The Arrangement

Chapter Sixteen

"Why are we here again?"

Lily sighs wearily. Lord, he is at it again.

"It's for a good cause, Marko." Lily answers for the hundredth time that day. "Even your father agrees that it would be a good event to attend.

Sure it is. He thought. Everything would be peachy as long as we attend it together.

"Besides, Father William had personally invited us." Lily added, "It would be polite to attend."

The mere mention of the priest and the memory of the way he was actually making out with Lily had put Marko in a sour mood again.

"Great. You can thank him for the invitation." He snaps, "While you're at it, do something useful like confessing all of your past sins to the jerk."

Lily raised a brow when she heard his sneering remarks. What is with him? Can't he get over the fact that William is a priest? Why is he making such a big fuss about it? And what is with the jealous attitude?

"Marko," Steve silently pointed out to a prominent looking man standing with a small group of people. "Isn't that Louis Peterson?"

Marko's attention was immediately caught when he heard the name of one of the well-known tycoons in America. Louis Peterson was a man he had always wanted to meet. God knows how long he has been trying to meet the man but it was proving to be quite a challenge.

"Maybe coming to this stupid event wasn't such a waste." Marko murmurs, hoping to find an opening.

"If we can talk to him today, perhaps we can finally secure a meeting with him." Val puts in.

Seeing the small throng of people around him, Raph was a bit disheartened. "How do we do that?" 

"I can see a few of Uncle Joaquin's friends." Lucio whispers, "Perhaps we can get an introduction from them."

"Let's go and meet him." Marko and the rest of the Villafuentes rushed off without a backward glance.

Seeing as Lily was going to be left out, "Why don't you go on ahead, Lily." Steve told her kindly. "This is going to take a while and I really don't want you to get too tired."

"Okay." Lily nods before Steve rushed off to join the group. She glanced at the man they were all eager to meet. She smiles when she saw Louis Peterson.  Louis' eyes widen in surprise but he did give her a warm smile. Lily gave him a small wave before she turns to leave.

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Wandering around, Lily silently cursed when she couldn't locate the convention hall yet. She soon found herself in a very long hallway with men rushing past her carrying in some ornately designed furniture, paintings, and statues.

Lily sighs happily. I am definitely in the right place.

Some of the pieces they were carrying were quite beautiful. The vintage French Tufted Chairs was a work of art but definitely not for her. She was able to avoid most of the men rushing in and out but one rather clumsy-looking man caught her attention. Not only was he holding an expensive urn but he could barely grip it. So when it slipped through his hands, Lily had to dive right in just to catch it or watch it break into a million pieces.

"Lily." William's familiar voice echoes into Lily's still throbbing head. "Are you all right?" He asks, helping her sit up.

Even though it hurts, Lily managed a small smile. "A bit bruised but its nothing to worry about." She turns to the pale looking man who looks as if he was seeing the devil himself. He was so pale one would have thought he was probably on the verge of hyperventilating. Thinking that he was worried about the urn, Lily held it up for him to see.