crashing into innocent cars.
As soon as I reach the hospital, I jump out of the car, rushing towards the hospital doors. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, thinking that it’s Clara’s parents, only to be met with Stella’s smiling face.
My heart plummets into my stomach. I can’t believe I left her behind at the gala. She’s all alone and I’m here.
It’s too late now, though. There is no time to explain or apologize to her now that Clara’s health is on the line.
–
