4. The Charity Event

♛

Aurora:

“Are we there yet?” I asked, looking up from the hem of my dress as the sleek black car slowed down to a stop at the front of the Grand Hotel.

“Yes, ma’am,” Edward, my chauffeur, looked up at the rearview mirror and nodded, “Are you still on call?” he asked me.

I nodded and shifted in my seat, adjusting my dress with one hand, while the other held my phone to my ear.

“I’m just saying honestly. She doesn't exactly look like the easiest person to work with.” Mia ranted on and on, not stopping to take a breath.

“But weren't you among the employees that voted to take her in?” I asked, looking through the tinted glasses to see the photographers, journalists and onlookers standing outside the red carpet.

Mia let out a strangled grunt, “Unfortunately, I was among. And the only reason I accepted that she should work with you is because she's very diligent in everything,” she sighed, and then added, “Which is quite a bitter thing to express.”

I exhaled, looking up at the hotel from the glasses. “How many times are we going to need to go over this, Mia?”

“As long as I keep feeling off about her. What's her name again?” There was a long pause, and then I heard the sound of her fingers making contact as she muttered loudly, “Bonnie!”

I picked up a bottle of water from beside me and drank a little before placing it back and picking my purse from the seat. “Well, she's only going to be temporary. And from what I've seen, she's capable enough, so it wouldn't make sense to send her away now, would it?”

Today marks the umpteenth time Mia was complaining about my new assistant, who was brought in about a week ago.

And I had an awful feeling it would continue for a while.

Mia let out an amused laugh. “Capable? Yeah, she looks like it. But friendly? That's debatable. I swear when I came into your office days back to drop those files and invitation cards on the charity event, she kept looking at me like she was waiting for me to trip and fall and perhaps break some bones so she could take my job permanently.”

A smile tipped my lips, and I leaned my back against the leather seat. “You do realize she’s just filling in, right? She’s not replacing you.”

“Oh, she’d love to, though." There was a pause. "She actually suggested I take another few months off, you know. Said it ‘wouldn’t hurt to have a new assistant around the office.’ Can you believe that?”

I arched my brow. “And what did you say?”

“That I’d come back early before she gets the chance to completely settle her arse round my seat,” Mia huffed. “I don’t trust her, Aurora. She’s too eager. And not in a good way.”

I sighed, tapping my fingers against my clutch. “She’s efficient. That’s all I care about right now. And I'm sure you agree she's exactly what we need at the moment.”

“Yeah, well, don’t let her fool you. I bet she’s just waiting for you to be too busy to notice whatever plans she’s cooking up.” She clicked her tongue and muttered words I could barely hear, but it sounded close to, ‘I just don't like that girl. She gives me the creeps.’

“Mia.” I adjusted the slit of my maroon gown; the silk fabric lay elegantly over my legs. The dress hugged my shape in all the right places, and I was somehow relieved that I ended up wearing this instead of the shorter one Trish had been trying to convince me to pick earlier. “You need to stop watching so many crime dramas. It's really messing with your thoughts,” I continued.

Mia let out a groan. “Just don’t get too comfortable with her, okay?”

“I won’t,” I assured her. “Now, go get some rest. I have to go.”

“Fine, fine. But—” I ended the call before she could launch into another long speech about my so-called workaholic activities.

The truth was, she wasn’t entirely wrong. I hadn’t slowed down in the past three years. Shoving my nose down on files was far better than slugging around and letting depressing thoughts swallow me whole.

Years back I had traveled out of the country, and now I know how much that was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

After building a name and a background for myself, I decided it was time to come back to New York.

My business had grown into a global firm; my name was with high-stakes projects. Which was one of the major reasons I was invited for this charity event tonight.

✧✦✧✦

Edward stepped out and rounded the car before stopping by my door and opening it. The cold air of the night hit me first as I stepped outside of the car, followed by the flashs as the numerous lights flashed in my direction.

I have done this kind of things before, over and over again, but I don't seem to ever get used to having many lights on me.

Neither do I appreciate the usual tons of questions; that was mostly just baseless speculation by the paparazzi.

“Aurora! Over here! Just one question—” a female reporter shouted.

“Rumors say your company is planning a major expansion—can you confirm?”

“What do you have to say about the speculation on your connections with New York’s elite?”

I didn’t respond. I never did. I rarely made public appearances like this. Most of the time, I avoided events where I knew the elites would be in attendance.

Until now, Mia had been the face of my company, attending these gatherings on my behalf. No one knew I was the CEO of Astra & Co.

Though there had been rumors. The only reason I chose to step into the spotlight tonight was because I’d spent long enough in the background.

If I wanted to expand my business and consult on major projects, then it was time people knew who was really pulling the strings.

Another reason I was here? Trish. Somehow, she had convinced me to come, promising that, based on speculation, I wouldn’t run into any member of the Rossi family.

I thought I was prepared for everything. But the one thing I wasn’t sure I was ready for yet was seeing Adrian here.

Edward's hand was steady against my back as he tried to lead me toward the entrance. “Let’s move quickly, ma’am.” His dark hair was swept neatly to the back, and his expression was blank as a paper, framing his young face.

Edward has been my chauffeur for more than fourteen months now, and one of the reasons I still kept him was because he knew his job.

And most of the time he knew how to handle situations like this. Before we could make it past the ropes, a reporter pushed one, another pushed the other, and then there were shouts and a fight broke out.

Somehow, a handful of paparazzi broke past security, dashing straight toward me with cameras raised and questions spilling from their lips.

My pulse quickened at the sudden chaos in front of me. The sudden push of bodies sent a jolt through the crowd, and before I could react, someone bumped into me hard.

My balance was shifted; my heel caught against the carpet at the wrong angle.

Edward’s hand reached out fast to steady me, but it was too late.

My body tilted, and I lost my footing. I was falling.

A firm grip caught me before I hit the ground, strong and steady.

The first thing I noticed was the broad hands that held me firm. The second was the scent of something deep and rich, a mix of bergamot and crisp cologne.