Sprawled out on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling,dreadingthe night to come.
Karlos had organized a celebration—theSilver and Gold Gala—in honor of my joining his company, as if I had a choice.
I sat up, scowling at the embossed invitation lying in front of me. It included a guest list, my name featured at the top, and only those that Karlos deemed VIPs were on it.
A bitter laugh escaped. The gala was just an opportunity for him to pair me up with a date he consideredworthyof me.
Bella.
She was the spoiled daughter of a media tycoon. I’d met her when we were both students at Drake. Sure, she was beautiful, but Bella only cared about how many followers she had, and not much else.
She wasnothinglike Ivy.
Ivy’s beauty had layers… right down to how authentic she was. Even with another city between us, and knowing she probably despised me, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
She was like a drug I couldn’t do without.
I smiled wistfully, remembering her laugh as we drove along the winding mountain road to the rainforest, singing together.
My chest ached. Every fiber of my being hurt. I just wanted to hold herclose—
There was a short knock on the door right before it swung open. “Are you ready, Karson? If I’m late getting you to the gala, you know your father will have me replaced in a heartbeat.” Gus—dressed in full uniform—fidgeted with his stiff collar.
“I know, Gus. And if it weren’t for his threats, I wouldn’t be going,” I replied solemnly.
The last thing I wanted was for Gus to lose his job. He’d always been there for me whenever I was home, and he was one of the few people who really knew me.
“I just wish I didn’t have to go to this stupid gala.” I grimaced. “Especially since it’s a veiled excuse to set me up with Bella. Everyone thinks we’d be perfect together, just because her father’s rich and powerful. I have absolutelyzerointerest in her.”
“I know, mate, but there’s not a lot you can do about it. Right now, he’s pulling the strings, so you have to dance.”
“But this is the twenty-first century. He shouldn’t be arranging dates against my will. It’s ridiculous. And we all know he’s trying to marry me off by the time I’m twenty-five. He says it often enough,” I said miserably.
“All you can do for now is make the best of a bad situation. And you never know, the gala might be a bit of fun. At least you’ll be getting out of the house,” he said feebly. “Now hurry, we need to leave.” He closed the door as he left.
I grabbed the gleaming gold jacket off the bed and sighed.
It’d been custom-made for the gala and had arrived at the house yesterday. Pulling it on carelessly, I stared into the mirror, my scowling reflection glaring back at me.
Now he’s choosing my clothes too.
I eyed the garish jacket in the mirror. It was fucking hideous.
With any luck, Bella won’t want to know me when I’m wearing this! But no matter how difficult this is, I have to jump through his hoops.
For now.
A spark flickered inside me as I remembered the freedom flowing through my veins as Ivy drove us around in her old car, her carefree smile lighting up her face…
Protecting her is all that matters.
I took the stairs to the garage, where Gus held the rear door of the Range Rover open. Climbing into the back seat, I sat rigidly as he drove me toward my inevitable fate.
***
Gus pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of the slick hotel.
I checked my watch and braced myself to meet up with Bella, the paparazzi princess. That was the difference between her and me… I ran away from the media, while she ran straight to them.
