On Saturday, my teachers and I were present in school to plan and put down the final touches to our preparations.
The guests had been invited, and thanks to Ethan's post on social media earlier this morning we were expecting media presence also.
We had hired the team for decoration and catering also. Everything had become much easier thanks to Ethan's donation toward the play.
"So, Mrs Reynolds and Catherine, you two will be in charge of stage management and setting the props. Ellen is in charge of the musical score. Justin and Valerie, you'll usher the guests to their seats. Mrs Reynolds will also be in charge of the kids after the play. " I read from my tablet.
"Is everyone okay with their roles?" I looked up, expecting a response but I never got one. They just stared at me or looked away.
"Guys?" Ellen tried to call their attention. Then came the murmured responses.
"What about you, Miss Leia? What will you be doing?" Valerie, our youngest teacher asked.
Ellen and I exchanged glances at the question.
"I'll be at the entrance, welcoming the guests. Then I'll be around, making sure that the play is going on smoothly. After that I'll be at the reception hall, making sure the guests are well attended to." I said with a smile.
"That seems a little too much for just you, Miss Leia." Catherine, the fifth grade teacher commented.
"Have someone else do it."
I blinked in surprise. "Why, it's nothing. I can handle that." I said dismissing her worries.
"Well, we wouldn't like to stress you out. You know now you're billionaire's fiancée right now." Justin added and Valerie giggled.
I gave him a flat look. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Justin shrugged.
"So you guys would willingly stress me out if I wasn't a billionaire's fiancée." I put my hand over my chest with a hurt expression. "I feel your love guys. Much love."
"But how comes we're just getting to know about this now? You're engaged to Ethan Sterling. The Ethan Sterling." Catherine asked, looking astonished.
I knew it would come to this. Ever since Friday when Ellen confronted me with that photo and I had to announce to them all that I was engaged to Ethan Sterling, I noticed they had been acting all weird around me.
"Well, he wanted the relationship to be a secret for my safety. And also, I wouldn't tell you guys because of the way y'all have been acting."
I sighed and continued. "I'm the same old Leia you know. Who I'm marrying doesn't change who I am."
"From a regular teacher, you'll be the wife of the third most influential executive in F City and the youngest richest CEO in the country and beyond. If that isn't a change then I don't know what change is." Justin asserted and they all agreed.
I felt my purpose was defeated. But I didn't give up. "I'm still me guys. I'll still eat cheese pizzas with you guys after a long day of hard work."
"It better be those expensive, high class pizzas." Justin joked looking so serious that everyone broke into a laugh.
"Justin!" Ellen glared at him and that got him to behave. He seemed to be quite afraid of Ellen.
Hopefully, that little conversation would do something to clear up the issue.
* * *
Sunday evening rolled by and I stood by the doorway, elegantly dressed in a simple sundress and heels. Ellen and I were welcoming the guests that honored our invitation and came to the play. Most of them were parents of our students. I also saw some high profile individuals who came. They must be here because of Ethan's post.
Just as we had planned the previous day, As Ellen and I welcomed the guests at the entry way, Justin and Valerie ushered them to the auditorium where the play was about to start. The rest of the teachers were helping the children get into position backstage and setting up the props or the reception hall.
The amount of guests that showed up for the event were more than I had expected and I knew for a fact that the reason most of them had shown up was because of the post Ethan had posted on his social media.
I kept watching and waiting for Ethan's arrival. He had said he would make it but he didn't specify the time. Tonight was crucial for our plans on exposing our relationship. This was the first time we would be seen in public together.
Asides that, I wanted him to see what we were able to achieve due to his help as a means of thanking him. I just hoped he didn't have a reason to cancel tonight. After all he was a very busy man.
When I turned to Ellen, I realized she had been staring at me all along, noticing how my eyes scanned the crowd in search. There was a sly knowing smile, plastered on her face.
"What?"
"You're waiting for him aren't you? Your fiance." She said, her eyebrows dancing on her forehead.
I rolled my eyes. "As a matter of fact, I am. He said he's coming. But I don't see him anywhere."
"Well, call him." Ellen suggested.
I was tempted to but I had already left him a text earlier reminding him about the play and checking if he was going to attend but there was no response.
"I already sent him a text." I told her.
Ellen's lips drew into a suggestive smile.
"Aww, isn't that romantic?"
I shook my head in disbelief. There was nothing romantic about the text I had sent Ethan. If anything, it sounded like a company email. Curt and formal.
Just as I looked back at the guests trooping in, my eyes caught a familiar figure whom I never expected to attend.
I pulled on Ellen's arm. "Oh my goodness! Is that the mayor?"
Ellen glanced back at me, hopping on her toes in excitement. "It is him." She grabbed my arm back. When Mayor Cole came closer, Ellen and I went over to greet and welcoming the middle aged man.
"Good Evening, Mayor Cole. Welcome to our school."
"Good evening ladies. I'm glad to be here." The Mayor smiled noticing that both Ellen and I were giddy with excitement. We has tried to get his attention on previous occasions concerning the school.
But today he was here and we didn't even formally invite him. He looked from Ellen to me and then narrowed his eyes at me.
"You must be Sterling's fiance that he talked about."
Ethan had a conversation with the mayor about me? I nodded regardless.
"Yes I am."
The mayor took my hand for a shake. "Wow. Boy, Sterling is one lucky man to bag an absolute beauty as yourself."
I felt myself redden at the compliment.
"Your fiance is a good friend of mine. He told me he would be attending a play his fiance was hosting tonight instead of coming over to sign finalize the plans for his new project. I said to myself, I had to see the woman that had that cold Sterling boy whipped. And here you are. It's a pleasure to meet you. " The Mayor gushed, filling the air with his cheerful aura.
"Thank you so much sir for coming to our play." I smiled profusely.
"What is your name?"
"Leia Sanders." I answered.
The mayor's eyes narrowed. "You know Cadence Sanders? You look like him. The eyes and all"
"He's my father." I announced, not exactly proud but I couldn't deny it either.
"Oh wow. I know him. He's an excellent lawyer. So is your mother. It's a surprise you're a school teacher. They raised a wonderful young lady." The mayor commented.
He turned to Ellen.
"And who is this equally beautiful lady? You have and uncanny resemblance to someone I know."
"My name is Ellen Hendrick." I let Ellen lead him to the auditorium as it was almost time for the play anyway and she needed to take her position at the piano.
One last time, I looked at the guests trooping in and my shoulders fell in disappointment.