Chapter 30— You're The Star Of The Night!

Lights flashed from all angles from the camera directed at Henderson and Lena who just stepped out of the car. Lena accepted to be friends with Henderson once again and one would have thought that it was going to make the drive all the way to the awards ceremony different, but it didn't change the silence that filled the car. Lena and Henderson didn't say a word to each other, rather they kept stealing glances at each other and looked away whenever one of them noticed. It was when they got to the venue that Henderson told Lena not to let the presence of the paparazzi affect her. He said she just had to act like they weren't there, after that he alighted the car and opened the door for Lena like a gentleman. His arm was stretched to Lena as he waited for her to take it after she stepped down from the car. The event was taking place at The Magnate Hotel, it was the biggest hotel in town hence it was chosen as the venue. The place was decorated beautifully by the best designers in town. It was nothing like Lena had ever since, the people present smelt of wealth and radiated elegance. Right from the parking lot which was filled with several flashy and expensive cars, Lena knew the place was going to be filled with a lot of wealthy people. Lena smiled taking Henderson's arm after which she muttered a 'thank you ' before they ambled into the auditorium. Different pictures of them were clicked, mutterings, cheering and even gossip filled the place as everyone wondered who the beauty the almighty Henderson Bain had come with was. As usual, all eyes were on Henderson and it was as if every other guest became insignificant because of his daunting presence. He had his usual cold look on his face that made most people fear him, Lena on the other hand tried to maintain her smile. Lena released her grip on Henderson when they reached their seats, somehow holding hands with Henderson gave her an unexplainable wave of confidence, maybe it was because he was the man. Henderson on the other hand appeared unfazed by the attention he was getting, he walked with so much grace and confidence that Lena couldn't help but admire. 'He must have gotten used to the attention that it was a part of him now,' she thought. Lena sighed in relief when they took their seats at least now she was going to be free from the prying eyes and the eye-wrenching flashes of the camera but she was wrong, it was just as if the paparazzi awaited them to be seated so they could continue to take pictures. And to make matters worse, Lena and Henderson were seated in the first row not many people were there. She figured it was the Vip session. She smiled at Brian whom she recognised when he waved at her. He was talking to some people and his hand was around the waist of a lady who Lena concluded was his date. Henderson traced Lena's eyes and when he saw it was Brian she was smiling at, he glared at him. Brian excused himself from the people he was talking to and after saying something to the lady beside him, they ambled together to Lena and Henderson. "You guys are late, " Brian mumbled as he stood in front of Henderson. Lena rose to her feet and Henderson let out a sigh before doing the same, he didn't want to be the rude one. "Brian it's a good thing he came, " Mikayla smiled nudging Brian. She gawked at Henderson and her lips curved in a wide smile. "Hello, Henderson. It's a pleasure meeting you, " Mikayla raved stretching her hand to Henderson. Seeing how Mikayla's face had started to turn red from embarrassment when Henderson didn't move a muscle to shake her hand, Lena glanced at him and then at Mikayla's hand. Understanding the gesture, Henderson forced a smile and then shook hands with Mikayla. "Nice to meet you too, " he mumbled. But the tone of his voice and the way he let go of Mikayla's hand after a second of touching it said otherwise. Mikayla noticed it but since she didn't want to dwell on it, she considered herself lucky to be standing in the same space as Henderson. "And you are? You aren't familiar, I've not seen you anywhere, " Mikayla spoke with crinkled eyes when her gaze settled on Lena. "This is my friend Lena, " Henderson introduced before Lena could open her mouth to say a word. A smirk tugged Brian's lips as a caught a glimpse of Henderson's expression. Henderson's icy glare dorked on Brian and he looked away chortling quietly. Henderson never told him that he and Lena were now friends and when his eyes caught the bracelet on Lena's wrist, he smiled. Lena had captured his friend's heart no doubt. Henderson was in love. Mikayla's jaw dropped at the reveal and she laughed nervously. "I'm sorry about that, I didn't know." Even though Mikayla was smiling and also apologising, Lena felt she was only doing that because of Henderson's presence not because she meant it but Lena shrugged it off. "It's fine. Nice to meet you, Mikayla, " Lena smiled. Afterwards, a lot of the guests came to Lena and Henderson exchanging pleasantries with them. An older man and his wife came to them alongside Brian, Henderson strode away with them after Lena assured him that she was going to be fine. Lena was tired of listening to the talks, she felt out of place. She wasn't the one to be interested in formal parties like this never did she think that she was going to attend one but here she was. When Henderson noticed Lena's uneasiness from where he was. His eyes didn't leave Lena even after he left her. He excused himself from the guests and walked back to Lena who was fondling with her hands. "Are you ok?" Henderson's voice came soft with concern, his eyes scrutinising her face. "I'm fine, " Lena smiled lifting her head to peer at him. "The party is boring you right? We can leave if.." "No, I'm fine. Moreover, you still have a lot to do I'm sure you've got a lot of awards to receive, " Lena chipped in calmly interrupting Henderson. "Who told you that?" He arched his brows taking his seat. "Cleo, she said you take home most of the awards every year, " Lena muttered cocking her head in Henderson's direction. Henderson exhaled and then shook his head, " what else did she tell you?" "Nothing..." Lena chuckled seeing the scrunched-up expression on Henderson's face. "What do you drink? Alcohol?" Henderson asked Lena when a waiter stopped in front of them. "No just juice, " Lena smiled. "I thought as much, " Henderson jibed and Lena frowned playfully at the jeering remark. He grabbed a glass of juice from the waiter, handed it over to Lena and then took a glass of red wine for himself. "Thank you, " Lena mumbled to the waiter before he dashed away. "Wine is better if you change your mind, " Henderson said as he took a sip from his glass but Lena shook her head still maintaining her choice. "Everyone loves you," Lena muttered looking around the room. Lena noticed the camera and flashes were now away from them and she couldn't be happier unknown to her, it was all Henderson's doing. He had called up one of the organisers and told him that he and his date didn't need the unwelcomed attention. The truth was he was fine with it since he was used to it but seeing how uncomfortable Lena was with the whole attention, he made the call. "Are you kidding me? You are the star of the night. All eyes have been on you ever since we've gotten here, if I wasn't taller I would have been invisible." By the time Henderson was done talking Lena was laughing hard, Henderson had a weird way of complimenting someone and still feeding his ego. "That's not true." Lena shook her head as her laughter died down. "What isn't? That you are a celebrity now?" His brows were raised as he questioned. Lena chuckled and stared at his face, Cleo was right all along Henderson wasn't as tough as he appeared to be. "Lena, do you want more juice?" Henderson asked but go no response from Lena who was lost staring at his face. She jolted out of her thoughts when the voice of the ceremony host filled the room. "Sorry, did you say something," she murmured glancing away from Henderson realising she had been drooling over him. "Do you want anything else?" Henderson smiled. A waiter stood in front of them waiting to take their orders. "No, I'm good. I'll just return this. Thank you." She returned the glass from earlier since she was done with the juice. "I have to go to the ladies room, I'll be right back." Lena rushed her words and stood up to her feet. "Do you know where that is?" Henderson asked as he took another glass of wine after returning the first but when he got no response he glanced sideways and saw that Lena was already halfway gone. Boom! Lena crashed into someone before she knew it. She expected to see herself on the ground as she lost her balance but that didn't happen. A pair of strong hands encircled her waist which stopped her from falling. Lena's eyes bulged and her face became pallid the moment she lifted her eyes and saw who it was! This couldn't be! "No!" She gasped. Her breath became frantic and her heart thumping hard in her chest.