Chapter 110—New Friend!

"Businessman of the Year goes to Brian Gomez!" "Me?" Brian had the look of disbelief on his face. He just couldn't believe it. He thought Henderson was teasing him when he told him that he was going to win Businessman of the Year. "Yes man, go get your award." Henderson smiled nudging Brian to get on his feet. "Congratulations baby," Irene cheered holding his hand. "Thank you," Brian gleamed leaning down and kissing her. "Come on put your hands together for Brian Gomez." The female host cheered. The audience clapped as Brian made his way to the stage. "Good evening everyone. It is a surprise and a delight to win this award. Honestly, it's not like I feel inferior or anything but I mean winning this award when my best friend Henderson Bain is seated makes me feel like it is a dream. Organisers, I hope you guys don't call me when I get home and say this is a glitch or something." Brian joked and the audience burst out laughing. "On a more serious note. I'm really grateful for this. It's a delight to hold this award in my hands. Thank you to everyone who has been there for me and your unending support. A very big thank you to my beloved girlfriend who is here with me today. I'm dedicating this award to the woman of my dreams and the love of my life, my eye opener. I love you, Irene." Brian smiled blowing Irene a kiss and she muttered 'I love you too babe,' while smiling at him. The audience cheered on for Brian and Irene. "Also, I want to say thank you to my best friend Henderson Bain. Even though I don't say this to him a lot, I love you little bro. And to his amazing wife, Lena thank you for everything because of you I met the love of my life. And to my other best friend our kid bro Brighton Alvarez, thank you and I love you. Thank you, everyone." Brian concluded his speech with a bow of appreciation before walking back to his seat. "Little bro? Really!" Henderson glared at Brian playfully smacking him on the shoulder as he took his seat. Brian chuckled," That wasn't the only thing I said, was it?" "Since you said you love me. I'll let it slide." "Congratulations Brian," Lena smiled ambling to Brian and giving him a hug. "Thank you, Lena. I'm so surprised I won. I mean." "You deserve it, Brian. You worked hard for it." Lena praised. "Of course. Enjoy it, brother, remember you have me and Brighton to worry about though." Henderson teased. "Right. I better enjoy this while I can." Brian chortled. "Next on the list, most influential CEO of the year....." The male host paused and the cheers went on. "Henderson Bain, Henderson Bain!" The audience were chanting. "That's right. Most Influential CEO of the Year Henderson Bain!" The female host proclaimed. "That's you!" Brian cheered putting his hands together. Henderson went up on stage. "It feels good to be here again with the love of my life my beautiful wife Lena. I love you, baby." Henderson smiled before he continued after taking the award. "I love you too babe," Lena said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Cheers filled the room in awe of the lovely moment between the couple. It took Henderson by surprise since he knew how shy Lena was but his heart fluttered and his smile grew widely on his face. Henderson took steps back to where Lena was and he kissed her. "I will just continue my speech from here if you all don't mind or better still do you mind coming on stage with me, baby?" Henderson muttered stretching out his hand to Lena who took it with a smile. Her cheeks were flushed as they walked to the stage together. "I remember attending this award last year with Lena, then we weren't even in a relationship. And then #Derlena started, truthfully we both thought it was crazy but turns out you all were right. I'm a better man because I met Lee. I'm dedicating this award to her and our amazing children Trent and Itzel. I want to say thank you to my Aunt Nana, my best friends Brian Gomez and Brighton Alvarez, and my sister Alia. And to everyone who has loved and supported Zel group of companies, thank you." Just as Lena and Henderson took their seats Henderson's name was called up again. "Most dominant Company Zel group of companies." The announcers declared. This time Henderson went up to the stage alone. "Again. Many of you might not know but my wife doesn't really like the spotlight and all the camera, I'm pretty sure she feels like going home but she's just putting on a smile to support me. I'm sorry babe." Henderson apologised and the audience erupted into laughter. Lena facepalmed laughing, Henderson was right but she wondered if he really had to blow her cover like that. After Henderson said his speech, he went back to his seat. He was called up for many more awards. Brian also had other awards to collect. And then Brighton was called up for two awards which Brian and Henderson went to receive on his behalf. Lena was strolling around the auditorium trying to make her way to the ladies' room. Henderson and Brian were talking with some people, and Irene and Lena were taking pictures when she felt pressed so she excused herself. "Hi," A lady mumbled tapping Lena. Lena stopped and veered to face the lady. She was wearing a short black dress that stopped mid-thighs, and she wore a men's jacket over it. Her face was fully cake, with cat eyes eyeshadow that highlighted her doe eyes and cheekbones. She wore red heels that matched her red-coloured hair that was packed into a ponytail. The lady was hot just like a model on the cover of a magazine. "Hello," Lena smiled at her. "My name is Venita. I was wondering if you could please help me out." The lady returned the smile awaiting Lena's reply. "Ok, what do you need help with?" "There's a problem with my zipper, do you mind coming to the ladies' room and helping me with it." "That's fine. I was on my way to the ladies room as well. Let's go." "Thanks." "You look beautiful, I love your style." Lena complimented as they walked together. "Thanks. You are a beauty yourself, Lena. Simple and classy, I like that." The lady commented giving Lena a warm smile. "Thank you." Lena helped Venita with her zipper before going to ease herself. "You waited for me?" Lena asked surprised when she came out of the restroom and met Venita standing by the hallway. "Of course, that's the least I could do after you helped me out. Thank you." Venita gleamed flashing Lena a smile that reached her eyes. Lena smiled back, she took notice that Venita liked to smile a lot. "It's not like I saved your life or anything?" Lena joked. "You did save my fashion life. I got to take off this jacket." Venita chuckled pointing to the jacket which was folded in her hand. Lena took a proper and complete view of the dress Venita was wearing. It was a strapless dress, which showed a lot of cleavage and gave a view of her slender shoulders. "I know this might be crazy. I don't want you to think that I'm a stalker or anything of that sort but can we be friends?" Venita mumbled extending her hand to Lena for a handshake. "I don't mind." Lena smiled politely shaking her hand. Lena and Venita walked back to the auditorium afterwards. "Babe, I've been looking for you." A guy muttered walking up to them. He and Venita kissed each other and then he put his hands around her waist. "Nathan, this is Lena, my new friend. She helped me fix my jacket so I would no longer be needing it. Thank you." Venita handed over Nathan's jacket to him. "Lena, this is my boyfriend Nathan." "Nice to meet you, Nathan." Lena smiled. "It's a pleasure as well to meet..." Nathan didn't get to complete his statement because of Henderson who had just walked up to Lena. "Baby, you are here." Henderson embraced Lena. "Did I make you worry? I'm sorry, I just went to the restroom." Lena said apologetically. "It's fine." "Bae, this is my new friend Venita and her boyfriend Nathan." Lena introduced pointing to Venita. Only now did Henderson and Lena take notice of the guy and the lady. "Venita." "Henderson." Henderson and Venita called simultaneously. Lena's eyes narrowed as she watched the exchange of glances and the look on Henderson and Venita's faces. "Do you two know each other?" Nathan and Lena asked in unison. "She..." Henderson started to say but Venita interjected. "Who wouldn't know Henderson Bain? He is really popular. I know him because of how famous he is, and I know for sure he called my name because you made mention of it earlier."