The air conditioners in here aren’t doing their damn job. Or maybe it’s the crazy amount of body heat emanating off of the elites in this room that’s making me feel as though I’m in a sauna. One would think that this place would have the best of everything, given how it’s an Adler-family property, but alas, that is not the case.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve pressed a hand over my face and neck to wipe the perspiration off my skin, and even though I’ve tried to fend it off, I simply can’t seem to get rid of the obnoxious smell of mixed-up colognes around me. It’s a very questionable blend, too – like jasmine and musk and aqua, all combined together.
“Need that drink yet?” Mave asks against my ear. “You look about ready to scream your lungs out. Some alcohol will help in putting your nerves at ease.”
I turn my head and glare up at him. “I’m two seconds away from pushing you towards the champagne tower,” I say, then give him a saccharine smile. “So if that’s what you want, then go ahead and provoke me more. If not, then shut the fuck up and help me get out of here so that I can get some fresh air.”
I’ve been standing in a corner and entertaining baseless conversations with bored elites for the last two hours. Some of them not-so-subtly tried asking me about the scar on my cheek, but their questions weren’t anything I couldn’t easily evade. I obviously couldn’t tell them the truth – because imagine thescandalthat it would bring upon myillustriousfamily – so I could either lie, or not say anything at all and move on.
I chose the latter.
Uncle Chase is running late, and until he gets here, the winter-wear reveal cannot actually happen – which means I’ll have to continue to spend agonizing seconds stuck in a room full of pretentious asswipes who think they’re better than everyone in attendance here tonight.
In all honesty, though, if it wasn’t so hot and congested in here, I would have actually looked around and admired the stunning décor without the fear of accidentally meeting someone’s eye and then having to engage in a one-on-one with them. Because really, the ballroom is gorgeous, but feels like a fucking poultry farm with the colorfully annoying people occupying it.
The room’s ceiling is dark, with a series of lights – glass tubes, more like – designed in the form of tidal waves spanning the entirety of its length. It’s a work of art, for sure, and illuminates the place with a subtle, sensual glow.
The floor and walls are black-and-gold marble, and there’s a massive screen and stage on the far end of the ballroom. A high-concept bar and champagne tower are set up on the right, and there’s a lovely, flower-studded balcony on the left, with three donation boxes next to it.The Chase Adler Foundationis written on all of them, but I know for damn sure that every single dollar in those boxes is going to end up in Mom’s pocket.
Speaking of my mom…
She’s been ignoring me constantly since I arrived atImperia. I’ve mostly seen her floating around the room like a middle-aged bee in her atrocious, floor-length and full-sleeved golden cocktail dress – mingling with the guests – but other than that, she’s made herself scarce in my presence. Our gazesdidlock a couple of times, but she averted hers so fast that it left both Mave and I confused and unsettled.
Mom also has a new bodyguard now, which is strange, because Steven has been with her for over a decade. Mave has no idea why Mom replaced Steven, or where he is, but the new bodyguard, Riley, is a fresh recruit with barely any field experience. I’m pretty sure she picked him for his boyish looks, green eyes, and short blond hair. Typical of her to go for the good-looking one.
“Forget fresh air,” Mave whispers, and his voice all but jolts me out of my thoughts. “You’ve got incoming.”
I look ahead, and curse inwardly when I see Waleed Najimi, flanked by three guards, making his way over to where I am.
He’s wearing a beige-and-blue Armani three-piece, and appears just as put together as he did the last time I’d seen him.
“Cignette, my dear!” he sings, and comes to a stop in front of me. “I hope you are having a lovely time tonight.” He then looks me over, and gasps before saying, “What do I see, now!Ya ‘Iilahi, a beauty such as yourself with no glass in her hands! You must not be fully sober whilst dealing with a crowd such as this one. Did you not know that,Eazizi?” He makes a face and gestures around us, and I laugh earnestly.
“I’ve vowed to stay away from alcohol tonight,” I tell him.
“Pssh.” He waves a hand in the air. “Whatever for?”
I point a thumb over my shoulder at Mave. “This guy says I’m a very loose drunk, so I’m trying to avoid giving him the pleasure of witnessing me in that position.”
Waleed laughs, and his eyes suddenly land on my scarred cheek. He must not have noticed it before, but he now stares at it with a flash of anger on his face, which surprises me.
“Eazizi…” He meets my eyes. “Who has done this to you? You must tell me at once.” He reaches a hand out to touch my cheek, but Mave shifts from behind me and cups Waleed’s wrist so fast, that I have to suck in a breath and blink at the swiftness of it.
“Sir,” he says to Waleed, then drops his hand down. “I would like to respectfully ask that you maintain your distance.” He moves closer to me.
Waleed arches a brow and steps back. “I meant no harm,” he tells us. “I was simply inquiring. I wish to punish the person responsible for marring such a wonderful beauty.”
“I assure you, sir, the matter has been dealt with,” Mave states, and his voice sounds clipped. Almost like he doesn’t appreciate Waleed complimenting me.
“Good.” Waleed nods, then glances between Mave and I. “Good.”
“May I be so bold as to step in?” comes a commanding, silk-smooth voice.
I turn, and grin up at the Administrator of Riverside County.
The guests around us have either quieted down or moved out of the way, and so has Mave.
“Uncle Chase!” I wrap my arms around his neck, and he holds me in close for a tender hug.
