Devotion

5 - Nathan Knight

I had a lot to say to Olivia when I next saw her. Tian was not the dark-haired model I was expecting to be on my arm tonight. He introduced himself confidently as if he was meant to be here, which in a way I guess he was. Olivia had asked him to be here but why? If there was one thing Olivia had gotten right about this entire scenario, it’s that Marie will not be happy.

When this hits the media, ‘Nathan Knight attends charity gala with Sebastian Connor’, I could already hear the high-pitched screeching, the crashing of folders against the desk as she flipped through her book of ‘correct etiquette for public events’. I really hated that folder.

Sebastian had waltzed off down the red carpet ahead of me, completely ignoring the press as they yelled questions at him. I had assumed he was just being an arrogant arse, so I stopped and answered a couple of questions. The majority were centred around Olivia and whether or not I had arrived with Sebastian.

I was standing for photos when I saw him, leant over the railings toward the gathered crowd of teenagers. His smile was genuine as he accepted each phone to take pictures. A man stood behind him, who I assume was his security, although he didn’t seem very concerned. Oliver was hovering behind me, eyeing the press cautiously and I almost envied the free-spirited way in which Sebastian handled himself.

I moved behind him and rested my hand on his shoulder as he had done to me earlier. He turned to face me, his grin almost knocking me backwards. He didn’t say anything, just turned back to the group ahead of him when a young boy stumbled into the barrier.

“I love your hair, bud!”

That simple sentence and the boy’s face practically split in half with the force of his smile. His eyes were wide and slightly glossy as he stared up at Sebastian.

“Thank you, I really like your jacket!”

“Have you got a camera on you? I’m sure my friend Nathan here wouldn’t mind taking a picture for you.”

Sebastian glanced back at me once more but the boys gaze stayed firmly fixed on the dark-haired model in front of me. He handed me a small iPhone and I opened up the camera before stepping back to get the shot. Sebastian made some sort of hand signal to his security before practically vaulting over the railing. His security moved forwards but otherwise made no effort to interfere in this mad man’s plans.

Sebastian wrapped an arm around the boy who looked like he was about to pass out. They smiled for the camera and I took a few photos, before stepping forward to hand the phone back. Sebastian whispered something and the boy threw himself at the model, sticking to him like a second skin.

“Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me for that, buddy. You be strong okay?”

The boy nodded, hugging Sebastian once more before he pulled himself back over the railings. He mock-saluted the group before turning to address his security.

“How many does Johnny want me to speak to?”

His voice was quiet as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the press lining the remainder of the red carpet.

“Johnny said two interviews and one photo session.”

Sebastian seemed to close his eyes for a moment as if to compose himself before turning to face me.

“Have you got a certain magazine or show you’re to be talking to?”

I stared blankly for a moment, not fully understanding his question. Was I supposed to have a name for him? My silence must have dragged for too long, as he spoke once more.

“Nathan? Do you have a certain person we need to speak to or can I just pick some and then we can go in?”

“I thought we had to speak to everyone?”

“What? No, you don’t have to speak to anyone if you don’t want to.”

He gazed back at me with equal confusion, as if he really didn’t understand why I would speak to every reporter. Marie had always told me to speak with everyone but give each magazine something for a headline.

“Is this your security?”

Sebastian gestured behind me to where I knew Oliver hovered. I nodded, introducing him.

“This is Luke, Oliver can stand with Luke whilst we do the interviews, we’ll do them together and get it over with quicker, alright?”

I hesitated briefly, why did he want to interview together? The first rule Marie had taught me was that interviews were to be given one on one, to guarantee the section would cover what I wanted it to. Sebastian seemed so carefree as if sharing the spotlight was no big deal.

“Okay.”

Sebastian led the way towards the first bunch of reports that we were speaking to and I was once again amazed by his quiet confidence. He didn’t care for the people shouting his name, he moved with more natural confidence than most people in the business.

“Sebastian! Nathan! Care to answers a few questions for us?”

“Of course.”

The woman nodded to the man with the camera who stood behind her before thrusting a microphone into my hand.

“Nathan, you usually attend these events with Olivia Rodrigo, where is she and did you come alone today?”

“Olivia is fine, she’s spending some time with her family at the moment but no, I didn’t come alone.”

“Oh? Where is your date for this evening’s gala?”

Sebastian laughed softly beside me; his gaze full of mischief as he silently urged me to continue.

“No date, unfortunately, I’m here with a buddy of mine.”

“Oh, why didn’t you say so? I’ll be on my way then.”

Sebastian cut in before the reporter could ask another question. I laughed, grasping the back of his jacket quickly and pulling him back before he could move.

“I meant you!”

Sebastian grinned and I could feel my own mouth pulling up into an equally amused expression. His carefree and enthusiastic energy was something I was feeding off of and the interview itself was over before I knew it.

Sebastian threw his arm around my shoulders as we moved down to the next interview and I knew I needed to thank Olivia for this. She hadn’t just found me someone that could handle tonight’s event but someone I could see becoming a friend.

Entering the gala with Sebastian was an experience in itself, Oliver followed close behind me as we descended the steps onto the main floor.

“Marie is not best pleased with the pictures online.”

Oliver informed me, his voice quiet against the loud chatter filling the room. I glanced at him over my shoulder before my eyes met the dark eyes of Sebastian once more.

“I know but I’m actually enjoying myself, even if it is only for one night.”

Oliver’s response was cut off by the approach of a woman in a long red dress, her hand rested gently on Sebastian’s arm once she reached the table we were seated at.

“Hello Mr Knight, thank you for accepting our invitation to this year’s gala. Please enjoy a complimentary bottle of champagne as a thank you for your donation this evening.”

“Of course, young people’s mental health is a very important cause.”

“Mr Connor, we didn’t expect you this evening.”

“Ah yes, it was very short notice, Allison. I was actually in town for the day to see family and Nathan offered me his plus one for the evening.”

“Well as always it’s a pleasure to have you with us. Your continued support is a very big help in our goal to aid young people.”

Sebastian turned to me once the lady in red had moved onto the next table. His knee knocked against mine beneath the table when I meant his gaze.

“So, what’s your usual memo at these events then?”

“My agent usually sends me with a list of people I need to speak to, both interviews and once I’m inside. I then make some kind of announcement on my social media about the gala and my donation to the charity.”

“She sends you with a list?”

I nodded, I could see the confusion on his face and I knew I was reflecting that expression back at him.

“Yes? Does your agent not give you a list?”

“No. No, Johnny knows that if he gave me a list he’d be sacked.”

He was serious, that much I could tell. He eyed Oliver briefly before refocusing his attention on me.

“I take it that security of yours decides who you speak to as well then?”

“Oliver? No, Oliver doesn’t interfere in who I speak to but he never goes far.”

“Does that not bother you?”

“I’m used to it. He’s always been there but he’s better than your security, who seems to have left you.”

Sebastian raised a brow, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd briefly.

“Luke is about ten foot behind you and would be here in an instant if there was a problem. He just knows that I like space to make my own decisions.”

“You mean when you vaulted over the guard rails like some kind of gymnast?”

“Exactly.”

The band began playing on the stage to the left of our table and Sebastian’s attention turned to them, allowing me time to reflect on our conversation. Suddenly, the dark-haired model was out of his seat and moving onto the middle of the dance floor. The other guests had begun dancing and of course, he was right in the centre.

I laughed, watching as he dipped a short blonde woman, almost dropping her in the process. They both laughed it off, and for the third time this evening, I found myself in awe of the nonchalant way in which the man looked at life.

“Why don’t you join him?”

“Marie would not be very happy to find pictures of me dancing at a gala all over the internet tomorrow, Oliver.”

“Marie isn’t going to be very happy about anything tomorrow. You said you wanted to have fun, so go and have fun.”

I turned to stare at Oliver, his expression gave nothing away, face stoic as always. I couldn’t tell if he was serious, Oliver had never encouraged me to disregard Marie, but as I continued to stare at my security guard of over twenty years, I could see it. The gentle acceptance in his gaze, he wanted me to enjoy myself.

“Thank you, Oliver.”

I moved through the crowd searching for the dark-haired man that seemed to be flipping my life on its head. His smiled widened when our eyes met and he spun his dance partner out towards me.

“Decided to join the fun, old man.”

“Alright, there’s no need for name-calling.”

He laughed, that deep chuckle he’d done all evening.

“Here, dance with Lizzie, I promise Rose a spin.”

Then he was gone once again, swallowed by the bodies moving across the dancefloor and I was left with the blonde he’d almost dropped earlier.

“Hello, I’m Nathan.”

“I know who you are sweetie, Sebastian was sure you’d come out here in the first half-hour, you owe me twenty quid by the way. Couldn’t stay sat down for another ten minutes?”

“You bet on me?”

“It was his idea, Sebastian’s a gambler, he loves a good bet.”

I shook my head, laughing quietly. Of course, he does, the man didn’t seem to take anything seriously.

“I am so sorry!” I apologised when I stepped on her foot for the third since we started dancing. “I don’t usually dance because as you’ve probably gathered, I’ve got two left feet.”

“No problem, I remember teaching Sebastian to dance when he was younger, now that was something.”

“You’ve known him a long time?”

“Oh yes, he’s my cousin!”

“Oh! Oh, I better not say anything bad about him then, aye?”

“There really isn’t much bad to say about the guy so if you find anything, I’d be happy to hear it. Sebastian is just one of those guys that everybody loves. I’d be hard-pressed to find anyone that genuinely disliked him.”