Chapter 178 - What Is There To Cover?
Chapter 178 – What Is There To Cover?
Atlantis wondered if Lina knew how loved she was by people. Sure, she had her misfortunes in school from severe bullying and being body shamed, but didn't everyone have their own problems?
There was something about Lina's absolute resolve. Once she made up her mind, her decision was final. Once she decided to like someone, she'd like them. Once she hated someone, they'd stand no chances of gaining favors. Her walls were high and impenetrable.
Atlantis had always viewed her in the best light. He grew up with her, witnessed her growth, and was a testament to her righteousness.
Lina befriended him when no one glanced in his direction. She borrowed money from her grandparents when his mother was sick with cancer. She did all she could for him and she was just a kid.
It was precisely why Atlantis thought he saw an angel. When she slowly turned around, in her captivating white dress, he was speechless. The light shone favorably upon her, adding an ethereal glow. Then, his heart stopped.
Lina awkwardly smiled like she didn't know what to do with her face.
"Atlantis," Lina addressed.
"Linlin," Atlantis called.
Lina's smile slipped a bit. Her face suddenly went blank. She glanced at the crowd around him, all of whom were whispering at their intimate nickname. They should've expected as much, no? This very crowd of young heirs and heiresses had watched the two get along since middle and high school.
Then, Lina realized. They were surprised, for she was announced as Kaden's wife.
"We're grown adults now," Lina lightly laughed. "No more childish nicknames."
Atlantis' brows shot up. Just as he expected, Kaden was hitting her, wasn't he? Suddenly she stopped using their nicknames. Surprisingly, she seemed to create distance between them. He didn't forget that sinful phone call a few days ago. Because of the lack of a concrete answer, he came to his own celebration without a date.
"Of course not," Atlantis cooly said with a slight smile.
Lina slowly blinked and nodded in agreement. Before she could continue, Atlantis' attention flickered to Krystal.
"There you are," Atlantis stated with a hard stare. "Is everything alright with the choir, Krystal? It's awfully quiet."
Krystal's breath was caught in her throat. She had forgotten how handsome their high school's bad boy was. There was a rugged demeanor to him. Heirs were always blue-blooded and well-bred, meant for marriage to the most eligible woman.
Illegitimate sons like Atlantis with commoner mothers lacked the same etiquettes. It made good girls like Krystal curious about the extent of his mischief created from common blood.
"U-uhm…" Krystal trailed off, noticing the entire crowd of her peers behind him.
If Krystal revealed her incompetence now, what would her peers say about her? Krystal's attention swept to the massive gathering of businessmen and businesswomen in the room who were all conversing amongst peers and strangers. They weren't looking in her direction, but they might as well have been.
What was a celebration without music?
Krystal was too unnerved to lie."Actually, in regards to the choir—"
"Everything is fine," Lina said, stepping in front of Krystal.
Krystal's eyes widened. She wanted to protest, but suddenly, Lina grabbed her hand. Lina made it seem like she was adjusting her dress.
"How would you know?" Atlantis mused. He curled his brows and glanced at Krystal. "Don't tell me my dear friend is covering for you?"
"What is there to cover?" Lina responded in an amiable tone. She showed no hesitation in forcing another smile.
"All is well, Atlantis," Lina told him.
Atlantis trusted her. He didn't trust Krystal, who must've tricked Lina. But he wasn't the kind of man to embarrass her in public.
Not when Atlantis knew she had joined a Race of Heirs, one he could help with. It was precisely why he tried to make her his date, so she could network with his peers.
"Alright then," Atlantis stated. "My speech is starting soon, come and join me."
Atlantis offered her his elbow. Lina blankly stared at the gesture, but then shook her head.
"It's your night, Atlantis, I wouldn't dare take the attention off of you. I look forward to your speech," Lina stated.
Atlantis softly chuckled at her brazen words. She was always so confident of herself. He loved that side of her. She always knew how to say the right things. Always knew how to deflect things from her.
"You make it seem like you can take the attention off of me," Atlantis teased.
"You never know," Lina retorted.
Atlantis shook his head with mirth on his handsome face. "Very well then."
Atlantis turned upon his leather shoes and stalked off with his friends in tow. Lina watched as his peers turned to look over their shoulders. The men admired her figure up and down. The woman gauged if she were a friend or foe. Regardless, she proudly raised her head and let them look.
"Why did you do that?" Krystal said with a shaky voice. "You clearly heard—"
"You clearly don't know what I can do," Lina murmured.
Lina slipped her phone out of her pocket. Yes, this dress had pockets. She was just as ecstatic by this unprecedented discovery as anyone else.
Lina turned her back to Krystal and made a quick phone call. Now that she remembered, on the news, it mentioned a world-famous soprano singer, who was back in the city. Who would she be if she did have someone that knew the manager?
"Kaden?"
Krystal's head jolted up at the infamous name. So the rumors were true. Lina Yang was married to Kaden. She couldn't believe this juicy gossip in front of her, but she didn't dare to speak of it. Not when she was getting help from Lina.
"Yes, I'm alright," Lina said into the phone.
Krystal immediately knew this wasn't a marriage of convenience. Not when Lina spoke with such adoration in her tone.
"By chance, do you have the contact of the renowned soprano singer that came to town?" Lina asked.
A moment later, Lina perked up.
"Yes, that one. Do you think she can bring her choir and come to Atlantis' celebration?"
Krystal nervously swallowed. She fidgeted with her fingers. If it was the soprano singer that Krystal had in mind, then there was no way the diva would come. They said the soprano couldn't be bought with money to sing, even though she came from humble beginnings. She recently married a man who was wealthy with old money, thus, did not lack profits.
"Really?" Lina perked up with a soft gasp. "She's on her way from just a text?"
Krystal's eyes grew wide with equal disbelief. She couldn't believe her own ears! What was this twist of events?
"Thank you," Lina gratefully said. "Yes yes, I won't stay out for long."
Then, Lina hung up the phone. She turned to Krystal and presented her with a smile.
"The singer and her choir should arrive right after Atlantis' speech have been made and dinner is to start. It's the perfect time for music since right now, people are too busy networking," Lina concluded.
Krystal was blown away by Lina's composure. Even with problems following her left and right, Lina didn't waiver. Krystal had witnessed the confrontation with Elaine, the toppled-over chair, and the exchange of insults. Krystal wondered how Lina was so good at pretending to be fine.
"Thank you!" Krystal rejoiced, now that her reputation was saved and no longer on the line.
"I owe you one," Krystal concluded.
Good.
Lina simply smiled. "Please, we're old classmates. We don't need to owe favors to each other."
Krystal's eyes lit up at her words. "Still, you really helped me out here."
Krystal glanced around the room and then spotted her brother with their group of friends. She quickly grabbed Lina's hands.
"Come, let me tell my brother the good news as well," Krystal stated as she began to pull Lina to the other side of the room.
Lina was relieved. Her plan worked. The best way to make friends was to help someone. Then, they'd be relieved enough to do anything to exchange the favor. To join a social group, you need a friend in that group to pull you in. That was the most natural introduction.
And judging from Krystal's position on the pyramid, Lina knew she didn't pick the rotten rope.. Especially when she saw who Krystal's close group of friends were, including her influential brother.