Despite being on a tropical island surrounded by beaches, the party's theme was a Christmas masquerade, they were all in red, green, white, and yellow outfits with masks that were quite representative of the occasion. Cedric's outfit had been chosen by Adrianna, he wore a maroon suit with a green tie, while Adrianna wore a floor length maroon gown with a green sash. Their masks were green as well.
At eight o'clock in the evening a car picked them up and drove them to the club house. The party was going to be held at the ballroom there.
In the car Adrianna felt nervous, she didn't understand why. It wasn't the first time Adrianna was attending an event like this. As the beauty of the Hernandez family, she was always invited to various parties, charities, and debuts. For some reason this particular party made her feel nervous.
Cedric could sense that Adrianna was nervous. He reached out and held the hand on her lap.
"What's wrong?" Cedric asked.
"I think I'm nervous because all the people at this party are way beyond and above me." Adrianna confessed.
"I bet, you'll be the most beautiful woman in the room. And all the men will be jealous of me." Cedric grinned and kissed Adrianna on the lips.
Adrianna giggled and pushed him away.
"You'll ruin my makeup!" Adrianna complained as she checked the face in her phone.
When Adrianna and Cedric arrived at the party there was a commotion at the entrance.
"Let me in you useless paupers!" A female voice shouted.
"Miss you aren't on the guest list." A man in a suit that seemed to be the manager said.
"I'm on this fucking island! Let me in!" The woman shouted again. Cedric felt that the voice was somewhat familiar.
"Miss you were allowed on the island in consideration to a guest, but you are not allowed into the party." The manager explained.
"Don't you know who I am!" As Adrianna and Cedric approached they were surprised to see Asia Hernandez creating a scene. "I'm Asia Hernandez. My fiancé is inside!"
"Asia?" Adrianna asked as they got closer.
Asia was surprised and fell silent for a moment.
"What are you and that leech doing here?!" Asia screamed, clearly mad.
"Miss, please don't speak to our guests that way." The manager had recognized Cedric and Adrianna based on a photo Ray had given, he knew these two guests were extremely important.
"Manager, call Mark Chu from inside." Ray, who suddenly appeared behind Cedric with his parents said.
The manager quickly went in and called Mark Chu, who came out accompanied by his father.
When Mark saw Asia he rushed over and grabbed her by the wrist.
"What are you doing here?" Mark asked his fiancé quietly.
"I'm your fiancé! You left me in the villa!" Asia shouted.
"Mr. Laurence, Madam, Sir, I'm so sorry about my future daughter-in-law she's a problematic child." Edward said, apologizing for Asia's behavior.
"I did you and your son a favor by allowing Asia on the island. If I would have my way I wouldn't have even allowed her on this island." Ray said.
"Sir, this won't happen again." Mark Chu promised.
"Have the Chus throw her out and place her on a boat home." Cedric said in a low voice.
Ray simply nodded and looked at Mark Chu.
"You have the perfect opportunity to prove your loyalty and determination to me, Mark." Ray said with a grin.
"I'll do anything, sir." Mark said, still struggling to keep his fiancé quiet.
"Take this woman and send her off the island on the worst boat we have." Ray said with a cold glare.
Mark paused and thought about Asia's pregnancy.
"Please don't." Adrianna suddenly said.
"Adri." Cedric said. He knew his wife had a soft spot for her family and despite everything wouldn't want a member of her family to be hurt.
"What do you suggest Mrs. Reyes?" Ray said with a grin.
Cedric glared at him, daring him to let Asia Hernandez go so lightly.
"Sir, my cousin isn't a nice person. She's mean to everyone, including me. But she's pregnant, and I'm asking on behalf of my unborn niece or nephew that you take it easier on her." Adrianna asked.
Ray looked at Cedric who simply sighed and nodded his head. Ray wanted to laugh and tease Cedric on how he was a bullied husband.
"Fine. Mark, throw her on a plane tonight. She should be off this island in an hour." Ray ordered relenting on his first orders.
"You're too nice to her." Cedric told his wife.
"Could you live with yourself if the child died?" Adrianna asked her husband with a frown.
"She would have pushed you down the stairs if you were pregnant." Cedric told Adrianna.
"I don't need to stoop to her level." Adrianna said.
Cedric simply nodded and gave into his wife's reasoning.
Mark Chu and Edward Chu did as Ray asked and dragged a kicking and screaming Asia away from the venue. Within an hour Mark had packed Asia's things and placed her alone on a plane back to the capital. Mark and Edward were both willing to do anything to get on Ray's good side, especially since his father Benedicto Laurence was also there. Benedicto was not just the head of the Laurence family, he was also first cousins to the President's wife, Rebecka Torres-Sebastian.
After the commotion outside Cedric and Adrianna entered the ballroom. The design inside was exquisite, it felt like a winter wonderland inside, if Adrianna hadn't known she would think they were in Europe rather than in a tropical country with a beach right outside.
"Do you like it?" Adrianna was surprised as Veronica popped by her side.
"It's beautiful!" Adrianna said.
"Thanks! I designed it." Veronica said with a wink.
"You are amazing Veronica!" Adrianna said looking around.
"Something special is happening today, and Ray wanted everything to exceed expectations." Veronica giggled and left.
Adrianna and Cedric found their seats, it was on the same table as the four princes, their sisters, and Eric Chan.
"I think there was a mistake with the table assignment." Adrianna said looking at the people at the table.
"Nope. No mistake." Ray said with his arms crossed on his chest.