The Blood Heiress

Black Tie I

Adella

Maria pulled up the zipper on my black formal dress. I had found it downtown at one of the boutiques Val had brought me to to find the dress for her exhibition. I wasn't intially sure what color I should wear and figured I couldn't go wrong with black for black tie.

We moved to the bathroom vanity for her to fix my hair. It was Monday. 4:01pm on Monday to be precise. I was acutely aware of what that meant but could find very little in me that actually cared. Two long days had passed since the kiss and my head wouldn't come down from the clouds.

I had happily spilled the details to Verity and only Ver. She had been understandably excited and promised to help in any way she could so that we could continue to meet. She also offered to harbor my contraband Armadillo that I had 'gotten for the baby'. I had yet to see Cass in person since then though. We both knew that it would be awhile before I could slip out again with my new position and trying to keep Ben in the dark. I had never been attached to texting but I was now. All in an effort to make up the difference of much desired in person time I longed for.

Wgile I had had big news of my own, so had Ver. Though Verity's pregnancy neared the second trimester and it was beginning to take a toll on her. And lately she had started to spend a lot of time in her room; she was still moving forward with her revised college plans. As of yesterday, she had decided on a major and had applied for the financial aid she needed at the college. I was proud of her and her desire to make her life her own. A point she was quick to push back on me.

I knew well her concern, shared it that I was not taking ownership over this new life, she didn't know the whole situation. To be fair, I didn't either but I trusted Ben and by extension my parents, for now. I had no real reason not to and time would tell.

"Excited for tonight?" Maria's honest question was evident in her expression as she smiled warmly at me in the mirror.

"A little" I admitted, sure I felt light and ready to float but not because of some ambiguous black tie nonsense with a certain CEO.

She nodded happily. "You seemed to be on cloud nine all weekend. It is nice to see you so excited and happy about something."

I quirked up an eyebrow. I wonder if Ben had noticed, if he suspected something. Verity had come home early without me but had some ready made excuse about needing more rest and that I wanted to stay a little later. Just as we rehearsed. In hindsight however, it was quite flimsy. Oh well. He will have to get over it eventually.

"Have you heard? Edward has been finally released. Henry has taken a leave of absense to get him settled at his apartment." The news pulled me back to the current moment.

"Who's apartment?" The tiny shed in the gardens occupied my thoughts.

"Henry's. The fuss that Edward put up over that. He is such an old man, so stuck in his ways." I chuckled with Maria. He was indeed.

"Poor Henry." I could only imagine what hell the grumpy gentleman would give his son.

"Yes, but he will survive. He has had a whole lifetime to deal with his dad." Maria nodded working on finishing my simple but elegant updo. "There, grab your jewels and you are ready. They won't know what hit them."

I gave her a hug and went to grab my things and finish off the look. I slipped on my chosen footwear, extremely thankful that the dress was floor length and I could get away with low heels. My purse came next and my coat last.

Ben was quick to open the car door as I appraoched and I slid in.

"Do you have everything?" He asked getting in his seat.

"Yes, thank you. Am I going by Smith or Russo?" I pressed making sure I had what I needed for this next step to be successful.

"Smith for now." I sighed. My long passed parents and their rules. I hope I could understand the whys behind them soon.

"Okay, any last minute things I should know?" The leather of the seats, the sound of the road, the buildings going by were able to succeed in finally pulling me away from my blissful state. My mental checklist was gone over twice.

"You will do well." Ben's warm confidence in me soothed some of the raw nerves. We arrived in front of Santos Industry's building with some time to spare, Evander was already out in front. He registered our arrival with detached interest, as per his usual.

Ben positioned the car in front of him and I was shocked to see him open my door himself. He held out a hand which I took with some hesistation. His figid gaze assessed my appearance as I emerged sending a shiver down my spine. He nodded in approval and shut the door holding onto my hand. I took a moment to appreciate his tailored formal suit. The way his blue tie matched his icy blue eyes. His sharp jaw set off by the angles of his collar. He was no doubt just as handsome as Cassian but just on opposite ends of the spectrum.

"You are early." His statement was curt but the approval of my timing was evident. And I placed a smile firmly on my face.

"Punctuality is important." He looped my arm through his and took us inside the parking garage underneath.

I had nothing with which to continue the conversation so I accompanied him in silence. The silence felt heavy between us. I would have taken my arm back but felt that I shouldn't. Instead I stood as a rigid piece of arm candy next to him. I worked on even breathing. My sense of smell took note of his pleasing citrus and musk scent, that I had not noticed before.

He didn't seemed bothered in the least by any of it. We finally ended up in front of an expensive looking black sports car. He moved us to the passenger side and opened the door. I paused for a moment in a small bout of confusion. I had been expecting a limo or at the very least a chauffered vehicle. He withdrew his arm. I took it as a signal to not delay further and attempted to gracefully seat myself in the strange seats. I sank back much further than I was accomstomed too. He shut the door and rejoined me in his seat.

"I take it you have never been in a sports car before." It wasn't a question. More like an accusation.

"First time for everything." I resolved to keep myself as unruffled as possible tonight. It was a hard task to live up to buckling myself it trying to avoid mussing up my hair and attire.

I caught him with a small smirk out of the corner of my eye as he caught me struggling. He reached over and grabbed the buckle, efficiently ending the need for my efforts. I grew uncomfortable flushed with his unprecedented closeness.

"Thanks" I stiffly forced out, still feeling quite overwhelmed by our proximity but then the seat belt clicked and he wordless withdrew to his seat. He still didn't respond as he buckled himself in one motion and threw the car into reverse.

We left the parking garage and not another word was said. I listened to the roar of the engine and the classical music playing softy while gazing out the window. We were headed to the outskirts of town, another place I had always wanted to visit but had yet to do so. Looks like my lucky night.

The house we stopped in front of was every bit as big and grand as my own. It looked much much older though. It's landscaping illuminated and more mature than anything in my gardens. The guests were arriving in all manner of expensive rides in a steady stream. We paused in front of the valet, Evander tossed him the keys and made his way quickly over to my side of the car. Before I could react he had opened the door, reached over me, unbuckled my belt and stood back up hand offered. I took a centering deep breath and took it.

Inside the event appeared to be a large gathering of sorts. I had learned through my etiquette lessons with Ben that black tie events were usually dinner parties of varying sizes. So this was right in line with that.

Guests mixed and mingled. Evander handed the attendant at the door my coat and led me arm in arm to the grand ballroom. Live music was playing from a band in the corner, in front of the stage was a cleared area where some people were dancing. Tables had been set up in front of another stage and along the sides there were buffet tables. I took mental notes about every detail I could. Still not certain why he had asked me to come along. My hairs stood on edge with the glances that were being directed at us as we continued to our table. I heard whispers start up from groups we passed. My eyes darted to his stoic face. I tried to follow suit. He must hear them, feel the weight of the stares. How does he deal with it so effortlessly?

"This is our table. You are welcome to stay here all night if you wish." His gaze unapologetically studied my reaction.

I took my arm back. "If that is what you wish. Though I would like to make sure that whatever I do is in line with why I am attending."

His cold gaze softened a little. "You are here to acquaint yourself with this circle. I recommend you do it at your own pace."

Acquaint myself with this 'circle'. Of people? I glanced around the room, more than half of them had their eyes trained on us. By myself... I looked back at him, I couldn't keep the question out of my brows or the irritation out of my voice.

"I will stick with you then." I waited for his assuredly negative response. He had just tried to foist me off on my own in this room of well dressed piranhas. I couldn't imagine that he would take well to me coming against that.

A small satisfied smile visited his mouth and he nodded.

"So be it." He gestured around at the entire room. "I will not cater to you or your pace. If you end up on your own please return to this table and wait."

What the hell? I felt indignation take hold, what was I, a child? I needed to have a safe spot to be picked up later in case I got seperated from my parents? I shot him what I hoped was a challenging glare. He held it and I was surprised to see his blue eyes crinkle slightly at the edges. He enjoys this...he is baiting me. Neither of us would back down. The sound of someone clearing their throat pointedly finally broke the staring contest. We both turned and were faced with a voluptuous brunette beauty in a very elegant blue dress.

"Mr. Santos, " She gave me a searing glare and looked back to Evander, handing him a drink. A curiously crimson colored drink.

"Thank you Jessica. This is my new intern Adella Smith."

He said my last name in such a strange mangled way, like it was distasteful that I looked up at him curious what he knew. My attention was drawn back to Jessica by his next words.

"Adella this is Jessica Mayville my secretary."

"A pleasure to meet you Ms. Mayville." I held out my hand. She looked at it like a snake. Whoops guess that isn't as universal as I thought. Hastily, I put my hand at my side. She didn't reciprocate my sentiments and focued solely on Evander.

Jessica's arrival must have signaled to the masses that we were now approachable. We were soon surrounded by a group of very well dressed, attractive fawning men and women.

"Santos! So good to see you here." A man reached out and clapped Evander's shoulder. I didn't miss the way Evander winced ever so slightly at the gesture.

"Mr. Redderton" He nodded at the man and then proceeded to greet the others by name. A cold smile hung on his lips.

"Gentlemen, ladies can I get you anything?" Jessica piped up.

"Ah, Jessica so good to see you again." One man spoke up and lecherously dragged his eyes down Jessica's curves.

She gave him a curt nod "Mr. Yardley, Anything to drink?"

"My usual. You know what I like..."

She promptly turned away from his suggestive glance and solicited drink orders from everyone else. I watched her efficient manner and also the way that then men oogled her figure. Some more veiled than others. But without her in front of me I had lost my sheild and it came readily apparent why I needed one.

"Who is this stunner Evander?" Yardley's gaze began it's journey down and up me this time. I tried to shake off the ick that his gaze left behind and turned to put my drink order in but Jessica had already left for the bar. Yardley moved into my line of sight tapping his chin now scrutinizing my face.

"You know...you look vaguely familiar."

Yardley was nominally a handsome man, but his behavior pushed him definitively in the repulsive category. I held back a shudder at his attention. Evander pulled me alongside himself and put an arm around my waist. In response, I felt my body alight with a cold fire. I shot him a glance was the physical touch necessary?

He ignored me sending a scathing glare towards Yardley. I followed it and saw his intentions had been succesful. I relaxed a little then, thankful he was simply protecting me.

Unexpected.

His removed his arm and proceeded to introduce me.

"This is my protegé Adella..." He hesistated uncharacteristically and his attention turned to me briefly.

He looked so unlike himself, almost like he was uncertain. But not quite, I didn't miss the irritation hiding in his eyes. He knew something, I was sure of it now. He snapped back to the group. They were all waiting for him to finish my introduction. Instead he simply repeated my first name.

"Nice to meet you all" I smiled at each of them, even Yardley. With the exception of Yardley none of them gave me any misgivings. They were either openly friendly or casually curious. I was as well. Protegé, Intern. What happened to event planner?

Jessica returned with a waiter. Everyone grabbed their drink. Every single one was curiously crimson even though I distinctly heard different orders being given. I looked to Evander's glass all of them similar. The color brought to mind the drink 'on the house' from Cassian. My heart rate elevated when Cass entered my mind. My fingers itched to get ahold of my phone and check it. No I couldn't, not now. He knew what I was up to besides. He wouldn't be waiting.

I snapped out of it and found myself trying to catch onto the conversation as it had turned to business. Jessica hung back and took notes. I simply stood at Evander's side, feeling now misplaced. I tried to soak up as much as I could but their vocabulary was specially chosen to gatekeep. Edging a bit behind Evander slowly, I took my cues from the group at large. I managed to mimic my way through reactions. Every fiber of my being hoping that I wasn't going to be brought into the conversation. The cadence of the conversation suddenly shifted and the group quickly dispersed. Mr. Yardley followed, giving me one last backwards glance. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Evander picked up on his gaze and moved in front of me. Yardley retreated to the other side of the room. Jessica came up alongside us and they launched into a taciturn discussion of other people they needed to make sure to greet before the night's end. The band must have changed out with another at this point because the music style changed and I found myself tapping along with it.

The repetitive noise caught their attention. Evander was curiously staring at my feet like he had never seen feet move in rhythym before while Jessica sent me another glare. Embarassed I ceased tapping. Jessica turned back to her notes but Evander gazed at me a bit lost in thought. I gave him a small smile in response and he snapped back to Jessica. He is a strange one. Almost like he had know idea how to deal with people. But he must know enough. He was one of the most successful people. He ran his own profitable business. I moved my gaze from my new mentor and around the ballroom.

Apparently, we were old news now. Our notoriety short lived. Only a few ventured their gazes in our direction and no one was openly gawking anymore. Questions surrounding my identity must have settled the lot of them. The low buzz of Evander and Jessica conferring ended and I looked over to see them walking away from me. In the most dignified quick walk I could manage I slowly caught up with their brisk pace when they stopped by another table.

The guest seated there rose with smiles and they all exchanged pleasantries. A few of them held out hands to shake with Evander and he readily shook them all. Is it just my hand then? Jessica threw me a smirk. Her open hositility was getting old.

Just to mess with her I stepped up to Evander and assumed my position at his side. She was sending me daggers from across the group. The reason for her hostility became clearer. Evander finally took note of my presence and introduced me as his protegé again. Seemed that may just be the winner. I offered my hand to those that had been willing to shake Evander's and was rewarded with reciprocation. I smirked at Jessica.

The conversation predictably turned to catching up and business. Again I soaked up what I could. Again I felt misplaced and severely underprepared. As expected the conversation died down and we left the table to stand around the edges of the dance floor. He held his glass out to Jessica and she took it without question. She turned to leave but his voice stopped her.

"Adella, would you like anything from the bar?" I smiled up at him.

"A Sprite please and thank you for asking." He nodded and turned eyeing the crowd. Someone from across the dance floor noticed the searching and began to make their way over.

"Who are we meeting this time?" I asked him hoping to get ahead of feeling like the odd one out.

"Mr. Fable. He sources rare and unusual items for Santos Industries. He is also the host for this event "

He watched the aforementioned Mr. Fable approach. He was younger than I expected. Not nearly as striking though but still handsome. The whole room was though. Handsome, pretty, glittering with youth. It was a gathering of above average citizens. Well, all of them except for me.