Episode 2
1081 Words
Rena.
I slid into the sleek black car that Stephanie had chartered for me, nodding politely at the driver as he greeted me. I let out a slow breath and sank into the plush leather seat, smoothing out the emerald dress that hugged my body in all the right places. This wasn't my world, and the thought of mingling with New York's elite sent my nerves spiraling.
I pulled out my phone to distract myself and opened i********:. My feed was a flood of happy, filtered lives: former classmates posing with their partners in exotic destinations, work promotions, new apartments. Each post felt like a tiny pinprick, reminding me of how far I’d fallen behind. I bit my lip, my thumb hovering over the screen before I abruptly shut the app.
“Not tonight, not tonight," I chanted to myself as I returned the phone to my clutch. "No bad energy."
The car came to a perfect stop outside a towering building with glowing lights on each floor. My eyes widened at the long red carpet to the entrance. Cameras stood at attention, snapping away at well-dressed patrons.
The valet opened the door with a well-practiced smile, and I climbed out, murmuring a soft "Thank you." I inhaled deeply, squared my shoulders, and began my trek down the carpet, heels clacking against pavement.
I put on a bright smile, my gaze flicking to the staring faces of the other guests. It didn't matter that they were probably wondering with curiosity about who the hell I was. I wasn't about to shrink away.
"Fake it till you make it," I whispered under my breath, my smile widening.
I was so getting Steph’s first born.
I handed the invitation to a somber-looking usher at the door, who barely looked at it before beckoning me inside. Heavy doors opened onto a sprawling room bathed in warm golden light. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and lit sleek, contemporary furniture.
Inside, a hum of chatter and the soft clinking of glasses filled the air. I went straight for the bar, my nerves jangling.
“Evening, ma'am," he said to me, flashing a smile that was easy and inviting.
"Hi," I replied, relaxing a tad. "May I get a glass of white wine? Something not too dry.”
“Coming right up,” he said, reaching for a bottle. As he poured, he leaned in slightly and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Careful not to sneeze around here. These folks look like they’d tear you apart with their knife eyes if a single drop lands wrong.”
I chuckled despite myself. “Tough crowd, huh?”
“The toughest. You’re not one of them, though,” he said, sliding my glass toward my.
I took another sip, enjoying the freshness of it. "What told you that?"
He beamed. "You don't look like you've got a stick up your-" He stopped then and cast a fake alarmed glance around, lowering his tone to a whisper. “…you know."
I laughed this time, outright, and some tension in my chest dissipated. "Definitely out of my element here.”
"Could've fooled me," he said, winking.
Just as I was starting to relax, a chime sounded, and the ceremony began. The lights dimmed slightly, and a polished emcee took the stage to begin the awards presentation.
I turned towards the stage, nursing my glass of wine as person after person mounted the stage to accept their awards. My mind wandered and I was soon bored by the droning speeches.
I snapped back to attention when the voice of the emcee echoed across the room. "And now, the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability goes to… Ms. Stephanie Wellsby. Unfortunately, Ms. Wellsby couldn't be with us tonight, but representing her is Ms. Rena Edmund."
My heart hit the floor. I hardly registered the polite applause before I was standing, pushing my legs to take steps as I headed up onto the stage. The seconds it took for me to go up there seemed like an eternity, but my head held high, I made sure every bit of the little confidence I lacked was channelled.
Onstage, the lights were blinding and the sea of faces staring up at me made my palms sweat. I pasted on a smile and clutched the microphone.
“Good evening, everyone,” I began, my voice steady despite the tremor in my chest. “I’m here on behalf of Stephaniena Wellsby, who deeply regrets not being able to attend tonight. She’s currently off somewhere saving the world, as she does.”
A ripple of chuckles moved through the audience, and I relaxed slightly.
“She forced me, at gunpoint, mind you, to come in her stead," I said, and got more laughter. "But seriously, she's incredibly honored to receive this award and grateful for all the support she's received along the way. It means the world to her. Thank you for recognizing her efforts and for allowing me to be here tonight. I'll make sure she knows just how terrifyingly elegant this event was.”
More laughter, followed by applause. I smiled and nodded, then turned and walked off the stage, my head held high though my heart threatened to race at an alarming tempo.
Sliding back into my seat at the bar, I blew out a shaky breath and shot the bartender a wide-eyed ‘what-the-f**k’ look. He grinned, leaning closer.
"You looked like you belonged up there," he said. "Wish I had half your confidence."
I laughed and shook my head. "Trust me, I'm just really good at faking it."
"Well, you're a natural," he said, sliding another drink toward me.
I took a sip, letting the wine calm my nerves. "Thanks, I think I deserve this after that little performance."
Before the bartender could utter a word, a strong, smooth voice cut in as an alluring scented form slid into the seat beside me.
“I’ll have whatever she’s having,” the voice drawled.
I turned my head, and my breath caught in my throat. The man seated beside me was striking; tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly commanding in a tailored navy suit. His slate-gray eyes met mine, cool and unreadable, and his sharp jawline was dusted with just the right amount of stubble.
My gaze flicked to his full lips as they quirked into the barest hint of a smile.
"Oh, f**k me," I whispered under my breath before I could stop myself.
- Writer
