When Jas said we were going to a Gala, I had imagined a hotel with a bunch of politicians. However, when the limo pulled up to the front of the massive white building that reminded so much of the White House, my jaw dropped.
“Holy shit...” I gasped, causing Jas to laugh.
“It’s nice, huh? Wait until you see the inside. For a man with that kind of money, he had big inspirations while building it.”
Looking over my shoulder at him, I paused. “What is this place?”
“The Trump National Doral,” Jas replied as a chauffeur opened my door in tails with white gloves. I was taken aback by his words.
This was only a glimpse of what was to co. I could only hope high society was ready for , because tonight was surely going to be a night I would never forget.
A red carpet and lights ca down from the front doors and stretched for what seed forever. I took Jas’ arm as we walked up the path. My long erald green dress flowed behind as my gold buckled heels moved across the red carpet.
I felt like high society, but I couldn’t help but notice the looks so won gave as I passed with Jas. They were shocked, but also so held disdain.
“Don’t pay them any mind, Becca,” Jas whispered in my ear. “You’re dripping with elegance, and they are jealous of you.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and laugh at his comnt. “I highly doubt that.”
“It’s true,” he teased. “No one has seen co with a woman in many years. I’m technically an eligible bachelor and instead of them being with ...”
“You’re with a woman half your age,” I smirked, glancing up at him, watching his lips curl up into a smile.
“Essentially.”
I had thought the outside was lavish, but as soon as I stepped through the doorway, I felt my breath leave again. Crystal chandeliers were dripping from the ceiling’s accent with sheer white cloth and high vaulted ceilings.
There had to have been a thousand people here tonight, and each one of them were dressed to impress. Diamonds, designer clothing, and so much more.
I wanted more than anything to fit in with the people here. To blend into the mix and enjoy my evening with Jas, but as soon as we stepped further into the room, he was flocked by people coming to greet him.
I wasn’t sure who half of them were, but when one man glanced down at , his eyes were swirling with lust, and the way he stared at felt like he was undressing slowly with his eyes.
“Jas, who is this lovely creature on your arm?”
Jas went rigid for a mont before glancing down at and smiling. “This is Rebecca Woods. She is lovely, isn’t she?”
The fact that he called by my entire first na was a complete first for . I have never heard him call anything but Becca. However, when he said it—I felt myself clench with desire as I glanced at him.
“It’s a pleasure to et you, Rebecca. My na is Charles Hyatt.”
When Charles said my na, it didn’t make feel the sa way, but regardless of the notion, I took his hand and watched as he kissed the back of it while smiling at .
“It’s lovely to et you, Charles. Please, call Becca,” I replied with a smile.
I didn’t want him to think he could call Rebecca. Not even my father called that, and if Jas saying it made feel that way, I didn’t want anyone else to ever call Rebecca but him.
“So how did the two of you et?” Charles asked with a smirk that made feel rather uncomfortable.
“Through family,” Jas replied, causing to inwardly laugh, but keep my composure. It wasn’t a lie. We had, indeed, t through family, but just not in the sense everyone else was going to take it.
Before anything else could be said, laughter echoed from behind us, and I already knew who it was before I turned around. Tally and her mother had arrived, and even though Jas had told not to worry about them tonight—I was.
“Oh, look Tally. There’s your father,” Allison said, causing Jas and I to turn slightly to look at them as they walked up.
Charles seed all too familiar with who Allison was, and he greeted her in the sa way he had greeted . Except the hello was more familiar and the smiles more relaxed.
“Allison... Tally,” Jas said with a straight face. “You both look lovely tonight.”
I knew he was being polite, but when Allison’s eyes gazed in my direction, there was no doubt in my mind there were going to be issues. She had a glint in her eye that spoke volus to whatever she was planning.
“Jas, I see you brought Becca tonight,” she said as if she hadn’t already known that was going to happen.
“Oh, you know Becca?” Charles grinned as his gaze turned back to . “It’s refreshing to see that you both are cordial when it cos to who you’re seeing.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Allison softly scoffed with a smile. “Didn’t he tell you how they t?”
“Allison,” Jas replied firmly, glancing at her which made her smile. “I already explained that we t through family.”
His emphasis on family made Allison smile wider. “Yes, family indeed. Tally introduced them. Isn’t that right, Taliana?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Tally replied, giving a sly glance of hatred.
The glance didn’t go unnoticed, and one of the other n with Charles laughed. “It seems the two don’t like each other... that is a story I would love to hear.”
“No,” Jas firmly said. “Unfortunately, the events are about to start, and there just isn’t ti for that at the mont. Shall we convene in the ballroom?”
I was glad for Jas’ interruption. Curious glances were being passed my way, and it did more than make uncomfortable. I was slowly reconsidering my reason for being here. These weren’t my people.
Thankfully, no one continued on, and Jas began to slowly lead towards the ballroom. It was beautiful, but before I could admire it, Tally grabbed my other arm.
“The least you can do is let my father walk in there,” she whispered through clenched teeth.
Furrowing my brows in confusion, I looked to Jas, who quickly grabbed her hand and removed it from my arm. “You’re grown, Taliana. Walk in by yourself and stop acting out.”
She stood, mouth parted in shock, as she stamred to find words that were quickly lost to as Jas continued on. Grand chandeliers hung from the ceilings with an elegance that was far superior to the entrance to this building.
“This is beautiful,” I said, as I took it all in.
“Yes, it is,” he replied, pulling to face him. “I’m sorry about what happened before, Becca. I won’t let them bother you again, okay?”
“It’s okay, Jas. I have realized the kind of people they are, and at the end of the day, it’s only words. They aren’t physically hurting .” My comnt made him chuckle, and as he pulled close, he leaned down, kissing .
I knew there were eyes on , and at the mont, I didn’t care. It was Jas and I... no one else mattered.
The evening flowed with drinks and delicious food. Throughout the night, I beca acquainted with many faces, and amongst them were the faces of Velvet. I learned quickly Andrew was an architect and Marianna was the owner of four different restaurants, as well as the co-owner of a beach hotel.
It was amazing to see these people outside of the dark and ominous vibe of Club Velvet. For a mont, it made everything seem normal, and as if my happiness was building, a cloud slowly started to co near .
That cloud’s na was Charles, and the look in his eye made cautious.
“Jas, you can’t just have this gorgeous woman standing around all night. How about I take her for a spin on the dance floor while you finish your conversation?”
Wide-eyed, I looked towards Jas, trying to remain calm. There was no way he was actually going to let this guy touch . That would be ridiculous, right?
“If she would like to dance, I see no problem with that,” Jas replied, looking towards . “Go have so fun. I’m almost done here.”
I was speechless. Was he being serious right now?
Not wanting to be rude, I reluctantly took Charles’ hand and let him lead towards the dance floor. I didn’t want to be alone with this man, but there were many people out here, so I wasn’t actually alone.
“You are ravishing, Becca.” Charles said as we danced. “How is it that a man like Jas Valentino was able to capture such a beauty as yourself?”
“As he said... we t through family. Tally, to be exact,” I quickly explained, trying to keep the conversation away from the subject. Yet, Charles was persistent.
“Yes, so he said. However, from the look on his daughter’s face, I would say it wasn’t a willing invitation. So let guess, you were friends?” His words made quickly catch his gaze with a tight-lipped smile.
“It’s complicated.”
Laughter flowed from his lips as he nodded. “Oh, I bet it was. The look on her face says she saw more than she wanted.”
“Charles, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
“Oh, I think I do. You see, Allison inford of your and Jas’ situation. Nothing like a woman scorned... makes wonder how long this was going on.”
My heart dropped into my stomach at his comnt. What in the hell was Allison telling people? That was beyond ridiculous to even consider he was that type of person.
“Allison says a lot of things that make no sense. Being a compulsive liar is sothing she is good at, and considering the fact she is desperate and broke, well, that causes her to say what she needs to get a rich man’s money.”
I didn’t consider what I said before I said it, and as soon as the words left my lips, I regretted it.
“I had a feeling she was trying to sche her way into soone’s pocket here,” he chuckled. “Aren’t you after Jas for the sa thing?”
Narrowing my brows, I shook my head. “No, but soone like you would assu that, wouldn’t you?”
“Soone like ?” he replied with a grin. “You an soone with money?”
I couldn’t take anymore of what he was doing. Stopping in my tracks, I removed my hands from his and took a step back.
“Look, I don’t know what you think you know, but no one here knows the real but Jas. I don’t want anyone’s money because I can get my own. If you want soone to get information from, I would suggest speaking to Allison or her daughter. They are quick to do... just about anything for a buck.”
The suggestion in my words was clear, and Charles’ eyes got big as he laughed.
“You are a fascinating creature, Becca. I can see why Jas is so taken with you.”
Not bothering to say another word to him, I turned, making my way back to where Jas was, but quickly found he was still talking, and Allison was at his side laughing at whatever he was saying.
Perhaps coming here tonight wasn’t for the best.
Turning around, I made my way towards the door only to be stopped by two smiling faces I wasn’t expecting to see. Neal and Allegra.
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