10. SILVER AND GOLD
SILVER AND GOLD
KARSON
Sprawled out on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling, dreading the night to come.
Karlos had organized a celebration—the Silver and Gold Gala—in honor of my joining his company, as if I had a choice.
I sat up, scowling at the embossed invitation lying in front of me. It included a guest list, my name featured at the top, and only those that Karlos deemed VIPs were on it.
A bitter laugh escaped. The gala was just an opportunity for him to pair me up with a date he considered worthy of me.
Bella.
She was the spoiled daughter of a media tycoon. I’d met her when we were both students at Drake. Sure, she was beautiful, but Bella only cared about how many followers she had, and not much else.
She was nothing like Ivy.
Ivy’s beauty had layers… right down to how authentic she was. Even with another city between us, and knowing she probably despised me, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
She was like a drug I couldn’t do without.
I smiled wistfully, remembering her laugh as we drove along the winding mountain road to the rainforest, singing together.
My chest ached. Every fiber of my being hurt. I just wanted to hold her close—
There was a short knock on the door right before it swung open. “Are you ready, Karson? If I’m late getting you to the gala, you know your father will have me replaced in a heartbeat.” Gus—dressed in full uniform—fidgeted with his stiff collar.
“I know, Gus. And if it weren’t for his threats, I wouldn’t be going,” I replied solemnly.
The last thing I wanted was for Gus to lose his job. He’d always been there for me whenever I was home, and he was one of the few people who really knew me.
“I just wish I didn’t have to go to this stupid gala.” I grimaced. “Especially since it’s a veiled excuse to set me up with Bella. Everyone thinks we’d be perfect together, just because her father’s rich and powerful. I have absolutely zero interest in her.”
“I know, mate, but there’s not a lot you can do about it. Right now, he’s pulling the strings, so you have to dance.”
“But this is the twenty-first century. He shouldn’t be arranging dates against my will. It’s ridiculous. And we all know he’s trying to marry me off by the time I’m twenty-five. He says it often enough,” I said miserably.
“All you can do for now is make the best of a bad situation. And you never know, the gala might be a bit of fun. At least you’ll be getting out of the house,” he said feebly. “Now hurry, we need to leave.” He closed the door as he left.
I grabbed the gleaming gold jacket off the bed and sighed.
It’d been custom-made for the gala and had arrived at the house yesterday. Pulling it on carelessly, I stared into the mirror, my scowling reflection glaring back at me.
Now he’s choosing my clothes too.
I eyed the garish jacket in the mirror. It was fucking hideous.
With any luck, Bella won’t want to know me when I’m wearing this! But no matter how difficult this is, I have to jump through his hoops.
For now.
A spark flickered inside me as I remembered the freedom flowing through my veins as Ivy drove us around in her old car, her carefree smile lighting up her face…
Protecting her is all that matters.
I took the stairs to the garage, where Gus held the rear door of the Range Rover open. Climbing into the back seat, I sat rigidly as he drove me toward my inevitable fate.
***
Gus pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of the slick hotel.
I checked my watch and braced myself to meet up with Bella, the paparazzi princess. That was the difference between her and me… I ran away from the media, while she ran straight to them.
The entire school had known when she’d summoned the press to her dorm room at Drake—apparently, she wasn’t getting enough attention online. I wondered how much her father paid them to keep that story quiet…
Taking in the stunning view over the water, I stared hopelessly through the tinted window. Ivy would love this. The bright city lights reflected off the water around the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, creating an ethereal glow beneath the moonlight.
I pictured us strolling along the foreshore together, past the Opera House, winding through the beautiful Botanic Gardens as my heart twisted with despair.
Tonight could have been exquisite with her by my side. Instead, it was hollow.
“Good lord!” cried Gus. “It’s a circus out there tonight, Karson. It’ll be a bloodbath to see who gets the best shots of you. Watch your back,” he added grimly.
“And so, the hunt begins,” I whispered, bowing my head.
“I’ll get your door.” He cracked it open a sliver. “Get in there, out of sight, as quickly as you can.”
For a heartbeat, I saw Ivy’s smiling face, her windswept hair, almost feeling her in my arms.
Gus swung open the car door, before shouts and chaos from the crowd flooded inside. Launching out of the car, I stepped onto the red carpet. Just get this over with as swiftly as possible.
With questions shooting at me like poison arrows, I strode toward the door, journalists scrambling and yelling over one another.
“Mr. Wells, is your father intending to compensate the owners for the devastation his mining development is going to cause to the local community? Do you support your father’s plan?”
Camera shutters exploded around me. Someone bumped my shoulder before security pulled them away.
“Are you aware he’s displacing an entire community?” One voice rose above the rest. “These people have been living on that land for decades! Can you make a statement?”
The doorman held an arm out toward me—like a life raft—and held the door open with the other, shouting for me to come inside.
I raced up the steps and hurried inside, welcoming the refuge from the onslaught. He pushed the door shut behind me, cutting off the commotion outside.
A dull ache throbbed in my forehead as the questions they’d hurled at me circled in my head.
The mining development sounded devastating. Typical of Karlos not to consider the impact on anything but himself. He couldn’t care less about throwing people out of their homes, as long as there was profit involved.
He didn’t even have a problem threatening my girlfriend and her father. The ache spread around the back of my head and neck.
“Karson!” A high-pitched voice sliced through the air.
I turned to see Bella charging at me in a bold silver dress that sparkled like a disco ball. She was tiny but all energy, screeching to a halt in front of me and spinning in a full twirl, showing off her glittering gown.
Sheesh. Ivy would look amazing in that dress.
It was backless with a plunging neckline; the back fell all the way to the floor while the front barely reached her upper thigh.
“Karson!” she cried. “I thought you’d never get here!”
Her glossy black hair was half swept up into a high bun, and the bottom section spilled over her shoulders. Her glittery eye makeup caught the light; a small silver star was painted on one cheek.
“Hey, Bella, cool outfit,” I said, attempting a smile. “How have you been?”
“I know, right?! This dress is stunning… the photographers couldn’t get enough of me,” she said proudly.
“Right—”
“Daddy promised me you’d be my date tonight!” She giggled, her dark eyes shining happily. “And now, I get to have you on my arm for all to see!”
What the actual fuck? I stared at the floor in the hope it would open and swallow me.
She reached into her clutch and pulled out her phone. “Let’s get some photos. My followers will love this.”
“No, no. Let’s just try to enjoy the night. No pictures. Please.”
As if I’m going to enjoy the night, I thought bitterly. But I can at least try to keep the carnage to a minimum.
Bella stared at me in silence as if I were another species.
My stomach was like wet cement, and my muscles tensed. “Good to see you, Bella. I’ll leave you to get your pics while I head to the bar.” I hurried away before she could protest.
After taking countless selfies, Bella made her way to the dance floor, chatting with a group of girls, then I settled onto a barstool, watching the exits. My thoughts drifted back to Ivy as I waited for the bartender.
I wonder what she’s doing right now. I gazed out the window, trying to conjure a plan—figure a way out of the nightmare my father had created—
“Please, please, please, dance with me, Karson,” Bella squealed so high pitched that I rubbed my ears.
I felt a pang of guilt. It wasn’t her fault my father was a control freak who had organized this date against my will.
“Sure, not for long, though,” I said, staring down at my feet. “I’m not really feeling it, sorry.”
“After we dance, we can get some pics and then go outside to see the view.” Beaming, she tilted her head to one side.
I held my palm up flat. “I told you, Bella, no pictures.”
“Fine.” She pouted. “But at least go outside with me afterward. If you still want to go home, I promise I won’t tell Daddy. Tell your driver to pick you up in thirty minutes. That gives us time to dance and see the view outside.”
“You've got yourself a deal,” I agreed. The sooner I get out of here, the better. Escape was so close… I could taste it! Thirty minutes. That was all I needed.
But a few songs later, I worried Bella had forgotten our agreement. On the dance floor, her fingers wrapped around me like tendrils, and despite my pulling away, she refused to let go.
After multiple attempts, I extricated myself from her grip.
“Karson! Get me another one of those yummy cocktails,” she squealed, losing her balance and leaning against the wall as she erupted into giggles.
“Bella, you’ve had enough to drink. You’re going to fall over. Time to sit for a bit, yeah?”
“No, no, NO.” She pursed her lilac lips. “Don’t be so boring, Karson! I want my drink. And I want to go outside, like you PROMISED!”
I groaned under my breath. “Fine. Don’t move. I’ll get you a drink.”
Dashing over to the bar, I grabbed two iced waters with a shot of red cordial before heading back to where she waited. I handed her the drink, and without noticing what it was, she drained half of it in one gulp.
***