Madame

Chapter 10

Elizabeth's POV

I glide through the sea of people, keeping my head low so as to not catch the attention of yet another person who wants to talk my ear off about something I don't care about. I saw my grandfather and aunt speaking to Valetina and Ari earlier and I've been on high alert for my grandmother. God knows what she'll say to me this time, seeing that neither Devani nor I have boyfriends to present to her.

"Mama!" Lili smiles rushing to me and launching herself into my arms as I approach the buffet that was lined against the wall. I twirl my little girl around in my arms, her squeals and giggles filling my ears and I can't help but laugh with her.

"Did you eat, Caretta?" I ask her, holding her in my arms a little longer before putting her down. She shakes her head up and down, showing me a table in the distance where I can clearly see Tomma.

She begins to pull me in the direction of the table and I pull her back as we get about halfway. I knew this would happen so I don't even know why I'm surprised in the least. I just did not expect it to happen so soon.

"Hugo, Maxime, Victor, what a pleasant surprise to see you." I greet them with the nicest smile I can muster. Victor smiles and lightly grasps my arm, kissing both my cheeks in greeting, "Bonjour, Madame, this is a lovely party you have going on here. I was saddened to find out that I was not invited. But since we are such good business partners I assumed you just forgot to write my name down, no worries." His voice makes my fists ball up, my nails digging in my palm.

I put my hands behind my back and nod my head, "My apologies I must've forgotten to mention you to my family, of course, you are invited. After all, you do so much for us even though you are so far away." I say through gritted teeth. He simply nods, not convinced by my performance, and to be honest neither am I.

"Have you seen my niece, we have some things to talk to her about." His face turns as he scans the crowd for Ari's face. He eyes Hugo who has adopted a defensive position,  his legs spread and arms crossed over his chest, finishing with his chin being held awkwardly high.

"I have not, but if I see her I will most definitely alert her of your presence." I fake a smile and eye Tomma who has been standing there, a guilty look on his face. "I'm sure I'll find her first. Hugo, go look for her... calmly." He whispers the last part but I'm not deaf nor am I stupid.

I smile and bow my head, presenting him and his two dumbass companions with the rest of the already grain-sized amount of respect I have for them. Lili is still pressed firmly into my side and Tomma comes beside me, matching my rushed pace, "Where is she?" He asks, his eyes frantically scanning the room. But between the loud music, chatting, and dancing, neither of us can see shit.

I grab my daughter's hand as she picks up a little jog to keep up with us, complaining that we're going too fast and that she wants to dance to the music that has replaced the classical band in the corner. "Maybe later, we need to find Ari, do you see her?" I ask, praying that she can see something through the crowd, but as expected she shakes her head and I groan.

We get to the hall where everyone came in through and I send Tomma to walk up and down it as I take a tour of the outskirts of the party. I spot Hugo in the middle, his hands occupied with a woman's waist, a weird ass smile on his face.

"Hey, Elizabeth!" I hear someone call my name and I look to where I hear it from. Ari comes out from a little side area with her arm linked with Valentina's, and my slightly panicked mood changes oh so quickly. "Ari! Wanna dance? Pleeeeaaase?" Lili begs and I lightly pull her arm, signaling her to be quiet.

"Maybe after you maman and I talk, I promise!" She tells Lili, a cheerfulness to her voice that she only uses with my daughter. Lili beams at the woman's response and starts to tap her feet on the floor, letting go of my hand so that she can pretend to waltz.