NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter 5
Lily
“Yes?”, I asked through the intercom. “Delivery for miss Brown.”, I hear. “Come on up.”, I answered and waited at my front door. Mentally I go through all the things I ordered lately to see what it could possibly be, but I came up blank. “Miss Brown?”, the delivery guy asked, bringing me back to the present. After I nodded, he handed me a small package. “Please sign here.”, which I did, and I walked back into my living room wondering what it could be. So, I quickly found a pair of scissors to open it. I took out the card. ‘I would love to see you wear these at the gala, my beautiful.’ I turned the note around looking for a name, or just any other information, but I found nothing. Then I saw the most beautiful earrings in the box. It seems like diamonds in dangling mesh silver-colored earrings, but I cannot imagine anyone for the life of me that would send me diamonds and that would not sign the note. The only one I could come up with was Noah, but surely, he would just put his name on the card, right? Who else knows that I’m going to the gala?
On Friday I decided to work from home, because I needed all the time possible to get ready. So, when the time came, I slipped on the dress and the sandals, and I put in the earrings. Emma had already dropped by during her lunch break to make this beautiful intricate braid and to help me with my make-up. The total made me feel beautiful and gave me an extra bit of confidence that I could definitely use. After a quick glance in the mirror, I went down to meet with Noah.
I had only seen Noah passing by in the past week, and I didn’t get the chance to talk with him. Not that I would know what to say to him though. My mind was still this whirlwind of thoughts, and I still didn’t have very clear what I wanted with Noah. So, naturally I was a bit anxious of meeting him now.
“You look amazing.”, he said, holding the taxi door open for me to get in. “Thanks.”, I smile coyly and get into the taxi. There is an awkward silence as the taxi starts driving to the venue. “So…”, I start with some hesitation, “What should I expect? Anyone I need to charm for business?”, I try to make a lame joke to ease the tension between us. I see Noah’s shoulders relax, and I hear a soft exhale coming from him. “Just have fun. Enjoy the atmosphere and the food. And just be your charming self.”, he smiles at me. “There will be some people I want to talk to for the bank, if that’s okay.”, he mentions. I don’t really know why, but the fact that there will be a part of business makes me feel relieved.
I notice we have arrived at the venue when I see this huge mansion that is lighted exquisitely, and many well-dressed people that walk up the steps. Once inside, I am amazed by the decorations that make the place look like it came from a fairytale with little lights dangling from the high ceiling. Everyone was dressed elegantly, and it made me feel I did not belong. “So, what is this gala for exactly?”, I asked. Noah chuckles and grins before he answers. “Just the wealthy and most influential of the city coming together for the pretense of raising money for the schools.”
I feel Noah’s hand on the small of my back guiding me towards the bar. He walks with the air and confidence of someone who belongs in this room, and I feel like an imposter. I take a deep breath and decide to fake it ‘till I make it tonight! “Do you like it?”, Noah asks as he hands me a glass of champagne. “Yes, it looks beautiful in here.”, I answer, my nerves showing a little. Noah smiles adoringly at me. “Make sure to taste the food tonight. Rumor has it they managed to get a Michelin star chef to do the finger foods.”, he whispered in my ear.
Noah was on his best behavior tonight, like he was nervous to be here with me. It made me feel more relaxed though. My confidence was growing, and I was getting more relaxed with him as he was introducing me to many people and sharing funny stories about those people when they moved onto the next.
“Let’s dance.”, he said when he walked me out to the dance floor. There was a jazz combo playing, but that meant that the dancing would be closer to ballroom dancing than to the club dancing that I was more used to. “Noah, I don’t really know how to dance here.”, I said when we were already in the middle of the floor. “No worries.”, he chuckled. “Neither do most of the people here. Just sway to the music and you will be fine.”
I looked around and I understood what he was saying. He took my hand in his, and his other went to my back. Hesitantly, I lightly put my hand on his shoulder. I was afraid to give him a sign that I didn’t want him to get. “Relax, Lily. You are doing fine.”, he whispered in my ear. I smile at him. “I know, but I still feel out of place here.” I spoke. Noah was a good dancer. To be honest, I was having fun and I really hadn’t expected that I would for some reason. Noah was always so serious at work, so I now saw a different side to him.
As the song ended, I told Noah that I needed to go to the restroom. We walked off the dance floor, and Noah pointed me in the right direction. I just stepped into the hallway when I heard a large amount of glass breaking and quite some yelling. Instinctively, I walked as fast as I could in my heels towards the waiter to help. My past as a waitress was kicking in!
“You stupid asshole! Why did they hire an idiot like you! Watch where you’re going!”, I heard some men yelling, and as I got closer, I saw a man push the poor waiter around, while another man was trying to salvage a wet and stained dress shirt. “Hey! Shut it!”, I shouted without thinking, and I rush to the young waiter who doesn’t know what to do anymore. “It was an accident, you asshole!” Only after I shouted that did I take a look at the men. I gulp lightly, these men are made of pure muscle and intimidating as fuck. And did I mention tall and handsome? Oh, and angry, let’s not forget about that. Note to self, think before you speak next time Lily!
“What did you call me? Huh?”, the one that was previously pushing the waiter, asked getting in my face. “Why don’t you just help, you asshole?”, I muttered, while getting down to help the waiter to clean up. “You bitch!”, the man shouted, and he grabs my arm tightly to drag me up and meet his eyes. “Nino.”, the man with the wet dress shirt said quietly. As if he got burned, this Nino guy let go of me. I rubbed my arm where he grabbed me to relieve some of the pain. “Luciano, can you grab me a clean shirt from the car?”, he asked the other guy. No, not asked, he ordered him.
I heard the waiter mutter a thank you to me, and I was on my way again to the restroom, when someone grabs my arm again. The grip was more gently this time, but it made me spin around either way. It made me spin this fast that I only come to a halt when I hit a chest. A well-defined, sculpted, made out of muscle entirely, manly, bare chest. Accidently my hand lands on his pec, and the touch creates a tingle that shoots through my arm straight to my core. I lift my hand as fast as I can, and I hear a chuckle. “Miss?”, the man says. I gulp and look into his darkened blue eyes. “Don’t ever call me an asshole again.”, he said calmly, but with a threatening undertone. I shake myself away from his grip on me. “I will call you as I see fit.”, I answer arrogantly and walk towards the restrooms.
I only let myself relax when I am inside one of the stalls, and I take a deep breath to steady my heartbeat. Wait! I knew those blue eyes! Too bad he turned out to be such an asshole.