Chapter 26
The air conditioners in here aren’t doing their damn job.
Or maybe it’s the crazy amount of body heat emanating off of the elites in this room that’s making me feel as though I’m in a sauna.
One would think that this place would have the best of everything, given how it’s an Adler-family property, but alas, that is not the case.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve pressed a hand over my face and neck to wipe the perspiration off my skin, and even though I’ve tried to fend it off, I simply can’t seem to get rid of the obnoxious smell of mixed-up colognes around me.
It’s a very questionable blend, too – like jasmine and musk and aqua, all combined together.
“Need that drink yet?” Mave asks against my ear. “You look about ready to scream your lungs out. Some alcohol will help in putting your nerves at ease.”
I turn my head and glare up at him. “I’m two seconds away from pushing you towards the champagne tower,” I say, then give him a saccharine smile.
“So if that’s what you want, then go ahead and provoke me more.
If not, then shut the fuck up and help me get out of here so that I can get some fresh air. ”
I’ve been standing in a corner and entertaining baseless conversations with bored elites for the last two hours.
Some of them not-so-subtly tried asking me about the scar on my cheek, but their questions weren’t anything I couldn’t easily evade.
I obviously couldn’t tell them the truth – because imagine the scandal that it would bring upon my illustrious family – so I could either lie, or not say anything at all and move on.
I chose the latter.
Uncle Chase is running late, and until he gets here, the winter-wear reveal cannot actually happen – which means I’ll have to continue to spend agonizing seconds stuck in a room full of pretentious asswipes who think they’re better than everyone in attendance here tonight.
In all honesty, though, if it wasn’t so hot and congested in here, I would have actually looked around and admired the stunning décor without the fear of accidentally meeting someone’s eye and then having to engage in a one-on-one with them.
Because really, the ballroom is gorgeous, but feels like a fucking poultry farm with the colorfully annoying people occupying it.
The room’s ceiling is dark, with a series of lights – glass tubes, more like – designed in the form of tidal waves spanning the entirety of its length. It’s a work of art, for sure, and illuminates the place with a subtle, sensual glow.
The floor and walls are black-and-gold marble, and there’s a massive screen and stage on the far end of the ballroom.
A high-concept bar and champagne tower are set up on the right, and there’s a lovely, flower-studded balcony on the left, with three donation boxes next to it.
The Chase Adler Foundation is written on all of them, but I know for damn sure that every single dollar in those boxes is going to end up in Mom’s pocket.
Speaking of my mom…
She’s been ignoring me constantly since I arrived at Imperia.
I’ve mostly seen her floating around the room like a middle-aged bee in her atrocious, floor-length and full-sleeved golden cocktail dress – mingling with the guests – but other than that, she’s made herself scarce in my presence.
Our gazes did lock a couple of times, but she averted hers so fast that it left both Mave and I confused and unsettled.
Mom also has a new bodyguard now, which is strange, because Steven has been with her for over a decade.
Mave has no idea why Mom replaced Steven, or where he is, but the new bodyguard, Riley, is a fresh recruit with barely any field experience.
I’m pretty sure she picked him for his boyish looks, green eyes, and short blond hair.
Typical of her to go for the good-looking one.
“Forget fresh air,” Mave whispers, and his voice all but jolts me out of my thoughts. “You’ve got incoming.”
I look ahead, and curse inwardly when I see Waleed Najimi, flanked by three guards, making his way over to where I am.
He’s wearing a beige-and-blue Armani three-piece, and appears just as put together as he did the last time I’d seen him.
“Cignette, my dear!” he sings, and comes to a stop in front of me.
“I hope you are having a lovely time tonight.” He then looks me over, and gasps before saying, “What do I see, now!
Ya ‘Iilahi, a beauty such as yourself with no glass in her hands! You must not be fully sober whilst dealing with a crowd such as this one. Did you not know that, Eazizi?” He makes a face and gestures around us, and I laugh earnestly.
“I’ve vowed to stay away from alcohol tonight,” I tell him.
“Pssh.” He waves a hand in the air. “Whatever for?”
I point a thumb over my shoulder at Mave. “This guy says I’m a very loose drunk, so I’m trying to avoid giving him the pleasure of witnessing me in that position.”
Waleed laughs, and his eyes suddenly land on my scarred cheek. He must not have noticed it before, but he now stares at it with a flash of anger on his face, which surprises me.
“Eazizi…” He meets my eyes. “Who has done this to you? You must tell me at once.” He reaches a hand out to touch my cheek, but Mave shifts from behind me and cups Waleed’s wrist so fast, that I have to suck in a breath and blink at the swiftness of it.
“Sir,” he says to Waleed, then drops his hand down. “I would like to respectfully ask that you maintain your distance.” He moves closer to me.
Waleed arches a brow and steps back. “I meant no harm,” he tells us. “I was simply inquiring. I wish to punish the person responsible for marring such a wonderful beauty.”
“I assure you, sir, the matter has been dealt with,” Mave states, and his voice sounds clipped. Almost like he doesn’t appreciate Waleed complimenting me.
“Good.” Waleed nods, then glances between Mave and I. “Good.”
“May I be so bold as to step in?” comes a commanding, silk-smooth voice.
I turn, and grin up at the Administrator of Riverside County.
The guests around us have either quieted down or moved out of the way, and so has Mave.
“Uncle Chase!” I wrap my arms around his neck, and he holds me in close for a tender hug.
His team of bodyguards steps out of our way and gives us some space.
“Sweet pea.” Uncle Chase moves back and looks down at me, and his smile fluctuates when he, too, notices my scar.
He frowns and cups my cheek, but of course, doesn’t say anything. “You look radiant,” he tells me, then places a kiss on my forehead. “Remind me to thank Julian on the amazing job he’s done with your dress.” His dark eyes shine with genuine admiration.
Uncle Chase is wearing a crimson tux and a black bowtie. His grey hair is parted sideways, which is how he’s always worn it. He looks truly sophisticated and regal – fit for the position he holds in Riverside.
“Julian accepts your thanks, sir!” chimes Julian himself, having popped out of nowhere.
Uncle Chase chuckles. “Enjoying yourself tonight, son?” he asks him.
“Sure am. Thank you for the invite, sir.”
“It’s not me who you should thank,” Uncle Chase says, then gestures at Waleed. “It’s our generous host and sponsor.”
Waleed looks flustered. “Always the charmer, aren’t you, Mr. Adler?”
“Only where it matters.”
The two of them share a laugh, and then Uncle Chase looks around at the gathered group.
“You,” he points a finger at Mave, then does the same for his and Waleed’s guards.
“All of you – go relax a little; have fun. This is a secure event with trusted people as guests, so you don’t have to look so attentive and official. ”
Mave and the others share a look.
“But sir–”
“That’s an order, Maverick,” Uncle Chase cuts him off, then jerks his head towards the bar. “Grab a drink or two, come on. Live a little, for Christ’s sake.”
Mave clears his throat, and I turn a little so that I can smirk at him. “Maybe it’s me who’s going to have to endure your vile singing tonight, after all,” I say softly. “Want me to record you while you give me a show, Maverick?”
He puts his tongue to his cheek and narrows his eyes at me. “With all due respect, Nettie, fuck
you.”
I chuckle, and get out of the way when a couple of guards come barreling over and wrap their arms around him. They start leading him to the bar, with the others right behind them, and as he gets dragged away, Mave looks back and mouths, “Stay
close.”
I smile and give him a nod, then turn to Uncle Chase. “I forgot to ask y–”
“Mr. Adler,” one of the event organizers cuts me off.
Uncle Chase gives me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry, sweet pea,” he tells me, then faces the organizer with an arched brow.
“Miss Adler needs you on stage for the reveal, sir.”
Uncle Chase nods. “Let her know that I’ll be there in a minute.” He looks at me. “You were saying?”
I swipe at my upper lip and neck, then fan myself with my clutch. “Can you get the air conditioners in here to work somehow, please?” I say.
He laughs. “I may run this county, Cignette, but even I can’t make these damn electronics work when they’re most needed to work.”
“Language, Uncle,” I remark around a smile. “We don’t want to give you a bad rep in the presence of your adoring fans.”
He chuckles. “Most certainly can’t have that.” He then sighs and gives me another kiss on the forehead. “I have to go,” he says with reluctance. “But let’s spend an evening together – just the two of us. With coffee and our favorite macaroons, of course. How’s that sound?”
I chuckle. “Absolutely perfect,” I say. “I look forward to it.”
Uncle Chase grins, then faces Waleed, who is busy talking to Julian.
“Waleed?”
He immediately stops and gives us his complete attention.
“Should we join Miranda on stage?” Uncle Chase asks.
Waleed claps his hands together. “But of course! Lead the way, Mr. Adler.”
Uncle Chase gives me a wink, then leads Waleed into the crowd.