The Hooded Girl (on hold)

||Chapter 30||

Tate

"Do you mind if I take a seat?" I look up to see Elena's father "Oh no not at all you must be Lily's friend" my mom says with a smile. I look at him confused wondering had I done something wrong or was he was here to ask my mom about River and Elena "She forgot to mention how handsome you were" my mom says causing her eyes to widen "I'm so sorry excuse me I'm not normally so honest" she says covering her mouth with her hand as a muffled laugh escapes "Oh no please I enjoy honesty and your beauty also" he says with what I could only describe as a charming smile "Sergio Vitale" he says extending his hand "Annette Kerrington" my mom says shaking his hand lightly "and I believe we've met Mr Kerrington" he says also extending his hand to me which I take "I'm sorry for the confusion earlier" I say realising I probably called him by Elena's moms surname "Where did Elena go?" I ask confused "She's sitting with her parents" he replies causing me to look at him confused "Oh so you know the infamous Elena" My mom says looking star struck "Yes I work for her father that's how Lily and I know eachother" he says clarifying the situation "Oh" I say nodding my head "I'm sorry for the misunderstandings earlier I assumed you were her father" I say feeling like an idiot "It's fine you couldn't have known" he says with a tight smile and a nod. I begin to scan the room looking for Elena towards the back but couldn't see her.

🥂

They run through the formalities about what the school was in need of for the camp which is where all the show boating came out who had the biggest beach vila to host the camp or who could afford the most canoes. We were currently at intermission for the next half an hour to let everyone do a little more dancing as well as to get their affairs in order and contact their lawyers and what have you. I decided to walk to the bathroom not wanting to third wheel my mom and Sergio anymore. I excuse myself and smile as I leave the bathroom. I was happy my mom was more comfortable and actually enjoying herself.

On my way to the bathroom I spot a familiar blonde fur but eating a mountain for ice cream toward the front table "Liv" I say as I approach her and a woman who looked exactly like Elena "Hi" I say reaching her table. She looks up at me and shies away towards her mom "Olivia don't be like that" she says wrapping her arms around Liv "I'm sorry she's not normally like this" she says looking down at Liv "I know I'm-" I cut myself short realising she was probably wondering why I was talking to her 5 year old "Tate Kerrington" I say extending my hand "Oh right you're Annette's son she mentioned you. Lily" she says returning the hand shake "I'm Liv and Cecelia's mom" she says stroking Livs hair "Lily the one who sent Sergio over" I say smiling "Yes I hope you don't mind" she says stretching her mouth "No not at all this is the most sociable I've seen her at these things" I say hopefully re assuring her "Well I'm glad" she says smiling "I'm just not sure what I've done to upset Liv" I say genuinely worried why she was shying away from me did she not recognise me "It's me potato" I say trying to cheer her up "oh you're potato I've heard her talking about you and talking with you and the phone and you dropped her and Cecelia of the other time yes I remember" Lily says piecing things together "Liv what's wrong" she asks in my behalf "He's a meanie he hurt Cece" she says causing Lily to look up at me. I'm shocked wondering why she thought that "What do you mean he hurt Cece?" Her mom asks "I heard Cece talking to Liz about the bad ocean that was hurting her and Liz said wow a Kerringtons are dnagerous" she says looking back at me with a stubborn frown. I huff realising the bad ocean was probably a code word for River. I shake my head "Oh no I know that look what did you do?" Her mom says to me with an eyebrow raise "No not me" I say shaking my head "My brother I'm afraid" I say visibly annoyed "well I'm sorry you though I hurt her Liv but I would never do that your sister" I say hopefully regaining her trust "Buddies?" I say putting out my fist "Buddies" she says fist bumping me back. Well that was easy I think to myself as she smiles up at me "Liv I think you've got a little fan" Lily says pointing out a little curly haired boy watching her from his table "That's Tyler he's cool" she says smiling cheekily at her mother "Well if he's so cool why don't you go ask him for a dance" Lily suggests causing Liv to nod her head vigorously "See ya Potato" she says giving me a quick hug before running off "If only her sister were so bold" her mom says watching her as she runs off "Speak of her sister where is she?" I asks seeing as she wasn't on the table with them "Her father whisked her away for a dance they're here somewhere" she says looking through the crowd "You two looked good together during the tango" she says looking as if she were studying me "She looked so happy" she says smiling "Really?" I say glad to hear I wasn't the only one who thought so "I'm not sure what this whole situation with your brother is but I hope you guys work it out"she says reminding me "Yeah I hope so to" not wanting to get too into it "Well enjoy the rest of your night Mrs Melroe" I say with a quick smile "You too Tate" she says returning the smile.

🚽

I quickly head to the bathroom and duck back in time for the interesting part of the night to start. I return to my seat seeing my mom and Sergio were still laughing and chatting up a storm with my mom now sitting on his side of the table. They quiet down as the head of the board begins to speak from his table on stage with the rest of the "Now that we've made you all aware of the needs of the school which can be covered by donations we will now accept other offers" he says pulling out his list.

It was weird how this thing operated like an auction but fit the occasion considering it was more a competition of who had the biggest wallet rather than who was the most generous because if it were really about that donations would be done in a more private setting. "I'll provide appropriate footwear I'm in partnership with Nike" Scott Philips Klowis father says raising his paddle. He was an ex football player who mainly works in scouting as well as managing an alcohol line thanks to his wife's family owning majority of the vineyards in France and Italy "Great thank you Mr Philips" the head master says nodding his head "We'll take care of catering the camp our family owns multiple companies in catering" Andrew Hargreaves offers. "Very generous Mr.Hargreaves" the head master says signalling to his PA to note down "My company can offer 5 private planes" Harold Lindberg says raisin his paddle "My family can offer 10 more to that" John Fern says in his southern drawl "My company is able 10 also" Thomas Clinton says raising his paddle. I laugh seeing the competition was just getting started "My company can offer one of our hotels we have a resort chain in many locations" Audrey's father offers "Thank you Mr.Sutherland" the head master says all starry eyed "Yes Mr.Heywood" the head master responds to Dallas's fathers raised hand "Would a resort chain be sufficient to housing over twenty thousand teenagers?" He asks raising his brow "Do you have something better to offer" Audrey's father counters back causing them to get into an argument. The argument went back and forth until a single raised hand caused the room to fall silent "Yes Mr.Karmichael" the headmaster says looking over to James Karmichael "If there are no sufficient alternatives my family and I would be glad to offer our private island to host the camp" he says casually but with such power "What a splendid solution Mr.Karmichael" the headmaster says smiling causing everyone to clap.

"He's really generous" my mom says smiling as she claps with the crowd. I agreed considering he had no reason to show boat he was the wealthiest man here and everyone knew it "Yes contrary to what some believe Mr.Karmichaels a very generous man" Sergio says taking a sip of his drink "You ever met him?" My mom asks wanting to know more about him "Well he is my boss" Sergio says placing down his glass.

I look at Sergio confused considering he said he worked for Elena's father that doesn't make any sense was he a liar? "If you don't mind us asking what is this supposed island" Billy Randall one of the Charlie Randall's asks. He was a billionaire who like Mr Karmichael had a hand in everything however the Randall's dealt mostly with oil "Just off the cost of Ayala its not my island exactly it was a gift to my eldest" he says sitting up in his seat revealing who was sitting next to him "It's called Bella de Cecelia" he says as Elena's become a lot more visible. I-I couldn't believe it...She...she was the daughter of James Karmichael.