Chapter Fifteen: The Gala

I eventually settled with a wine coloured floral lace dress with a very daring plunging halter neckline. It hugged my figure like a second skin.

I have never dared to wear something like this. The last time I did, Mom told me I shouldn't dress like a slut and that it doesn't suit me.

I wanted to put it back, but with encouragement from Owen and the sales representative, I surprisingly got it.

I tried paying for the dress with my own money, but Owen shoved me aside and gave Mason's card to the sales representative.

While deep down I was a little grateful. The dress was rather on the pricey side.

I wore the dress and put on some earrings to match the dress. I styled my brown hair in loose waves that fell down my back, stopping at my waist.

I looked at myself in the mirror, pleased with the look and made my way downstairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Mason stood with his back to me and his phone pressed to his ears talking to someone on the other line.

His midnight-dark hair was styled back in place, and a dark suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, paired with a wine-colored tie that matched my dress.

A small broke through my lips.

I suddenly realized why Jason asked me for the colour of my dress when I came back from shopping with Owen this afternoon.

I made my way downstairs, my heels clicking against the marble floor. He finally turned towards me and his eyes hardened, his gaze burned into my skin.

I think I saw him take a deep breath. I finally came to a stop in front of him.

He stared straight into my eyes, I shifted in uncomfortably.

Maybe the dress is too much.

I was about to drop my eyes when his hands came up and took my chin in a gentle but firm, not allowing me to move my head down.

"You're beautiful.”

I felt my body heat up, the room suddenly becoming so hot.

Not breaking eye contact, I felt him take my hand, caressing my finger before I felt something cold slip on it.

Looking down, my eyes widened at the huge engagement ring. It was a gold set with a marquis-cut diamond with clusters of accent stones. It came with a matching wedding band too.

The design was so detailed. This type of ring was usually custom-made and so expensive. I looked up at him

"This is too much, I don't deserve it.”

He should give it to a woman he actually loves, not me.

"You're my wife. It's only right for you to have the best. Besides, how am I to let people know that you belong to me?”

He said that looking at me so intensely, his eyes dropping briefly to my lips.

Snap out of it, Iris.

It's all pretense. It's not real.

I said to myself, but I couldn't stop the heat from traveling down my body.

I waved goodbye to Jason and followed him outside, to where a car was already packed waiting for us.

We got in, and I was shocked to see Henry behind the wheel.

"Good evening, sir. Ma’am,” He greeted us.

"Hmmm.” Mason just grunted in reply going back to his phone, working again.

"Good evening Henry. How are you enjoying your evening?" I asked, offering him a smile. He looked genuinely shocked at my question, but he caught himself and offered me a smile.

"It's great, thank you.” I smiled back at him

I was to say something when Mason cleared his throat looking at both of us. We both took it as a sign to end our conversation.

I felt another round of butterflies when we got to the fancy hotel. Henry opened the door for Mason before rushing around to open mine, taking my hands to help me out.

"Thank you,” I said.

Mason rounded the corner to meet us. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw my hand in Henry’s.

He walked over and placed his hands on my back, directing me towards the entrance.

His hands falling on my waist, just above my butt, which felt so natural and yet possessive.

We walked towards the entrance. He spoke from beside me.

"I didn't know you and Henry were close.” I looked up at him. He was staring straight ahead, but his forehead was creased in a small frown.

Was he jealous that Henry was friends with me?

"Oh, we are just friends. Since he is the one that normally drives me when I'm going out, it's nothing."

I felt his hands on my waist tighten a bit, but he didn't say anything more.I heard the soft murmur of voices as we rounded the corner into a very beautiful room packed with people.

My hands flexed around my red clutch. "There's a lot of people here.”

I spotted some of my parents' business partners, whom I’d seen at the company a few times.

Most of the guests stood in small clusters, having conversation with each other. Mason grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and gave one to me.

"Here.”

"Thank you.”

I took a sip from it. "When is the auction starting?”

He checked his watch.

“In an hour. Right now, we mingle.” He curled an arm around my waist and cupped my hips, bringing me closer to him than before.

I took a sip of my champagne again trying to cool the heat that has been building up all through the night.

He guided me across the room to a group of people I didn't know. One of them turned to look at him, giving him a beaming smile.

"Ah, Mason.”

The other man beside him turned around and I froze.

"Iris," He said, his eyes wide.

"Ryan.”

Ryan's eyes drifted to my face to Mason's hands wrapped possessively around my waist, to my dress, then finally landing on the huge diamond ring Mason placed on my finger.