Chapter 109—Business Awards!

"Brighton, are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Brian asked. His voice held concern for his friend, three months had passed since Maya was gone from their lives but Brighton was yet to recover from it. "I already told you guys. I'm not going." Brighton replied with a shrug averting his gaze from Brian and returning it to TV. "Uncle B, Uncle Brighton. Aunt Irene," Trent and Itzel beamed as they came running downstairs. "Aww my babies. How are you doing?" Irene smiled pulling them into a warm embrace. "I'm fine, thank you." Trent gleamed turning to Brian and exchanging pleasantries with him. "Auntie, you look so beautiful," Itzel complimented blowing Irene a kiss. "And I get no compliments, Itzel?" Brian frowned playfully pouting his lips. "You look...." Itzel hesitated for a while. A small smile played on her lips as her eyes shifted to Brighton. "Uncle Brighton you look so charming." She cheered and they burst out laughing. "Thanks, Itzie." Brighton giggled sticking out his tongue at Brian in mockery. Brian in return shot him a glare. "Really, come on Itzel. Brighton isn't even dressed and I spent a lot of time getting ready." Brian whined. "Don't listen to Itzel. You look amazing." Trent chipped in. "Thank you, Buddy." Brian's lips curved up happily but his joy was short-lived when Irene patted Brian's shoulder and burst into laughter. "I'm sure Trent just said that to make you feel better." "You too?" Brian's brows puckered. "Sorry babe, but your expression is so funny." Irene coughed trying to cover up her mirth but she couldn't hold her laughter in. She ended up laughing again. "I was just joking Uncle B, you look great." Itzel chortled hugging him. "Thank you for finally telling the truth." "Hey guys," Lena hollered as she and Henderson came into the room. Her greeting was met with silence, she glanced at Henderson and then back at the rest of them wondering why the room had gone silent. "Is there a problem?" Lena asked her brows furrowed slightly in confusion as she noticed the expression on their faces. Itzel chuckled and walked over to Lena. A huge grin marred her face and she threw her arms in the air dramatically. "Fear not Mom, we are all just awestruck by your beauty. How gorgeous you look." Lena donned a red-coloured body con dress, which without much effort accentuated her adorable structure, the dress was embedded with a golden design which matched her shoes and jewellery. Her long hair was about waist length and she had just a simple make-up on. "Come on now Itzel. There you go flattering me again." Lena glimmered, her cheeks turned pink when she noticed how Henderson was looking at her. "She's not flattering you, she is just stating facts. You are beautiful." Henderson praised wrapping his arms around her and leaning in for a kiss. "Exactly," the others nodded in support. "Thank you," Lena smiled. "And you look handsome Daddy." Trent complimented. "Yeah," Itzel bobbed her head. "You are charming as always," Lena smiled kissing him. "Thanks." Henderson bowed slightly appreciating the compliment making them chuckle. Compliments and pleasantries flew from here to there before they got seated. "Brighton, you are not ready?" Henderson asked seeing how casually he was dressed. "He said he isn't going." Brian sighed peering at Brighton. He was hoping the dude was going to have a change of mind but from the indifferent look on his face, Brian knew Brighton's decision was final. "I thought he didn't mean that. Dude you made a comeback in the country, it would be good for you to attend." Henderson's statement was to make Brighton see reasons why he had to come with them but it was not enough to make him change his mind. "I'm not going to go. You guys just go have fun and win awards. I'll watch from home." Brighton mustered a smile. "Does that mean you'll stay at home with us?" Itzel and Trent's faces lit up as they peeked at Brighton. "Can I stay over?" Brighton asked looking up at Lena and Henderson. "Of course," Lena nodded with a smile. "Yeah, if that's what you want." Henderson sighed. "Yes," Trent and Itzel jumped happily hugging Brighton making him laugh. "It's going to be so hard going to this event without you." Brian's lips pressed together and he he put a hand on Brigton's shoulder. "True," Henderson concurred with a tight nod. "Well, you guys have been attending without me for years, what's the difference?" Brighton raised an amused brow. "The difference is clear, we attended the events without you because you were out of the country but you are back now. Things should be different." Henderson explained. "Uh-huh. You get it." Brian raised a brow at him. A smile marred Brighton's face and her eyes brightened as he gazed at Henderson and Brighton. "This is so sweet, I had no idea you both love me so much." Henderson huffed shaking his head, "Don't get ahead of yourself young man." "True, don't get so proud now." Brian chuckled. Soon the smile on his face faded and was replaced with a perplexed expression. "Brighton, does this have to do with Maya?" Brighton's countenance darkened and he nibbled on his lower lips. "Don't say her name." Henderson shook his head gesturing Brian to stop. "You know the answer," he whispered. "I do. It's Maya," Brian whispered back, the annoyance evident in his voice. ........... ........ When Brian and Irene arrived at the business awards the cameras wouldn't stop following them, but Irene didn't seem a bit bothered by it like Brian thought she would be. Lena on the other hand was still not used to it even though it wasn't her first time at the event that was the difference between the two sisters Irene was outgoing and more of the outdoor type while Lena had to try her best to blend in. She wasn't the one to enjoy public attention. Both arrivals of the couples got heads turning in the auditorium as they walked in coupled with cheers. The two couples got to sit close to each other in the VIP section. "Baby, are you ok?" Henderson asked putting his hand over Lena's and squeezing her palm soothingly. "I'm good," Lena smiled. "Are you sure?" Henderson leaned in scrutinising her face. "Yeah," Lena nodded chuckling. She smiled this time a more reassuring smile. She knew Henderson was worried about her, at first when he had gotten the invite for the business award, he said he wasn't going to attend. Lena figured it was because of what had transpired the previous year they attended when she got to meet with her worst nightmare Axel. "Is it because of Axel?" She remembered asking him and his silence was the answer she needed. She told him that he didn't have to miss the event because of that. She had already gotten over that but Henderson wanted to make sure that she wouldn't be bothered by it. She assured him that she was going to be okay moreover the event was going to take place in a different place. "I love you, Lee." Henderson purred kissing Lena. "I love you, Henderson Bain." Lena smiled. Lena became conscious of the eyes on them including that of Brian and Irene. It seemed as though people were more interested in watching them than listening attentively to what the hosts of the events were saying and suddenly the cameras were focused on them. "Babe, all eyes are on us," Lena whispered to Henderson but that didn't stop him from getting lost in her eyes. "You are so beautiful, wife." Henderson's lips curved happily, he took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Babe." Lena chuckled cupping her cheeks she shifted her gaze from Henderson. "You should get ready to go collect your award for businessman of the year," Brian muttered. "It's not mine this year. You are winning it." Henderson smiled giving Brian a pat on the shoulder. "It is my pleasure to welcome you all once again to this business award once again. Moving straight to giving out the awards, first on our list businessman of the year." The female hosts announced. A round of applause filled the room as they awaited the rest of the announcement. The male host continued, "This is a pleasant surprise. Businessman of the Year award goes to....." He paused as drum rolls filled the auditorium.