The Faceless Billionaire Celebrity Wife-Chapter 72: Angel In The Mirror.

"Ok then..." she trailed off, before her eyes glinted suddenly.

"I was in the entertainment department at first, and my team leader was so..."

Walking down the stairs, Cyprian did nothing but blabber away about how she felt like quitting her job whenever Team leader Zuresh mocked her and Shikera; and how she always remembered that she was now 25 years of age and that none of her parents were still there to take care of her.

Max listened patiently, only interrupting her with occasionally hmmms and aaahs to show that he was following.

When they finally got outside Preston TV, Cyprian hailed a cab and bid Max goodbye, leaving him alone at the front of the station. Watching the cab drive away, Maxwell turned on his heels and walked to the station’s underground parking lot.

He walked towards a blue BMW 3 series, which was parked at the end of the row, while pressing the button of his car key to cause the door to open.

As he stepped into the car, his phone pinged and he picked it up, displaying the message.

[Are you still considering, Max? I need your answer in a week!]

And the sender’s name read, Team leader Zuresh.

Smiling, Max dialled the number. He only had to wait for a few seconds before the call connected.

"In a week...How about I start then instead? I’m done considering."

★★★

As the day drew nearer to its end with the sun’s last rays bathing the world in a warm rosy glow, the DeLoach’s mansion was bustling with activities as workers streamed in and out of the ballroom, making sure things were in place for the 25th birthday ceremony of their second young master.

Oblivious to the hustle and bustle going on outside the mansion as she sat in the room she used whenever she came here, Shikera stared at her reflection in the mirror, not knowing what to feel or say to the person staring back at her. She felt... different? Why? Because this was the first time she was dressing for someone to see her.

She was wearing a beautiful pale blue short gown, the colour of the ocean. Covered in tiny silver sequins that reflected the light and made the dress sparkle, the shimmering fabric added to its glamour. The dress snuggled against her skin, accentuating her curves and making her pale skin look luminous and glowing.

"Wow! You look beautiful..."

She turned around to see Raine walking into the room, already dressed up herself. The woman steps quickened further towards Shikera as her eyes glinted in adoration, before suddenly turning into a frown.

"Do you really want to stay with Ethan in the dark? I am very sure you want to join the merriment too," Raine probed, her eyes reflecting her reluctance to agree to Shikera’s wishes.

Earlier that morning when they arrived, Ruth had asked her where she would like her seat to be and the confused Shikera had answered that she would stay beside Ethan.

Ruthlyn had explained to her that Ethan had a completely different seat which was always in the dark. That way, he would see everyone yet no one would see him and thereby, have no opportunity to make small talks with him.

Shikera could understand. If he exposed himself to everyone that way, there was no telling what plans people would devise to get a shot of his face, even if they would only get half. Therefore, she had asked Ruthlyn to place her wherever Ethan would be, dark room or not, she didn’t care.

Shikera concluded the news must have reached Raine, for her to be here and acting like this.

"It’s alright, Mom. It will also save us the hassle of trying to make up a story about who I am. Remember my father kept me sheltered," Shikera smiled, but the frown on Raine’s face only intensified.

"What do you mean? You are married to Ethan now so there should be no problem...or I can introduce you as my adopted daughter," she offered.

Shikera turned to look at her, and it was obvious that she did not understand Raine.

"It’s alright, I saw your article about Mignon and how it shook the whole country. But...no matter how many people sympathized with me, most of them will still want to mock me for my inability to protect my daughter even if I am this wealthy. I...I can show them I’m correcting my mistakes by taking utmost care of you," the older woman added.

Her words made Shikera have second thoughts, as she asked, "Then, what about Ethan? Will he stay in that dark room alone?"

Raine laughed,"Of course not, protective wife. One of our workers will be with him."

"Workers? I thought Ethan was not comfortable with them as they were always absent when we visited."

"That’s true, but Nora is different. She was absent this past few months which is why you haven’t met her yet."

"Is she Ethan’s nanny...or related?" Shikera asked again, oblivious to the fact that she was already exhibiting traits of a jealous girlfriend. Did she have the rights though?

"Nothing close. She basically grew up with Ethan and his siblings so she has seen his face before he started hiding it. Though she has never seen it after then, I bet she can still picture it. Ethan is also still comfortable with her," Raine answered.

As Shikera fell quiet without any more questions, Raine excitedly leaped to her feet, pulling Shikera with her.

"Why don’t we go see the birthday boy and his fiancee first? When you’re done, you can check on Ethan in his room," she offered, with Shikera nodding in agreement. Though she was a little bit hesitant at the last part with Ethan, she was still excited at visiting Enoch and Ruthlyn. To her, it felt like she was about to unwrap Christmas presents.

They got out of the room and walked through the hallway, until they stopped at a room two doors away from hers. Raine pushed the door and as it swung open, their jaws dropped in astonishment.

They stood there for a few minutes until Shikera, overcoming her shock, quickly pulled the door close.

The two women at the front of the door stared wide eyed at each other, their brains processing what they just saw now.

"Your face is redder than a tomato," Raine whispered, breaking the fragile silence which was previously existing.

Seeing that Shikera was still silent and short of words, she teased her.

"One would think you and Ethan haven’t done it yet."

Hick!

A loud hiccup escaped Shikera’s lips, presenting her true shy nature onto Raine’s hands. The older woman laughed, pulling Shikera away from the door. She stopped when they were back at the front of Shikera’s room.

"Since the two we planned to visit seems to have planned their own visit to the land of ecstasy, I think you should go on to Ethan’s room. I will go check how things are going in the ballroom," she said, turning away without waiting for a reply.

Shikera who was left behind, stared in the direction of Ethan’s room before shaking her head and pushing the door open to enter her own room. She wasn’t ready to face him yet.

Three rooms away from her, Ruthlyn pushed Enoch away from her bed, her facial expression a mixture of horror and shock.

"Enoch! You did it again?!" She was almost screaming, if not for Enoch who clamped his hand over her mouth.

"It’s not my fault!" he protested, donning an innocent expression on his face. He believed Ruthlyn would be disarmed by that look, as she always did.

And he was right, as her voice reduced when she spoke again.

"Then, whose fault is it? I already asked you not to come to my room! But now...now, someone caught us!"

"We simply heard the door open and close, we didn’t hear anyone’s voice. Also,I only came to your room to see your face ahead of time...and I didn’t know this would happen," he murmured. Even if he had known, he would still have come as that had been his real intent in the first place. But then, they didn’t even do anything except kiss! Just a single wet kiss. He wasn’t even relieved one bit.

"Out of my room! Go get dressed," Ruthlyn stood up and pushed him out of the door, before preparing to get ready by herself.

★★★

Shikera’s hand fidgeted around her phone, as she was led around by Raine who was introducing her to almost everyone in the room, in a very strange way.

"Trust you have been enjoying your evening, Chairman Nichols...Meet my daughter," And that was all, her name was not exposed and she did not chat with any of them for long.

After a few minutes of walking around and smiling to guests left and right, Raine finally pulled her to a corner.

"I know it has been hectic, Kera, thanks for bearing with me. You can go find Enoch and Ruthlyn now, I’m sure they will be with other young people you can associate with well."

Shikera gave her a nod and walked away from there, her eyes absorbing the beautiful scene before her. Looking up at the high and arched ceiling of the hall, she couldn’t help but feel like she was in an ancient cathedral.

However, the dark glass windows which followed the ceiling was another thing that intrigued her. As it surrounded the ballroom, one could tell it was a window. But then, it also looked like a large television screen.

"Miss!" Hearing a small voice, her attention was drawn to a short figure which stood just a few metres away from her but in an hidden area.

"Who...Esther?" Shikera called, surprised to see the girl. Her last conversation with the girl had been that night when Ethan had asked her about beautiful or plain night, and she blushed at the memory. The next day, Ethan had taken her back home and since then, Shikera didn’t have the opportunity to ask if the girl had proposed her request to live with them.

"Why are you here?" She asked, closing the distance between them.

Esther didn’t answer, the frown on her face enhancing her cute features. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Why are you dressed like that?" Was what the little girl asked instead.

"What..."

"You don’t have to explain to me. Daddy says you should meet him in the dark room!"

Shikera sighed. It seemed like the bratty Esther was back.

"Where is the dark room?"

"There!" Her stubby finger pointed up to the glass windows.