Chapter 6 Fresh Sunshine Company

• She was getting more beautiful and sexy. Her body became fuller and her skin shone like pearls. Not only that, she also arranged her hair into a sweet bun with strands of hair loosely let loose on purpose, framing her face which wore natural makeup that radiated her beauty.
• God, why did I only see how beautiful and sexy my ex-wife was after so many years of separation? How many years now? Six years I think.
• The dress worn by Laurie, her bag, and also her shoes, it was clear, not bought from a boutique in a department store let alone an ordinary clothing store. They were all made by famous designers and the prices must be very expensive.
• The jewelry she wore, the necklace and the sparkling ring were also real, diamonds and white gold with elegant designs. Her watch, my goodness, I can't even buy the branded watch worn by Laurie, because the price is too expensive for me.
• Does Laurie work at one of the big companies present at this event and her career is good so she gets a big salary and can buy those beautiful and expensive things?
• Maybe she had a kind and generous boss, and Laurie lived alone anyway so she could spend all her money just for herself, right?
• My mind was running wild. Was it possible that Laurie had remarried a rich man, or even worse, she might have become the mistress of an official or businessman who spoiled her.
• I observed Laurie from the side, wondering how her life was now and if she already knew she would meet me. How could she be so calm and cold towards me.
• Her attitude hurt my pride. Wasn't six years too short to forget what we had been through together before? Why could she act so cold?
• I remembered the check for a large amount that I sent to her, as a divorce settlement and it was returned torn into small pieces, along with an ATM card and a savings book with the money in it still intact and unused.
• "Laurie, I didn't expect to see you here," I said softly. "How are y--"
• "Is this your seat, sir?" Laurie reprimanded in a calm and flat voice, as if we did not know each other. "Can you move your chair further away? I don't like it when our chairs are too close together."
• "Laurie, why are you acting like a stranger? I think we--"
• "Sorry, but we are strangers and I don't like people who talk carelessly as if we have known each other for a long time," Laurie interrupted coldly. Her eyes stared at me with a bone-chilling stare.
• I was stunned by her attitude, but when I intended to answer her words, the woman in the red dress that I saw with Laurie, walked over to her and sat on the chair next to her.
• Not long after, Jenny pulled the chair next to me. Her gaze was sharp at Laurie and the woman in the red dress next to her.
• Laurie didn't even glance at me throughout the dinner, even though we were sitting next to each other. She really didn't think I was there and a sick feeling spread through my body, making me feel tight.
• "Stop staring at her," Jenny hissed, nudging my arm. "You're embarrassing yourself, Tommy."
• After dinner was over, the host stepped up to the podium.
• "Ladies and gentlemen, on this warm evening, as the culmination of our event, we will announce which companies are entitled to receive awards as the best companies in their respective fields. Representatives from the consortium s will announce them and to the companies we have named, please come up to the podium to receive your awards."
• I felt a little excited now. My company was growing quite fast and I thought it deserved an award from the big consortium that was organizing this event.
• Award after award was mentioned and the companies mentioned received their prizes. I was starting to feel pessimistic, because it seemed like my company's name wasn't even nominated for any awards.
• "Why didn't they mention our company," Jenny said in an exasperated tone. "Isn't our company big and growing?"
• "Maybe there are other awards that haven't been mentioned," I said in an uncertain tone.
• "The last award, will be given as a special award, to a company that has only been established for the past four years, but has grown very rapidly and significantly every year, to the point that in the past two years it has spread its branches to several other countries in America and Europe and is now in the process of opening several new branches in Southeast Asia. What's more amazing is that all of those branch companies are making huge profits," said the man representing the consortium.
• He smiled very broadly and looked around the room.
• Jenny grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. "Maybe it's our turn."
• I snorted. "We don't have branches in America and Europe, let alone in Southeast Asia, Jenny! Our company's branches are only in two other cities, not other countries. This must be a big company."
• Jenny realized what I said and sighed sadly. The other invited guests were all wondering and getting excited, wanting to know which company received the special award.
• After all, this was a prestigious event and many big companies from all over the world sent their representatives to attend and of course, every award given to the appointed company would bring a good name to the company and guarantee wider connections and markets.
• "The hard work of the company owner and his staff has paid off satisfactorily with the increasing sales graph and unstoppable demand for market expansion. Why the consortium gave this company a special award is because the owner has really dug up gold buried deep in his land. The land that was originally ignored because it was considered barren and infertile, but the hard work of the owner and all his staff, produced results that were no joke," said the host on the podium.
• I clicked my tongue impatiently, wanting to immediately hear the name of the company that would be mentioned and who the owner was. Maybe, I can approach her later for a profitable collaboration opportunity.
• "Alright, without wasting any more time, the company selected to receive the special award is...."
• The sound of music thumped along with the tension that arose before the company name was called. Everyone had high hopes and waited with bated breath.
• "FRESH SUNSHINE COMPANY!"
• My eyebrows spontaneously raised upon hearing the name. I had never heard of the company, and when I looked around, the guests were divided, some just like me, looking surprised, but more cheering as if they were familiar with the name.
• Jenny gripped my hand tightly, making me wince in pain as her nails dug into the skin of my arm, making me turn to her.
• "Jenny! It hurts!" I scolded in annoyance. "What's wrong with you?"
• Jenny turned her head slowly towards me. Her eyes were blank, her face was pale, and her index finger was pointing in one direction.
• I followed the direction of her index finger and gasped.