Chapter 10: Charity Ball

KIANA

I don’t know if it was curiosity or the logic in his words that made me agree to the kiss. He was right; we needed to appear comfortable with each other, and right now I felt as comfortable as a polar bear in warm terrain.

He moved in closer, and my heart raced as if it might burst from my chest. It felt like the onset of a panic attack—something I had learned to identify whenever a man made even the most innocent of sexual advances.

His lips connected with mine before I could change my mind. I stilled, expecting to be hit with the full force of panic that was poised to erupt.

Only…it didn’t.

His touch sparked an immediate thrill, causing my skin to tingle with a strange sensation that encouraged me to lean into his caress and embrace his approach.

The fleeting moment of tenderness seemed to last longer than it surely did.

He pulled away, and I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I was surprised that I didn’t find his touch repulsive, unlike other men’s; quite the opposite, in fact.

When I opened my eyes, his Caribbean-blue gaze met mine until he pulled away completely.

“You’re missing something,” he said, breaking the surprisingly comfortable silence. He produced a box from his pocket.

I gasped, instantly stunned by the unexpected sight of beautiful pearls within.

I immediately shifted, and he fastened the necklace. His hand brushed against my neck, sending a shiver through me.

My fingers reached out to touch the pearls. ~Why would he do this?~

I was puzzled, but I didn’t dwell on it. He did say he expected me—his date—to present myself in a certain way, and I guessed expensive jewelry came with those expectations.

“Have you been to a gala like this before?” he inquired nonchalantly.

I contemplated telling the truth for a moment, but I had to restrain myself, knowing that a barrage of questions would likely ensue. Instead, I opted for a half-truth.

“The sugar party was probably the most lavish event I’ve attended in a while.” I chuckled awkwardly.

A distant memory surfaced.

I recalled a moment my mother and I had shared at her vanity, preparing for one of my father’s numerous business parties—events that seemed less about business and more like competitions of wealth and vanity and determining who had the highest standing and sway in society.

Chase’s voice broke through my thoughts of the past.

“Don’t let the sparkling chandelier or the elegant ball gowns deceive you. It’s simply a gathering of wealthy people keen on flaunting their riches. With the exception of a few unique individuals whom I can tolerate,” Chase said with a smile.

It was an obvious attempt to ease my nerves, which he likely thought were due to lack of experience with these events.

~If only that were the reason.~

The car slowly pulled to a stop, indicating our arrival.

Chase stepped out of the car, then held out his hand for me to take. “Ready?” he asked.

My fingers twitched midair as a pang of anxiety struck me. But I pushed it down and took his hand, letting him lead me toward the imposing entrance. I refused to fear what awaited me beyond those illustrious doors.

The charity event was a spectacle.

The room was lit by a magnificent sapphire chandelier that cast a beautiful glow, making the glass dome ceiling look like a starry night sky.

Posters showcasing various charities were prominently displayed.

Hundreds of people, all dressed in their finest, milled about. I tightened my grip on Chase’s arm, not wanting to lose him in the bustling crowd.

Hidden beneath my awe was a nagging feeling I couldn’t shake—a sense that I shouldn’t be here, that deep down, I knew I no longer belonged.

CHASE

The crowd’s gaze immediately focused on us as we entered the room.

I wasn’t surprised. I was used to being the center of attention, both in business and in my personal life.

Kiana seemed oblivious to the attention, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the grandeur of the room. To me, it was just another event, but to her, it must have seemed magical.

She squeezed my arm, her face lighting up with excitement. Her joy was infectious, and she looked adorable—like a kid in a candy store.

My thoughts were interrupted by a bothersome yet familiar voice.

“Chase!”

Before I could respond, Joanna was striding toward us, her heels clacking on the marble floor.

“What the fuck, Chase!” she yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Kiana.

KIANA

A woman’s shrill voice broke through my awe as she directed a perfectly manicured finger at me. I found myself instinctively gravitating toward Chase for protection.

His face was a mask of neutrality, the only hint of emotion being a barely perceptible twitch in his eye.

“Kiana, this is Joanna, my ex who couldn’t keep her hands to herself.” He introduced us with a nonchalance that was almost unnerving.

My self-esteem took a nosedive.

Joanna was stunning. She was tall and slender, with long honey-blond hair and a petite figure. Sure, she was plastic from head to toe, with her obviously enhanced breasts, tightened face, plumped lips, and layers of makeup, but she was undeniably beautiful.

Her dark-brown eyes bored into me with such hostility that she was almost intimidating. Suddenly, the pieces fell into place. Had he hired me to be a pawn in his game of revenge?

I saw a vein pulsate beneath the skin of his temple, his sudden change in attitude catching me off guard. His grip on my arm loosened, replaced by a comforting warmth around my waist. He pulled me close, pressing me against his firm body.

“You’re just trying to make me jealous. It won’t work. Look at her. She’s nothing more than a streetwalker!” Joanna sneered, hands on her hips and a smug smile on her face.

“I don’t have time for your pettiness, Joanna.” He dismissed her coldly.

Chase effortlessly turned me to face him, his strong arm securing me from behind. “Ignore her,” he said as he leaned closer, a playful smirk tugging at the edges of his mouth.

He gently held my chin between his fingers. The connection between us intensified as our eyes met.

He moved in, his breath tantalizingly close to my lips. It was fresh and minty, igniting a desire to taste him a second time, yet my body was paralyzed. Not out of fear, but from something else entirely…

The room appeared to fall silent. Everything else faded into the background as I became lost in his mesmerizing Caribbean-blue eyes, more captivating than any siren’s song.

I felt his lips graze mine, my eyes fluttering shut in anticipation, my breath hitching in my throat.

“Care to dance, sweetheart?” he whispered, his voice low and enticing, sending shivers along my spine.

If he hadn’t been holding me, I would have collapsed right then and there.

Before I could answer, he was leading me through the crowd, hand in hand, toward the dance floor.

I could feel Joanna’s icy stare, but I couldn’t focus on anything but him.

~What just happened?~

I barely had time to process before I was spun around and pressed against a solid chest, causing me to squeak in surprise. He spun me back to face him, his hand entwined with mine, the other resting on my waist.

He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “~Relax~.”

I took a deep breath and did as he instructed. His hands guided mine to rest around his neck.

“Ever danced before?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

It had been a while since I last danced, but the steps came back to me as if I had just mastered them yesterday. My father had insisted on dance lessons when I was younger. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it until now.

I could feel everyone’s eyes on us, including Joanna’s piercing gaze. I was about to look down when he stopped me.

He gently tilted my head to face him and said reassuringly, “Just focus on me.”

CHASE

As I danced with Kiana, I managed to forget about Joanna, if only for a moment.

The deep-purple dress she’d worn tonight showcased more skin than I had anticipated. She was alluring and had captivated the attention of every man at the party—including me.

I could tell Kiana was becoming uncomfortable with all the attention we were getting. So, I kept her distracted.

“So, you’re in university?”

“How did you know?” she asked, her attention fully on me.

“I have my ways,” I murmured, making sure only she could hear me.

Part of me genuinely wanted to understand this woman; another part was simply curious.

“I’m studying to be a vet. I hope to open my own clinic someday.”

“Where are you from?” I asked.

“Why all the questions?” she countered.

“If we’re going to pretend to be in love, I should know more about you, right?” I quirked an eyebrow at her.

She let out a sigh. “My full name is Kiana Rose Ailana. My mom was Hawaiian, and my dad is English.”

“Was?”

“She passed away seven years ago,” she said, her eyes starting to well up.

“So, you took your mom’s last name instead of your dad’s?” I asked, hoping to divert her attention.

She sniffled, quickly regaining her composure. “I actually adopted my grandmother’s maiden name four years ago,” she said, managing a weak smile.

“Why?” I asked.

“My father is not a good man. I didn’t want to be associated with him, so I changed my name. I chose my grandmother’s name, hoping that would create enough distance to keep anyone from linking me back to him. So far, it has been.” She gave a small shrug and asked, “What about you?”

She was clearly trying to steer the conversation away from her past. I could tell it was a topic she didn’t enjoy discussing. And this wasn’t the right time to press her for more details.

KIANA

I held my breath as Chase studied me, hoping he wouldn’t ask any more questions about my father.

“My dad retired a few years back and handed his businesses over to me,” he replied. “Including Winters Security. That company was like his second child, so he made me swear to take good care of it,” he said, laughing. “And my mom is the best. I wasn’t the easiest kid to raise, but what son is?”

I giggled. His love for his mother was evident in his eyes when he spoke about her. I’d felt the same way about my mom. I still did.

We danced until the song ended, which happened faster than I wished.

His gaze shifted over my shoulder, his expression turning serious, as if he’d spotted someone important. “I have to take care of something. Wait for me at the bar. I’ll find you later,” he said before walking away.

The sudden abandonment left me feeling out of place and anxious once again. I didn’t know anyone here. The only thing I could think to do was to follow Chase’s advice and wait at the bar.

The bartender seemed to pick up on my unease and handed me a glass of champagne with a small smile. I sipped it slowly, watching Chase from afar.

Despite the awkward encounter with Joanna earlier, I couldn’t deny that I was enjoying myself.

I felt a sense of…liberation. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t scared to be outside. I actually felt safe.

I was having fun at a party again! I was on a roll—

My eyes landed on a man across the room, and a sudden jolt of recognition made my blood run cold. My newly discovered sense of fun, comfort, and security abruptly shattered.