The Gala
732 Words
Chapter Four
The Hawthorne Estate transformed overnight.
By Friday afternoon, the driveway was lined with luxury cars, the gardens shimmered with thousands of fairy lights, and staff hurried through the halls carrying trays of crystal glasses and elegant floral arrangements.
Tonight was Victoria Hawthorne's annual charity gala.
The city's most influential families would be attending.
Including the Monroes.
Ava stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, smoothing the navy-blue evening gown Chloe had insisted she borrow.
"You look amazing," Chloe said, stepping back to admire her work.
"I don't even recognise myself."
"That's the point."
"I feel like I'm wearing someone else's life."
Chloe smiled sympathetically.
"Maybe for tonight. But you'll make it your own."
A knock sounded at the bedroom door.
"Ready?" Lucas called.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
---
The ballroom glowed beneath enormous crystal chandeliers.
A live orchestra played softly while guests drifted through the room, laughing over glasses of sparkling cider and wine. Business leaders, politicians, university trustees and local celebrities mingled effortlessly, dressed in tailored suits and elegant gowns.
Ava suddenly understood why the Hawthornes were always in the news.
This wasn't just a party.
It was an event.
Victoria welcomed guests with flawless confidence.
Richard stood proudly beside her, though Ava noticed he looked slightly overwhelmed.
Lucas leaned closer.
"Rule number one."
"What?"
"If someone says they're delighted to meet you..."
"They're probably not?"
Lucas grinned.
"You're learning."
---
Across the ballroom, Ethan arrived with his parents.
Daniel Monroe shook hands with investors while Olivia Monroe quietly greeted old friends.
Ethan spotted Ava almost immediately.
She was standing near the grand staircase, looking as though she wanted to disappear into the marble floor.
He walked over.
"You survived."
"Barely."
"You look like you're expecting an exam."
"I'd rather sit an exam."
He laughed.
"That bad?"
"Worse."
Before Ethan could say anything else, the orchestra began a slower piece.
Couples moved onto the dance floor.
Ava watched them nervously.
"I hope nobody asks me."
Ethan smiled.
"What if I did?"
She looked at him.
"You dance?"
"Badly."
"Honest answer."
"I've had years of practice."
She laughed.
"I suppose one dance won't hurt."
He offered his hand.
She accepted.
---
They weren't the best dancers in the room.
Far from it.
They stepped on each other's feet twice.
Ava apologised every few seconds.
Ethan insisted it was mostly his fault.
By the end of the song, they were both laughing.
Neither noticed Naomi watching from across the ballroom.
Her smile had vanished.
---
Meanwhile, Victoria excused herself from a conversation with donors.
"I'll be back in a moment."
She disappeared down a quieter corridor leading towards her private office.
A few minutes later, another figure followed.
The ballroom remained full of music and conversation.
No one seemed to notice.
Except someone standing on the balcony above.
A mobile phone camera clicked once.
Then again.
---
The evening reached its peak as Victoria stepped onto the stage.
She welcomed everyone and thanked them for supporting the Hawthorne Foundation.
Polite applause echoed through the ballroom.
She smiled confidently.
"Tonight is about trust, generosity and the importance of family."
Before she could continue, every screen in the ballroom flickered.
The presentation behind her disappeared.
Guests exchanged puzzled glances.
The lights dimmed.
A single sentence appeared across the enormous display.
HOW WELL DO YOU REALLY KNOW THE HAWTHORNES?
A ripple of confusion spread through the room.
Richard frowned.
Victoria's expression froze.
The screen went black.
Just as quickly as it had happened, everything returned to normal.
An event technician hurried to the front.
"My apologies," he said. "It appears to have been a technical glitch."
The audience laughed nervously.
Victoria recovered with remarkable composure.
"As I was saying..."
But Ava noticed something.
Victoria's hands were trembling.
Only slightly.
Just enough to suggest that the message hadn't surprised her...
It had frightened her.
---
Later that night, after the last guests had left, Ava stood alone on the rear terrace.
The gardens were quiet again.
The laughter was gone.
Only the sound of the fountain remained.
She checked her phone.
Another notification.
Another message from the unknown number.
This time there was no photograph.
Just six words.
Tonight was only the beginning.
Ava stared at the screen as a cold breeze swept through the gardens.
Somewhere in the darkness, someone knew exactly what they were doing.
And they weren't finished.
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