Chapter Six

Dominic's POV

Iarrive at the Grand Arcadia Ballroom at about eight. Chandeliers shine like stars in the sky. Guests dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos walk by in the room. Perfume and champagne perfume the air. I search the room for Elena.

I see her standing next to the string quartet. She is standing next to an extended table, her right hand holding a flute of water that glistens. Her gray gown is more becoming on her now. She appears serene, but I can observe the look of uncertainty in her eyes.

I approach her. My heels rap against the marble floor. Percival hangs back politely. He looks at his phone and gives me a nod. Agenda for this evening: schmooze, schmooze with donors, show off our coalition.

When I arrive at Elena's side, Giselle Van Dorn is standing next to her. Giselle wears emerald green and pearls that glint. She's smiling too brightly. Her eyes are glinting with a flash of sharpness.

"Elena," says Giselle, her voice honeyed.

Elena's smile is courteous. "Thank you, Giselle."

I slow my step and wait.

Giselle's lip curls into a sneer. "You know, I heard of your little show in the boardroom today. Very impressive for a new employee."

Elena's smile distorts. "I did only that which had to be done."

Giselle leans in. "Certain. But I have to ask myself—what compelled you so quickly? It takes years for most individuals to understand our method."

Elena's forehead crinkles. "I read. I learn quickly."

Giselle nods, eyelids fluttering shut. "That's good. But I have to inquire into your history: You were raised… where was it? London? Oxford?"

Your eyes leap to my face. I take a step forward.

Giselle continues. "I can tell you're from a lovely small town. No high-rise buildings there, no such enormous balls as this one. So Elena, what did you do to make it all go so smoothly?"

Elena stands up straight, but I notice the shaking. "I've worked my whole life. I had to learn to cook just to get by.".

Giselle smiles naively. "Survival is an adaptable thing. Some of us survive on charm. Some of us survive on brawn. I wonder which you do."

I swallow and put a light hand on Elena's arm. "Giselle," I say, "good evening."

Giselle spun around and tilted her head. "Dominic. A pleasure." She stepped away.

I offer my arm to Elena. She pauses, then inserts her hand through mine. I sense her relief.

We depart from Giselle. I take Elena to the refreshment table. Percival follows behind.

Elena's voice is gentle. "What did she mean?"

I regard her. "She is testing you."

She looks at me. "Why?"

I fill her glass with white wine. "She sees your presence as threatening."

She accepts the glass. Her hand shakes. I grip it firmly.

"Here," I say. "Drink some."

She sips and the color returns to her cheeks.

Percival leans forward. "Mr. Blackwood, the tables are open for donation."

I glance around. "Be kind to her."

Percival nods and departs. I turn to Elena once more. "Are you all right?"

She swallows and sets the glass aside. "Yes. I just…" Her voice trails away. "I've never seen so much money."

I take her hand. "You've worked your way to this place."

She removes her hand. "Do I fit in here?"

I want to protect her. "Yes."

She looks around at her feet. "I am going to fall. Say something offensive. Fail."

I step in closer. "You're doing well so far."

She looks up at my eyes. "Is that why you brought me here? To test me?"

My fingers twitch slightly. "I brought you here to rescue your mother. Everything else just followed along."

Her eyes are brimming with tears. "I rescue my mother because of you."

I stand up from my chair. "And you gained my respect. You gained your place."

She breathes in deeply. "Thanks."

I lead her to a couch in the room. We sit back. I look at her. She glances out into the crowd.

I order her, "Describe your hometown."

She twitched an eye. "It's tiny. Less than ten thousand residents. No skyscrapers. Only one streetlight in town square.".

I can visualize it. "You must have felt a stranger here."

She nods. "I did. I remember my first time being in a city. I was sixteen. Oxford invited me to a summer program. I looked at skyscrapers taller than I ever imagined. My heart was racing."

I sit upright, interested. "What did you experience?"

She smiles back. "I felt that I had moved to another world. I was nervous and excited."

I nod. "And you stayed."

She shrugs. "I learned. I studied. I learned to adjust."

I remark, "You have a knack for getting along."

She looks at me. "Or maybe I simply needed to live."

I scowl. "Talk about your family."

She hesitates. "My father died when I was six. My mother brought me up by herself. She learned to work."

I hurt. "You are courageous."

She pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. "I did what I had to do."

I look at her. I believe there is more to uncover. I must uncover it all.

I get up and offer my hand. "Walk with me."

She grabs my hand and we elbow our way through the patrons. I introduce her to some of the patrons. She smiles and greets them. I can see her confidence increasing with each of the shakes.

We walk past a table of steel giants. One of the older gentlemen extends his hand. "Dominic, good to see you. And you are Mrs. Blackwood, I presume."

Elena smiles and shakes his hand. "Pleasure."

He smiles. "I hear that you're a great aide. My firm is seeking new talent. Maybe you'd like to advise us."

She smiles warmly. "I will think about it."

He laughs as well. "Very good."

We go on. I notice Elena unwind. She slouches her shoulders. She smiles.

After a bit more of an introduction, we sit in a corner. I release her hand. She folds her arms.

I face her. "I want to hear your story. Every part of it."

She blinks. "Why?"

I face her eyes. "Because I want to know you. Because I care."

She looks away. "I don't like to discuss my past."

I sit down beside her. "I know it's difficult."

She nods and looks out at the crowd. "Some of it hurts."

I say to her, "We don't have to discuss this now."

She exhales. "Thank you."

I stand up and raise my arm. "Let's go out and get some fresh air."

She takes it. We push open the side door and find the balcony. The city lights glow below.

She leans against the railing. I stand beside her.

She insists that I respond to her, "Dominic, why do you care?"

I place my hand on the railing. "Because I like you. Because I need to save you. Because I need to see your strength born of something more than simple life."

She looks at me. "My strength is born of my mother. Of refusing to give in."

I nod. "I comprehend that."

She turns away. "You saved her life. You changed mine."

I feel a heat in my chest. "I hope I give you something good in return."

She looks at me. "You already have."

We stand there silently. Music drifts out of the ballroom.

I've answered myself, I see. I need to know more because I care more than I intended to.

I tell her, "Tell me one thing I don't know."

She looks out over the skyline. "I know French. My mom lived on the border. She taught me."

I grin. "Pourquoi?"

She chuckles softly. "So I could read ancient med texts. I wanted to find lost cures."

I nod. "And you did."

She faces me. "I found a citation for an unusual herb. It saved lives back in the 1800s."

I am stunned. "You have purpose outside of this contract."

She locks her gaze into mine.

I move in. "I want to know it all. When you're ready."

She nods. "I will tell you."

I withdraw my hand and offer it again. "Do you want to come in?"

She slips her hand into mine. "Yes."

We go inside, side by side. I sense a new connection between us.

Inside the house, we have the guests once more. I walk Elena slowly. She stands more upright now.

I reflect on all I have learned this night. I reflect on her doubt and how she overcame it. I reflect on the reality of what has passed and the potential of what is to come.

I am aware that I want to learn even more. I will learn everything about her past.

And I will guard her through all trials that are ahead.