Chapter 6 The Embarrassment
935 Words
After resigning, Elise found herself quite busy, quickly assigned a new task—to accompany Arthur to a gala.
Elise thought of herself as adaptable, having navigated the engagement party without much trouble. She expected this evening would be just as manageable.
However, standing in the opulent banquet hall, her hands trembled slightly, and her legs felt unsteady as she followed Arthur closely, afraid to stray even a step away.
It was undeniably more thrilling than she had anticipated, and she felt a pang of annoyance at her own insecurity.
This was Elise's first time attending a gala with Arthur, officially stepping into "high society" as Mr. Locke's fiancée. She represented not just herself, but also Arthur and Locke Group.
She glanced around, taking in the glittering crystal chandeliers illuminating the room and the elegantly dressed guests laughing and chatting.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves; she felt like she was in a scene from The Princess Diaries.
Arthur stood beside her, gently squeezing her hand, leaning in to whisper, "Relax, I'm here."
Elise managed a strained smile and nodded.
She could feel the curious and scrutinizing gazes directed at them, knowing each glance held its own motives and judgments.
They approached a group of business tycoons, Arthur’s stride confident while Elise did her best to keep pace.
"Let’s see who’s arrived!" A middle-aged man in a black tuxedo teased Arthur.
Arthur chuckled in response, "Harold, don’t make fun of me. Elise, this is my good friend Harold Wayne."
"Nice to meet you, Elise," Harold said with a smile. "I didn’t get a chance to greet you at the engagement party. I’m Arthur's partner; just call me Harold."
Elise politely extended her hand. "Harold, nice to meet you."
"Great to meet you too, Elise. I feel like we’ve met somewhere before; you seem so familiar," Harold said, shaking her hand warmly.
Elise sensed several pairs of eyes on her, and though she smiled and nodded, her heart raced with anxiety. She knew they were sizing her up, assessing if she was fit for Arthur Locke and if she had the wit and charm to belong in this circle.
As they mingled and exchanged pleasantries, Elise gradually became more comfortable, even managing to engage in small talk with a few unfamiliar women.
Once the nearby guests drifted away, Elise exhaled deeply, patting her chest.
Networking was exhausting; even without drinking or eating, the conversation was relentless. She thought, not everyone can be a big shot; the physical and mental demands were overwhelming.
Used to her quiet demeanor, Elise felt fatigued after talking so much; her mind was foggy, her energy drained.
Noticing her fatigue, Arthur leaned closer and murmured, "You’ve done great; your performance today has exceeded my expectations."
The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine. Although they had shared more direct physical contact, this gentle closeness made her unusually sensitive.
"Really? You think I did well?" she asked softly, unsure of herself.
Arthur smiled encouragingly. "Absolutely. Just one last dance before we wrap up."
Elise felt her mood lift. "Okay."
He took her hand, leading her to the dance floor. As the soft music played, Arthur expertly guided her, and they began to spin together.
Initially, Elise felt stiff, but under Arthur's guidance, she gradually loosened up, recalling the crash course in dance she'd taken. Her movements became more fluid and graceful.
As the spotlight illuminated them, she sensed the approving glances from the crowd, feeling increasingly at ease and even starting to enjoy the moment of romance.
However, just as she fully immersed herself in the music and the dance, she accidentally stepped on a small puddle of spilled drink. Failing to notice it, she slipped and lost her balance.
"Ah!" Elise gasped, bracing for a fall.
Arthur reacted swiftly, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her. But in that instant, Elise’s skirt caught under her high heel, ripping a long tear down one side.
The entire dance floor fell silent, all eyes converging on Elise and Arthur.
She wished for a crack in the floor to swallow her whole.
Her heart raced as shame and panic washed over her.
Elise felt countless eyes scrutinizing her, seemingly hearing the sharp whispers of mockery and laughter.
She struggled to regain her composure, but every deep breath felt like a heavy sigh of defeat.
Regret flooded her thoughts: why had she chosen this long dress, why hadn’t she watched for that tiny spill, why had she worn these high heels, why had she even come to this gala...
Tentatively, she glanced up at Arthur, fearful of his disappointment, anxious that he might be angry at her clumsiness, worried he would see her as a nuisance and that he would lose patience with her.
Arthur noticed her shift in demeanor, his brow furrowing slightly, a hint of discontent and confusion flashing in his eyes. But he quickly masked his feelings; the moment of shadow passed almost instantly.
Yet despite his efforts to hide it, Elise caught that fleeting look of displeasure.
Her heart sank.
"Sorry, Elise. I stepped on you by mistake," Arthur unexpectedly said, pulling her closer and softly apologizing.
Elise's cheeks flushed. It was her mistake, yet he took the blame.
The surrounding gazes felt suffocating, but she quickly steadied herself, determined to defuse the awkward situation.
She lifted her head gently and wrapped her arms around Arthur’s neck. "Darling, it’s fine. Guess we were just getting a bit too into it. How about we find a place to catch our breath for a minute?"
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