from the LA
Times. This should only take ten minutes or so.”
“It better not take longer than that
Katrina,” Aidan replies briskly as flash bulbs continue to flicker
and several people call out to Aidan asking for a photo.
Aidan releases my hand to shake hands with a
man who approaches him in greeting and with Aidan momentarily
occupied Katrina grips my elbow firmly tugging me aside and
hisses.
“He won’t be long Miss Stevens, Mr. Stone has
important business to attend before going inside. Please go ahead.”
She nods in gesture towards the entrance, her eyes narrowed and her
lips pinched in the most unattractive way. I jerk my arm away from
her hold composing my expression into one of impassiveness.
What I really want to do is slap the bitch
for manhandling me .
Glancing at Aidan, he is deep in conversation
and I really don’t want to interrupt or disturb him at this point.
This is an important night for him and the last thing I want to do
is to appear clingy so I comply walking swiftly towards the
entrance. I briefly glance back to see Aidan irritably frowning in
my direction and give him a small smile then turning quickly around
I walk inside the hotel.
The lobby and grand staircase with their
cathedral vaulted ceilings are impressive. The Bronze Ballroom is
imposing with burgundy wall-to-wall carpeting, a mammoth Art Deco
bar, hand-stenciled ceiling beams and ornate columns gilded in
copper leaf. There are groups of tables and chairs set up for
dinner adorned in crisp white linen tablecloths with burgundy
napkins artfully arranged, gold cutlery, crystal glass wear and
elaborate fresh flower center pieces in towering crystal vases. On
the room's south side, glass doors open out onto a picturesque
Tuscan Garden with soft intimate lighting.
Hmm drink first then explore the Tuscan
Garden.
I reach the bar where a cute young barman
smiles politely at me. “What can I get you tonight,” he asks
winking at me.
“Um…bourbon and coke please. Could you make
it a double?” I have a feeling I’m going to need it tonight.
“A double bourbon and coke coming up,” he
says on another wink of his eye.
“Gabby darling you look fabulous,” Jeremiah
croons and I turn around to face him as he leans in kissing me on
both cheeks. “Do a twirl sunshine.” He orders snapping his fingers
in the air. “This gown is gorgeous on you.”
Giggling I comply and spin around once
smoothing my hand down the dress.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes Jeremiah.” I’m
both relieved and happy to see a friendly face at this stage of the
night. “You have done an amazing job babe. This place,” I
indicate with a wave of my hand, “is surreal. It’s a storybook
fantasy come to life.”
Beaming with pride Jeremiah looks around at
the ballroom. “I know. I can’t believe I actually pulled it off.
Now enough praising yours truly, tell me why this beautiful face of
yours has the expression on it like somebody stole your puppy? And
where is that talk dark drink of water that’s supposed to be
escorting you?”
On Saturday afternoon I messaged Jeremiah to
let him know I would be coming to the Benefit with Aidan and he
promised to look out for me when I arrived. Right at this moment I
was so happy to see him.
“Um… Aidan’s busy with business outside and
I’m all good just… it’s just… um… this place, these people are just
a little intimidating that’s all.”
“Nonsense Gabby darling. You’re the most
beautiful woman here. Did you look at yourself in the mirror
before leaving home? Hmm? Besides having oodles of money, these are
just people . We all eat and shit the same darling!” Jeremiah
proclaims in his unique eloquent way waving his hand around to
encompass the now swelling crowd in the room.
“Now sunshine I’ve got to go and check the
kitchen – the model male servers are lush but not very
organized - I want you to relax, enjoy yourself and don’t let any
one of these rich
Times. This should only take ten minutes or so.”
“It better not take longer than that
Katrina,” Aidan replies briskly as flash bulbs continue to flicker
and several people call out to Aidan asking for a photo.
Aidan releases my hand to shake hands with a
man who approaches him in greeting and with Aidan momentarily
occupied Katrina grips my elbow firmly tugging me aside and
hisses.
“He won’t be long Miss Stevens, Mr. Stone has
important business to attend before going inside. Please go ahead.”
She nods in gesture towards the entrance, her eyes narrowed and her
lips pinched in the most unattractive way. I jerk my arm away from
her hold composing my expression into one of impassiveness.
What I really want to do is slap the bitch
for manhandling me .
Glancing at Aidan, he is deep in conversation
and I really don’t want to interrupt or disturb him at this point.
This is an important night for him and the last thing I want to do
is to appear clingy so I comply walking swiftly towards the
entrance. I briefly glance back to see Aidan irritably frowning in
my direction and give him a small smile then turning quickly around
I walk inside the hotel.
The lobby and grand staircase with their
cathedral vaulted ceilings are impressive. The Bronze Ballroom is
imposing with burgundy wall-to-wall carpeting, a mammoth Art Deco
bar, hand-stenciled ceiling beams and ornate columns gilded in
copper leaf. There are groups of tables and chairs set up for
dinner adorned in crisp white linen tablecloths with burgundy
napkins artfully arranged, gold cutlery, crystal glass wear and
elaborate fresh flower center pieces in towering crystal vases. On
the room's south side, glass doors open out onto a picturesque
Tuscan Garden with soft intimate lighting.
Hmm drink first then explore the Tuscan
Garden.
I reach the bar where a cute young barman
smiles politely at me. “What can I get you tonight,” he asks
winking at me.
“Um…bourbon and coke please. Could you make
it a double?” I have a feeling I’m going to need it tonight.
“A double bourbon and coke coming up,” he
says on another wink of his eye.
“Gabby darling you look fabulous,” Jeremiah
croons and I turn around to face him as he leans in kissing me on
both cheeks. “Do a twirl sunshine.” He orders snapping his fingers
in the air. “This gown is gorgeous on you.”
Giggling I comply and spin around once
smoothing my hand down the dress.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes Jeremiah.” I’m
both relieved and happy to see a friendly face at this stage of the
night. “You have done an amazing job babe. This place,” I
indicate with a wave of my hand, “is surreal. It’s a storybook
fantasy come to life.”
Beaming with pride Jeremiah looks around at
the ballroom. “I know. I can’t believe I actually pulled it off.
Now enough praising yours truly, tell me why this beautiful face of
yours has the expression on it like somebody stole your puppy? And
where is that talk dark drink of water that’s supposed to be
escorting you?”
On Saturday afternoon I messaged Jeremiah to
let him know I would be coming to the Benefit with Aidan and he
promised to look out for me when I arrived. Right at this moment I
was so happy to see him.
“Um… Aidan’s busy with business outside and
I’m all good just… it’s just… um… this place, these people are just
a little intimidating that’s all.”
“Nonsense Gabby darling. You’re the most
beautiful woman here. Did you look at yourself in the mirror
before leaving home? Hmm? Besides having oodles of money, these are
just people . We all eat and shit the same darling!” Jeremiah
proclaims in his unique eloquent way waving his hand around to
encompass the now swelling crowd in the room.
“Now sunshine I’ve got to go and check the
kitchen – the model male servers are lush but not very
organized - I want you to relax, enjoy yourself and don’t let any
one of these rich
Similar Books
