Chapter 5 Champagne and Fairytales II

Arya's POV

I tried not to gawk so I won't be discovered, but it was almost impossible not to.

The hall was insanely breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers adorned the ceiling like frozen fireworks. The entire room was quite literally covered in gold. The tables, chairs, silverware, everything.

Who the hell was Kayden's father and what did he do for a living?

The marble floors were polished to shine, such that you could see your reflection in it. White flowing curtains spilled from tall windows that revealed the city glittering in the distance.

Guests moved around in their flowing gowns and tailored suits, their laughter and conversation blending with the soft live music playing in the background.

I spotted a few famous faces. I wasn't much of a social person, but even I could recognise a few prominent ones. This was a gathering of high profile people. I couldn't be more out of place.

"What the fuck are we doing here Jules?" I whispered to Julia, pinching her arm lightly.

"Shut up and be in character." She replied through her teeth, faking a smile as Nolan returned to us with two glasses of champagne in hand.

"Thank you." I smiled at him, collecting a glass.

"If I may?" He said to me, grabbing Julia by the waist and leading her away from me.

I froze, wide eyed. Was I about to be left alone? In a den of wolves?

Julia glanced back at me, giving me an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry," she mouthed.

And when I blinked, she had disappeared into the crowd, whisked away by Nolan, leaving me in the middle of the giant hall.

"Fuck me," I huffed in frustration.

Drink in hand, I turned around, heading for the exit when I bumped into someone. I squeezed my eyes shut, silently praying it wasn't real, that I hadn't ruined some millionaire's perfectly tailored tux or spilled my drink all over him.

"Umm... hi?" A deep, masculine voice spoke.

My eyes shot open as I lifted my head slowly. I was met with a pair of blue eyes. My eyes dropped to his tux, examining it carefully to see if my drink had spilled on him. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that it didn't.

"Cat's got your tongue?" He spoke again as I caught the harsh smell of whisky from him. My brows shot up. The event was just starting, how could he be drunk already?

"I'm sorry," I apologised, stepping away from him.

"Woahh..." he drawled, blocking my way. "What's got you in a rush babe?"

"Uh..." I didn't know what to say. Did he just call me 'babe' or was I toned deaf?

"I'm Kai." He said, holding out a hand I had no desire to take. "What's your name pretty?"

I really wanted to get away from him, especially since his eyes kept lingering on my boobs, making my skin crawl. The sheer disrespect. Damn this corset.

"Arya." I replied curtly, taking a step back trying to put some distance between us.

"Sexy name for a very sexy girl." He muttered as he eyed me up and down, drooling just enough to make me want to throw up.

I had never felt so disgusted. How the hell was I supposed to leave without making a scene?

"Baby?" A tiny voice called from behind us. "What are you doing here? Come say hi to my uncle." She said dragging him away, not without throwing a dirty look my way.

I couldn't be more happy about that.

I stepped outside the hall, breathing a sigh of relief as the fresh air hit my face. The noise, the light, the overwhelming chatter, it all faded behind me.

The night had just begun and I was already over it. I couldn't help the disappointment that settled in my chest.

I had been looking forward to tonight, excited about getting a taste of what it felt like to be rich and powerful. But yet, here I was, standing outside, wishing I could disappear.

What was wrong with me? Julia had an effortless charm and seemed so at ease. She walked with grace and so much confidence, like she belonged here. Why couldn't I do that?

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes, letting the night air wash over me. My mind drifted to my mother.

I hated feeling like this, exposed and vulnerable, trapped in a world that wasn't made for me. For some reason, the discomfort always made my thoughts drift to her, to the memories I've dried to bury over the years. It made me think about whether she was struggling as much as I was.

And I hoped she was. The selfish and bitter part of me hoped she was suffering in ways I couldn't imagine.

A shiver ran through my spine and I hugged my arms around myself. I hated that she still had the power to make me feel like this, even after all these years.

I opened my eyes again, staring at the dark city lights in the distance. I knew I had to keep pushing, even if it meant wearing pretentious dresses and sitting through pretentious galas.

"Dammit Arya." I muttered to myself. "Pull yourself together."

After about thirty minutes of collecting my thoughts, I took a deep breath and went back inside the hall. I was surprised to see the majority of the guests on the dance floor, each with a partner as they moved gracefully to the rhythm of the music.

"Rich people." I scoffed under my breath, rolling my eyes. "Now where the fuck is Jules?"

I squinted my eyes, scanning the room, my gaze darting from one unfamiliar face to another trying to find a certain green eyed doll named Jules. Then I saw him. The same dude from before who kept gawking at my boobs shamelessly.

My face twisted in disgust as he smiled at me. He emptied the glass in his hand and started walking towards me.

"Oh fuck no."

I scanned the room frantically, unsure of what to do. I was definitely not going to endure another disturbing conversation with that man. My mind raced with options.

I could dart to the bar and pretend to get a drink? No, that would just make him more excited. Or I could scream as loud as I can till Julia came to rescue me? No, I would just look crazy.

The longer I stood there, the more I realised he was getting closer and I had to act. So without thinking, I did what I thought was my best option.

My heels clicked against the polished marble as I walked into the dance floor, hoping to lose him in the crowd, my heart beating rapidly in my chest.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Boy, was he persistent. He was now headed to the dance floor, a sick smile on his face. Why did I have the worst luck with men?

Panicking, I grabbed onto the figure who had his back turned to me. He stiffened, turning to face me slowly as his eyes locked on mine.

I felt the colour drain from my face.