The Gala
The black car slowed to a stop beneath the glittering lights of the Grand Blake Hotel, its polished exterior reflecting the flash of waiting cameras. A crowd of journalists, guests, and curious onlookers had already gathered, murmurs rising as they recognized the emblem on the vehicle.
Inside, Adrian adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket, his expression unreadable. His black tuxedo was sharp and classic, made even more striking by the emerald-green pocket square tucked neatly into his jacket—a subtle but intentional match to the dress Raya wore.
He glanced sideways at her.
"Don't disappoint me," he said, his voice low and flat.
Raya's hands tightened briefly on the small purse in her lap. But she met his gaze and gave a single, nervous nod.
The door was opened.
Before she could overthink it, she stepped out, one heel after another touching the carpeted pavement with practiced grace.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
The cameras fired instantly.
Raya lifted her chin and smiled—the poised, practiced smile of Seraphina Hart. Her emerald-green evening gown shimmered beneath the lights, hugging her body in all the right places. She took Adrian's offered hand, their fingers lacing together like the perfect couple.
The crowd practically sighed.
They were the image of a golden pair—power, elegance, and mystery.
Raya tossed one glance over her shoulder, just enough to give the cameras Seraphina's signature pose: chin tilted, eyes smoldering, lips curled in a smirk that said she was untouchable.
Flash. Flash.
A wave of compliments from the press followed them as they walked toward the grand entrance.
"Mr. Blake! Miss Hart! Over here!"
"How does it feel to finally be together tonight?"
"Seraphina, any comments about the gala?"
Adrian ignored them. Raya did too—just like she had been taught.
Inside, the chandelier light washed over them, bathing everything in gold. A live string quartet played softly in the background, elegant and timeless.
The opulence of the venue didn't faze her. Not tonight.
Adrian leaned down slightly, his voice low in her ear.
"From this point on, speak only when necessary. Smile when expected. And stay by my side."
Raya nodded twice.
"Okay, Mr. Blake," she said quietly.
He gave her a look.
"It's Adrian. From now on, remember that."
"Okay, Adrian," she replied.
His jaw ticked at her casual tone, but he said nothing.
They stepped further into the grand ballroom—toward the family waiting ahead.
---
The ballroom shimmered with elegance. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, casting a golden glow over the sea of gowns and tuxedos. Waiters moved between guests with silver trays, soft classical music trailing from a live orchestra in the corner.
As soon as Adrian and Raya stepped in, they were instantly noticed.
"Seraphina!"
Juliana's voice rang out above the low hum of the crowd.
Raya barely had a second to react before Juliana Hart, elegant and radiant in a deep plum gown swept across the marble floor and enveloped her in a tight embrace.
"I missed you, baby," Juliana said, cupping Raya's face with both hands like a doting mother.
Raya forced a smile, her tone warm and practiced.
"I missed you too, Mom."
Adrian gave Juliana a nod in greeting before walking off to meet other board members, leaving the two women alone.
Juliana pulled back, eyes scanning her.
"You look different."
Raya's heart skipped.
"Different how?"
"Beautifully different," Juliana said with a smile. "Look at your waist. You didn't tell me you were working on your body… you look so tiny. Elegant, but tiny."
Raya chuckled softly and leaned in.
"Want to know a secret?"
Juliana leaned closer, amused.
"Tell me."
"I caught Adrian staring at an actress's photo once. She had a smaller waist than mine. So I figured... Why not put in the effort? Anything for my man, right?"
Juliana rolled her eyes with fond disapproval.
"Still, don't hurt yourself for a man. You were beautiful enough just the way you were before."
"I know," Raya said with a sheepish grin, giving off just the right amount of spoiled-brat energy Seraphina used to.
Juliana shook her head with a chuckle and took her hand.
"Come. Let's go say hi to your father."
As they turned, another voice called out.
"Hi, Seraphina."
Raya turned to see Victor Blake, Adrian's half-brother, tall, charming, in a sharp grey suit, strolling over with a half-smile.
"Hi, Victor," Raya replied smoothly, the name now familiar after memorizing faces and connections for days.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah," she nodded politely.
"You look more beautiful than ever," he said, his eyes trailing a little too long.
"All thanks to Adrian," Raya replied with a smile.
Victor opened his mouth to say more but was interrupted by another familiar voice.
"Juliana."
Raya's heart missed a beat.
She turned slowly—carefully, like Seraphina would.
And there she was.
Claudia Reyes. Her biological mother. Regal as ever in a deep burgundy gown, her neck adorned with diamonds. At her side stood her husband Franklin Reyes, tall, refined, his features carved into a permanent look of mild disapproval. And behind them, Lucas and Camilla Reyes, Claudia's stepchildren, both dressed to impress.
Raya's eyes met Claudia's.
For a moment, nothing.
Then Claudia smiled.
"You look stunning, Seraphina."
Raya's lips curved into a polite smile, her throat dry.
"Thank you."
Juliana turned as well, her arm still linked with Raya's.
"Claudia," she greeted brightly. "Franklin."
"It's nice meeting you, Juliana," Claudia replied with an equally measured smile. They didn't hug, too much tension layered in silk and secrets.
Franklin stepped forward slightly, his eyes sharp on Raya.
"You've changed."
Raya resisted the urge to flinch. What's with everyone saying that? Changed how?
But she smiled.
"I suppose we all do," she said calmly, masking the edge in her voice.
"She looks more mature," Claudia added. "There's a new glow."
Juliana chuckled, touching Raya's shoulder.
"She's been taking care of herself. I told her to ease up, but you know Seraphina."
Raya's fingers tightened slightly around her purse.
Lucas gave her a quick nod and a genuine, quiet,
"Nice to see you again."
Camilla stepped forward, her eyes running over Raya's figure in that emerald dress, lips curling into a too-sweet smile.
"I almost didn't recognize you," she said, her tone dripping with sugar. "You've… changed."
Just one more "you've changed" from anyone and she might scatter this entire debut party of hers.
Raya tilted her head slightly, the picture of grace.
"Have I?"
Camilla's eyes narrowed just a little.
"Well, you just look… different tonight. In a way I can't quite put my finger on."
Raya smiled—cool, effortless.
"Please keep your fingers to yourself and stop placing them where they don't belong…"
She caught herself but continued anyway.
"Maybe you're just not used to seeing someone happy."
She ended with a small shrug.
Lucas coughed, trying and failing to hold back his laughter.
It wasn't a secret that Camilla was in love with Adrian. Everyone knew it.
Raya offered a soft chuckle.
"Excuse me, I should go greet Grandpa before he thinks I've forgotten him."
And with that, she walked away—spine straight, head high, and not a single hair out of place.
Right now, she wasn't just Raya Calder.
She was Seraphina Hart.
And Seraphina didn't flinch.
Or maybe… she was a mixture of both.