Chapter 9

Raphael

Where the hell is she? The car should have been here half an hour ago. This was a new feeling for me, and I didn't like it. I paced around the foyer for what felt like an hour before the car finally arrived. I watched Walter exit the drivers side, and make his way to the back passengers door opening it.

Excitement filled my veins. My heart raced as I watched Ondina exit the car. Red is her color... She was wearing a long red satin dress. The sleeves joining her middle fingers. Her neck line was elegant, while the body of the dress seductive. The material clunged to her body like it was tailor made for her and released mid hip. Yup... I'm gonna have a hard time tonight... She turned her back to me, thanking Walter; revealing a dip in her dress that sat just above her ass. Shit.... Definitely gonna have a hard time tonight. Finally, she made her way to the entrance.

~~~

Ondina

Ondina tried to keep a steady pase as she walked towards the entrance. There's so many people... Entering the foyer, she couldn't help but stare in awe. She took in the expensive decor and the sparkling Chandlers. She had never seen a room so beautiful.

People in beautiful gowns and expensive suits were scattered everywhere. Suddenly feeling out of place, she wrapped her arms around herself and scanned the room. where is he? A tall red head caught your eye, and she immediately recognized her as the same redhead from the club. Ondina giggled at the memory.

She continued to scan the room and the feeling of inadequacy quickly replaced the humorous memory. Great. Now everyone’s looking at me. With panic rising to her throat, Ondina quickly turned for the entrance; smacking into a familar wall of muscle.

"There you are, beautiful." A shiver rippled down her spine at the warmth of his breath against her ear.

Raphael took a few steps back and extended his hand. Without hesitation, Ondina grabbed it and shook it. What?! Why would you shake his.. AAAHHHH. A smile broke over his face and Ondinas cheeks reddened.

As if the awkward encounter never happened, Raphael gently placed the hand she hadn't realized was still shaking his, on his right bicep, and Proceeded forward. Every eye in the room followed them as they ventured deeper into the hall. Ondina couldn't help but gasp at the sight of it. It was absolutely breathtaking. A beautiful trail of golden roses decorated the trimmings of every wall and white silk curtains drapped over every window pulled back by delicate golden rose clips.

They made their way into the main dinning hall and were stopped by a man and woman who looked to be in their late fifties.

"You've really out done yourself this year, Mr. Lahsen." The man said in a thick italian accent.

"Thank you, Mr. Moretti. As you know, I aim to make every Galla better than the previous."

Mr. Moretti smile spread across his face enhancing the size of his nose.

As Raphael continued his conversation with Mr. And Mrs. Moretti, Ondina proceeded to scanning the room, taking in the scenery. Maaan... If camie seen this shit!

"Ready to go?" Raphael asked leaning into her ear.

"Go where? I just got here." Ondina was genuinely confused. Her response brought a smile to his lips.

"I don't mean leave." He let out a light laugh and lead her through the room full of well dressed men and women. Nearly every head turned to watch where they chose to make home.

"Is it just me? Or are they all staring?" With the feeling of displacement returning, Ondina gripped Rapael tighter.

"They're just admiring beauty." He spoke softly into her ear.

"Full of yourself much?" Her response rang oblivion. A snicker escaped Raphaels lips.

"Not me, you." Ondinas cheeks grew twenty degrees hotter.

Raphael chose a table closest to the stage. Every space had a reserved name tag on them. He motioned for her to sit, and pulled the chair out in front of a space with her name on it.

"For you, love." Raphael encouraged her the sit. She accepted with a sweet smile, and he sat in the chair next to her.

"So... You got me here. What's next?" She asked.

"Well we sit here, and wait until they make an announcement, and then we go and look at some Art."

Excitement layered Ondinas heart. Although she was far away from being an artist, she admire the time and attention people would put into a piece. She couldn't wait to see what pieces they would have for auction. A smile broke across her face at the thought.

"You look beautiful when you smile." Raphael stated. A smile playing at the corners of his own lips. She could feel her cheeks heating up again. Why are you looking at me like that?

Staring into his eyes, Ondina couldn't break away. It was as if she was falling deeper into them, no longer in a hall around so many well dressed people, but in a room with just only them two. She could see the desire in his eyes, feeling it caress her body as he looked her over. She could feel her body react to his stare as if his hands were touching her. She couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped her lips. Her body was too aware of the man he was, and the woman in her ached for him. What is wrong with me? Raphaels eyes were now on her lips. Ondina bit down on her lip trying to contain herself.

"Mr. Lahsen." A voice cut through like a knife to the gut, and Ondina became painfully aware of her surroundings.

*********

Between guests coming to congratulate Raphael on the successful turn out, and him going to greet others, Ondina was beginning to feel out of place.

She didn't know a single person but him, and every time he left to greet someone, she couldn't help but feel lonely. It didn't help that she was becoming more and more aware of the huge gap between their social statuses either. Ondina stayed seated where he had left her, and fiddled with the corner of the table cover.

"Hello." A light voice caught Ondinas attention. Looking up away from her hands, her light brown eyes were greeted with green ones.

"I seen you sitting here, and I thought you might be bored." A woman in a pale pink mermaid dress stood infront of her. She had a fake tan, and golden man made curls in her hair.

"Oh, hello." Without an invitation the woman sat down in the seat next to her. Ondina shifted slightly away from her.

"So, your Raphael’s date." The woman continued with a plastic smile painted on her face. It was obvious to Ondina that she was playing mean girl. "I like your dress by the way. It's very... Unique."

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Ondina announced, "I'm sorry, I never got your name." dismissing the womans comment.

"Oh, where's my manners." The woman said with a fake laugh, placing her hand to her chest. "I'm Celeste, and you are?"

"Ondina." She answered.

"That's… unique. I've never heard that one before." Celeste said looking uninterested.

"So, I've been told." Ondina replied dryly. Making note of the way she mentioned him, she asked.

"Are you and Raphael close?"

"We are more than close, we grew up together." A look of admiration clouded Celeste eyes. Ah, I see.

"How long have you known him?" Celeste asked.

"We don't know each other that well, but hopefully that changes." A smile coded Ondinas lips.

"I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you." A look of disgust crossed Celestes face. Okay, Regina, let’s do this.

"Oh, really? Why's that?" She asked Celeste, pretending to be concerned.

"He's a play boy. He has different women every month. Even if he did date you, he'll toss you the second he gets bored."

‘Now, finally something interesting.’ With the feeling of annoyance slowly approaching, Ondina asked, "Is that what he did to you?" with a look of amusement.

She could see Celeste fuming on the inside. "You think you're real funny don't you?" She responded with a glare. "Unlike those girls, I'm the one that got away." Her smerk returning.

"You sure it's not the other way around?" Ondina couldn't hold back the smile.

A now very red Celeste stood up abruptly. Through gritted teeth, she hissed "Bitch, you-“ before she could finish, Raphael interrupted.

"Is everything okay?" Ondina was so focused on Celeste she hadn’t even noticed he was there.

Concerned pulled his eyebrows together. She watched as shock crossed Celestes face. Planting a fake smile, she turned to face him.

"Yes! I seen your date sitting here and thought to be friendly." Celeste spoke falsely.

With amusement dancing around Ondinas face. "Did you, now?"

Ignoring her comment, Celeste reached forward and gently grabbed onto Raphaels arm. Amusement now completely gone, anger made its way into Ondinas belly and made camp there.

"Raphael, you've been so busy, I haven't seen you sense your nana's birthday." She pouted like a small child.

Rapheal casually removed his arm from her clutches. "It's just like you said. I've been busy."

The gesture settled any insecurity that started to form, making Ondina see him in a new light.

Pretending the gesture never happened, Celeste continued. "Too much work isn't healthy. Don't be a stranger, ok?" She gave him a wink before she turned to walk past him.

Ondina watched her as she walked away swinging her hips a little too hard. Annoyance filled her chest.

"Sorry about her..." Tearing her attention away from Celeste, she looked up at him.

"Don't be. She very… entertaining." They looked into each others eyes again. With Ondinas body coming to life again, she mentally broke away the rope that lassoed her to him.

"Auctions are about to start." Raphael stated, and on cue, an older woman in a red pants suit took to the stage.