Zacharias had switched out his necktie for another one, and he hadn’t tied it up. He extended his hand. “Will you tie my necktie for me?”
Shirley elegantly approached Zacharias and took the necktie. Zacharias wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. When Shirley was tying the necktie, he seized the chance to peck her lips. “You’re gorgeous tonight.”
Shirley looked at him. “I hope I won’t embarrass you.”
“You won’t. After tonight, the whole world will know we’re dating,” Zacharias said.
Shirley blinked. “What? Why?”
“Because the entrance is going to be broadcast to the whole nation live. It’s important news making its way to the world.”
Shirley’s eyes went wide. Did he just trick me into making an official announcement about our relationship?
Zacharias’ convoy was waiting downstairs. Shirley held his arm, following him down. The staff members were already looking at them. They thought the vice president was single, but now they were proven wrong. The vice president not only had a girlfriend, but he had a gorgeous one, too. She was tall, lithe, gorgeous, gentle, and gracious. She was obviously from a rich family.
Shirley thought she would get nervous, but with Zacharias by her side, she felt a bubble of invisible strength enveloping her. She stood with him calmly, accepting everyone’s stares. They got into the car, and the convoy made its way to the hotel where the dinner would happen.
Reporters from all around the world were gathered here, holding up their cameras and mics, waiting for the moment to witness the friendship between the two nations deepening.
When Shirley got out of the car, she was blinded by the camera flashes. Okay, everyone’s going to know we’re dating after this dinner.
Shirley heard a reporter saying, “Vice President Zacharias Flintstone’s fiancée will be attending this dinner as well. Oh, she’s gracious. How captivating.”
Shirley heard that, and she waved at the camera. This was her first time attending something like this, but she grew up having a lot of confidence, as if this was where she was supposed to be.
Zacharias was shaking hands with everyone, but he was also holding Shirley’s hand at all times. Their interlocked hands were captured by a lot of cameras.
Zacharias took Shirley into the great hall. There, they met a few more people, and Shirley smiled at all of them. They came to the dining hall on the third floor, and she saw the wife of Dansbury’s vice president. She was in a purple dress. Freddie came over and whispered, “Miss Lloyd, we’ve prepared a present for tonight. After dinner is done, we shall present it to the guests in your name.”
Shirley nodded. She was now representing the nation, and she felt heavy responsibility and duty weighing on her shoulders.
Angela was at home, seated before the TV and holding her husband’s arm. When she saw her daughter passing through the screen, she teared up, excited. “Our girl’s finally making a name for herself,” said Angela.
Richard felt conflicted. He didn’t want his daughter to leave his care so soon, but Zacharias was the perfect husband for Shirley. He had to let her go. When his wife told him to let Shirley intern at Flintstone Residence, he objected to it, but he eventually relented. Now that Shirley and Zacharias were in love, he didn’t have to worry about his daughter’s love life anymore.
Still, he knew that once Shirley became Zacharias’ wife, responsibility and danger would come to her, just like how they came to Zacharias. Richard narrowed his eyes. I will keep my daughter safe.
It was time for dinner. Shirley chatted in Chinese with the wife of Dansbury’s vice president. She was well-read and knew a lot of stuff, and the second lady of Dansbury was interested in their nations’ histories. Shirley was a history enthusiast, too, so the second lady got a lot of answers to her questions from Shirley. She was impressed by this young lady.
