An Heir For Alpha Roman

6. Just A Lil Tipsy

Eden's POV:

I arrived at the hotel precisely at 8:13 PM, an unsettling forty-three minutes after the doors were scheduled to close for the night. As I stepped out of the car, the sweet driver—his eyes crinkling into a warm smile—politely opened the door for me. The moment I took my first step onto the polished marble floor, I was greeted by a dazzling spectacle of lights twinkling like stars fallen from the sky.

Suddenly, shouts pierced the air, their indelible energy drawing my attention.

“Miss Monroe, over here!”

“Look this way!”

“Eden, over here!”

“Ms. Monroe, are you aware that your fiancé arrived with another woman on his arm?”

A large crowd of eager onlookers, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement, had gathered outside the ornate entrance. The buzzing press, wielding cameras that flashed like lightning, created an electric atmosphere that crackled with anticipation. Instinctively, I lowered my head and didn't answer any of their questions. The media never really bothered me—considering who I was connected to, but this was definitely going to need some damage control, our competitors were going to have a field day with these headlines over the next few days, but I kept my composure and a slight smile on my face as if to appear unbothered.

On the corner, Jeremy stood waiting for me, his presence a soothing balm for my frayed nerves. "Hello, gorgeous," he said, flashing a radiant smile that showcased his perfect white teeth, a beacon of warmth in a sea of superficiality. My cheeks flushed at his charm, an involuntary reaction to the compliment that resonated deep within me.

"Jeremy," I replied with a hesitant smile, giving him a quick hug before speaking softly, "You know you don't have to do all this."

"Nonsense!" he exclaimed, waving his hand dismissively. "I got those invitations for you—to help you network, to open doors for your vision to shine through!" He squeezed my hand gently, offering strength and encouragement that I so desperately needed.

"I know you're trying to support Daniel, but let’s be honest; he has the world at his fingertips. All he needs to do is apply himself, rather than lean on a pretty young lady like you to do all the heavy lifting while he soaks up the accolades," he finished, his voice laced with sincerity.

"Tonight, I want you to socialize, soak in the ambiance, and perhaps engage with some influential people about your art," he encouraged, gazing down at me with that same inviting smile.

I found myself at a loss for words. It had been three long years since I last picked up a brush, except for earlier today, and the very thought of painting felt alien to me now, especially for clients. Still, an ache of nostalgia lingered in my heart. I smiled back at him, grateful for his unwavering support and belief in my passion, even as I wrestled with my insecurities.

"Alright," I said confidently, and he returned my gesture with a warm smile, extending his hand for me to take. I grasped it appreciatively as he guided me up the marble steps toward the closed front doors. Towering men in black suits stood guard, their muscular frames exuding intimidation, yet Jeremy appeared completely unfazed.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he said with a charming smile, "My lady and I just stepped outside for a moment and would like to re-enter. Would you mind letting us in?"

The guard frowned, scrutinizing Jeremy before shifting his gaze to me. His eyes lingered on me a moment longer, making me feel quite scrutinized. However, after a brief hesitation, he nodded and opened the door as a beautiful young woman with warm eyes handed me a brochure. As we entered the building together, I was immediately swept up in the opulence surrounding us. I still felt underdressed, my outfit feeling like a mere shadow amidst the formal attire and elegant gowns that adorned the guests. My eyes wandered, taking in the entire hotel, aglow with decorative lights that danced like stars above us. The floor, a stunning canvas of white marble veined with shimmering gold swirls, gleamed, reflecting the luxurious glow of the chandeliers above.

The walls enveloped us in a soft cream-white hue, beautifully adorned with breathtaking murals depicting serene forest scenes, tranquil mountain lakes, and towering green trees that whispered tales of nature's beauty. It was a magnificent sight—a blend of elegance and a cozy, woodsy vibe that made me feel like I had stepped into a fairy tale, inviting yet daunting.

This hotel was enormous. It could be a resort —if you could call a hotel in the city a resort. Every corner of the venue held promise, and somewhere deep inside, a flicker of excitement ignited, challenging the hesitation that had clouded my heart for so long. I reviewed the brochure and map of the building and noticed that it featured an indoor movie theater, a golf course, and a spa. That counts as a resort to me.

A live orchestra played classical music while men dressed in black ties walked around with trays of hors d'oeuvres and champagne. I’ve attended many events with the Hudsons, but nothing this fancy, all of this for a hotel? I chuckled to myself. I continued to survey the spacious lobby and the people mingling in it when my eyes landed on Danny and Ivy, tucked away in a corner, conversing with an editor from a competing magazine. They spoke intently to each other, with Danny’s hand resting on the small of her back; she, too, looked out of place in her skimpy black dress, but she didn’t seem to mind the stares she was getting.

I couldn’t help but notice how much they resembled a couple as they animatedly chatted with various people, their laughter echoing. Was something going on between the two of them? My mind raced, filling with doubts and questions. I sighed heavily; I really needed to stop worrying so much.

After all, he was just working hard to provide the life he promised …right?

"Be grateful," I chastised myself, even as unease gnawed at my thoughts. I continued to observe them until they faded out of my line of sight.

"This way, Eden," Jeremy said, interrupting my spiraling thoughts as he guided me down a seemingly endless hallway, the walls adorned with elegant yet stark decor that felt almost oppressive in its perfection. He stopped when we arrived at a private bathroom that took my breath away; it resembled a lavish spa more than just a restroom. I stood in disbelief at the mini lobby inside, which featured plush, extravagant couches and a sleek TV. The entire experience felt surreal.

“Here, put this on,” he says, handing me a beautiful silk sage green dress with a sweetheart neckline and an open back. I took the dress in my hands and gasped. It felt like butter. I looked at him with wide eyes as he set a Jimmy Choo shoebox down on the counter.

“I’ll be right outside,” he said gently, turning to leave.

“Thank you… I’ll take good care of it and have it sent to the cleaners in the morning and returned to you tomorrow afternoon.” I nodded, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having such lovely people in my life.

“Eden, it’s a gift,” he winked as he walked out of the bathroom, the door closing behind him.

I quickly slipped into the fabric and was shocked to see how well it fit; it hugged my curves perfectly, enhancing my shape.

Normally, I wouldn’t wear something this revealing. Danny liked it when I dressed modestly, but I wanted to push the limits and try something new tonight. I looked in the mirror, took my hair out of the ponytail, and fluffed my curls; they hung loosely down to the middle of my back, still slightly damp, giving me a sexy mermaid look.

I grabbed my purse, gave myself one last glance in the mirror, and had to admit I looked superb, even with my eyes still red and slightly swollen... With my confidence thriving, I felt a little better about being here as long as I avoided any run-ins with Danny or Ivy, which should be a piece of cake! This place is vast, and he likes to drink and talk and would probably be trying to track down the mystery CEO.

Without further delay, I grabbed my bag and work clothes, then awkwardly left the bathroom. Jeremy looked down at me, and a slight smirk crossed his handsome face as he held a large white bag with the hotel logo on the front.

"Wow, Eden, you are stunning," he gasped.

"Thank you," I said shyly, shifting my weight from foot to foot.

"Here," he said, opening the bag for me to drop my belongings in, which I did, only keeping my purse.

"I’ll check this in for you. Go have a drink and take a look around." He smiled as he vanished down another hallway.

Without Jeremy by my side, I felt oddly small. Nevertheless, I put on a brave face, took a deep breath, and stepped into the bustling foyer where the chatter echoed loudly. People stared at me from all directions, and a wave of discomfort washed over me. I pushed my frazzled nerves and anxiety deep down as I walked past groups of laughter, clinking glasses, and whispered business deals.

Approaching the bar, I ordered a French martini, and the bartender quickly prepared my drink, flashing a wink my way. Just as I lifted the glass to my lips, I sensed a presence behind me. "Are you having fun?" I jumped, nearly spilling my drink, but I quickly relaxed when I saw it was Jeremy.

"You scared me," I admitted with a nervous laugh.

“I’m sorry!" he exclaimed, pulling out a handkerchief and gently patting down the bar where I had spilled.

“No worries,” I smiled, taking in the stunning surroundings. "This hotel is absolutely breathtaking."

“Yeah, I completely agree; this place is divine,” he responded, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. I shyly looked away, feeling a flutter of excitement.

“This dress truly enhances your beauty, Eden,” Jeremy leaned closer, his warm breath sending a shiver down my spine.

My cheeks flushed with warmth. "Thank you,” I whispered, savoring another sip of my martini as the tension wrapped around us.

For a moment, we basked in the vibrant atmosphere, observing the crowd. It was an unusual feeling to be here without the pressure of work, and though I felt a bit out of place not knowing anyone, the allure of the night was undeniably enchanting.

“Hey Jeremy, over here!" a woman in a flowing purple mermaid dress frantically waved him over.

"That’s the editor-in-chief of Galaxies magazine; I’ll be right back," he replied, and before I could interject, he disappeared into the throng of people, leaving me captivated by the electric energy of the event.

I downed my drink and ordered another round. It was an open bar, and I figured, why not go all in? Whenever I went out with Danny, he insisted I only stick to water. He believed a clear mind was essential to staying on point, while he indulged without a care; it's embarrassing to think of the number of times he's been cut off.

About 30 minutes later, with still no Jeremy and four martinis later combined with the wine I had from earlier, I felt a little more than tipsy. As I said, I don’t usually drink this much, but those fruity cocktails tasted so much like juice that it was hard to resist. With the booze giving me some liquid courage, I figured it was time to mix and mingle a bit—maybe I could even promote my art like Jeremy suggested!

But first, I needed to hit the restroom. I quickly walked back to the bathroom I used to change in earlier, but stopped abruptly when I heard passionate moaning coming from the inside.

My face flushed at the thought of interrupting someone's private moment, but when I turned to leave, I heard what sounded like laughter and the familiar voice of a woman.

"Oh, Danny, baby, don't stop," she cried. I sucked in a shocked breath as my heart began to pound rapidly. I gently opened the door and peeked my head inside; I covered my mouth with a trembling hand, trying to suppress the scream that burned in my vocal cords.

I couldn't believe my eyes; Daniel had Ivy bent over the marble sink, one foot resting on the counter, as he pounded into her hard from behind, her breast spilled out of the top of her skimpy dress, and lewd moans and cries of pleasure spilled from her lips. The sting of betrayal pierced me deeper than any physical hurt I'd ever experienced in my life.

The pain was enough to send me to my knees; tears brimmed in the corners of my eyes. But damn it, this was not the place for a breakdown. They were wrapped up in their sickeningly heated embrace, oblivious to my agony, and my sadness morphed into a burning rage. Fueled by betrayal, I yanked my phone out of my purse and slammed the record button, capturing his infidelity, back to the bar.

The bartender handed me a waiting martini, with his number attached to it, and I smiled, taking the drink and crumpling the ball of paper, tossing it in a nearby trash can. I slugged my way through the crowd of people in search of another bathroom, but they weren't private and were all occupied with long lines of people. Great!

Somehow, I stumbled upon a part of the hotel blocked off by yellow tape. I ignored the tape and went walking down the long, empty hall. I took the elevator, pushing a random button to a random floor. When it came to a stop, I poked my head out. It was dark, and nobody was around, perfect. I walked out of the elevator and found a bathroom.

I set my half-drunk martini glass at the door and quickly went in, relieved myself, washed my hands, and adjusted my dress.

I stumbled out of the bathroom and bent down to pick up the martini glasses. Spilling some on the fancy carpet... oops, my vision was blurry, and I could barely walk in a straight line. I exited through a random door and felt the cool air of the night sky; the furniture out here was wrapped in bubble wrap. Oh, I thought to myself, I shouldn't be up here. Yet instead of leaving, I sat and cried, knocking over the remains of the martini. I bent over to pick it up and sliced my hand on the shards of glass.

“s**t,” I mumbled to myself; this was going to be a long night.