Chapter 2

Michael

I watched as the beautiful woman disappeared behind the curtain, her earlier stumble still etched in my mind. Her confident yet erratic demeanor intrigued me. As I turned to leave, something caught my eye – a glinting pin on the floor.

I picked it up, admiring the blue and green jewels sparkling in the light. It likely belonged to the beautiful woman, but returning it now was impossible. Our reunion would have to wait.

I joined my mother, who looked impatient, her eyes scanning the room. "This is why you should have let me help with the organization," I teased, taking my seat beside her.

She laughed, playfully punching my arm. "Fundraising doesn't work that way, Michael. People need to see the impact of their donations."

"I know, I know. But sometimes I think you enjoy torturing me with these events."

Her stern expression softened. "I appreciate your support, dear. It means a lot to me."

As the auction began, I bid on a few items, my mind drifting back to Miss Two Left Feet. Her vibrant red hair and striking green eyes lingered in my thoughts. What was her story?

The final item, a designer hat, caught my attention. My mother quickly bid on it, and I smiled, knowing it suited her.

But then, disaster struck. The model stumbled, and her dress ripped along the back seam. I sighed, exasperated.

"Is every model here incompetent?" I asked my mother, who clenched her teeth.

"A little kindness, Michael," she reminded me, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "Accidents happen."

I watched as Miss Two Left Feet rushed to the girl's side, hiding her from view. Her dress hugged every curve, and I couldn't help but imagine it on my floor, with her beside me.

As the assistant escorted the model offstage, I remained fixated on Miss Two Left Feet. She carefully returned to her booth, holding her dress up.

For a fleeting moment, panic crossed her face, and she scanned the area, likely searching for the lost pin. Her eyes met mine, and I sensed a spark.

I smiled to myself, intrigued by her quirks. Who was this woman, and what brought her to this event?

The auctioneer's voice brought me back to reality. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise. Our final item is a unique experience – a weekend getaway to a luxurious villa."

I raised an eyebrow, interested. This could be worth bidding on.

As the bidding began, I glanced at Miss Two Left Feet, wondering if she'd make it through the rest of the event without another mishap.

To my surprise, she seemed composed, her smile radiant. But I detected a hint of vulnerability beneath her poised exterior.

I leaned forward, my eyes locked on hers. She felt my gaze and looked up, our eyes meeting once more.

In that moment, I knew I had to find out more about her.

As I watched Jade walk away, I couldn't resist winking at her. She bit her lip, fighting a smile, and I felt a surge of excitement. Her earlier stumble still lingered in my mind, but now, I saw a more confident side of her.

The auction concluded, and my mother beamed with satisfaction. "That went splendidly, didn't it?"

"Well, aside from that one mishap..." I teased, grinning.

My mother chuckled. "I should have sold you too."

"Then you'd just miss me and buy me back," I playfully retorted.

We shared a laugh, and I kissed her cheek. "Go mingle with your friends. I'll see you back at the hotel."

As I walked away, I retrieved the pin from my pocket, my thoughts consumed by Jade. What was her story? Why did she seem so nervous on stage?

Backstage, I found her chatting with another model. Her radiant smile captivated me. She seemed carefree now, unlike the anxious woman I'd met earlier.

When she noticed me, I gave a casual two-finger salute, making her laugh.

"Hi again," she said, approaching me with a small wave.

"Someone looks happy," I observed, drawn to her sparkling eyes.

"Glad to have survived," she replied, confirming my suspicion.

"And lost the stilts?" I teased, glancing at her feet.

She laughed, glancing down. "Definitely those first. It's a unique torture."

"The designer would be thrilled to hear that," I said with a smirk.

Jade blushed, looking around nervously. "The clothes are beautiful... I guess we all have our tastes."

"What are yours?" I asked, intrigued.

"Probably boring," she admitted. "Why can't beauty be fun, not painful?"

I shrugged, never having cared about beauty trends. My mother wore designer labels effortlessly, but Jade's perspective was refreshing.

"This belong to you?" I asked, holding out the pin.

Her eyes widened as she took it, cradling it like a treasure.

"Careful, or I'll develop a hero complex," I joked.

"Suits you," she said, searching my face.

"Really? And my superpower?"

"Saving redheads?" she teased.

"Only redheads?" I winked.

"It might just be me," she laughed.

We bantered, our connection growing. I found myself wanting to know more about her.

"I'm grateful for this," she said, holding the pin. "It's been in my family for generations."

"Let me make it up to you. Dinner?" I suggested.

She agreed, and we exchanged names.

"More like Emerald," I said, studying her eyes.

"Jade's fine," she chuckled.

We parted ways, and I counted down the minutes until our dinner.

As I waited, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Jade was different. Her quirks and vulnerability drew me in.

Fifteen minutes passed, and Jade reappeared, looking stunning in a simple black dress. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, and I fought the urge to run my fingers through it.

"You look breathtaking," I said, offering my arm.

Jade smiled, taking it. "You clean up well yourself."

We walked to the hotel restaurant, our conversation flowing effortlessly. I learned about her passion for art and her love for old movies.

As we dined, I discovered more about Jade – her laughter, her smile, and her infectious enthusiasm.

The evening flew by, and I found myself reluctant to let her go.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast tomorrow?" I asked, walking her back to her room.

Jade smiled mischievously. "I'll think about it."

"I'll make it worth your while," I whispered, my lips inches from hers.

Her eyes sparkled, and I knew I had her.

"Goodnight, Emerald," I said, releasing her.

"Goodnight, Blue Eyes," she replied, disappearing into her room.

I smiled, already counting down the hours until tomorrow.