Once we were both settled in the car, the driver closed the door, and I instantly felt self-conscious about being alone in the back seat with Mr. Cavalier.
He studied my look for a while before he looked away, and leaned against his door, with the signature finger resting against his lips.
My eyes snapped towards him quickly then I looked away. My throat was dry, my palms were sweaty, and I had to clutch the tiny purse that Edna provided me before I left, just to avoid my fingers shaking.
As the drive continued, I tried to lose myself in the scenery that we passed by. Rome was a beautiful city, I could see why Mr. Cavalier chose to come here every weekend.
"Ms. Chavez," Mr. Cavalier called out to me, and I instantly suffered near heart failure. What was going to happen now?
"Yes Mr. Cavalier." I responded, trying to keep my voice from wavering. Mr. Cavalier was so unpredictable, I never knew what he had up his sleeves, but I did not expect the next words to come out of his mouth, not in a million years.
"I would like to apologize for my behavior earlier today. After you left I realized that it was extremely unprofessional on my part, and I can assure you, it will not happen again." His words almost caused me to fall out of my seat.
First he gave me a compliment, and now he was apologizing? Something wasn't right here... but would I call him out on it? Of course not.
Unable to trust my voice, I smiled and nodded, then I looked away again, exhaling slowly through my nose, in hopes of appearing calm and collected. However when the silence became overbearing, I tried to create a conversation.
"So, a ball?" I said, dumbly... really, that was all I could come up with.
I wanted to facepalm myself, but I knew if Jay found out that I screwed up my makeup before even making it to the ball, he would hunt me down and kill me.
"Yes, it's an annual Charity event. I usually just donate and hardly ever attend the event, however after my faulty actions earlier, I figured the best way to make it up to you was by attending with you as my guest." Mr. Cavalier explained, his voice calm, casual, a tone that I could listen to all day.
"What kind of Charity do you support?" I asked, my curiosity peaking, and slowly murdering the awkward nerves that initially paralyzed me.
"I try to support organizations that try to improve humanitarian crises around the world, especially in third world countries. My grandfather built this company out of nothing, and when he started excelling, he continued to thrive on the sole promise that he would give back, and supporting these charities was one of the ways he gave back. As I grew up I fell in love with his goal and principle, so any chance I get to support, I take it." Mr. Cavalier explained sincerely.
Struck to complete silence by awe, I simply smiled and nodded. His response almost brought tears to my eyes. I always loved the idea of giving back. And his response was so genuine, I could tell that he gave back with all his heart, rather than making it sound like an obligation. And while he spoke of falling in love with giving back, here I was sitting across from this gorgeous man, thinking that I was falling in love with him.
Wait.
No. Nope. No.
I almost shook my head at the absurd thought that entered my mind. There was no way I was falling in love with my boss. No way. I think the adrenaline from flying with him constantly, and our string of recent close encounters was taking a toll on my brain. Maybe I was high on cupid drugs and lots of females hormones or something, but I was sure not falling in love with Mr. Cavalier.
Before I could start arguing with myself internally, the driver pulled into a countryside estate. And by estate I mean a palace. It was a grand chateau, surrounded by beautiful tall palm trees. The desert sand colored stone walls were the perfect canvas for the setting sun's orange glow. It was absolutely breathtaking.
The driver pulled up to a very long red carpet, swarming with paparazzi. When the driver opened the door, the cameras were already flashing. Mr. Cavalier seemed to be in his zone. He set his jaw and stepped out of the car as he buttoned his jacket. Then he turned around and extended his hand to me. I grabbed it as gracefully as I could, and I stepped out of the car while I kept chanting in my head: 'don't step on your dress, don't rip it, don't fall.'
He pulled me close allowing the driver to close the door, and in that moment he snaked his arms around my waist and held me to his chest. He brought his lips to my ear as he whispered, "just keep your eyes forward, and hold my hand." Then he pulled away and he smiled, and I smiled in return. And the paparazzi ate it up. And then they were pit for blood.
"Mr. Cavalier it has been a while since you attended this ball, what has brought about this appearance?"
"Mr. Cavalier is this your new partner?"
"Mr. Cavalier are the rumors of your scandalous break up between you and Christina true?"
"Mr. Cavalier is it true that you called off your engagement with Christina because you caught her in bed with another man?"
"Mr. Cavalier is this woman your girlfriend?"
"Mr. Cavalier over here! You usually date blondes, but have you had a change of heart and brunettes are the new 'it' for you?"
"Mr. Cavalier who are you wearing tonight?"
"Mr. Cavalier what is her name?"
Sheesh and jeez. The paparazzi were vicious. Had it not been for a few bodyguards, I don't think we would've made it inside. Throughout the entire time, I kept my hand in Mr. Cavalier's hand. His grip tightened with each question they asked, especially when they mentioned a Christina. Now I was more than intrigued.
When we finally made it to the grand hall where the ball was being held, I didn't think I had enough strength to be shocked, yet here I was, trying to control myself.
Beautiful, elegant women, and very rich and handsome looking men. I almost felt out of place.
Mr. Cavalier turned to me and smiled as he said, "oh don't look so nervous. There is a pattern to these things. A little mingle with the guests, sit through a few speeches, dance a number or two on the dancefloor, then clap for everyone who donated, and we'll be done. I'll do most of the talking so don't worry."
"Why do you have to do all the talking?" I asked, my brow furrowed.
"Because I already know what they're going to ask." He pointed, and then I shrugged as I said, "fair enough."
Frantz was surprised that I didn't argue, and I almost performed a happy dance when I proved to him that he didn't know everything about me. That and because while he spoke to me, I noticed a blonde across the room who seemed very focused on us the moment we walked into the room.
"Alright then, let's mingle." Frantz invited, as we looped our elbows together and he began leading me through the ballroom.
As we began making way to our table, we each grabbed a flask of champagne, and it came in handy, especially when we began getting stopped by every businessman we passed. They all seemed very eager to speak with Frantz, though he couldn't seem bothered by speaking with them. I did feel kind of bad when his responses weren't as warm and friendly. You could see the slight distraught grow on their faces when they realized the young billionaire was not interested in discussing possible future contracts. At times when all their efforts failed, they turned their attention to me. And it usually went like this, "and who is this fair beauty?"
And I took my chance to annoy Frantz, because why not.
"Liliana Chavez, nice to meet you."
"Oh darling, the pleasure is all mine." Then after that reply, they would gladly grab my free arm, and kiss the back of my hand. I smiled sweetly, knowing very well that Mr. Cavalier's blood was boiling.
Almost every conversation we encountered had these similar exchanges, and at some point, Mr. Cavalier didn't even care, he all but dragged me to our table, where he sat down, and of course I had to sit with him.
He glared my way, and I smiled innocently as I asked, "what?"
"Why do you insist on talking or replying to them?" He demanded, and I rolled my eyes as I said, "Mr. Cavalier, I don't appreciate it when someone is rude towards me, so why would I be rude to others? They asked, who I was, and I simply responded."
"Yeah, okay." He nodded looking away.
"What is it? They all seemed interested in speaking with you, why did you have to be so rude?" I called him out before I could even stop myself.
"Because they're always after the same thing. A deal, a contract. They're bloodsuckers, each and every one of them." He pointed out, and I frowned as I said, "well if you dislike these events so much, why did you come?"
"I told you, I wanted to make it up to you for my disrespect earlier." Frantz replied, but I couldn't help but feel like there was another reason. And soon that other reason was confirmed.
After a moment we fell silent, and as my eyes scanned the crowd, I noticed the same blonde from earlier, looking in our direction. For some reason, the fact that she appeared so interested in looking our way had me on edge. Like what did she want?
Then, it was as if a puzzle clicked.
Was she Christina?