Chapter 18 - The Snowflake Ball
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I was dressed in a pastel blue color in order to match the theme of the ball. I felt nervous as I walked hand in hand with Brandon down the blue carpet which was set out for us to walk on to make the 'Grand Entrance' to the ball - It was Evelyn's idea. Reporters crowded the room as they clicked tons of photos and asked millions of questions.
'What are your future plans?'
'Is Ashley Hayes your personal assistant?'
'Are you really selling Hawthorne Tech?'
The questions got more ridiculous as time passed on. Brandon silently clutched my hand tightly as we approached our seats and when we finally arrived at our table I greeted Evelyn and Mr. Hawthorne, her husband, who seemed to have slightly warmed up to me a lot more than the last time we met. At least this time he actually greeted me and shook my hand! Brandon or Evelyn must have said something to him, I thought to myself.
We took our seats as more guests and billionaires arrived. Melanie arrived a few moments after me and joined our table with her date, Brad Paisley, who was one of my friends and one of the waiters at The Waterfront, the restaurant I used to work in before I became Brandon's personal assistant.
When I heard another roar of enthusiasm rise up amongst the journalists and reporters I looked towards the door and couldn't believe my eyeballs. Alessio Jackson had arrived. With Sophia Lacross who looked amazing.
I saw Melanie look at Sophia and tears glazed in her eyes. I saw her blink them away showing me that my best friend was truly the strongest person I know on this planet. She then plastered a smile on her face as Alessio and Sophia approached our table. The ring on Sophia's hand shimmered and sparkled as she waved it around as if to show it off. I guess being engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors makes it worth showing it around.
Melanie suddenly got out of her chair and I followed her immediately to the bathroom. I was not in the mood to greet Alessio or his date. I didn't really like him a lot, especially after how he was behaving with my best friend. One minute he liked her, and the next he was engaged to a model.
"Mel!" I called, "Mel wait!"
"What is it now, Ashley?" She asked with a tired sigh.
"I'm here for you," I told her and pulled her into a hug.
"It hurts." She sobbed, "It hurts too much to even see them," She continued to cry as I rubbed soothing circles on her back.
"Mel you're a strong person. I know you can do this! You're truly amazing!" I encouraged, "I don't know why he is doing this but if you see the way he looks at you even a blind person can tell that he really likes you!"
"He's engaged to her! " Melanie spat.
"He is. We don't know his side of the story. Maybe Alessio was forced into this as a business agreement or whatever," I told her.
"Maybe." She said and wiped her tears away.
"Now you've ruined your makeup over a useless piece of a jerk!" I told her.
"It's nothing I can't fix," She smiled.
"Waterproof?" I asked her with a grin.
"Most of it. I did bring some makeup with me, I figured I'd see him here. I guess I'd rather be safe than sorry at this point in my life," She grinned.
"You got that right!" I smiled.
I walked out of the bathroom with Melanie. She had fixed her makeup and we headed to our table. I took my seat next to Brandon. When I turned to look at Sophia, she was already looking at me, and when she noticed that I had caught her starting she simply smirked at me as she clutched Alessio's hand which looked like he could murder someone. When Alessio saw Melanie I noticed his eyes soften as he studied her.
I mentally cooed at how cute Melanie and Alessio would be as a couple. Brandon nudged my arm and pointed toward a very good-looking man who was approaching us.
The man looked stiff and rigid in his suit however he had that rugged look that made him really good-looking. His hair was neatly combed and his suit was impeccable with not a single crease in sight.
He walked with elegance and what appeared to be arrogance, he ignored the paparazzi screaming his name and throwing countless stupid questions.
Brandon stood up and greeted him, it was all very formal.
"Ashley this is Nicholas Adonis. We are brand new business partners," Brandon informed me gesturing to the man standing in front of me, "Nick, this is Ashley Hayes. My girlfriend."
I extended my hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Adonis." I told him politely.
"Likewise Miss. Hayes." Nicholas said with a bored expression as he shook my head, he had a tight grip.
"Did you come alone?" Brandon asked him looking behind him as if searching for his possible date.
"No." Nicholas shook his head, "My date went to powder her nose." He told Brandon.
"Oh wonderful," Brandon commented taking a seat.
A few moments later a girl dressed in a pearl white dress came and sat next to Nicholas giving him a smile which he surprisingly returned. I didn't peg him to be the type to have a girlfriend or any friends for that matter, he was just so stiff, and rigid. He had this air of authority and power that surrounded him that made him appear very intimidating. Had I been the paparazzi I wouldn't dare to speak to him, those journalists do have a lot of guts I guess.
"Perla this is Brandon and his girlfriend Ashley. Guys this is Perla." He introduced the girl to us as he took her hand in his.
Perla appeared to be really sweet yet shy and timid at the same time. Her brown wavy hair was perfectly styled and her eyes shimmered and sparkled as she looked around the room, awestruck.
"Lovely to meet you, Perla." I smiled at her.
"Is Hunter here?" Alessio asked suddenly as he began looking around the room.
Brandon shrugged, "Hunter Colton declined the invitation. He said something about chasing his girl all the way to Canada!"
"That boy is whipped!" Alessio laughed throwing his head back.
"He is simply infatuated with said girl. Within a few moments, he will be back to playing around," Nicholas huffed as he drank the red wine in his glass.
"No, Nick." Brandon said, "Hunter has been in love with that girl since senior year in high school."
"Is that his excuse now?" Nicholas said leaning back.
"What do you mean?" Perla asked him confused.
"Nothing Perla. Let us proceed with the night in a peaceful manner."
I saw Perla sigh and shake her head. I gave her a small smile hoping that she would see it. Unsurprisingly, she smiled back at me.
"Want to go get a drink Ash?" Melanie asked leaning over to me.
I nodded, "Yeah. Let's go!"
"I'll accompany you!" Perla said.
I nodded, "That'll be lovely. Does anyone want anything?" I asked the table I was seated at.
Everyone shook their head no besides Brandon.
"Darling get me a whiskey please?" Brandon asked.
I nodded, "You're going to end up with no liver mister!" I said crossing my arms over my chest glaring at him.
"That's not true!" Brandon said covering his chest where his heart was in mock pain.
I rolled my eyes and walked off, "Sure!" I said dragging the word out for a few seconds.
Melanie, Perla, and I headed over to the bar where a few bartenders were busy serving up some drinks to all the people at the ball. I wasn't too concerned about the amount they drank as they most likely wouldn't have to drive home tonight, their drivers would take them.
Evelyn had also thought about the drinking and driving problem. She made sure that Brandon arranged for a cab company to send their most trusted cab drivers to wait outside the venue in case someone needed a lift home. Evelyn also organized a security team to look after the cars and prevent theft at the function.
I ordered myself a fruit cocktail and a whiskey for Brandon from the nearest bartender. Melanie ordered some scotch while Perla got a bottle of purified water that was cold.
"Do we all have what we need?" Melanie asked me and I nodded.
"I do! Do you Pearls?" I asked Perla who was clutching her water bottle tightly her eyes wide with horror her eyes plastered to the center of the ball.
Oddly, there was no chattering from the nearby tables and the hall was entirely silent. The only noise that could be heard was the silent classical music playing in the background courtesy of the DJ Evelyn hired.
Slowly I turned around to face what everyone was looking at. I felt like everything was moving in slow motion as I turned around to look at the center of the dance floor.
I gasped, "What the hell!" I shouted as my heart dropped.
***
Hey Guys!
Here is Chapter 18 as promised earlier! I'm so excited to be sharing it with you!
If you'd like to read Nicholas and Perla's story it's called: The Billionaires Sweetheart.
It can be found on my profile or you can just tap the link below!
https://www.wattpad.com/story/172622680?utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&utm_source=android
Thank you all so much for your dedicated support of this book and all my other books!
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See you next time :)