The Gala Night
Anne's Point Of View
With Mr. Miller supporting me, I walked down the grand staircase and felt both excitement and anxiety at the same time. An ample amount of soft light filled the house and its elegant furnishings sparkled under the soft light. I had never attended such a posh event in my entire life. I had anxious thoughts on what might be awaiting me.
"Do you think you can handle this?" he asked me, glancing downwards as we reached the last stair. His penetrating gaze seemed to pierce through mine, and for a second I could tell that he was assessing me.
"I think so," I answered, attempting to make my voice sound more firm than I actually was. "I mean, how awful can it get?"
He let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. "You do not have the slightest clue. Just continue to smile and act as if you know you fit in. You are the star of the show this evening."
The last sentence that he uttered sent cold shivers down my spine. "Star of the show? What if I fail?"
"Do not worry, you will not." He reassured me. "Just do as I do."
The moment we moved out of the building, the dry heat of the night struck us. I inhaled audibly preparing myself for the events that were to take place. Before us stood a sleek black car and when Mr. Miller opened the door for me, I slipped into the vehicle, the luxurious leather wrapping against my body.
Throughout the journey, an oppressive silence reigned. I cast a side glance at Mr. Miller who was seated opposite me, his gaze directed on the front windscreen, the lines on his jaw put in place by resolution. I was curious about what could be bothering him.
"Have you ever been to one of those charity galas?" I furthered the conversation in an effort to ease the tension.
"Not as much as I'd like," he said, still looking at the way. "But they are quite necessary in business. My family supports those causes, and it is a proper way to do business."
"I guess It's what you call networking" I said with an expression that showed I was out of my depth. "I don't believe I'm into that kind of thing."
Then he faced me with a smile that indicated he was bothering to respond to me. "You'd be amazed. It's possible you may actually like it."
The hotel, which was the venue, was a great hotel of sorts with lots of lights and designs and I almost choked. It was an enjoyable event , and people who were well dressed were already there outside.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his tone almost a whisper yet calm.
I nodded, even though my heart was beating after coming out of the car. The minute we entered through the main doors, the whole photomaton turned towards us. The atmosphere was filled with murmurs and I felt a strange sense of discomfort creeping into my body.
"Just breathe," Mr. Miller muttered when he noticed I was becoming overweight, encouragingly whispering. "You look gorgeous and they will notice that."
I inhaled deeply, that's when we walked into the Great Hall; I already had a grin. Everybody in the room seemed to be in pairs or groups, filled with laughter and conversation with sparkling crystal chandeliers overhead.
In the process, I could see a slender woman dressed in flaming red approaching us. She came over to us and she was grinning excitedly.
"Ophelia! There you are! You're looking terribly lovely," she spoke, presenting every tooth in her mouth and warmth indulged in her tone.
"Thanks," I said, touched by her effusiveness.
"Allow me to present my mother, Isabella Miller," Mr. Miller said with a touch of pride.
"Good to meet you too, sweetheart," she said, enveloping me in a soft hug. "I've been told so much about you."
"Have they? " I shot Mr. Miller a quick look as he seemed to be enjoying this marriage of happenings.
"Of course! Nobody, praise be, has earned such compliments from my son," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Ambivalence formed in me about what to say next as I felt a warm flush on my cheeks. "Thank you. That's very kind of you."
"Now, let us get the two of you something to drink," she stated and started walking towards the bar.
As we waited for our drinks, I was also able to see the other guests, who were all clad in fashionable clothes. I felt uneasy, yet it was moments like this that I was glad to have Mr. Miller next to me.
"Don't be so worried," he said in a low voice as he leaned over. "You are doing perfectly well."
"It's alright," I said, feeling my heart quicken at the closeness of his body. "I just hope that I will not make a fool of myself."
"Not a chance," he spoke evenly. "Just have fun the rest of the evening."
As soon as we finished making our orders, we withdrew to the far quieter end of the room with our drinks. I looked around and appreciated the splendour that came with the occasion.
"Do you like it?" he asked, leaning closer so that only I could hear him.
"It's wonderful," I answered, astonished at what I was looking at. "I have never encountered anything like this."
He grinned, a rare and sincere smile that took my breath away. "I am pleased you are here with me."
"Alex!" One of the women said breaking between us and laughing at every turn. Outnumbered by laughter, relief didn't come. "Flirtation found you a girlfriend!
His demeanour changed slightly when I sat next to Mr. Miller, and I noticed an unspoken cloud of distaste surrounding us.
"Ladies, this is Ophelia," he introduced me, his voice powerful. "She is my companion tonight."
"Nice to meet you!" the ladies greeted looking back at Mr. Miller all at once.
There was a bit of a fire burning within me at the sight of their gazes directed at him.
"Are you having a good time at the gala, Ophelia?" one of the women pressed, slightly leaning toward me.
"It's been great so far," I replied as best I could with a polite smile.
"Nice! Just make sure you don't lose focus on Alex. Trouble seems to lurk right where he is," she said with playfulness, which made the others laugh.
"Thanks for the heads up," I replied, sarcasm evident in my tone.
Mr. Miller shot me a questioning glance in amusement. "I can take care of myself."
With each exchange, I felt more and more attached to Mr. Miller. For all its surface appearances, that occasion had its fleeting moments of genuine warmth between the two of us.
Eventually, the loud music drew us to the balcony, where the ballroom noise could not reach. The cool breeze felt nice against my skin and I inhaled deeply, relieved.
"Much better, right?" he inquired, resting on the railing.
"Definitely," I responded while looking at the starry sky. "It's actually refreshing to be away from the throngs for a while."
"His turn winding down," he said as he turned back to me. "You really are amazing, Ophelia." "So happy you are here tonight."
I felt a tingle at what he said and responded to him. "Thank you Alex. It really means a lot."
For a couple of heartbeats, the bustle outside receded, and it was just the two of us. We clearly had deep feelings for each other, and I could feel things changing in the air.
"Can I ask you something?" I inquired, lowering my voice to a mere murmur.
"Sure," he said, eyes locked on mine.
"What do you truly wish to accomplish with me?" I said impulsively, a drumming sensation pounding at my chest. "I mean, I know about the contract… but what do you wish for that surpasses it?"
He took a breath and stared at me, appearing to be in thought, "I want you to be happy, Ophelia. Above all, I want you to be at peace."
"Peaceful?" I repeated, feeling extremely exposed. "But I don't think… I can afford to trust you entirely."
"Nice! Just remember to maintain your attention on Alex. Or rather mischief appears to be hovering around him," she commented playfully, the others laughed.
"Thanks for the warning," I answered, the sarcasm clearly in my voice.
Mr. Miller looked at me with a raised brow due to my amused query. "I can handle myself."
With every interaction, I grew more and more fond of Mr. Miller. That instance had its fleeting touches of warmth between the two of us on this scene, no matter how deep the waters appeared on the surface.
Finally, the blaring music forced us out onto the balcony, a retreat far away from the sounds of the ballroom. The cool breeze felt good on my skin and I took a long breath in with content.
"Much better right?" he asked, leaning on the railing.
"Definitely," I said while gazing at the twinkling stars above. "It's actually nice to be away from the crowds for some time."
"His turn winding down," he said as he turned back to me. "You really are amazing, Ophelia." "So glad you could make it out tonight."
I felt a poke at what he said and turned to look at him. "Thank you Alex. It genuinely means a lot."
For a few heartbeats, the crowd outside dwindled into barely a sound, and it was simply the two of us. There was no doubt that we harboured strong romantic feelings for each other, and I could sense a shift in the atmosphere.
"Is it Okay If I ask you something," I asked, leaning slightly above the voice level.
"Sure," he answered, but his eyes remained fixed on mine.
"What do you truly wish to accomplish with me?" I asked before I could stop myself and felt the desire beating inside of me like a war drum. "I mean, I do understand the nature of the agreement… but what do you desire that goes beyond that?"
He paused and widened his stare, thinking: "I want you to be happy, Ophelia. I want most of all for you to have peace."
"Peaceful?" I echoed, feeling very naked. "But I don't think… I can trust you completely."