5. Might Be There

♛

Aurora:

I looked up from the neatly knotted neck tie, and my eyes trailed over the firm jaw, the clean suit, before sliding up to the pair of dark brown eyes staring at me.

It was the deepest and darkest shade of brown eyes I'd ever seen.

I opened my lips to say something but couldn't find the right words. Instead, I slowly muttered, “Thank you.”

He didn't say anything. Instead, he set me back on my feet carefully. He glanced over his shoulder and cursed silently as a camera was thrown from somewhere within the riot and hit his back.

I tried to push myself away from him. It seemed he realized his grip on my waist; he slid his hand from my waist to my wrist and muttered, “Sorry. Let's get you out of here.”

My eyes trailed over to Edward. “You go in first,” he yelled amidst the fight and ruckus happening.

I didn't get the chance to say anything because, in the next few minutes, the man I had no idea who he was pulled me out of there, and we somehow found our way out of the fight and into the entrance door.

As soon as we got in, I spotted a few security guards rushing outside the hall as the man's hand finally slipped from my wrist.

A deep breath of relief escaped my lips.

“You alright?” he asked finally, breaking the silence between us, his hands slipping into the pockets of his tailored suit.

I cleared my throat and smoothed my gown before nodding a little. “Yes. Thank you.” For saving me from almost making an embarrassment of myself in front of the media.

That would have been the worst-case scenario for my first time in the highlights.

He nodded. “It's alright.” I looked up to meet his eyes on me. “I'd hate for your entrance to turn into a headline,” he added lightly.

Despite myself, a small laugh escaped my lips. “I appreciate the concern.”

“Noah Parker,” he said, extending a hand to me.

My gaze dropped to his hand, and without hesitating, I took it. “Aurora Smith.”

He frowned, but then his brows lifted slightly. “The same Aurora Smith who's been making headlines recently?”

I huffed a quiet laugh, feeling how light the air around us had turned. “Depends on what you’ve heard.”

“Mostly good things,” he admitted, a warm glint in his eyes. “Impressive things. Astra & Co, right?” he inquired, and I nodded my head.

I studied him for a beat. “So,” Noah continued, glancing around the hall. “Are you here alone?”

I nodded. “I am.” Actually, I was supposed to be here with Trish, but unfortunately, something came up, and she had to ditch me.

“Perfect.” His smirk turned brighter. “That means I won’t feel guilty for stealing you as my plus-one.”

I raised a brow at him. “Stealing?”

“Well, my original plus-one—my dear sister—ditched me to stay home and binge on true crime documentaries.” He clicked his tongue before lowering his gaze to me.

I laughed, but before I could say anything, he raised a brow. “So? Mind being my partner for the night?” he asked.

I hesitated for a second. My gaze traveled over the sea of well-dressed elites mingling over conversations and champagne.

Some were already seated, waiting for the event to start, while a couple of others seemed to just be present for the booze.

I turned back to the man before me. I had no particular reason to say no. Besides, something about how he conversed made me not want to reject him.

I met his gaze again. “Alright,” I agreed. “But if your sister shows up last minute, I expect you to abandon me for her.”

A smile tugged at his lips, his dark hair shining under the lights. “Highly unlikely, but noted.”

With a gentlemanly gesture, he offered his arm, and I took it, allowing him to lead me into the hall. Noah didn't stop talking, not even after we finally found seats and settled down.

Almost thirty minutes after we arrived, Noah stood up to get our drinks. I let out a deep breath and glanced around the hall once more. My hands slipped inside my purse when I felt it buzz, signaling an incoming call.

I picked it up and brought it out before checking the caller ID. My brows creased tightly, and without hesitating, I answered the call and brought it up to my ear.

“Trish.”

“Girl, I'm so sorry.” She dived into apologizing as soon as the call connected.

I frowned. “Trish?”

She didn't answer immediately, but I could hear shuffling from the other end. “Guess what.”

“What?” I probed.

She didn't answer again. And the more I waited for a response, the more I could feel my nerves itching to know what was up.

“Give me a moment,” she said..

I rubbed my sweaty palms on my dress, waiting for her to get back to the call.

Time dragged for two minutes before she came back. Trish cleared her throat like she was intentionally basking in my curiosity.

“I had to take a pee because I almost peed my pants when I saw the new headlines,” she started, and my frown deepened.

“A headline about the fact that I almost tripped and fell on my face on the red carpet? Ms. Trish Tisha Carson, did you call to make fun of me?” I was about to hang up the call because the main event was finally starting, but Trish’s low chuckle at my words stopped me.

She sounded nervous.

My brows creased. “Can you please tell me what's going on? I'm losing my patience here.”

“Okay, okay, sorry. I had to think of ways to make it up to you.”

“Make what up to me?”

She didn't immediately answer. “Promise you won’t get angry at me when I say this.”

“Say what?” My voice was a little bit high.

“See? You’re already angry, and I haven't even said it yet.” She hesitated.

“Well, tell me before I get more pissed than this.”

“I promise to make it up to you,” she whined.

“Trish!”

“Okay. I was going through my work project and decided to take a break and check my daily news headlines.” She finally started.

“And?” I probed.

She let out a breath before speaking, “I know I told you none of the Rossis would be there.” At the mention of his surname, my heart dropped, despite the fact that I didn’t know what she was going to say yet.

I didn't know. But I could feel it.

“Yeah, you did.”

“So I just saw a headline, and it said Adrian is back in the city. And… and,” she didn't need to finish before the pace of my heart doubled.

“And what?” I lowered my voice when a couple of gazes fell on me.

The hall was already silent except for the voice of the host speaking on the stage, so my voice could easily be heard.

Muttering “Sorry,” I picked up my purse and turned toward the hallway, making my way past a couple of seats and curious glances.

I didn't get the chance to completely leave when I heard the host’s voice loud and clear.

“Before the main event starts, I'd like to call up one of our high investors. A woman who’s making a name in the consultancy industry recently. And someone who has continuously proved to be worthy of her fame.” My heart dropped. What was going on?

My phone buzzed again, and I glanced down at the screen while still making my way to the hallway, away from the main hall.

The message was from my new assistant, Bonnie. It read:

Bonnie: I got a call minutes back. I'm really sorry about not informing you earlier, but I didn’t know about it either.

Before I could ask why everybody was suddenly apologizing to me today, another message came in.

Bonnie: You will be invited to give a speech on stage at the charity event.

Trish completed her sentence. “Adrian might likely be there.”

And at the same time, the host’s voice called out clearly;

“Kindly join hands as we invite Ms. Aurora Smith on stage.”