Woman of Intelligence (Book 2 in the series)

Chapter 39

Guests were walking around an over busy decorative hall. The Christmas decoration were decorated neatly, like professionally decorators did all the work but really busy. All the trees were decorated with silver and gold ornaments. Some of the guests were talking to each other while the others were admiring the decorations. Waiters and waitresses were walking around with Champagne and Sparkling Wine to offer the guests. Orchestra musicians were playing Silent Night to brighten the atmosphere. 

Riya and Sebastian entered the hallway together. Riya did not believe that Maria was dating the Captain Rowan. She looked around the room to admire the decorations. She felt the hall was a big busy with the decoration. She was also amazed on how big this house was while entering. This house could have cost a fortune. There were so many people in the hall, having conversations. They were also wearing Christmas hats. One waitress came by Riya and Sebastian. 

"Would like a Champagne?", the waitress asked them.

"No thank you.", Riya rejected politely.

Sebastian looked at Riya with confusion. "You are actually refusing to drink Champagne.", he was shocked. 

She looked at him with a normal smile. "Yes because I don't drink."

"Really never?"

"Yep. Not one drop.", she did not want to mention the first time she tried a beer. That did not go very well.

Sebastian was amazed that he met someone who did not drink alcohol. He took a glass and had a small sip. "I never drank such high quality Champagne in years.", he was looking at the glass. 

"Really? You can actually tell the difference?", she asked then started walking. 

Sebastian walked with her. "Yeah. If you been drinking since you turn eighteen then you can tell the difference."

"Wow. So, where is your aunty who is now your adopted mother?"

"Probably getting ready. She likes looking beautiful in events like this."

"Oh.", Riya looked at the guests while trying to process the answer. 

Someone tapped on Riya's shoulder from the back. She turned around and found no one there. She felt the tap on the other shoulder behind her. Riya did not look were her shoulder was tapped. She looked the other side and found Zoe standing behind her. Zoe was frozen with her right hand in the air when she got caught. Riya started laughing with her mouth close. 

"Lucky, I didn't look at the other side because we will be doing this for a long time.", she said to Zoe.

Zoe was unfrozen. "You do know that we still didn't stop irritating you like. We are still continuing like how we did in Shanghai.", she pointed out.

"Well, you need to show me an Anaconda to frighten me."

"Oh okay, I will take out my phone.", Zoe was joking.

"Nope. I don't want to scream right here.", Riya knew that Zoe was joking.

Riya looked at looked at Zoe's dress. Zoe was wearing a simple silky red dress with a wide silver belt. The belt had beaded floral patterns around it. Her hair was curly but left opened. Her make-up was done naturally. She looked absolutely beautiful. She looked at Riya with a serious expression. 

"So, have you found anything out of the ordinary?", she asked.

"There are too many police officers here. Remember, it will be hard for the imposter to make an entrance.", Sebastian was looking around.

"She probably have friends in the police force. They can let her in because no one knows what she looks like. She is probably planning on killing those models and Antonio. So, we need to find those models as soon as possible. And we need to find the imposter too.", Riya explained.