CHAPTER 44LeviAurelia
Levi
Levi was genuinely impressed…and a bit horrified by how much food Owen could inhale in one sitting.
Three fully loaded plates from the grazing station had already disappeared, each one stacked higher than the last. It earned him more than a few scandalized looks from Joia City’s high society.
But all it took was Owen flashing that Hollywood smile, and their disapproval melted into charmed amusement.
The highlight of the evening—aside from watching Owen systematically destroy the buffet—had been running into Martin Strasburg, one of his senior directors from Neuronix.
Catching up outside of the office was a rare treat…
though the moment was somewhat dampened by Owen’s insatiable appetite.
He flagged down a wood nymph server and charmed her into handing over an entire platter of bacon-wrapped scallops, mini arancini, and beef wellingtons… for himself.
Martin watched the spectacle with morbid fascination. “I can’t decide if I’m impressed or mildly concerned,” he muttered.
Owen, his mouth full of flaky pastry, shrugged.
“I’m a young, strapping man who requires constant nourishment.
This is survival.” He eyed the platter as if debating whether to share it with Levi and Martin.
Deciding against it, he popped another scallop into his mouth and pulled the plate closer.
“Besides, I’m doing you both a favor. Wouldn’t want either of you throwing your backs out trying to lift me off the floor if I faint from low blood sugar. You’re welcome.”
Levi shook his head. “You’ve somehow turned gluttony into performance art,” he deadpanned. He flicked his chin toward a nearby table. “And you’ve developed a fan club. Those retirees over there haven’t stopped watching you devour food like it’s an Olympic sport.”
Owen glanced over and smirked. “They’re probably hoping I’ll ram something else down their gullets. Saucy little minxes.” He snorted, nearly choking on a beef wellington.
Serves him right , Levi thought.
Martin covered his mouth to hide his laughter and turned back to Levi, extending his hand. “Congratulations on landing yourself one hell of a beautiful wife,” he said warmly. “She told me you’re the reason our foundation is even here tonight. That means the world to me.”
Levi shook his hand, his eyes instinctively searching the crowd. His heart stuttered when he found Aurelia near the stage, deep in conversation with Charles and the DJ. In that gown, under the lights, she looked every bit the goddess he already knew she was.
Martin’s voice pulled him back. “I don’t know her well,” he said, his tone thoughtful, “but I think she’s good for you.”
Owen grunted in agreement around the stockpile of food in his mouth.
Levi blinked in shock.
“You’ve always carried the world like it’s yours alone to bear. But this version of you? The one who knows how to share the load…I like this Levi better.”
Martin’s words hit harder than expected.
He wasn’t done. “My wife, Amy, couldn’t make it tonight because of the chaos of our kids, but I’ll tell you something.
I don’t know how I’d make it through life without her.
When the weight’s too much, she carries it with me.
That’s love, Levi. The real kind. And from where I’m standing… it looks like you’ve found it.”
Love.
The word echoed through Levi’s mind, resounding long after Martin drifted back into the crowd.
Even as Charles stepped onto the stage to open the event, Levi was still standing there, staring at the woman who’d somehow become his entire world, not knowing when it happened.
Aurelia
“Time to get this show on the road,” Charles said quietly, nodding toward the stage.
Aurelia’s stomach twisted into knots as she nodded absentmindedly. The mere thought of public speaking had her seriously contemplating whether she could slip out unnoticed. After years spent blending into the background, this moment felt almost unbearable.
Change was hitting her from all directions, and she wasn’t ready for any of it.
She hadn’t eaten, hadn’t had a sip of water all day, and now her stomach growled in protest as nerves and the ever-present sense of unease gnawed at her.
A sudden shiver ran down her spine, the hairs at the back of her neck prickling. That eerie feeling of being watched settled over her like a heavy blanket. She scanned the room, heart pounding…then chastised herself.
Of course, she was being watched. Charles had already taken the stage, and every eye in the room would be there next.
“Welcome, guests, friends, and honored participants to the eighty-fifth annual Harvest Charity Ball!” Charles’s voice boomed over the sound system.
While the crowd applauded, Aurelia searched for Levi. Her breath hitched when she finally spotted him, those deep green eyes locked on her with nothing but pride and encouragement.
And then Owen caught her attention—grinning shamelessly through a mouthful of food, wiggling his fingers at her before returning to a large platter stacked to scandalous proportions. She narrowed her eyes. That was an excessive number of appetizers for one man.
Mental note: Investigate Owen’s hoarding habits later.
Charles continued. “This event has long been a treasured tradition within the Greaves family. Sadly, the last member of this prestigious family left us a few months ago. Let’s honor her memory with a moment of silence.”
The hush that fell was profound, but for Aurelia, the silence echoed with her unprocessed grief. She had kept so busy planning this event that she hadn’t left room for mourning. And now it threatened to crash over her.
Selene appeared at her side just in time, pressing a cold diet soda into her hand.
“The Harvest Charity Ball has always been about supporting those who make the world a better place,” Charles continued. “And this year, we expanded that reach, allowing even those who couldn’t attend tonight to contribute online.”
“You haven’t stopped moving all day,” Selene whispered. “Have you had anything to drink or to eat?”
Aurelia shook her head and took a long sip, not realizing until now how parched she was. “You’re a lifesaver,” she whispered back.
“That’s what friends are for. And you’re going to crush this, so stop doubting yourself,” Selene said, nudging her shoulder playfully.
Aurelia smiled weakly and drained the rest of the contents as Charles wrapped up his introduction. Selene took her glass and gave her a final thumbs-up before shooing her toward the stage.
With one last deep breath, Aurelia stepped into the stage lights, the microphone trembling slightly in her hands. She found Levi in the crowd again and anchored herself to the unwavering pride in his eyes.
“Thank you all for coming and supporting our headlining charities,” she began, her voice shaky at first but growing steadier.
“We took a slightly different direction this year, but your incredible generosity has already made this night one for the record books—one that Eleanor would have been proud of. We raised over three million dollars online before the night even began!”
Thunderous applause filled the room and her head. She pressed on despite the growing warmth under the lights and the wave of nausea beginning to crest.
“We selected three organizations for tonight’s event. First, District Child Welfare Services, which is a cause close to my heart, as I was once a child in their care. Your support gives children the chance to find safety, security, and a real future.”
More applause. The room spun slightly as another unwelcome wave of nausea rolled over her. She needed to get through this.
“The National Dyslexia Foundation also holds special meaning for me. I’ve met so many incredible people whose invisible disabilities never held them back. People who, with the right resources, thrive beyond imagination.”
The floor swayed beneath her feet. She needed to get outside for some fresh air.
“And lastly…” she pushed the words out through gritted teeth, her vision tunneling, “in honor of Eleanor Greaves—who would have loved every minute of this night—we welcome Glow Sticks for the Elderly, a grassroots organization focused on encouraging and promoting vitality among our senior population. They do this by bringing rave culture to retirement homes across the nation. Time to take out your glow sticks, get on that dance floor, and kick off the rave!”
The crowd roared as the lights dimmed, and the floor lit up. Aurelia barely registered it as she staggered off the stage, nearly tripping over her dress in the process.
Selene was there in an instant, her arm looping under Aurelia’s. Charles cast her a concerned glance.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“I…I’m not sure. I think…I need some air.” Her words sounded distant to her ears, her tongue thick and slow.
Selene looked at Charles and said, “I’ll take care of her.” He nodded hesitantly.
Aurelia knew without a doubt that whatever was happening was the source of the unease she had felt throughout the day. She tried to tell Selene this as they walked towards the patio, but her vocal cords were paralyzed.
Selene sat her down on a nearby vacant bench before rushing off to find Levi.
Something was wrong with her.
The moment Selene crossed the threshold back into the ballroom, a shadow loomed over her. A firm hand gripped her arm and mercilessly yanked her back onto her feet.
Aurelia turned with the last of her strength…and then the darkness encircled her.