A NIGHT WITH THE CRAZY CEO

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

**BRIANNA**

Immediately we got down from the limousine and onto the red carpet, we were greeted by camera flashes from different angles, the flashes partially blinding me that I had to shield my face with my hands for a few minutes. I even froze because of the sudden nervousness that gripped me, I thought I had stopped being nervous but apparently, it hasn’t left. This is the first time I’ll be the focus of so many people so it’s quite understandable.

My hands were held up until Mr. Adrian placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered into my ear.

“Lower your hands, the reporters are taking pictures and you don’t want them to take a bad picture of you, do you?” He asked but I could tell that he was also teasing me.

“I don’t care about the picture, the flashes are blinding me.” I whispered back.

“Just lower your hands, it won’t affect you anymore.” He uttered.

“Really?”I quizzed.

“Yeah, trust me.” He said softly and I slowly lowered my eyes. The reporters were still taking pictures but it didn’t have any effect on me as it did earlier.

“How’s it now?”

“It’s better.” I responded.

“I told you,” he said smugly then continued, “let’s get inside.”

He placed his hand on the small of my back and we walked into the mansion where the gala was taking place together. The reporters would have gotten closer to us and in our faces if bodyguards dressed in dark suits and shades didn’t come to our rescue.

We went up the short flight of stairs that led to the mansion. Golden lights were seeping out of the big windows of the mansion and you could hear the soft music coming from the band that must be playing.

The guards opened the large golden double doors and we walked in together, his hand still on the small of my back. I looked around when we got inside, I saw men dressed in cool tuxedos and the women were dressed in elegant evening gowns. They all looked gorgeous that I almost felt inferior but I remembered that I probably looked more beautiful than most of the women here.

Adrian led me to a table with six chairs around it and it was already occupied by two people, a man and a woman. I recognized the man to be Manuel, Adrian’s friend and the woman turned out to be Cherry. She looked gorgeous in her dress.

“Hey buddy!” Manuel, Adrian’s friend greeted Adrian and they shared something that looked like a secret handshake.

“Hey, Manny.” Adrian said to him and took a seat.

“Cherry, hey girl!” I called and she raised her head, a smile appearing on her face. She stood up and we embraced each other like we haven’t seen each other in years, whereas we saw each other a few days ago.

“Brie! You’re finally here, I was bored out of my mind, nobody to talk to and I feel so out of place.” She whined like a baby.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Hey! I was here and we were talking, weren’t we?” Manuel protested in the same manner. The both of them are kids in adult bodies.

“Oh yeah, I forgot you were here with me.” Cherry sheepishly grinned at him. I rolled my eyes at their display.

“Hey, Mr. Manuel.” I waved at him.

“Hey Brianna! Please call me Manuel, call me ‘Mr.’ makes me feel kinda old.” He said and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re funny, Manuel.” I giggled.

“Being funny is one of the things I do best.” He replied with a wink.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough between the two of you.” Adrian uttered coldly with a frown on his face after a few seconds.

“You should try loosening up, Addy. Frowning makes one look old and you’re too young to have wrinkles on your face at this age.” Manuel pulled Adrian’s cheeks, making Adrian glare at him dangerously like he would swallow Manuel any second from now.

“I told you to stop calling me Addy. Especially when we’re in public!” Adrian shouted at Manuel.

“Oh please. Addy is a far better name than Adrian. Do you ladies agree with me?” Manuel faced us and asked.

“Of course, of course. Addy sounds phenomenal.” I responded exaggeratingly.

Manuel faced Adrian and pulled his cheeks once more before saying, “see? Even the ladies agree with me. Addy is far better and suits you so well.”

“Leave me alone, Manny. We’re in a public place for fuck’s sake. Stop embarrassing us.” Adrian sighed in exhaustion.

“What’s the magic word?” Manuel asked childishly.

“Please, Manny.” Adrian rolled his eyes and Manuel finally released his cheeks. Adrian straightened out his suit and sat well on his chair.

Never knew Mr. Adrian could get this playful with somebody, even telling the person ‘please”. I’m really shocked.

Manuel faced Charry and the both of them began chatting. I couldn’t help but think that the two of them will look cute together as a couple. They looked like they were made for each other, no cap.

“So… what do you think about this gala so far?” Adrian asked after a few minutes, in an attempt to break the silence between us.

I looked around, there were chandeliers with golden lights, the atmosphere was calm and tables were around with people sitting around them. Let’s just say the theme for the gala is Gold because I can see gold everywhere, I don’t know why I expected less. A live band was also playing and I sighed after looking around.

“Honestly, I’m enjoying it so far. The atmosphere, music and everything just makes me feel calm. I’ve never seen anything like this in all my years of living on this earth.

“Wow, really? I’m glad to be the first person to bring you to this type of place then.” He mock-bowed and I laughed at him.

A waiter came to drop four glasses of champagne on our table, shortly interrupting our conversation but we continued after he left.

After a few minutes of talking about some unimportant stuff, someone came to our table and toom a seat for himself without bothering to ask.

“Well, hey there everyone!” The familiar voice hollered.

TBC