No good deed goes unpunished.
Whoever said it wasnottalking out of his ass, much to my dismay. I never imagined I’d be on the receiving end of it.
My sneaky plan to bring Nathan into the same room as his brother and his fiancée is biting me in the ass. Because as I pass through security, I accidentally glance at the guest list and see my sister’s name. It wasn’t there the last time I saw the list.
Like I wasn’t nervous enough at the prospect of which version of Nathan I’ll receive tonight.
Both his hot and cold sides make my temperature rise in opposite ways.
Now I have to worry about running into Bianca.
After meeting Iris the other day at the yoga class and getting my sister’s address, I summoned the courage to text Bianca, but I chickened out at the last second. My heart would beat so freaking fast that it was in danger of climbing out of my chest.
What if she and Rosalie were lying?
Does Bianca truly desire me back in her life?
Fuck! She will be here with Dash, because why wouldn’t she? Her husband is an intense man on normal occasions. I’m scared of his displeased side that must hate my guts.
I longingly stare at the exit, thinking of escaping.
Only to find myself ushered past the threshold.
God is punishing me for deceiving Nathan. Several times at my place while I was getting ready, I contemplated ditching him. The treacherous part of me hates being a third wheel while Nathan roams around with his date.
Perhaps I should’ve brought a date as well.
Of course, I haven’t forgotten about Rakesh Singhania. What Nathan said about him last time sent a chill down my spine. He didn’t make it sound like a chore, but a raging bull we need to dodge.
The charity gala will be one clusterfuck.
Is it stupid to pray that the organizers have a surprise game of adult hide-and-seek planned? I could find a nook and go underground until the night is over.
I shake off the silly and cowardly idea.
Hypnotized by the sound of classical music, I find myself drawn to the ballroom.
The red carpet swallows the clicking noise of my five-inch heels. Holding my small glittery clutch tighter to my stomach, I tuck my hair behind my ear and put on my showstopper smile.
I reserve it for occasions like these, which I’ve been attending growing up.
Little me used to love dressing up and coming to them with my parents. With my father owning one of the country’s largest diamond manufacturing companies, we often came to these types of parties. Being a kid, I basked in being the center of attention. Each compliment made me feel ten feet tall.
As the years went by, I learned they were all disingenuous and shallow.
As fake as their Botox-stuffed smiles.
A waiter walks in my direction and stops before me at the entrance to the grand room with the humongous chandelier. I grab the champagne flute from his tray, murmuring a thank-you.
The orchestra band is situated at the other end of the room, playing their instruments and creating a soothing lullaby. Beautifully decorated round tables with flower vases on top are placed strategically around. Some are occupied, while some are waiting to be filled with guests.
Having a career in media, I recognize more than half of the influential and elegantly dressed men and women from various fields. All have joined together for the beautiful cause of raising money for the families affected by the recent floods that destroyed the villages and rural towns.
Despite the serene smile on my face, my eyes nervously scan the crowd in search of Bianca and Dash. I don’t think they’ve arrived yet.
My heart lurches when I see Nathan.
He’s standing alone with his back to me, yet I know it’s him.
