Chapter Six

Chairman Thorne’s hearty laughter lingered between us, although filled the room for a moment. It was a rich and genuine enough that several guests near us simply smiled from just hearing it. Eventually, it faded into a soft smile, a fond smile that seemed reserved for only the precious memories going through his head.

His eyes settled on Alexander. And I saw how the look in eyes changed to that of a grandfather looking at his grandson. And I could almost feel his emotions, my hand giving his arm light squeeze to bring him back.

“You know…” He started quietly, lowering his voice like he was sharing a family secret. “…when Alexander was eight years old, he followed one of the estate gardeners around for nearly an entire afternoon.

I blinked, a bit confused, but highly curious. “Why?”

The man’s smile got wider. “He found a baby robin that had fallen out of it’s nest.”

I snickered out, surprised and doubting my ears.

“You must be joking. A bird?”

Chairman Thorne nodded.

“He refused to leave it.” A soft chuckle escaped him. “The gardener however kept telling him nature had to take it’s course.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “He did not like that answer.”

I chuckled. “I doubt any eight years old would have accepted nor understood such.” My gaze settled on Alexander as I imagined it. “I can imagine him ordering everyone around until somebody climbed the tree.”

“Oh no.” The Chairman quickly said, laughing once again and shaking his head, genuinely entertained by the memory. “That would have been the solution.”

“But. He waited until the gardener wasn’t looking…then climbed the oak tree himself.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Alexander?!” I asked, shocked out of my mind. When did that freaking happen?!

“The same guy, yes.” He said as we continued strolling through the ballroom. “Halfway up the tree...” He paused dramatically. “…in his neatly pressed school uniform.”

I laughed before I could stop myself.

“He didn’t ruin it, did he?”

“Oh, completely.” He said, grinning. “His mother nearly fainted when she looked out the drawing-room window and saw her son balancing on a tree branch with mud on his shoes and a baby bird tucked safely inside his blazer pocket.”

I laughed even harder, drawing the curious gaze from a passing couple. It was simply ridiculous to hear let alone believe, utterly ridiculous. The Alexander I knew was composed to the point of intimidation, even when we were kids. He was the kind of man who probably alphabetized his documents for fun. He gave this air of perfection no matter where he went.

So, trying to imagine that same man as a stubborn little boy climbing trees with dirt on his knees in this silly story…it simply did not fit. Yet for some reason, it felt strangely believable.

Chairman Thorne must have noticed the way my expression softened. “He has always been like that.” He said softly. “People mistake his silence for indifference. I would too if he wasn’t my grandson.” A hint of sadness crossing his weathered features briefly.

“But when that boy cares…he cares like he’d sacrifice his own heart.”

Without realizing it, I looked across the ballroom once again. Alexander now stood near the floor-to-ceiling window alone, overlooking the glittering city skyline. As though lost in thought. Only for one of the security guys to go whisper something in his ear. And with a simple turn of his head to the side, his eyes swept across the ballroom. Searching. For a brief moment, they passed over dozens of guests before stopping…on me.

Even from across the room, the subtle distance, I could see the light ease in his shoulders. That noticeable relaxation in his posture, as though confirming I was exactly where I should be. It made my heart ache for a moment, because for once I felt wanted in a whole brand-new way. But I didn’t want to believe it was the same for him.

He held my gaze for a heartbeat, then turned to reply the security guy as though nothing happened.

“He’s checking on me again.” I muttered. The words escaping me before I realized I had spoken them aloud in front of the Chairman. But he merely smiled knowingly.

“He is.”

I frowned at his reply. And Chairman Thorne smiled the more.

“He doesn’t even realise what he’s doing. Which is precisely why it means something.”

“Either that or he’s just making sure his new ‘wife’, isn’t causing another scene.” Or isn’t accidentally exposing the truth of our arrangement. And that might just be the truth. Alexander and I had signed a contract, a business arrangement, not a marriage register. And despite that night we had together, he still probably saw me as a child. It was nothing more. Was it? The thought didn’t convince me otherwise.

Before untangling the confusing knot of emotions gathering inside my chest, another voice interrupted us.

“Charles.”

A simple, yet elegant greeting carried just enough of our attention to turn to it. I caught Chairman Thorne sighing dramatically the moment his eyes landed on the person.

“There you are.” The woman said. She looked to possibly be in her fifties, dressed in a midnight-blue evening gown, embroidered with delicate silver vines. A single strand of perfectly matched pearls rested against her neck. And her grey streaked dark hair was gathered neatly into an elegant bun. There wasn’t a single unnecessary movement about her, and she seemed to had spent decades observing people enough to give me that criticizing look like she was solving a puzzle and missing absolutely nothing.

“I was enjoying a perfectly pleasant conversation until you found me, Diane.” Chairman Thorne sighed theatrically.

The woman laughed softly.

“Oh, don’t be dramatic, Charles. When have I ever interrupted you?”

“Every opportunity you’ve ever had. Can’t I just have this moment with my daughter-in-law?”

She smiled wider. “And you will, but the night isn’t getting any younger, and nor am I. I need to meet my new in-law as well, no?” She then finally turned to me. Her eyes studying me both critically and carefully.

“You must be the new addition to the family, that everyone is so interested in meeting?” She stepped closer, which made me straighten my back.

“Yes ma’am…I’m Chloe.” I said, which made her frown a bit.

“Oh, say it with more conviction. Or are you afraid of using the family name?”

I blinked twice, before realizing what she actually meant.

“Chloe Thorne, ma’am.” I said, feeling my stomach do a flip. But is made her smile regardless, and made Chairman Thorne smile warmly.

“Excellent. And I’m Madam Diane Sterling. It is truly a pleasure to meet the woman that stole my nephew’s heart.” She said, her chest almost puffed out as she extended her hand with effortless grace. I wouldn’t say stole his heart…more like stole a night with him… I took her hand and shook it. But it wasn’t her smile that caught my attention.

It was her name.

Madam Diane Sterling.

My eyes widened gradually, as realization clicked into place.

The Foundation of Sterling Children’s Foundation? The woman whose charity had built schools and hospitals across the country?

The business magazines had once called her “The Queen Who Never Needed a Crown.” Even people who knew nothing about billion-dollar corporations knew her name.

She was one of the respected philanthropists in the country. And she was Alexander’s aunt?

I suddenly became painfully aware that I was still holding her hand. With a silly smile on my face, my breath partially coming in huffs.

…It’s…it’s an honor to meet you, Madam Sterling!” I said, a bit too loudly. I saw her intelligent eyes sparkle with amusement.

“Oh dear.” She glanced toward Chairman Thorne. “Another one.” It made the old man chuckle, then Diane joint as well.

“Everyone looks at me and sees a hero, or someone who’s come to inspect them.” She looked back at me. “Relax, Chloe. Breathe.”

And I did. I took three deep breaths before speaking again. “It is absolutely spectacular to meet you Madame Diane. I’ve read almost every interview you’ve given.”

“You have?”

I nodded eagerly.

“When I was in university, one of my lecturers used your keynote address at the Global Children’s Development Summit as a case study.” Her eyebrows rose at my words. But I continued nonetheless.

“I’ve also read your articles on sustainable community education and your foundation’s rural literacy projects. And that one thing you said that real charity isn’t measured by the size of the donation, but by how many lives never have to ask for help…it was heartwarming…” I stopped myself to take a breath, realizing I had said too much too fast. And she looked too stunned and speechless for a moment before she let out a genuine laugh.

“You remember all that.” She said not as a question, more like stating a fact with much interest, and I nodded about to say more, but a raise of her hand shut me right up. She looked between Chairman Thornes and I before shaking her head with a quiet laugh.

“Most people remember me from the magazines covers. Well, the ones that aren’t actually in the business world as much.” She said, staring at me for a moment, but that sort of quiet was more comfortable than suffocating, and then she smirked, nodding with approval, her voice softening. “Oh, you’re going to fit into this family just fine, darling.”

I felt my cheeks heat up, subtly bashful and a bit embarrassed.

“However, Chloe…” She began, her eyes intense and curious on me. “Do you not realize what you’ve accomplished that the rest of this family gave up trying to do years ago?”

I blinked.

“N-no ma’am…?” I responded, in a questioning tone, glancing at Chairman Thorne for some kind of answer or help. But he looked entirely entertained, and then she chuckled again.

“You convinced Alexander Thorne to attend a family gala. Well, with a few family friends and unrelated guests.”

I frowned in confusion. “This is what you’d call a family gala?”

“It’s just a little something we do every eighth month of the year. Of course, the press makes attendance for their gossips and interviews.”

Small?! She calls this gala SMALL for a FAMILY EVENT?! And Alexander never attends them?!

“I’m…I’m sorry, Madam Diane…but you lost me for a bit. Um…you said Alexander never attends? Like never or he doesn’t like to?” I asked, not wanting to ask what an actual gala would have looked like if this is what they considered small.

“Yes. He’s always busy, or in another country negotiating contracts or buying a new company. But he came because of you.

I highly doubt that Madam Diane. Heavens knows what goes on in his head, because none of this seemed particularly planned to me. But she doesn’t need to hear that now.

“Well,” I started, putting on a polite smile. “I don’t think I deserve all the credit for that. He-he could be here for other different reasons.” I stated, as though it was a sure fact.

She tilted her head thoughtfully.

“My dear…he’s been glancing your way every few minutes since the moment you arrived.”

“I know, but I thought…he’s probably just making sure I don’t make a fool of the Thorne family probably.”

She frowned a bit in confusion, a brow raised.

“You’re talking as though you doubt his love for you. Are you two not in love enough to have gotten married so quickly?” She asked and I stiffened visibly. My brain moved at light speed for an answer.

But before I could properly respond, a waiter hurried past carrying an enormous silver tray, with rows of crystal wine glasses, each filled nearly to the brim with deep ruby-red wine. It caught my attention with how well they were balanced on the tray. However, another server rounded the corner far too quickly, struggling to stead an elaborate tower of delicate desserts. Neither man saw each other, and I watched, almost mesmerised, as it happened.

One hurried step.

One misplaced turn.

One inevitable collision and CRASH!

The sharp crash of crystal exploding against polished marble shattered the elegant atmosphere of the ballroom. Gasps echoes form every direction.

It was as if time slowed down. Dozen wine glasses spun through the air, as the wine they contained burst from them like liquid silk.

For one suspended heartbeat, it looked beautiful as the wine scattered beneath the golden chandelier light in shimmering crimson arcs.

Then I realized.

Every single drop…was flying straight toward me.