The Unexpected Bride

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven

Half an hour later, Sharlene's jaw was stiff from smiling, and her bladder was bursting from consuming more water than she had anticipated. On and on, she and Madam Sinclair went.

Introducing themselves, or rather, she sparked numerous uninteresting and unflattering conversations in the form of simple courtesy.

Surprisingly, the woman had a wider circle of friends, business partners, and the 'inbetweens', whatever that meant, than she thought. Unfamiliar, though they may have been, her mind raced to put a name to the faces.

On many occasions, Sharlene had to glance at her phone before proceeding towards the next person.

The majority, if not all, labeled her the 'best' secretary they had seen Madam Sinclair keep by her side.

The admiration of their joint work ethic brought an embarrassed blush to her cheeks, but a smile nonetheless.

Madam Sinclair's knowing side eye made it horrendously embarrassing.

Sharlene inwardly patted herself for choosing flats over heels, a ground-out debate she and Kira shared during her fashion overall, for her ankle would be screaming for mercy.

"I need to use the...," her words caught in her throat when she sighted a familiar trio. People she did not intend to forget.

Her lips drew into a thin line.

Spotting the woman, who had inadvertently changed her life upside down, yet blessed it in turn, was not rare within such an event, as it was not pleasant.

Then familiar faces of Mr. and Mrs. Doccharles came into view, their intended direction followed in their wake.

Swiftly, they greeted each other upon reaching a safe distance from Madam Sinclair.

"Oh. What a lovely surprise, Miss. Madam Sinclair."

Madam Sinclair briefly glanced their way before looking at Doccharles.

Whether she was amused or uninterested, Sharlene could not tell, for her famous fake smile returned tenfold.

"I hope the event is pleasing to you as it is for me, Mayor Doccharles."

Politely, she stated.

Sharlene inwardly cringed for her tone was cold and dismissive.

Experience showed Madam had no interest in the person or what they expressed.

She felt almost sorry for the man.

"Ah. Yes. Yes, I am. In fact, my wife here simply adores jewelry."

His biddy eyes shone as he nudged Mrs. Doccharles' arm. Picking up the momentum, she expressed with a static smile.

"Coming here is like walking into a gold mine."

Madame Sinclair simply nodded, unbothered and uninterested.

"Forgive my manners," Doccharles hurriedly added, breaking the awkward silence.

"How do you do? And what of your father? How does he fare?"

He rambled, sweat dusting his forehead.

Sharlene grew curious, her eyes falling onto Madam Sinclair's sturdy back.

'Her father?'

She thought, a hand on her chin. 'Was he sick?'

Watching her stiffen, Sharlene deduced.

'Must be a touchy subject. I'll take note not to question.'

"Better than you, I suppose." She sarcastically drawled. "From the news I've heard, you haven't had the best experience. I wonder....'"