29: The Gala

KATHY

3 days later we were back in the US.

I was very glad to be back. Being attacked wasn't part of the vacation specifications and I didn't like that very much even though I had caught the rat.

Viktor had killed him without even thinking twice. Would he do the same to me when he finds out who I really am?

I had better start making escape plans just in case.

The drive back to the mansion somehow felt heavenly.

Three cars, Viktor and Romanov in one, Natalia and Anya in the other and I in the last car. It was peaceful.

I looked at my arm which had healed enough that I no longer needed a bandage, though the scar was still there.

I would have to wear long sleeve shirts to visit Nana. It would be hard to explained that my life was at risk at my employer's home.

The car I was in finally came to a stop last. Anya and Natalia had already gone inside while I walked behind Viktor who was many steps away from me.

The moment I stepped on the foyer, I saw Zuri.

"Kathy" he greeted with a small smile on his face.

Before he could react, I rushed toward him and wrapped my arms tightly around him.

"I missed you!" I said with a grin.

"I missed having someone to argue with around here." He he said as he hugged me back just as naturally.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me."

"I could never."

Viktor who had already walked far inside the house suddenly came to a stop.

He slowly turned his head.

His eyes landed on Zuri's arms still loosely around me.

I could see the jealousy in his eyes.

I wasn't doing any of this on purpose. I genuinely missed Zuri. He's the only other person that reads the books in the library and we talk about the books and judge the characters together.

But that doesn't mean I wasn't happy to see Viktor affected by such a simple gesture.

The jealousy disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

His expression returned to its usual unreadable mask.

"We're leaving in an hour."

Always hiding all his emotions behind a command.

That was all he said before continuing upstairs.

I watched him disappear.

"Did I imagine that?" I murmured.

Zuri frowned.

"Imagine what?"

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

Where were we going in an hour?

We just got here and I needed rest.

____________

Well an hour later, I found myself standing in front of one of the largest charity galas I'd ever seen.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead.

Luxury cars lined the entrance.

Men in tailored tuxedos and women in breathtaking gowns drifted through the ballroom with confidence.

I suddenly felt very underdressed.

Even though Viktor had insisted on buying my dress himself.

"It'll be fine," he said quietly.

Easy for him to say.

This was his world.

Not mine.

The moment we entered together, conversations slowed.

Heads turned.

Then I heard people whispering.

"That's her."

"The woman living in Viktor Svyatoslav's house."

"I thought she'd be..."

"...older."

"No, prettier."

"I heard she's just Anya's tutor."

"I heard she's something else."

I pretended not to hear any of it.

Viktor didn't seem to care.

If anything, he looked amused.

As if the opinions of everyone in the room meant absolutely nothing to him.

Within minutes, several important guests surrounded him.

Business.

Politics.

The usual conversations.

I quietly slipped away before I became another topic of discussion.

"Enjoying yourself?"

I turned to find a woman smiling warmly at me.

She looked to be around my age, though the man standing beside her was at least 15 years older.

"I'm trying to."

She laughed softly.

"It gets easier."

"I'm Katherine."

"Alice."

She extended her hand.

"It's nice to finally meet you."

"You've heard of me?"

She smiled knowingly.

"Oh, everyone has."

I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or horrified.

"Ignore the whispers," she said.

"They'll find someone new to gossip about tomorrow."

"You make it sound easy."

"It isn't."

She glanced around the ballroom.

"Half the women here smile with their mouths and compete with their eyes."

I laughed.

"I've already noticed."

"I imagine Natalia has introduced herself."

"You could say that."

Alice chuckled.

"She's... persistent."

That was one way of putting it.

We talked for several minutes before her husband called her away.

"It was lovely meeting you, Katherine."

"You too."

For the first time that evening I didn't feel completely alone.

Unfortunately, the feeling didn't last.

A man I didn't recognize approached me with an expensive smile.

"I don't believe we've met."

"We haven't."

"I'm Adrian."

"Katherine."

"I've been hoping Viktor would stop monopolizing your company."

I smiled politely.

"I'm afraid you've overestimated how interesting I am."

"I doubt that."

He continued trying to make conversation.

He wasn't rude.

Just fucking persistent.

"I should really get back."

"So soon?"

"I'm here with someone."

"I noticed." He smiled. "I won't keep you."

"Thank you."

I excused myself before the conversation could become any more uncomfortable.

As I walked away, I could feel someone's eyes following me.

Across the ballroom... Viktor.

Our eyes met briefly before someone interrupted him again.

"Katherine." Someone I knew too well called me.

I sighed inwardly.

Natalia.

She approached with a flawless smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"I was wondering when we'd have a chance to talk."

"Were you?"

"I've been watching you."

"I'm flattered."

She ignored the sarcasm.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"It's a beautiful event."

"It is."

Her gaze swept over my dress.

"It almost makes people forget where you came from."

A few nearby women looked in our direction.

Listening.

Natalia continued pleasantly.

"These galas have always been for people who belong in this world."

She tilted her head.

"I suppose anyone can buy a dress."

A soft ripple of laughter came from the women standing nearby.

I understood exactly what she meant.

She wasn't insulting my clothes.

She was insulting me.

I looked at her calmly.

"If that's all..." I gave her a small smile. "I'd rather spend the evening enjoying the party."

Without waiting for her response, I walked away because I wasn't in the mood for all her drama.

Behind me, the whispers started again.

This time...

I didn't care.

I made my way onto one of the quiet balconies overlooking the city.

The cool night air was a welcome escape from the ballroom.

I rested my hands on the stone railing and let out a slow breath.

For all its glamour this world was exhausting.

I closed my eyes for just a moment.

The music drifted through the open doors behind me.

I wondered if anyone in that ballroom was truly happy.

A faint breeze brushed against my face.

I smiled to myself.

Just as I was about to go back to meet Viktor, a sharp blow landed at the back of my neck and I collapsed.