Gigi had been told the dinner party would be casual, just a small gathering of close family and friends. Therefore, she hadn't thought much about her last-minute preparations.
It's just dinner, right?
"Hah..." Gigi stopped in the stairwell, her face twitching slightly. "Since when did they set up all of this?"
Their entryway looked fancier than usual, with guests arriving in dresses and slightly formal attire, carrying presents. A stack of presents was on the side, all wrapped beautifully. The guests weren't in evening gowns, but it was definitely a party of the wealthy.
"I should've known," she hissed. "That this family is filthy rich."
And that this life wasn't just about having a soft bed, daily fresh sheets, and no financial worries. In this world, she was the daughter of a rich man.
"Oh, Gigi!"
Gigi snapped her eyes to her mother's call, shifting her gaze to where her parents stood.
"Oh, dear, look at you! So pretty!" Her mother quickly approached the stairs, while Gigi reluctantly jogged down. Once Gigi stood before her, Mrs. Valentine scanned her daughter.
Mrs. Valentine maintained a smile, though she felt Gigi was missing a few touch-ups.
She doesn't like that I'm not wearing enough makeup, is it? Gigi thought, catching the slight sadness in her mother's eyes.
Not that Mrs. Valentine thought her daughter was ugly. It just showed that Gigi had even forgotten how to use makeup.
It's a good thing she's naturally pretty, Mrs. Valentine told herself, holding her daughter's hand. "Come, sweetie. Your uncle and auntie are here."
She led Gigi to the entryway where two middle-aged couples were standing.
"Oh, Gigi, I heard what happened, my dear," the woman took a step and embraced Gigi affectionately. "I'm so sorry this happened. I had been praying for your speedy recovery."
As she drew back, she held Gigi's hand gently, nodding reassuringly and offering a forced smile to hide the pity in her eyes.
Gigi smiled back. "Thank you, Auntie."
"Gigi, if you need anything, just let us know, alright?" Her uncle smiled. "Just don't hesitate, whatever it may be. We will make it happen."
"Thank you, Uncle." Gigi nodded at him, glancing at her parents before addressing them. "I may not remember the past, but my heart knows Uncle and Auntie have been good to me."
"Oh, dear," her auntie quickly teared up, hugging her again. "If you have the time, visit us sometime, okay? You used to come by our home. The chances were low, but I hope the visit will help make you remember."
No, it will not.
Gigi flashed them a bright smile before Mr. Valentine stepped in, ushering their guests to the garden where dinner would be held. As they walked away, Gigi stared after them.
"That's your Aunt Eloisa and Uncle Parker," Mrs. Valentine said, leaning on her daughter and holding her hand. "Your Uncle Parker is my sibling. When you were a kid, they used to babysit you, and even as an adult, you sometimes visited them."
"Oh…" Gigi rocked her head, surprised by this news.
"They still haven't been blessed with a child, so they treat you as their own," her mother added, rubbing Gigi's hand gently. "You can treat them as your second parents."
Having parents was already strange for Gigi, but another pair? Not that she hated the idea, but she simply didn't know how to react. Even so, she forced a smile and nodded.
Just then, the butler approached them from the open entrance.
"Madam," the family butler called, approaching Mrs. Valentine and whispering to her. "Doctor Sevan is here, Madam."
Mrs. Valentine's eyes lit up, grinning. "Don't make him wait. Let him come!"
"Huh?" Gigi furrowed her brows, watching the house butler quickly leave while her mother's excitement grew. "Who's the guest, Mom? You seem very happy."
"I'm happy because I know my daughter will be very happy," Mrs. Valentine answered.
Deep lines appeared between Gigi's brows as she looked at her mother in confusion. A guest that would make Gigi happy? Who could that be?
Her confusion was soon answered after only a minute when the guest stood before them. And Gigi? All she could do was control her facial expression as she stared at Sevan in disbelief.
"Oh, Doctor Sevan! You made it!" Mrs. Valentine happily approached Sevan, her smile unwavering. "I thought you'd be too busy, but I hoped my daughter's savior would make it."
Sevan offered a gentle smile, lowering his head. "Thank you for inviting me."
"No, thank you for coming," she corrected. "I know a dinner is not enough to thank you for your help, but I hope this will at least lessen the debt we owe you."
"I simply did my job," he replied humbly. "You owe me nothing, Madam Valentine."
"Oh, you." Mrs. Valentine's eyes showed approval, pleased at how humble and gentle Sevan was. Facing her daughter, Gigi flinched the moment their eyes met. 'Oh, dear. Look at her, just admiring him.'
She giggled secretly, assuming Gigi was admiring Sevan. But the truth was, it was far from that. If anything, Gigi wasn't particularly staring at Sevan, but rather, her mind was elsewhere.
"Gigi, since dinner is about to begin, how about you accompany Doctor Sevan while I help with the preparations?" Mrs. Valentine offered, reaching out for Gigi's arm and pulling her closer. "Be nice to him, alright? He's your savior. Show him around."
"Doctor Sevan, I'll let my daughter accompany you for a while," she added, giggling as Sevan nodded in understanding.
With that, Mrs. Valentine happily skipped away, thinking she had done her daughter a favor.
Gigi, on the other hand, watched her mother's retreating figure, her under-eye twitching. "What the... hell?"
"Miss Valentine, your internal dialogue wasn't on mute," Sevan humored, making her slowly look back at him. "I thought I'd let you know."
"My comments are meant to be heard," she replied, sighing in defeat. "Let's just go."
His brows rose as he watched her lead him to where dinner would be served. Before, Gigi would have been giggling with her mother. But now, she looked like she had been given the chore she hated most.
"Do I make you feel uncomfortable, Miss Valentine?" he asked, keeping a respectful distance behind her.
"No." Her response lacked interest. "It's not you, Doctor Sevan. It's…"
Gigi trailed off, her brows twitching, before she looked back at him. As their eyes met, his brows raised while the corner of her mouth hooked into a mischievous smirk.
"No, you don't make me uncomfortable," she repeated, smiling now. "If anything, I'm so glad you came tonight."
Because Gigi had just come up with a brilliant idea, and she could see progress on the horizon.
Time to play cupid!