Sweet Betrayal

Chapter 2

“And the best annual Architecture Master Prize (AMP) goes to Amber Stewart. Let’s give a big round of applause to her ladies and gentlemen as she designed the Harbor’s Café in New Orleans and the Ethiopian cultural center in Ethiopia, which is visible on the screen behind me. Isn’t it spectacular?  She is only twenty-one years old but her designs are fabulous and very unique. And as you all know that AMP honor’s designs in the discipline of architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture with the goal of advancing the appreciation of architecture worldwide, her designs are incomparable and so the jury decided to give this award to her.” All the people gathered at the venue stood up and clapped their hands.

“I’d like to invite, Miss Amber Stewart to receive the award.” The host cried out excitedly.

Everyone in the audience was looking towards the woman who rose up from her seat and walked with elegance, she had a warm smile on her face and her face was glowing.

Amber was wearing a red gown and her long black hair was curled and it bounced gently as she walked towards the stage and she held a pleasant smile tirelessly.

“Congratulation’s for your award, Miss Stewart. Do you want to say something to the audience?” The host asked politely.

She lifted her golden trophy and moved her lips to the microphone. “Yes I do, firstly I would like to thank my tutors and all my supporters. This recognition does not belong to me alone, but to each and everyone who were involved with the project along the way. I would like to thank my boss, Mr. Andre Putin, for recognizing my talent and giving me the opportunity to work in his company. And finally, my mother who is my strength, I wouldn’t be standing here, if it wouldn’t have been for her love and support. . Thank you, mom.” Her eyes had gone red and tears were about to fall but she controlled her emotions and smiled at the audience.

The host continued on and asked. “This award is an esteemed honor and you were very lucky to achieve it at such a young age, may we know what are you planning to do in the future, Miss Stewart.”

The question caught her off guard but she recollected herself and responded. “Well, as I had been really busy with my work, my boss Mr. Putin owe's  me a long holiday, so I have decided to make use of my privileges and take a long vacation.” The audience roared with laughter but Andre Putin was roaring with laughter as he knew that Amber was just bluffing as she never took long vacations but he did not know that there was a surprise waiting for him.

Amber made no further response and left the stage.

*************************************************

The backstage party was on a whirl and everyone was enjoying themselves. The DJ was really good and couples were dancing away.

Amber was surrounded by architects and businesses from around the world, congratulating her. Some wanted her to join their company, some wanted her to design for them and some wanted to flirt with her, as she was really pretty and her light blue eyes sparkled when she spoke, everyone was captivated by her beauty.

But among all these people there was one man standing away at the far end corner and observing her with keen interest.

He was surrounded by a beautiful blonde and a long-legged woman but he ignored them.

His eyes twinkled and he watched her mouth as she spoke and interacted with the people around her, her eyes were so captivating that he couldn’t take his eyes off her and he walked slowly step by step towards her.

Amber was very tired and wanted to grab a chair to relax her legs and looked around eagerly, just then Andre arrived and held her hand and whispered.

“Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”

Amber nodded her head and whispered back. “Andre get me out of here or they will kill me with suffocation."

 Andre looked around and said. “Sorry, ladies and gentleman, Amber is really tired and wants to eat something, would you please give her some time alone. She will be back then you can talk to her, how much ever you want. Won’t you Amber?” Andre said politely ad smiled at her. While he caught her hand to pull her away from the people.

Amber nodded her head and smiled at them and walked away with Andre.

“Amber are you all right?” Andre asked with concern. “I am sorry I was held up by the senator, so couldn’t accompany you earlier.”

“It's okay Andre. Thank you for saving me at the right time or I would have collapsed.” She smiled.

He hugged her lightly and said. “By the way congratulations, I am so proud of you. You truly deserve it. We will celebrate it when we return home.”

“Thank you, Andre.” She whispered softly. “Let's eat something or I will die of hunger.”

Andre smiled and they went to the buffet area and heaped their plates with delicious food and after finding a seat, they started eating their food without talking.

But they couldn’t eat peacefully as Andre was surrounded by women who were coming and trying to talk to him. Amber shook her head and looked at the man who was looking at her apologetically as he was really embarrassed.

Amber was not bothered at all because she had gotten used to it.  For the past two years whenever they went out for work or dinner, he would be always be surrounded by women. He was of mixed breed as his father was German and his mother is an English woman. He had inherited his good genes from his father and was one of the top ten wealthiest and the most handsome man in London.

She just smiled and looked at those butterflies who were buzzing around him with pity as she knew they won’t interest him. He was a clean freak.

They had become best friends after working with each other for nearly two years and people gossiped in their office that they were a couple but only Amber knew that she had always treated him as a good friend and never bothered about office gossip.

She felt very comfortable around him and knew him in and out.

“Are you done eating Amber? Do you want anything else to eat?” Andre asked her.

“No, I am full. If I eat more I will explode.” She said and grinned t him.

Andre picked up a tissue and started wiping the food around the corner of her mouth.

She didn’t object as he was always like that, trying to protect her.

“Ahem.” They heard someone cough behind them and the two of them turned towards the source of sound.