GALA NIGHT

Ava laughed on the other side of the line. "I told you you'll need my help."

"I need a date to the annual Charity event hosted at the Flannigan hotel." He ignored her earlier comment wanting to get over the preparations so he could get back to the office. "Do you know where that is?"

"No I don't."

He pinched the bridge of his nose and pulled his phone away from his ear. He placed Ava on hold and dialed another number.

The person picked up on the first ring. "Goodday, Mr Bancroft."

"I need you to pick up someone. I'll send you the address and the lady's phone number." He didn't wait for the person's response and hung up.

He took Ava's number off hold again. "I'll send a car for you at 7pm sharp, don't keep him waiting."

The driver would pick Ava up and then come get him on the way. With that, he ended the call and took the rest of the stairs up to his room.

***

The lobby of the Flannigan hotel was packed with people waiting to enter the well decorated hall that had been set aside as the venue for this year's charity gala.

The charity event was hosted by the Flannigan family, owners of a chain of successful hotels that were thriving.

Millionaires and CEOS, heiresses and models and basically the rich and upper class in the society gathered one night every year to attend this event that is considered the Event of the Century.

The theme for this year's event was Hollywood and everyone was dressed to impress.

A few women were gathered at a corner of the room gossiping, as usual and checking out the dressing of the invited guests as they walked in.

There was a chocolate fountain at another corner of the room where some of the guests were already filling their glasses with the richly sweet chocolate drink.

"Wow, this is so beautiful." Ava gushed as the car stopped in front of the hotel.

Just like on the inside, the outside was just as beautiful. Decorations, flowers, and ribbons were placed neatly at strategic spots.

Sebastian got down from the car and adjusted his tuxedo. He checked his wristwatch for the time and sighed in pleasure.

It was 7pm and he was right on time. He hated being late to an event even some people claimed there was nothing wrong with being fashionable late.

Ava walked up to him and he held his arm out for her to take. He then walked into the hall, Ava on his arm.

At least she had listened when he told her to dress up. She looked incredible he couldn't help but notice.

And he wasn't the only one who noticed. He could feel heavy stares and glares directed at them.

"Would you like something to drink?" He asked as they walked into the hall and she shook her head pointing towards the chocolate fountain.

"Is that really chocolate?" She screamed although it came out like a whisper and Sebastian sighed turning to face her.

"I think we need to establish some ground rules first before anything else."

Ava took her eyes off the chocolate fountain and frowned up at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"People here are not as nice as they seem." He pointed towards the women at the corner and sighed. "I know these people and all these smiles you see are just a facade to hide the real person underneath."

Ava nodded and looked around her with a smile. I can do this. A group of women walked up to them just then. The same group Sebastian had been referring to.

"Come on Ava, it's time to turn up the charm." She whispered and plastered a smile on her face just as the women caught up to them.

"I'll go get us a drink." Sebastian said and headed  straight for the wine cellar.

He poured himself a glass and downed it a little too quickly, coughing and spitting wine everywhere.

He muttered curses under his breath as he bent down to clean his shoes. Rising back up, he frowned as he caught sight of a pair of silver heels.

Ava's heels were black with a touch of green.

He stood up fully and was staring into the eyes of his ex, Natasha. He faked a smile and accepted the handkerchief she offered him.

She had probably slipped away from all those women he had seen her talking to earlier.

He used it to wipe his hands thanking the heavens none of the wine had made it to his suit.

He was wearing a white one piece custom made tuxedo that he'd gotten tailored mainly for this event.

"You look good Sebby." Natasha giggled, touching his arm and he pulled away, frowning at her. "Right, I'm sorry about that. Don't touch the suit." She laughed again and Sebastian sighed in irritation.  

From where he was standing, Sebastian followed Ava with his eyes and watched as she laughed and mingled with the women as if she was a part of this world.

Ava waved at Sebastian and pointed at him causing him to frown wondering what she was up to.

He couldn't let her create a scene in front of all these people. With that thought in mind, he caught up with her and held her arm. "What do you think you're doing?"  He asked taking her arm in his again.

He had to take her someplace else right now. These women were the gossip group of the high class world.

"I'm just socialising," she replied smiling at a woman Sebastian recognised from one of the events.

"Oh my God, Sebby, you work fast!" She giggled at Sebastian whose only reply was a blank stare.

She ignored it and glared at the strange woman. "And who are you?" She asked, a frown on her face.

She had noticed the minute Sebastian walked into the hall and had been meaning to walk up to him until she noticed this woman by his side.

The only woman that deserved to be at his side as his date was her and no one else.

She didn't like the way Sebastian was holding unto this strange woman's arm after he had left her standing all by herself.

People were going to get the wrong idea if she didn't do something about it.

Ava tightened her arm around Sebastian's arm and grinned at her. "He's my fiancée."

After she spoke, she plucked Natasha's fingers off Sebastian's other arm and dropped it.

"Please keep your hands to yourself from now on." She said, causing the women who had gathered around them to gasp in shock.