Chapter 11
ASTRID
Taking a fortifying breath, I step out of my car, keeping my gaze locked on the mountaintop building with throngs of people milling about and chatting excitedly.
I can’t even muster a smile and these people here are acting like the sun is out after months of heavy rainfall.
A valet approaches. Without a word, I hand him my car key but do not attempt to remove my hand from the door. I need to mentally prepare myself for a party that doesn’t quite spark my enthusiasm Mom has been texting me all day and Dad sent me a dress – his way of telling me I have no excuse to not attend a party he’s organized for a man I’ve never met.
The parking area is brimming with luxury automobiles. I turn to the valet. He motions for me to move away from the car.
“I need to move it so other vehicles can drive in.” He says, gesturing behind me.
I take a few steps from the car and then turn to see if I have obstructed anyone from coming in. “Oh.” I exclaim when I notice that there’s a small line and they’re honking and waving at us to move the car.
“Go ahead, Ma’am, I’ll apologize to them.” The valet says and then closes my car door and turns on the ignition.
Ambient music and loud chatters meet my ears as I take the steps, heading towards the double entrance doors. Guests are lounging on the front porch. I can’t tell if they are for the party or just the resort guests. It is a big place with a harmonious blend of architecture and nature. Lush landscape with vibrant flowers designing the driveway and the front entrance.
I greatly admire how the architecture marries modern luxury with natural elements, making the space a picturesque escape where every corner appears to have been crafted for guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and originality. The hall was rented for the party on the north wing, a little farther from the hotels and a tad close to the beach and the Woods behind the building.
The drive was about an hour. If I can’t make it home on my own, I’ll have to order a cab or get Dad’s driver to take me home. I check the time on my phone screen, 8:45 pm. The party has already started. Hopefully, I sneak in without rousing anyone’s attention, get introduced to this best friend, and then be on my way home within an hour.
The closer my steps take me to the doors. The louder my heart thuds in my chest, threatening to break through my ribs. By the time I cross the last step, the pounding has crawled to my head and my insides are knotting so tightly that the music and voices sound like a dream from the past.
One of the guards materializes. Recognition shines in his eyes as he edges near. I reach into my gold clutch bag and hold out my invitation card but instead of taking it, he beckons someone over and takes a step to the side as the person approaches.
“Ms. Volkov. How are you, Ma’am?”
I incline my head, trying to think of the best way to communicate my displeasure. I finally settle for a neutral response. “I’m good. Have you seen my
father?”
He glances behind him. “No, but your mom is waiting for you inside.”
I wave him off. “I’ll find her myself. I need to gather my bearings.”
His gaze roams across my face for a beat and then he gives a slow nod. “Alright, Ma’am. I’ll inform her of your arrival.”
“Don’t.” What the hell is going on? I’m here, just like the rest of the guests. Are my parents eager to introduce me to this man? I don’t even know his name. I shift my focus to the guard. “I had a long day at work and I need to get a drink first before I can face anyone – including my parents. Let me do it my way and whatever they tell you to do, please disregard it.”
I inhale deeply and narrow my eyes, taking in everyone in the room and every corner of it too. Waiters and waitresses dressed in black are armed with trays of champagne and finger food. I pick out chicken satay and a champagne flute and then gulp the amber liquid in one swallow and throw the skewered and grilled chicken served with a peanut dipping sauce into my mouth.
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Chapter 11
“Ive interd watching you
allier such draws teleurely behind me, they wise.
You foch surprised to see the Babs Why’s that?”
“Oleraine P’m surpres. This is my parents party and you have a business being here, we invite your
Your mom. The incited I zame. She didn’t tell you?
She did but I forgot all about it. I was so focused on getting the night over with as quickly as possible that I forgot my ex boyfriend would be there.
did but I thought she wait,” I cock my head, giving him a hard look, “why did you come? You should have said no.
He smirks and tugs the lapel of his black tux arrogantly. “Only a fool would refuse an invite to a gathering like this and an opportunity to see the woman he truly loves.” He takes a step closer. We’re in the middle of the room and the other guests are moving around with champagne flutes in hand and chatting animatedly i can feel eyes poking at me but instead of cowering, I square my shoulders and turn at random to exchange pleasantries.
twist my body around to fully face Tristan who is edging so close to me that I can feel his warm breath on my face.
“Does your parents know that you dumped me?” He said dump like it’s some foul word he wishes not to be associated with. “I guess not because your mom didn’t breathe a word to me. She was overly warm as usual and even suggested I drive by your apartment and pick you up.”
“You should have told her we are no longer together, Tristan.”
He gives a long–drawn whistle. “There’s no way I was going to tell her something I’m yet to come to terms with.”
My stomach lurches. Come to terms with what? It’s been over three weeks? Two? I thought you’ve moved on?”
“Not a second passes by without me thinking about you, Babe. I can’t move on. I can’t try even if I want to.” He says, his voice serious enough to match
his expression.
“Tristan.
He takes the flute from my hand and drops it on the waitress’s tray then grabs my wrist. “Dance with me, Astrid, I’ve missed you.”
“I can’t. I’m here for the party and you’re the last person I want to be seen with.” I tilt my face a touch in the direction of the front door and then the bar. I can’t see my parents anywhere. Someone bumps me before I can turn around, and the figure disappears into the crowd. “I need to find my parents and
say hello. Please stay out of my way, Tristan.”
“Astrid
I wiggle my wrists out of his grip and avert my gaze from him and then meld into the sea of enthusiastic figures, I’d barely taken a step when my mom’s best friend, Evelyn, tugs me into her arms.
“Stella has been anticipating your arrival all night. Where have you been?”
“I just got in Where’s mom?”
“She’s at the bar with your father and Jordan Remington. Dinner will be served soon. Come, I need help with the seating arrangement.”
“I thought that was the event planner’s job. Why are you the one doing it?”
She leans in clusality, even though the room is bustling with people and loud music. “The event planners don’t know these people like we do. We have to make sure friends are seated together, coupled together, best friends together, and of course, enemies farther apart to avoid drama.”
“I thought you and Mom love drama? What’s changed?”
“It’s a special night for all of us in this room Jordan had been away for years and that was after his wife’s death. We’ve missed him so much and we want
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tonight to be all about him.”
Evelyn and I get to the table. She dumps a basket with tags in my hand and proceeds to show me how to place them on the table.
“What does he look like? My ears are packed with stories about him and I don’t even know what the man looks like.”
“He’s at the bar. The man in a dark tuxedo with his hands sprawled on the bar top.” She pauses and tilts her head to the side, “Oh, he’s looking right this way”
I trail her in the direction of her gaze and I almost choke on my breath. I draw my head back and turn my focus to Evelyn. “Did you say dark tuxedo?”
“Yes. He’s a charmer, isn’t he? I used to have this huge crush on him before he married Anna.”
Evelyn goes on to tell me how she was envious of Anna. Her words fly over my head as I stare at the man with the perfectly tailored tuxedo hugging his breathtaking frame.
Holy fuck!
It’s him! My one nightstand!
