“Michelle.”
I cringed at the sound of my name on Gabriel’s lips. I turned and another bout of guilt ran through my belly. Standing next to Gabriel was his wife, Marcia. Her green eyes wrinkled at the edges as she smiled, graciously.
“Please meet my wife, Marcia. Sweetie,” Gabriel turned to his wife, “this is the wonderful event planner I told you about. She put this event together for Williams & Brodsky. With my help of course,” he added, confidently, tugging at the lapel of his tuxedo.
Marcia’s smile widened and I just wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
“Pleasure to meet you. It certainly is lovely in here,” she stated, looking around.
“Thank you, Mrs. Garcia. Nothing but the best for our clients at Save the Date Event Planners. If you’ll excuse me.” I nodded before glancing over at Gabriel who was giving me a smirking look. My stomach roiled and I quickly pivoted to head toward the entrance to ensure that those entering were being directed to the right direction.
“Hey, girl.” Natoi waved once I reached the front door of the hotel. She was just one of the other employees who were also working this event with me.
“Hey, can you do me a favor? Take one of the walkie-talkies and just check inside the banquet hall and make sure everyone is getting to their tables.”
“I thought you wanted me out here?” She tilted her head, giving me a funny look.
I had just asked her to stand out here to greet the guests and direct them to the banquet room, but I’d changed my mind. I did not want to be in the same room as Gabriel and his wife. I needed to be as far from them as possible.
“I changed my mind,” I told her.
She furrowed her brows but when I didn’t respond any further, she shrugged and went inside the hotel to do as asked. I pushed out a breath, but as soon as I lifted my head my eyes crashed into a pair of glowering hazel eyes. Shock ricocheted through my body as I recognized Aaron. My heart began to flutter as I panicked, wondering if he was alone or if he was accompanied by his family. I’d forgotten that there was a listing for Townsend Industries on the invitee list. I hadn’t thought the actual CEO would show up but he had.
Aaron’s eyes narrowed upon recognition. Strangely enough, I didn’t take any offense to it. This had been the third or fourth time we’d met and I realized by then that glaring was his everyday expression. He looked at just about everyone the same way. He tilted his head in my direction but didn’t speak as he passed by, a woman at his side.
I watched as he let his hand rest at the lower part of her back, but his profile was still a hard mask. The woman, on the other hand, seemed to gaze up at him with stars in her eyes. She said something and giggled, loudly. I briefly wondered if she was the woman his mother had alluded to him falling for on Family Day. For his part, Aaron’s face tightened. He leaned down, saying something only low enough for the long-haired brunette to hear and immediately her disposition changed. Her giggling ceased and she stood erect as they passed through the doors. I wasn’t even going to try and figure out what that was all about. I almost felt sorry for the woman. Aaron wasn’t my particular idea of a fun date. His brother, on the other hand–
I wouldn’t let myself even go there. I had a job to do and then I could go home and feel sorry for myself.
I smoothed down the edges of my plain black dress, which stopped just above my knees, and focused on welcoming the incoming guests. Once it reached seven o’clock, I went inside to make sure all the guests were seated and preparing for the food to be served. During the dinner, there were a series of speakers from the law firm who discussed the early days of the firm, and the good work the firm had been doing not only for its clients but in the communities of Williamsport. It all sounded like a bunch of upper echelon guys congratulating themselves for doling out pennies to those who were less off. Either that or I was just feeling skeptical and bitter once I heard Gabriel discussing the great pro bono work he’d done during his tenure at the firm. I rolled my eyes and went to make my way to the restroom. I did not need to be present for that part of the evening.
I exited the banquet hall, but not before telling Natoi where I was going and informing her that I had my walkie-talkie if she needed me for anything. I walked down the long hall, my heels clacking against the granite floors of the hotel. I took longer than I needed in the restroom, taking in a few deep breaths and waiting long enough until I was sure Gabriel’s speech was over. The sound of his voice made me want to vomit all over his expensive tuxedo. I was even more determined to meet with the attorney I had scheduled an appointment with the following week. I was tired of Gabriel holding Diego over me and his attempts to control my life.
“Ah, there you are, mi corazón.”
My face immediately morphed into a scowl. I turned to see a haughty looking Gabriel, one hand in his pocket smiling.
“You missed my speech.”
“Not all of it, unfortunately,” I retorted.
He lifted an eyebrow. “How about I give you the private version later on tonight, in my suite?”
Revulsion nearly caused me to double over. Somehow I managed to remain upright. “No, thanks.” I waved my hand in his direction.
“Easy, Michelle. You might not want to piss me off. Your job could still hang in the balance.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Gabriel, I’msickof your threats!” I hissed at him in a whispered voice.
“What else are you sick of? Hmm. Sick of taking care ofourson? Is the stress of motherhood getting to you the same way it obviously got to your mother? The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, does it? And we both know, no judge in their right mind would grant anyone like you full custody, over me.”
“And what would Marcia think of all of this?”
“My wife does what I tell her to do,” he growled. “Just like you! You don’t like it? I don’t give a shit.”
“I fucking hate you!” I had never regretted meeting him more than I did in that moment. I moved to go around him and stopped short when I saw the man who stood only a few feet behind Gabriel. “Aaron,” his name fell from my lips on a surprised gasp.
“Mr. Townsend,” Gabriel stated from behind me.
