FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 134

Chapter 134: The Beauty Conference

Blaze was greeted with a standing ovation, amid wild cheering and clapping as he appeared from behind the stage, smiling and waving like a dignified ruler about to address his subject.

He elegantly made his way to his seat looking dapper in his sleek, custom-made, well-fitted grey suit, that captured his well-built structure leaving the audience made up of mostly ladies drooling over him.

Under the spotlight, he exuded an intimidating and domineering aura, that left the other speakers comprising both male and female falling behind his shadow.

As Blaze sat down, he swept his gaze across the hall in search of his wife. He spotted her on the left wing of the front row, staring right back at him, a captivating smile spreading across her face. Their feeling for each other was quickly expressed through their gaze, but it only lasted for a few seconds as Blaze looked away, focusing his attention on the event host, who had also taken her seat three meters away from him.

Amelia was in complete awe as she continued to stare at her charming husband wondering why he didn’t mention that he would be attending the program earlier at breakfast. She had no clue that Blaze was one of the major sponsors of the program.

So many questions popped up in her head as she wondered what Blaze was going to say. She wondered if he would directly or indirectly make any reference to her as his wife, especially with the way so many ladies were annoyingly drooling over him.

Amelia couldn’t explain why she felt like pepper spraying so many flirtatious eyes ogling at her husband. She felt envious hearing too many side comments from young ladies who assumed Blaze was still single. She was tempted to go over to them and tell them to back away from her husband or suffer her wrath. But then, wouldn’t that be considered a psychopathic woman approach to fighting for her man’s attention?

Moreover, they haven’t made their marriage public yet even though there were a few speculations about the possibility of the two of them being together, based on her recent change of name. Yet, it wasn’t official.

Pushing all her anxious thoughts to the pit of her stomach, Amelia decided to focus on learning something innovative she could take back to her company rather than daydream of Blaze, who seemed business-minded at the moment.

“Please, I would like everyone to take their seats. The program is about to begin.” The event host announced, giving the audience a few minutes to settle down before continuing her welcome address.

“Once again, permit me to welcome you all to the year’s Beauty South Chardin conference, tagged, ‘Redefined’.”

A round of applause erupted in the air and soon died down as the event host continued speaking.

“As part of the organizing committee, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for availing themselves of this opportunity to join this impactful program. We are inspired to see such a diverse group of experts coming together from different countries and fields of knowledge, ready to share their experience and knowledge in connection to beauty and longevity. I would encourage everyone to please give their maximum attention to the issues discussed and write down your questions which will be addressed towards the end of the program. Now without further ado, let’s get into the business of today.”

The event post turned to her first speaker, a mature woman known for her iconic contribution to the cosmetology world.

“Mrs Jones, what is your take on the word ‘beauty’ as regards our theme Redefined?

“Thank you, Miss Gale. Beauty as we all know begins from the moment you decide to be yourself and make a positive impact in your world. It’s such a…”

The first speaker’s voice trailed as Amelia’s attention was diverted to the infuriating conversation between Joanna and her new friend.

“Isn’t Mr Blaze Anderson so handsome? I can’t take my eyes off him for even a second.” Joanna’s new friend, Pamela cooed dreamingly, ogling at him.

“Oh please… he isn’t that handsome.” Joanna scoffed, even though she thought otherwise.

“Are you kidding me? Please do not tell me you are that blind to see that sexy god seated up there. He is so gorgeous for one man. I can even feel the invisible power radiating from him.”

“Whatever!” Joanna hissed. She brought out her phone from her handbag and started texting Tina while Pamela kept on being more infuriating.

“I bet he looks way hotter with his clothes off. Imagine gazing upon those beautiful biceps and those perfectly sculptured abs. Imagine being held close to that sturdy chest, the masculine scent of wood and mint filling your nostrils .” Pamela whispered to Amelia’s hearing, licking her lips.

Amelia’s breathing slowly became heavy as anger coursed through her veins like an angry serpent causing her muscles to tense and her fist to clench.

“Can you spare me all those boring details? Keep them to yourself. I’m not interested.” Joanna snapped at her friend as she kept tapping away on her phone, chatting away with Tina, giving the latter an update on the things happening at the conference.

“Are you telling me if you have a chance to warm Mr handsome’s bed, you wouldn’t grab it with both hands?” Pamela nudged Joanna on the side, not planning on giving up her girlish whims.

“No,” Joanna flashed her an irritated glare. “I wouldn’t. Moreover, he’s unavailable.”

“What do you mean unavailable? The last time I checked he was still single.”

“Not anymore.” Joanna leaned forward to eye Amelia, who remained quiet, pretending not to overhear their conversation.

“Are you trying to say he’s in some kind of relationship?” Pamela’s brows furrowed.

“Not some kind of relationship darling. He’s married.”

“Married!” Pamela’s jaws dropped. “How! When?”

“I believe recently.”

“Recently!” Pamela eyed Joanna suspiciously. “I have been following every celebrity marriage for the past couple of months, and the most recent was that of veteran actor, Cassandra Hilton with her overseas base oil and gas mogul lover. There was nothing on Blaze Anderson or any Andersons for that matter. So how can that be possible?”

“Haven’t you heard of the term private marriages?” Joanna sneered, bored by Pamela’s shallow thinking. “Not all celebrities or successful men and women enjoy disclosing their private life to the world. Moreover, when last did you hear of any gossip concerning Mr.Anderson.”

Pamela paused to think. “I can’t recall.”

“Exactly my point. He’s one of those few wealthy men who doesn’t like people poke-nosing in his private affairs.”

“Were you invited to the marriage?” Pamela asked, her excitement evident in her voice.

Joanna’s face palmed her forehead. “Did you forget the part where I said the whole affair was private?” She asked staring incredulously at Pamela.

“Then how come you know so much if you didn’t attend?” Pamela ignored the sacrament in Joanna’s tone.

“Trust me, I know.”

Amelia sat on her chair venting inwardly not believing that Joanna could sell her out like this to a lousy lady like this talkative Pamela, all in the name of beefing her.

‘Wasn’t Joanna taking this whole misunderstanding to the extreme and wouldn’t her actions be considered an infringement on my private life?’ Amelia pondered in her heart. She could tell Joanna was doing all of this to get a reaction from her.

“No, I won’t give her that luxury of my time. I won’t make a fool of myself. Moreover, she hasn’t said anything about me.”

Amelia inwardly encouraged herself and tried to focus her attention on the third speaker. But, Pamela’s infuriating voice seemed to be the only voice echoing in her head, irking her to the bone.

“Since you know so much about this secret marriage, then I’m guessing you will know who this lucky bride is right?”

Joanna shrugged.

“Tell me.” Pamela pleaded, the thought of creating an internet sensation with her live stream about the handsome Blaze Anderson and his mysterious wife, exciting her.

Amelia’s heart started pounding as she finally tilted her head to the right to look at Joanna who was pretending to look elsewhere.

“Don’t say anything, Jay. Don’t do it.”

Amelia heard a desperate voice echo in her head, her heart pounding.

Joanna fantasized about the thought of exposing and disgracing Amelia for the backstabber that she was. But she recalled Tina’s desperate plea asking her not to do anything that would jeopardize Blaze’s image, stressing that the latter could be ruthless when crossed. “I’m sorry, I can’t say.”

“Ugh! Such a bummer!” Pamela pouted.

Amelia released her breath which she didn’t realize she was holding all this while.

“But I’m guessing you will find out soon enough because nothing hides under the sun forever,” Joanna added, passing an indirect message to Amelia.

“Yeah!” Pamela leaned back in her seat feeling very disappointed. She remained quiet for a while as though processing the information she had just gathered. “Whoever this bride is, must be the luckiest lady in the world.”

“Lucky!” Joanna scoffed.

“Why?” Pamela’s eyes brightened again. “Aren’t you happy for the bride?”

“I couldn’t care less?” Joanna rolled her eyes.

“Is that jealousy I perceive in your tone?”

“Me! Jealous? Never. I don’t take what doesn’t belong to me?”