Chapter 4 The Gala

As the night wore on, the gala reached its crescendo with a grand toast from Charles Hawthorn himself. He, spoke of the firm's legacy and its commitment to innovation and progress.

Amelia couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as she listened to his words. This was the world she aspired to be a part of, a world where she could drive change and be at the forefront of it all.

After Charles Hawthorn's speech, the guests began to disperse, and Amelia found herself alone there came a voice that smoothened her soul 'excuse me beautiful' then she turned staring at him, lost in his gorgeousness and he asked, remember me? She tried to think back to where she could have possibly met him and he reminded her, then a cute smile was on her face because for a moment in the past she wished she could cross path with him.

They hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries, she was about to introduce herself when he cut her short and said her name, she was surprised as to how he knew her name but she didn't know his, then he told her everybody knows her 'The Queen of Wall Street'.

She smiled, trying to be modest and he expressed his excitement in seeing her. She asked what his name was and he said Ethan, she asked for his surname and he refused to say, she became more curious and asked if he was a serial killer, he laughed and said he's dad is someone powerful with a lot of contacts, at first when he decided to open his own firm, his surname paved the way for him until he started hearing talks about how he could have just stayed with his dad instead of opening his own firm, people spoke about how his dad was giving his law firm clients so they won't go under, because he was more invested in pro-bono cases more than he was in big shot cases that would have put his name on the map.

Some said it was because he lacked experience that's why he was hiding behind pro-bono cases, so, he left the country for two years and worked with a law firm in Germany, there he gained recognition and when he came back firms were bidding to have him on their team but he decided to re-open his firm again and use the skills he has to help people who can't afford the best lawyers. Amelia was in awe after hearing his story, the thought of finding out what his surname is never crossed her mind again because she was more intrigued by the individual Ethan and not his family's name.

They talked and talked and while the music was going on, they danced so passionately, leaning against each other, their bodies touching each other's, Ethan's hands around her waist and their eyes lost in the seas of the chemistry going on at that moment.

Ethan expressed how he didn't want this feeling to stop and how he wished they could dance all night long. They both laughed and the music faded, he got a call and excused himself and just then Charles Hawthorn took the mic to give a vote of thanks to everyone who came and they should enjoy themselves while the souvenirs are going round.

Charles was standing by the bar when Amelia walked up to him and said 'hello sir' he turned and was in awe of the beauty before him, she gave him accolades for the speech he gave earlier and expressed her gratitude for been invited, she expected a response but he was lost in her beauty and instead of a thank u he blurted out, beautiful, Amelia stared at him, smiled and said thank you.

He came back to his senses and apologized for his absent mindedness and complimented her looks which she appreciated him for.

They spoke about work and a lot of other things even personal stuffs. Her sense of humor was so good that he laughed and laughed and while she kept talking, he was so lost in her that he had to come back to his senses, he thought to himself 'no you can't see her differently and besides she's young enough to be your daughter' however if there was one thing that happened tonight it's that Amelia was able to make Charles laugh and that was something that hasn't happened in years after the death of his wife and he loved it.

He excused himself and walked to mingle with some associates who just came, while he was leaving, he turned back and called out to Amelia and said to her 'you are looking extremely beautiful as always' and Amelia's face turned pink from all the blushing and with a sweet tender voice she said 'thank you' and he walked away.

While Amelia was standing by the counter getting a mocktail, Ethan came behind her and whispered in her ears 'hey beautiful lady' currents of ecstasy ran through her veins as she turned and there, he was an epitome of gorgeousness.

She smiled and said 'you're back?' he smiled and told her he had to, some colleagues kept him busy with work stuffs so he had to entertain them for courtesy sake and she told him it was okay. She got a call, answered it and said this is my que, he asked if she was leaving already and she said yes! she has to since she has to be at the office tomorrow.

He said tomorrow is Saturday and she affirmed that she knows but she needs to go to the office for a brief meeting she has with a client and also to sort out some paperwork.

He jokingly said to her that her boss has to be a mean fellow to make her work on weekends, she immediately defended him and said this is something she chose to do because she finds it most convenient and not because she was made to do it, he saw how defensive she was towards her boss which he knows is his dad and he couldn't help but think there is a spark of emotions there, but he didn't stress it because he felt his dad would never stand a chance when it comes to a woman choosing between them not knowing that he only sees his dad as a dad but to ladies out there he's the perfect gentleman not minding that he's in his early sixties.

He offered to walk her to her car but she told him not to worry as she wasn't driving but rather booked a cab, he asked if he could take her home instead but she refused and asked him to join the party he insisted but she continuously declined, gave him a hug and left to go home.

When she got out the cab driver was trying to fix the tires because they were punctured, unfortunately, the tires he was exchanging the tire with was also punctured so he apologized and asked that she books another one.

She tried but there was no available car and for a second she regretted declining Ethan's offer of taking her home, out there in the cold thinking of how to get home, she felt an electric shock of emotions she can't explain running through her entire body, and she felt warmth from the jacket used to cover her up, she turned and was surprised to see none other than Charles Hawthorn.

He asked what the issue was, she told him and he offered to take her home and she immediately accepted, he covered her properly with his jacket and led her to the back seat where they both sat as the driver inserted her address in the GPS and was en route to her house.

In the car they continued their conversation and like before her sense of humor impressed him once more, they laughed and laughed and when they drove pass an ice cream stall, she stared with want in her eyes, he noticed it and asked the driver to stop the car.

They both got down and walked to the stall, go their favorite ice cream and sat by the stall talking and enjoying each other's company but this time reverse was the case, Amelia was the one lost in Charles' thoughts she didn't even hear him call out her name, until he tapped her and she came back to her senses they both laughed and he asked what she was thinking and she said she wasn't sure and surprised as to what she was thinking.

They got back into the car and drove to her residence, as the gentleman that he is he came down from the car while the driver opened her side of the car for her to come out to make sure he sees her off as she gets into her apartment.

They both thanked each other for a wonderful time, smiled and gave each other a hand shake. He watched her walk in and then drove off.

She got home, showered and had a change of clothes and while laying on her bed thoughts of her time with Charles kept playing in her head, she didn't even realize she was smiling, then she got a call from an unknown number she picked and it was Ethan surprised as to how he got her number he apologized and said he has his sources, he asked if she got home safe and she said yes that she's currently lying on her bed.

He asked about her schedule for Sunday and she said she's free. So, he invited her for lunch which she accepted, he thanked and her for a lovely evening and they both said goodnight to each other and she went to bed.