Chapter 23 #2
A sigh of relief leaves me. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.” It’s a good thing I’m not lying, either.
She really doesn’t know how much it means to me.
I refuse to let anyone down by fumbling this opportunity.
We each quickly refill our trays and bid each other farewell as we go to our new sections just as someone takes the stage and attempts to quiet the crowd.
The woman is petite, standing several heads shorter than Harrison where he looms over her shoulder as he waits for her to introduce him.
She must be his assistant, and I briefly wonder which one as she doesn’t appear to be afraid of him.
Unless she’s in on it which wouldn’t be abnormal, especially if she’s paid well.
“On behalf of Beyond Boundaries I’d like to say thank you for joining us here tonight.
This event, this turning point for our youth, would not be possible without your humble donations and support.
The future is going to be bright with change as opportunities open up for those who are at risk, developing a path toward their futures.
Now, without further ado, I’d like to introduce the man behind this project—please welcome Harrison Clark, founder and mayor.
” A round of applause sounds as she takes several steps back from the microphone and he steps up to it, waiting for the noise to calm down again.
It’s almost as if every person in the room can sense his ego as they all quiet down at once, with nothing but a look from him.
“It’s my honor to be here tonight and it’s been my privilege to spearhead this project.
As most of you know, for the way it’s been marketed, it’s a charity that I hold close to my heart.
But as such, I also prefer not to call it that because of what it means.
Instead, I’d like us all to look at it as a revolution of sorts.
This isn’t just about offering help to our at-risk youth, but also about forming the foundation for a future where they all have a chance to rise above their circumstances.
To go beyond where they started. I want to create a program where these kids have access to education, job opportunities, therapy, housing, and more.
If you can dream it, that’s what we want to do.
” He pauses as more applause sounds and for a second, I can’t help but see the vision—if it were true.
“But what’s more is that this isn’t just about their futures, it’s about ours, too, as a city.
These youth are the future. We need to invest in them in order for us to prosper. This is about so much more than monetary needs. It’s about funding hope. The real work starts tonight, with each of you. With your support. So mingle, drink, eat, and enjoy the evening, on me. Thank you.”
God, the man is insufferable. It’s like the crowd was paid to feed into his ego with the moment of silence that follows before they erupt with cheers and more clapping.
As he’s exiting the stage, I position myself in order to serve him as he steps off the last step.
It’s not as though I want him to pay attention to me—having his gaze on me earlier was enough to make my skin crawl—but I need to make sure he drinks enough to start slipping like Claire said.
“Addison, is it?” he says as he approaches me, reaching for a glass.
“It is, sir. That was a wonderful speech. It’s an amazing thing you’re doing.” The words weigh like lead in my stomach, over the reality of the implications of what he’s doing. How he’s fooling all of the people here into believing they are funding something noble.
He extends his arm, resting his hand on my lower back. “Ah, children are such a passion of mine. They’re so very special. Come along, I have a few colleagues who are in need of new refreshments.”
My instincts are screaming at me to deny the offer, knowing he’s about to lead me to his fellow pack of wolves.
His hand feels like it’s leaving char marks where it rests.
Instead, like the good little volunteer I am, I smile and follow his lead.
We approach a table that’s centered perfectly in the ballroom—because of course it is.
He needs an unobstructed view of his guests.
An unobstructed view of potential threats.
There are five other individuals seated: four men and one woman whose eyes are downcast. She sits next to a man who has his hand on her thigh.
At first glance it would be easy to assume they’re together.
But based on that downcast look and the bruises I can see peppering her bicep in the shape of fingertips, she isn’t here consensually.
I try not to stare too long, but she looks up at me with horrified eyes as soon as Harrison opens his mouth.
She isn’t a woman; she’s barely a teenager.
They’ve only dressed her up to give the illusion of maturity.
How is anyone oblivious to the abuse she is obviously suffering?
“Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Addison.
” His hand on my back lowers further until he’s grazing the outline of my thong beneath my dress and I have to swallow back the rise of bile.
“Addison, these are some of my closest and most trusted associates.” Of course, the men barely acknowledge me over their current conversation, but I don’t miss the way their gazes sweep the ballroom floor, likely searching for their next conquest. I’m grateful there aren’t many children here.
But it doesn’t mean they won’t try to find the youngest person here to satiate their needs…
That includes someone like me. “I’m sorry, dear.
It seems my colleagues have forgotten their manners.
” He finally removes his hand from above the swell of my ass and clinks a piece of silverware against his champagne flute.
The men stop their idle chatter and turn their attention to him.
“That’s better. As I was saying, gentlemen.
This is Addison. She’s one of our volunteers, and has the same passion for youth as we do. ”
The same passion. The lie they sell to the world while they hide the truth of their “business” behind closed doors and hushed trades.
One of the men leers at me in a way that makes my skin want to peel away from my body. “Hmmm…I do love fresh enthusiasm, especially when it comes on such a fresh face.”
I offer a saccharine smile, faking the cheerful tone in my voice. “Well, they say it’s never too soon to start making a difference. Ultimately, the best way to understand something is to be involved first hand, isn’t it?”
His smirk only deepens and I realize then that I’ve said something to keep their attention, and despite this being the opportunity we need, I’m no longer sure I want it. I’m about to excuse myself to go replenish my tray but there are two problems with that plan:
One, it hasn’t emptied yet. Two, Harrison wraps his arm around my waist, keeping me firmly in place.
It’s a blessing and a curse that they don’t have cameras on us here because Nathan wouldn’t hesitate to come to my aid at this sight.
However, I can imagine he’s losing his head at the content of the conversation.
I have no doubt he can trace the innuendo hidden in their voices.
“I must admit, it’s refreshing to see someone of your age so keen, so…untainted by the harsh realities of the world.” This time it’s the man who has his hand on the girl’s thigh. Just keep them drinking. Keep them talking. This will be over before you know it.
“It certainly isn’t easy in one so cruel, but it’s all the more reason to face the challenge. After all, if all of these kids are able to face their own challenges and come out better for it, why can’t I do the same to help them get there? Even if it’s from a more passive stance.”
“I’m sure we can help you take a more active stance, if you’d be interested.
” He raises his glass in a toast. The mantra repeats over and over in my head as I brace myself against the onslaught of repulsion that greets me with every word out of their mouths.
Laughter hums around the table in agreement, as if they’re laughing at the underlying meaning that they think nobody else is picking up on.
But I only smile, playing my part. That smile quickly fades when the girl yelps out in pain.
“I told you to sit still,” he hisses under his breath and I shift forward to…
to do what? The girl looks at me again, this time with tears in her eyes as she pleads for help, and I feel the crack in my composure as I vow to get her out. Somehow.
Raucous laughter sounds from the table where, try as I might, I haven’t been able to escape from for long.
Cons? The stolen touches that I haven’t consented to, now not only from Harrison, but his cohorts as well.
I’ve had to readjust my dress on more than one occasion and think of elaborate ways to escape their clutches when they try to pull me down on their laps, clueless to the rest of the company in the ballroom.
Pros? They’ve become quite loose-lipped the more and more they drink.
On top of the champagne I’ve been endlessly serving the past two hours, they’ve been dipping into their personal flasks kept in their coat pockets.
The evening is starting to wind down as people begin to gather in small groups and leave, while others continue to mingle.
If it wasn’t for the branding on the event, or the numbers that continue to increase on the projector, you could easily mistake this as a party for personal purposes.