3. Collide

~ SIERRA's POV ~

“Oh my God! I’m not seriously walking out there in front of all those people, am I?”

Sierra was freaking out behind the curtains as she watched the hundreds and thousands of people standing at her party. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance. There were politicians, celebrities, and prominent families from all over the state. Everyone was so beautifully and impeccably dressed, holding glasses of champagne, and talking about their last trip to the south of France. 

Sierra was definitely overwhelmed by all of this. Her cousin Rose’s coming out party wasn’t even half this extravagant. Her dad went completely extra with this one. Crystal chandeliers were hanging on the ceiling, beautiful flowers and linen adorned the room, and a full orchestra band was playing music on stage.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, it’s gonna be fine,” Sierra’s dad smiled reassuringly, holding onto her hand. “I’ll be walking right with you,”

“But—“

“Smile, sweetie. It’s time,”

Before Sierra could protest some more, the tall curtains pulled open and revealed the entire crowd before her eyes. The paparazzi were snapping pictures left and right while her dad took her hand and led her to the stage. Sierra couldn’t do anything but follow her dad under these blinding lights. She forced out a smile and took careful steps, her only mission was not to fall in front of all these people as she walked in her heels and golden satin dress.

“Please put your hands together for Miss Sierra Adeline Ascott, escorted by her father, Henri Maximillian Ascott!” the emcee announced and the whole room erupted in claps and cheers.

The smile on Sierra’s face grew wider as she got a little more accustomed to her surroundings. She smiled and waved her hand gracefully, just like her father told her to. Amongst the crowd, Sierra spotted Rosie and her boyfriend, Ethan, and they were waving happily at her. Sierra was full-on smiling now. Rosie mouthed that she looked beautiful and it made her more confident. From early in the morning today, she had a whole team of hairdressers and make-up artists working with her. Though she never thought that she was beautiful, she definitely felt it right now. Her long blonde hair was loosely curled and her golden dress cascaded down her body perfectly. Sierra’s steps became bolder as she neared the center of the stage. Her heart was still beating like crazy, but she must admit, it felt nice to be celebrated like this.

Sierra threw her gaze across the room and saw all the people that were looking back at her. There were definitely some cute guys in the crowd, and they were smiling at her. This made her blush instinctively and looked down. Her cheeks went rosy pink and her perfectly curled hair fell to cover her face.

“Look up, sweetheart,” her dad whispered to her ear, tucking the strand of hair away. “You look beautiful. You have to let the world see it,”

“Oh my God, dad,” Sierra blushed even more.

“Just smile and wave,” Henri chuckled. “Smile and wave,”

Sierra took a deep breath and followed her dad’s command. She looked up to see the crowd of people, smiled at the cameras, and waved.

“And now, please clear the dance floor for the father and daughter dance,” the emcee called and people began making room in the middle of the grand ballroom.

Henri took her daughter’s hand and led her to the dance floor. The slow music began to play and Sierra danced with her father. They had practiced this dance several times before. Ballroom dancing wasn’t a difficult thing for Sierra to do, but since everyone’s eyes were on them, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.  

“Don’t be nervous,” her dad said as if he could read her mind. “You’re doing great,”

“Really?” she looked up at him.

“Yes,” he smiled reassuringly. “I mean look at all the guys here, they’re all here admiring you,”

“Oh, stop,” Sierra rolled her eyes and laughed. There were actresses and models in the room. Surely, she couldn’t be the center of attention.

“You don’t believe me?” her dad asked challengingly. “Look over there,”

Sierra whipped her head around to see a guy walking over to her. He was probably in his early twenties, he had dark curly hair, and he was wearing a navy three-piece suit. For some reason, he reminded her of Andy Samberg in his younger days.

“Hi, good evening, Mr. Ascott, Miss Ascott,” the guy greeted them. 

“Greg, how are you, how’s your dad?” Sierra’s dad stretched out his hand and smiled. They seemed friendly with each other. He must’ve known him well. 

“He’s doing well, sir. He’s in a business meeting in Dubai as of right now,” Greg answered.

“Great, well, tell him I said hi,”

“I will. But in the meantime, I was wondering if I can have a dance with your daughter?”

Sierra’s eyes jolted open and she threw her dad a look.

“It’s up to you,” her dad said.

Sierra glanced back at Greg and he was smiling at her. Sierra could feel her heart rate quickening.

“Uh, sure,” she said.

Greg took her hand from her dad and they began dancing. Sierra wasn’t used to standing this close with other guys before, let alone slow dance. She was extremely nervous, but Greg was being nice and polite. She was having a good time with polite Greg for some time. However, before the song even ends, another guy approached her and asked her for a dance.

“Hi, can I have this dance?” a guy in his late twenties stepped forward. Sierra recognized this man from the news. He was a celebrated CEO of a tech company. His name was Aaron Michaelson.

“Um, sure,” Sierra replied, not knowing how to say no.

“And me next?” another guy suddenly appeared before her. He was younger with tan skin and an exotic look. Sierra then remembered that this guy was one of the sultans from Abu Dhabi.

“Of course,” she smiled politely.

Sierra spent the next hour or so dancing with guys after guys after guys. She lost track after a while as all the conversations blurred into one. Though things started off as exciting for her, as the night wore on, they were growing redundant. There were many guys and many conversations, but none of them seemed to intrigue her. All the guys were the same. They just complimented her on her looks or they’d boast about their latest achievements or the private parties in their yachts. These were all topics that Sierra couldn’t care less about.

For example, the guy that she was dancing with now, John Harrison, was talking about how much fun he had blowing $100,000 tab at a club in Miami. He was also dropping names that some Hollywood actress was totally chasing after him. 

“Yeah, she couldn’t keep her hands off of me in Miami. But hey, I don’t blame her,” he snorted a laugh and Sierra only forced out a smile. 

Sierra was getting tired of all this. She had been dancing for a while, her legs were sore, and she was hungry as hell. It was her birthday party but she never even had a chance to eat her five-tier chocolate cake. 

“So, what about you? What do you do for fun?” John changed the subject to get her attention, and he used this opportunity to lower his hand down the small of her back.

Sierra squirmed uncomfortably and pulled his hand back up.

“Uh, nothing much. I just read a lot,” she muttered.

“Read?” he frowned. “Like books?”

“No, like restaurant menus,” she rolled her eyes sarcastically. 

“Ha-ha, you’re funny,” he snorted again. “I like you,”

John had a playful smile playing on his face as he cocked his head to the side. Then his hand began trailing down her back again and it landed on her butt. He gave her butt a light squeeze and Sierra flinched instinctively.

“Alright, I think that’s enough dancing!” she pushed him away and quickly turned to her heels.

“Hey, wait!”

Being groped at her own birthday party was not something she signed up for. Sierra stomped away angrily without turning back. She was looking for an escape route and she spotted the bathroom. But as she was heading in that direction, her father found her and pulled her by her arm. 

“Sweetheart, come over here,”

“Dad, I’m tired,” she whined.

“This’ll be quick, I just want you to meet someone,”

Sierra glanced at the bathroom again with sad eyes. All she wanted was some peace and quiet right now, but apparently, that was out of the question. 

“Sierra, this is Raphael Rothschild, Uncle Nathanael’s youngest son. He just came back from Cambridge,” Henri announced as they stood in front of a young man with fair skin and blonde hair. He had sharp features and wore a classy suit. He reminded her of a young Tom Hiddleston.

“Hi, nice to meet you,” Sierra stretched out her hand politely and smiled.

“Pleasure’s all mine,” Raphael took her hand and brought it to his lips. Sierra flinched a little as he kissed her hand. She wasn’t used to guys touching or kissing her anywhere.

“Sierra’s starting Columbia this fall. Did you know, Raphael was at Columbia too, but he transferred in his second year?” Henri nudged his daughter’s elbow.

“I do now,” she replied.

“Yeah, maybe you guys can talk about that?” he smiled triumphantly. Clearly, he wasn't good at being coy. “I’ll leave you two to it,”

Sierra didn’t want her dad to leave, but he was already gone within seconds. He left her alone with Raphael and now she felt awkward, not knowing what to say or do. 

“Great party,” Raphael said. 

“Thanks,” she replied. “So… why’d you transfer out of Columbia?”

“Meh,” he shrugged. “I just get bored too easily,”

“Oh, I see…”

The two of them stood in awkward silence for a few more beats. Raphael didn’t seem like much of a talker. Sierra also didn't know what to ask him and she was too tired to think. 

Speaking of bored…

“Do you like to dance?” she asked finally, just starting a random conversation.

“Not really,”

“Do you like… to read?”

“No,”

“Do you like… cheese?”

“What?”

Alright, that’s it. I’m done.

Sierra had tried to be cordial, but this was not her scene anymore. She was out of energy and all she wanted was to be alone for a moment. And maybe eat some cake.

“You know what, would you excuse me for a second?” she didn't even wait for him to answer and just slipped right by.

With conviction in her steps, Sierra went towards one of the bodyguards that were standing at the corner of the room. 

“Hey, have you seen my cousin Rose?” she asked.

“She went out back with Ethan,” the bodyguard replied.

“Of course,”

Sierra rolled her eyes and scanned the room again. The party was suffocating her and she needed an out. She glanced at the bathroom again and got an idea. 

“Miss Sierra, you’re not allowed to leave the party,” her bodyguard interjected as if he knew what she was thinking.

“I’m not, I’m just looking for Rosie, she might be in there,” she argued.

“Rose? Where are you?” Sierra acted as if she was looking for her cousin and went into the bathroom. “Rosie? Rosalyn?”

Her bodyguard couldn’t follow her into the ladies’ room and Sierra closed the door shut. As the sound of the party dissipated behind the walls, Sierra let out a relieved sigh. She walked towards the window and opened it wide, relishing in the fresh night air. Finally, she could breathe again.

Sierra smiled and closed her eyes as she let the cool night breeze hit her cheeks. The fresh air was exactly what she needed. But as she leaned her face forward, she suddenly lost her balance and came tumbling straight down.

“Ahh!”

Sierra’s eyes were scrunched shut as she fell headfirst down the two-story window. She came down with a shriek, and she thought she would hit the hard concrete, but no. Instead, she felt two strong arms grabbing her and she fell onto something that felt like a body.

“I got you,” she heard a voice.

Sierra opened her eyes to see a guy with icy blue eyes and jet-black hair right in front of her. He was lying down on the ground and she was on top of him. Their faces were only an inch away from each other and she could feel his breaths hitting her cheeks.

At that moment, Sierra’s heart literally stopped beating.

*

*

*

To Be Continued.