Chapter 3 03 | electric

Nate insisted on being present while I got ready for the dinner. It came with an advantage and a disadvantage, the advantage being that I could get a guy's perspective on how I looked.

The fact that he annoyingly criticized me every second was the disadvantage.

"Wear your hair down, Amy. You're going to a dinner party at some ritzy hotel, not a bar." He teased.

I looked over at him and sneered, making sure he got the stink eye. "Well, fairy godmother, why don't you do some of your bippidy-boppidy-boo magic of yours and make me ball gown Cinderella?" I snapped.

Nate raised his hands up in surrender from his position on my couch. "I'm just trying to be of help."

Genevieve said she'd send a chauffeured car to come pick me in an hour's time before stopping at her place and heading straight for the venue. I was currently hovering over my kitchen island with a white bathrobe on. I should really be getting dressed.

I took a sip of water from the cup in my hand and leaned against the kitchen frame. At the rate I was drinking, I'd be making dashes for the restroom every five minutes. But it was a way of calming my nerves. "How do you think this night is going to end out?"

Nate shrugged. "Beats me. Just please, socialize. I beg you. You might just hit it off with someone."

"Don't hold your breath."

He tapped idly on his phone for a moment then piped up, "what's up with Jo? Is she like an insta influencer now? Her page is huge."

I sighed. "Yeah, well she has always had a flair for social stuff. At least there's one person in the family who isn't a wallflower."

I chose to study in a state far away from home because I needed the independence from my family and a totally different scene. Manhattan was wild-it knew it too-and although I had to do a lot of adapting, I liked it here. Nate had planned to move here after graduating from Stanford and the idea of living in the same city was comforting.

Graduating highschool was a relief and the thought that I could leave unpleasant things behind was a welcome idea. Looking back at it now, I just ran. I was coming from a place with memories I wanted to forget and what better way than to start afresh? My siblings were non identical twins Lars and Josephine. I had no problem with those two, except they were a troublesome duo.

I finally pulled myself in and got dressed, taking my time with my hair and make-up. A little over thirty minutes later, I sauntered into the living room where Nate hadn't budged an inch.

I stood in front of him and posed, a silly grin on my lips. It took me back to second grade when I'd dress up in my mom's clothes and Nate would be over at my house while my parents were at work. In one particular memory my lips were thick with my mum's red lipstick with my face caked in white foundation. I had a difficult time balancing on her heels, her expensive pearls dangling off my neck. Nate had said I looked like a clown, to which I burst out crying. He had to buy a shitload of sweets to pacify me for a full week.

But his reaction this time was completely different, his eyes lighting up at the sight of me. I caught the wide grin that tore across his lips and smirked as he wolf whistled.

"Damn, Amy. I don't think the guys at that party will be able to hold their shit together tonight."

"Ingrid said that's the plan." After roaming stores for a good portion of my afternoon on Monday, we both settled on a red dress that was both simple and elegant. It bore a plunging neckline because Ingrid was going berserk about me showcasing my bountiful assets, and ended just above my knees. A black pair of stilettos I've had on only twice since Jo got them for me last Christmas adorned my feet. Just like Nate had persuaded, I wore my raven hair down.

"Hold on," Nate instructed as he got out his phone and positioned it in front of me, several clicks going off. He inspected his screen and chuckled. "I have the hottest best friend."

"Don't flatter me, Jacobs." I gushed, swatting my hand at him in an exaggerated motion.

Just in time the intercom buzzed. "A car just arrived for you, Ms Reed."

"Thank you, I'll be there soon."

Nate got up and yawned. "I better return to my apartment and drown in all the pending work calling my name. I'll see you down."

*

Stepping into the ballroom of Henley hotel-the biggest hotel in the city-had me bathed in a wave of enthrallment. As Genevieve and I stepped in past the flashing cameras at the stairway leading up, I struggled to subdue the overwhelming feeling of amazement that clearly glazed my features as I took in the setting. The ballroom was truly grand, cascaded in warm lighting with a wide space designated for dancing with couples already dotting it. Soft, classical music played in the background as I trailed beside Genevieve to our table.

She'd marvelled at me when I got to her house, making me feel even more self conscious. She stopped at a table and introduced me to the faces she was already familiar with. Each person held a title and I felt a bit odd to be seated among so many dignitaries. But Genevieve pulled me along in light conversion, giving me a sense of belonging.

The party had obviously started earlier, evident by the full room. I didn't expect this much people. Some lingered by the entrance, stopping to pose for photographs.

While we were served wine and hôrs d'oeuvres by the waiters, my attention drifted to the front of the room where a high table sat, not fully occupied.

"Genevieve, what a lovely surprise," a feminine voice crooned. Genevieve spun round and her eyes lit up as a stunning woman dressed tastefully in a black dress stopped by our table. She didn't even need colour. She was the colour.

"Octavia. Good to see you." The two women came together in a hug. I studied the woman dressed in black again. Finn had mentioned her the day I was at Genevieve's. She was his mother. She was elegant in the way she carried herself-large, hypnotic cat eyes taking in my Professor. Her caramel hair was held up in a well done up-do. I had to say, she was a lot younger than I'd pictured.

"I'm surprised you came."

"I've had my fair share of dinners and soirées, but Finn always insists I attend more, for his sake more than anything else."

The cat eyed lady hummed. "It's always a pleasure to have you with us."

"Where's River?"

Octavia rolled her eyes. "Doing his thing. Eager to pursue acting. He's never in the city for long."

"He's hardworking. Takes a strong will to go after what you want."

"I guess so." A worker appeared and said something to her. She turned to Genevieve. "Ah, well I better go welcome the other guests. Again, thank you for coming." And she was gone.

Genevieve returned to her seat. She leaned closer to me. "That's Octavia Harris. Finn's mother."

I nodded, automatically searching for Finn at the table Octavia now hosted, but he wasn't there.

I caught him not far from my table, exchanging pleasantries with two aged men. A woman hung on his arm like a trophy, wrapped in a golden dress. I immediately recognised her as the girl Ingrid and I found on the internet. Finn nodded at something said to him and as if he could sense I was staring, he turned and caught my gaze. In a manner that couldn't be any more conspicuous, I looked away and drank awkwardly from my champagne flute, trying to hide the flush on my cheeks.

My breathing stilled when he arrived at my table, his smiling girlfriend beside him. She was even more beautiful in person, I marveled, and Genevieve got up and hugged Finn.

"How are you enjoying the party?" It took a second for me to realize he was talking to me and I stuttered a meagre reply.

He gestured at the woman beside him. "Aunt, Amanda, this is my girlfriend, Hailey Ford."

We exchanged handshakes before Genevieve delved into a hushed conversation with her, living me to an uncomfortable silence with Finn.

"You look stunning," he said to me, his voice soft but firm. Regardless of all the countless compliments I'd received tonight, his had the most significant effect on me. I felt my face warm up.

I smiled. "Thank you. You look great too," I added, letting my eyes take in his suited appearance. Great was just putting it lightly, if I was being honest.

The couple was immediately snatched away by more people eager to speak with them and I drank more of the sparkling wine, finally beginning to loosen up and truly enjoy the event.

The food was beautifully prepared five-star dishes and our main entertainment-a solo singer who Genevieve told me had been flown in specifically for the purpose of the dinner-made the night truly one of a kind.

I held a few decent conversations with the occupants at my table, surprising for my lack of social skills. I began to feel the brunt of the liquids I'd ingested in the last hour and squirmed as I excused myself to use the restroom. I caught a woman dressed in uniform standing by the entrance and curtly asked where the restrooms were. Following her directions, I found myself walking down a grand hallway, my heels doing the talking as I hurried my steps.

Getting to the restroom, I quickly ducked into a stall and moaned as my relief came. After pushing the flush button, I walked out to the sink and washed my hands, gazing at my self in the huge mirror. I was still very intact without a hair strand out of place and proceeded to touch my lips with some cherry coloured lipstick.

I exited the room with an empty bladder and newfound confidence, walking through the hallway back to the party.

Voices emanating from a corner made me pause from instant recognition of one of the voices. Slowly, I peeped around a corner and saw Finn and Hailey in a heated argument, the couple unaware of my presence.

"Do you want to embarrass me, Ford?" Finn's voice was cold, agitated and I felt myself recoil at the sound of it.

"Can you listen to me for once in your life, Finn? I can't do this. This relationship, or whatever it is, isn't working. I can't keep up this act anymore. The arrangement is over." Hailey folded her arms and shifted on her heel, hip jutting out in a killer pose.

"That's not going to be possible. Now listen and listen good-this night is going so well and I will not let you screw it up with your bullshit and childish tantrums. We had a deal and you'll fucking stick to it."

My mouth fell open at his raw anger. I knew I shouldn't be here, eavesdropping on their conversation that was obviously supposed to be private, but I couldn't bring myself to move.

"Fuck you, fuck this stupid media stunt and fuck this stupid city. Fix this with my parents and their lawyers. I'm done." She spat, turning away from him.

I ducked out of sight before they could see me and hurried back to the hall, locating my table and plopping down.

"Everything okay?" Genevieve asked.

I nodded and managed a smile. "Perfect."

What deal were the two of them referring to? And did she just break up with him?

My overthinking came to a halt when I saw Finn enter the hall without Hailey with him. He walked up to the table at the front-broad, determined steps eating up the floor and whispered into Octavia's ear. Her face paled immediately. Her expression then melted into an unimpressed look and Finn left her side, walking to the center of the dance floor where several couples were swaying to the music.

Slowly, he began walking towards my direction until it became apparent he was headed for my table. My breathing stopped when his eyes locked with mine, the sheer intensity of them jolting me to my core.

He was now in front of me.

"May I have this dance?" He asked tentatively, his right palm outstretched upwards. His eyes were darkened, a tell tale sign of a simmering anger bubbling underneath his expertly practiced mask.

I accepted.

Taking his hand, I felt his warm grip encase mine and pull me up. My heartbeat was threatening to destroy my ribcage as it hammered wildly, accompanied with the anxiety that lodged itself in my throat. People parted way for us as we made our way through, the crowd calling short their dances and returning to their seat.

They'd been anticipating him. It was time for the main performance. And I couldn't believe I was going to be a part of it.

By the time we stopped at the center of the floor, it was empty and everyone's attention was trained on us, the music halted. It was then I was hyper aware of the light bathing the two of us and the multiple pair of eyes paying rapt attention.

Why was he dancing with me? Where was Hailey? Was I some sort of rebound? Was he dancing with me only because Hailey didn't want to, and he was using me to get back at her?

All my incessant questions were forgotten as one of his hands settled on the small of my back, sending an involuntary shiver coursing through me. The other found my hand, so large in comparison to my small one, and I placed my left hand on his shoulder.

"Do you know how to do this?" He rasped, a breath away from my face.

I nodded. And felt relieved that I knew how to slow dance, or else I'd be the biggest screw up in the history of existence by the end of this night.

The music started and as we began to move our feet I was grateful for the dance lessons I was forced to take as a child. The torture, the discomfort, it all paid off. It fucking paid off.

Dancing with Finn was surreal and incredibly easy as we moved in accordance to the soft music exuding from the instrumentals. Everything else in the background faded away. The people. The eyes. The attention. All I could focus on were the pair of green eyes staring back at me.

For a second I understood what it felt like to be Cinderella.

"You're a brilliant dancer." Finn whispered. He was a good head-at least-taller me, even in heels.

I was sure he could also feel the undeniable desire building between us. With the way his eyes focused intently on me, fleeting down to my parted lips for a millisecond, I knew he was well aware.

Offering a small smile, I said, "It hasn't always been the case."

But I'd spoken too soon and missed a step, falling out of tune and cursing myself. Luckily Finn was able to guide me back on track, expertly concealing my mistake.

"Don't be so nervous. It's just dancing." He lips curved slightly in endearment, eyes searching mine. I averted my gaze.

Not with you.

As the music drove up to a crescendo, Finn's grip left my waist as he took a step back, his hand on mine rising in the air. It was time for a spin, and taking in a huge breath, I slowly spun twice on my toes before his hand found its way back to my waist. He tilted me back and I let myself fall, his hand keeping me firmly suspended in the air in a dramatic finish.

The music stopped and blood pulsed in my ears. I could feel my chest rise and fall, desperately seeking air because it was impossible to breathe. The hall erupted into a round of applause, camera flashes going off. Finn drew me up and the quick movement coupled with the noise disoriented me, my hands gripping his shoulders as I blinked rapidly.

Studying me, he smiled. And I knew I was gone.

Finn turned to the crowd and gave a small bow, his right hand still firmly holding mine. I on the other hand stared into space in awe, baffled by his grace and charm. By the most electric five minutes of my goddamn life. This memory would not be leaving my head anytime soon.

It was-with out a shadow of a doubt-the highlight of my night.