Cedric's guess was right. Adrianna was also standing by her window looking directly at Mor Co., hoping the same things as him. She was interrupted with Mia knocked on the door to remind her about her 3pm meeting with the Chus and Ray.
Ray had set the meeting to be held at Bamboo Room. Due to the recent news that he and Ayanna were now dating, paparazzi followed them everywhere, and this was done on purpose. Cedric wanted everyone to know that going after Ayanna meant offending more than just one powerful family, so aside from Mark Chu's wedding blunder, social media was also filled with sightings of the new "it" couple.
When news spread that Ray, Ayanna, Mark, and Adrianna were meeting at Bamboo Room for a project, the press flocked the streets leading to the restaurant.
The first car they spotted arriving was Mark Chu's, true to being a second generation heir he rode a yellow sports car to the meeting. Since the Bamboo Room had its own compound and was surrounded on one side by high walls and a gate, the paparazzi were only able to capture photos of the car and the driver as he zoomed by.
When the paparazzi saw Raymund Laurence's Rolls Royce surrounded by security vehicles arrive they quickly snapped photos. They knew that he had arrived with Ayanna Reyes, since their companions also camped out in the mall where Ayanna and Ray were seen shopping like a happy couple. What surprised the paparazzi was the amount of security that surrounded the couple. Normally there would only be one vehicle trailing behind, the press were simply forced to assume that the additional security was for crowd control.
The paparazzi were just waiting for one guest to arrive, Adrianna Hernandez-Reyes. They had stalked Adrianna in the past and knew that she drove a mid-priced black SUV. From the information they gathered Bamboo Room was on a limited access booking for the day since Ray would be having a meeting there, so there were barely any cars passing by.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThey saw one or two more sports cars and high end cars zooming by. They ignore those since they were probably some VIP guests or other business partners that were insignificant to the press. After a few minutes they were surprised to see a black Rolls Royce surrounded by five security vans. Clearly whoever was the passenger was important, and that list was a very short list, so the paparazzi shot photos as well.
Inside Adrianna insinctively ducked, Mia who was seated next to her quickly took a look outside and realized that Adrianna was ducking to the flashes of the cameras.
"Miss, the windows are heavily tinted, they wouldn't be able to see you." Mia told Adrianna.
Adrianna visibly relaxed as they entered the gates of Bamboo Room's compound. Cedric had been worried about this meeting since he expected that there would be a lot of people wanting to take a photo of either Mark Chu or of Ray and Ayanna. He decided to send his car and a security detail to make sure that Ayanna was safe. It also worked as a brilliant disguise since people didn't expect her to arrive in an expensive car.
When Adrianna's car never passed by the paparazzi were disappointed. It seemed Adrianna had given up the chance to work with the Laurence family.
Inside the compound Adrianna got out of the car and headed inside with Mia in tow. The whole restaurant was empty except for the scenic and famous window table. Aside from Mark, Ray, and Ayanna there were two more men sitting at the table.
When Mark Chu saw Adrianna he quickly got up to escort her to her seat.
"Cousin in law, so glad you could make it!" Mark greeted cheerfully as he attempted to hook her arm.
Adrianna quickly to a side step to avoid Mark from touching her. Ayanna, who had been watching the scene unfold giggled in her seat. Mark looked like the love of his life had just broken up with him, but he didn't give up and pulled her seat back.
Adrianna didn't say anything and chose to just sit down.
"Great. We're all here." Ray said as he signaled the waiters over to bring them some drinks.
"Mr. Laurence it's an honor to meet you. The Chu family did us a great favor by involving us in this project." One of the men said in a clear attempt to suck up to Ray.
Ray simply nodded and waited for his drink to be served.
"Mr. Lauence, if I may introduce you to the other partners I've invited, these are Franco Alvez and Anton Cruz." Mark said, introducing the other two men.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAgain Ray simply nodded.
Something about Anton Cruz felt familiar to Adrianna, she felt like she had met him before and that he had left a bad impression on her, she just couldn't place what it was.
The group moved on to discuss the partnership, during the whole meeting Ray and Ayanna remained quiet and kept their imposing aura. It was like the king and queen were holding court while the subjects all spoke among themselves.
Since the main proprietor of the project was the Chu family it was Mark Chu that led the meeting, he quickly settled any questions that Adrianna or the other two men had. At the end of the day when the terms and the work were agreed on Mark said that he would have his assistant send over the contracts to their respective companies.
Since the meeting had gone smoothly the group all went out together. Since their security detail took a while to assemble Adrianna, Ray, and Ayanna would have to wait a while.
When Anton Cruz's car came up Adrianna was quietly messaging her husband that their meeting was over.
"What's that bitch doing here?" A shrill annoying voice said from inside the car.
Anton Cruz who didn't expect his wife to react so harshly tried to calm her down.