Chapter 12: Rayne On The Red Carpet

༺RAYNE༻

“Oh my God! It's Liam Everhart!”

“That's Liam Everhart!”

“Is he really here? I can't believe this!”

The paparazzi and the rest of the people go nuts as soon as Liam steps out of the limo, his bodyguards swarming around him. Why am I not surprised? Liam barely attends these events and rarely ever grants interviews. I bet the press have been dying to catch him at an event like this.

Liam adjusts his suit—a black Tom Ford tuxedo, fitted and sleek. I'm still sitting in the limousine, watching him and the wild crowd. I suck in a heavy breath, going over everything Liam told me like a kid rehearsing before a big performance.

He has been schooling me on how to walk, talk and even think like the people of his status. He's practically taught me everything I need to know including the important details about the Everhart family. I know all of his family members now and even what they look like.

Liam backs the paparazzi and turns to me. He offers me his hand and gives me a tight-lipped smile. “Ready?”

I swallow, inhale and exhale. I've never attended an event like this. I don't know if I'm ready. Sure, I memorized everything Liam told me and I put them into practice. But I'm not sure I'm really cut out for this. This is a pretty big deal for him.

What if I flop? What if I say something stupid or worse, I trip on my dress and fall?

“Rayne?” Liam eyes me, his smile wearing off into a half-frown.

“I don't know if I can do this,” I confess, my eyes scanning the crowd.

Liam gives me a hard look. “Don't think too much. It's just a party. And they're just people.”

“But—”

“You don't have a choice here, Rayne.” He lowers his head. “Just take my hand and follow my lead.”

I nod and place my hand on his, stepping out of the limo. Liam gently leads me to face the crowd, holding my hand and looking at me. Only at me. I force a pretty smile and stare into the sea of people.

The crowd immediately loses their minds once again on seeing me, walking hand in hand with the enigmatic billionaire. Flashbulbs pop and cameras click here and there as we make our way down the red carpet. There are gasps, cheers and all sorts of excited noises.

Liam doesn't even flinch as the paparazzi's craziness intensifies—he just struts like he owns the place, his gaze never leaving mine. This man is a pro when it comes to handling the attention and it's obvious he isn't afraid to flaunt his status.

Why should he be? He's Liam freaking Everhart!

There's something about his aura that is downright magnetic. I can't explain it. But I know for sure that everyone sees it, everyone who's ever been graced by his presence. He doesn't need to give them a smile to appear charming and charismatic.

He was born with an undeniable allure that cannot be taught, trained or forced. It's like he was born to charm and command the attention of others, as effortlessly as a fish swims in water. Liam Everhart exudes confidence and poise as though it's his birthright.

I chin up and sashay down to the red carpet, trying to match his sophistication. The cameras follow our every move, flashing like the stars on a clear night. The swarm of paparazzi is relentless but Liam remains composed.

“You're doing great,” he whispers into my ear, snaking his arm around my waist as we pose on the red carpet.

His compliment boosts my confidence and I flash the most radiant smile I've ever worn. I strike a few poses for the camera, holding Liam closely and smiling at him. I don't know how or when I took the lead but now it seems it's all about me.

I'm posing effortlessly like a supermodel on Vogue cover, my body angling and twisting with a grace I never knew I had. I'm starting to eat the red carpet, all my fear and anxiety completely gone.

Liam’s grip around my waist tightens slightly, a subtle cue that I am killing it. He matches my poses perfectly, allowing me to take centre stage. The attention energizes me and I give the cameras what they came here for—beauty and intrigue in equal measure.

I arch my back to flaunt the curve of my figure, tilting my head and running my hands on my hips. Liam hovers behind me, posing as well. He leans in and plants a kiss on my shoulder, making my body sizzle for a while.

The crowd screams, devouring our fake chemistry.

“Mesmerizing!” one of the photographers breathes. “Astonishing! You two are going to break the internet.”

Liam twirls me around and then draws me downwards. He guides my body to arch in his arm, his hand firm on my back. My head falls back, my hands drape around his neck and my eyes lock on his. My chest is heaving in a rise and fall motion as we freeze in the pose.

And then he does something crazy. He finds my thigh bared in the slit of my dress and lifts it high with one hand, making it almost reach his waist level. He leans in and locks lips with me, kissing me softly and tenderly. I melt in his arms, my body flushed with heat.

The cameras snap wildly, like they know what they're catching is gold. Moments later, we break apart but Liam never lets go of me. I'm breathless and my insides are squirming. However, Liam is still maintaining his composure, carrying on like nothing happened.

How does he do it? He's so good at acting, at pretending. Liam Everhart deserves an Oscar!

I hook my arm around his as we head into the gala. The press starts hovering around us but Liam's bodyguards keep them away. The red carpet hostess makes her way towards us, beaming at me and Liam.

“Mr Liam Everhart, it's so good to see you!” she chirps, clutching her microphone.

“Good to see you too,” Liam responds, holding my waist.

“Liam, surprise seeing you here. You're looking dashing as always.” Her eyes scan his tuxedo-clad physique and then settle on me. “And you've brought a stunning plus one! I have to say your date is stealing the show. Who's the lovely lady?”

“This is Rayne Sullivan, my fiancée,” he says smoothly.

The hostess gasps out loud. “Fiancée?! Mr Everhart, you've kept this under wraps! Congratulations to you both.”

She turns her attention to me. “Miss Rayne, you look stunning! Your gown is simply divine.”

“Thank you.” I blush.

“How did you manage to snag up New York's most elusive billionaire?”

“I'm afraid I can't tell you that. It's a secret. A girl's got to keep some mystery, right?” I reply with a laugh.

The hostess grins. “Well, you two are adorable. From the looks of things, you're on your way to becoming the city's power couple. Liam, you're usually so private but I guess Rayne has changed that.”

“Rayne has changed a lot of things for me.” He looks at me as he speaks.

I blush when he does it, all warm and fuzzy inside. I have to keep reminding myself that none of this is real.

The hostess responds, “Lovely! So who are you both wearing tonight?”

I smile, my hand absentmindedly brushing against the sequined bodice of my gown. “This stunning piece is by Valentino, while Liam is rocking Tom Ford. We wanted to make a statement tonight.”

“Well, you certainly have! Congratulations once again to you both. Enjoy the gala and I'm sure we'll be hearing more from you in the near future. We can't wait to see more of you on the red carpet!”

“Thank you.” Liam nods, his hand on my back guiding me into the grand hall.

And the rest of the night goes just as smoothly as it was on the red carpet. Liam doesn't take his hands off me, he's all over me, determined to show me off to the world.

Again, I keep telling myself that it's just an act.

We eat, drink and chat with some of the other guests. Liam introduces me to a few colleagues and business partners. I freeze every time he leans in for a kiss and my heart stops. I get goosebumps whenever he holds me close and whispers into my ear.

It's all for show but why do I feel like it's real? Like he's really mine?

We make it through the night and head back home. Liam is full of praises for me, in his own curt and gruff way.

“You pulled it off like just I expected. I'm impressed.”

I give him a weak smile and yawn. “So... What's next?”

“Next?” he repeats and glances away before saying, “We meet my grandfather.”