From Ashes to Us

CHAPTER 9

NIA’S POV

I stood outside the boutique for almost ten minutes before going in. The cash Caleb had thrown at me felt like it was burning a hole in my purse.

Not because I wanted to buy anything.

Not because I cared about looking good.

But because I knew what would happen behind closed doors if I showed up at that party and didn’t look exactly how he expected me to.

The saleslady asked if I needed help, and I nodded politely, pointing to a mannequin in the corner. A black dress…tight, expensive-looking, tasteful. Caleb liked things that looked expensive.

I bought it without trying it on.

Next, I went to the salon and got my hair washed and straightened. They curled the ends. One of the ladies complimented my smile. I forced one out.

Then came the nails. A soft, neutral pink. Not too long…Caleb didn’t like when things looked “cheap.”

When it was all done, I sat on the bus staring at my reflection in the window.

I looked like someone else.

Someone polished.

Put together.

But inside I felt like glass about to crack.

This wasn’t for me. It was never for me.

It was a costume. A disguise. A shield.

Because if I didn’t look the part, if I didn’t match his expectations, I knew what I’d pay in bruises.

The hotel lobby smelled like expensive perfume and polished marble. Everything sparkled. Floor, chandeliers, even the people.

Caleb was already there, standing near the entrance in a suit that fit too well and a glass of something dark in his hand. When he saw me, he gave a quick nod but didn’t smile.

I walked over, heart tight in my chest. My heels clicked against the floor like little warning bells.

His eyes traveled down my body slowly. He leaned in, smile never reaching his eyes.

“You look… passable,” he muttered, fingers clamping down on my arm. Too tight. Always too tight. “But your damn cleavage is screaming for attention. You’re lucky we’re in public.”

I didn’t respond. I just kept smiling like nothing was wrong, like his grip wasn’t leaving marks.

The ballroom was grand. Round tables with glowing centerpieces, servers carrying trays of champagne, a string quartet playing off to the side. Caleb led me in like I was a prop, not a person.

He introduced me to coworkers, bosses, clients. I said all the right things. Smiled when I was supposed to. Laughed when he wanted me to.

The wives gave me tight, curious looks.

The men let their eyes linger too long.

Caleb noticed. He always noticed.

Every time I leaned too far forward, every time I adjusted my dress strap, his hand would rest on the small of my back with just enough pressure to say behave.

Dinner came and went. Speeches. Toasts.

I barely tasted a thing.

The city stretched out before me like a dream I didn’t belong to. Lights flickering in the distance, people laughing below, all of them unaware of the quiet war going on behind my smile.

Caleb had left me on the balcony.

“Stay out of sight,” he’d said with a clenched jaw. “Don’t embarrass me.”

So I did as I was told. Like always.

I leaned against the railing, the cool breeze sweeping through my hair, calming my nerves for a moment.

Then I heard the glass door slide open behind me.

I didn’t turn right away.

But I felt it.

Someone watching me.

“Hi,” a smooth voice said. Warm. Confident. Not too close. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

I turned.

And stared.

He looked like he’d stepped straight out of a romance novel. Broad shoulders under a tailored navy suit, chiseled jawline, piercing gray eyes. Even the way he held his glass of champagne was elegant, relaxed.

And he was smiling.

“I’m Alexander Sutton,” he said, extending a hand.

I hesitated just a second before placing mine in his.

“Nia Taylor.”

He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it gently…old-fashioned and charming.

“Well, Nia Taylor,” he said, eyes dancing, “you look absolutely breathtaking tonight. I’ve been trying to concentrate on work talk inside, but you’ve been... distracting.”

My breath caught. I couldn’t remember the last time someone looked at me like that, like I was seen. Not managed, not controlled. Just seen.

I blushed, my voice softer than I intended. “Thank you. That’s... really sweet of you.”

He leaned on the railing beside me, still keeping a respectful distance. “Forgive me if this is bold, but you don’t seem like you’re enjoying the party.”

I looked away, smile faltering. “It’s not really my scene.”

He nodded like he understood completely. “Mine either. But seeing you out here changed that.”

I let out a soft laugh. Genuine. The first in a while.

Then I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting Caleb to be storming out, jaw clenched and fists balled.

But the door stayed closed.

And for a moment, just a moment, I allowed myself to feel. Curious. Nervous. Alive.

I heard the door slide open again behind me and froze.

Caleb.

His eyes darted from me to Alexander and back. He walked over with a forced grin that barely masked the tension in his shoulders.

“Mr. Sutton,” he said quickly, voice suddenly all charm and respect. “Pleasure to see you again, sir.”

Alexander turned to face him calmly, the ghost of a smile still on his lips. “Caleb. Didn’t expect to see you at this sort of event.”

Caleb gave an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, my dad insisted. Listen, about the Fulbridge proposal…I know I dropped the ball, but I’ve been working on a revised pitch. If you could just please don’t mention anything to my dad yet. I just need a little more time.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow, not answering immediately. He glanced toward me again, this time more directly. Not rude. Curious. I shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his gaze.

Caleb caught it, his eyes narrowing.

Then, like a switch flipped, his whole face changed.

A smug, desperate smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh,” he said, waving a hand between me and Alexander, “you like my girl, huh?” He chuckled, but there was a coldness in his eyes.

I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right.

“She’s got that look, right?” Caleb said, trying too hard to sound casual. “Listen, how about this... You take her for the night. Whatever you want. And we call it even on the Fulbridge screw-up.”

I gasped, every inch of me going cold. My mouth opened, but no words came out.

Did he just…

Caleb shot me a sharp, warning look. One I’d seen before. Don’t speak. Don’t mess this up.

Alexander didn’t respond right away. He just studied me, then looked back at Caleb, his face unreadable.

“That’s quite the offer,” Alexander said, his voice even. “Generous, even.”

Caleb laughed awkwardly. “I mean, she’s just a girl. You know how it is.”

I felt like I was standing outside my body, watching the scene unfold like some kind of sick movie. Was I property now? A bribe?

Alexander looked at me again, longer this time. But there was something different in his eyes now. Not desire. Not amusement. Something more like... concern?