Chapter 4

On the day of the charity gala, someone posted a photo in the group chat.

It was a stainless steel toilet seat in the ballroom's restroom.

"Had it swapped out specially. Heard 200 pounds will crack a plastic one."

The chat got rowdier. I couldn't be bothered to reply.

Soon, Mia burst into my place with a whole case of jewelry and accessories.

"Tonight I'm going to make that jerk regret it for the rest of his life!"

Mia did my makeup and hair, then took out that burgundy gown.

Its clean lines hugged my waist. Paired with diamond drop earrings, the look was polished enough for the occasion, with a cool, striking edge.

When I came out dressed, Mia's jaw dropped. It took her a moment to find her voice.

"I swear, the second Adrian sees you, he's going to throw himself at you."

Her eyes were practically sparkling with excitement.

"Vivian's always playing innocent to win sympathy.

"But tonight, she'll be lucky if anyone notices her next to you."

Then someone uploaded a video from the gala to the group chat.

A huge banner hung over the hotel's main entrance.

"A Warm Welcome to Our 200-Pound Goddess!"

A few young heirs stood beneath it, doubled over laughing.

One of them shouted at the camera, "Ms. Hart, if you don't show up soon, we'll have to cancel your special welcome ceremony!"

Adrian scoffed, "Someone who won't even post a photo thinks she can stand in front of New York's biggest families?"

Vivian made a show of defending me.

"Adrian, maybe she's just not used to events like this.

"With the way she looks, of course she's nervous."

Mia's face hardened, and she snatched up her car keys.

"Get in the car. Tonight, let's see who really doesn't belong on that red carpet."

As I picked up my clutch, a new friend request appeared on my phone.

Luca.

I accepted.

A moment later, Luca texted, "This is my fault. I didn't know they'd set that up at the entrance.

"If you don't want to come, I'll just cancel the gala."

He'd been part of the bet too, but unlike the others, he hadn't treated me as something to gamble away for their amusement.

I replied, "We made a bet. I'm not backing out."

After a moment, he wrote back, "Ms. Hart, I'm honored to be your date."

Half an hour later, the car pulled up at the entrance of a private hotel in Manhattan.

Tonight's charity gala was cohosted by several of New York's oldest mafia families, and luxury cars lined the curb outside.

Mia had planned to go in with me, but just before we got out, she got an urgent call from home.

Before she left, she grabbed my hand.

"If anyone gives you trouble tonight, call me right away."

I smiled, nodded, and got out of the car. As I stepped into the elevator, I spotted a tall man through the glass.

He had a handsome profile and was telling his men to take down the banner.

In its place went a new one that read "Welcome, Ms. Hart."

The ballroom was on the third floor of the hotel.

The moment the elevator doors opened, I could already hear laughter.

"It's past six and she's still not here. Looks like this money's mine."

"But why isn't Luca here either?"

Adrian sneered, "As long as Selena doesn't show up, I win tonight's bet."

His voice was full of contempt. "Looking like that, would she really dare face me?"

Vivian chimed in softly, "Don't think so badly of her.

"When it comes down to it, she just wants someone to like her."

The ballroom burst into another round of laughter.

I stopped outside the door and reached for the handle.

Just then, a deep voice came from behind me.

"Selena?"

I turned around.

At the other end of the hallway, a man in a black suit was walking toward me.

It was the handsome man from the hotel entrance.

He was tall, with the top button of his shirt undone and understated silver cufflinks at his wrists.

When he got close enough to see my face clearly, he faltered mid-step.

I looked at him, and fragments of memory surfaced.

"You're... Luca?"

Someone inside the ballroom called out, "Ten seconds left to bet!

"Ten!

"Nine!

"Eight!"

Luca kept staring at me, his eyes filled with emotions I couldn't read.

I looked away and turned to face the door.

When the count reached one, I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.