OH SH*T!
1455 Words
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV
I slip into a white fitting suit, no tie, and leave the black shirt two buttons open from the collar. It's one hour to the fundraising dinner and Ms. Ravens had insisted on swinging by to pick me up. I have no idea why she is so persistent on us arriving together.
Just as I reach for my coat, the doorbell rings. I glance at the clock. The last thing I need is a unwanted guest now. I open the door to reveal a very cheerful man in a branded blue uniform holding a toolbox.
“Hello there, I’m Chuck from Bright Sparks Electric!” he says, flashing a bright smile.
I frown, “I didn’t call for an electrician.”
“I’m here for a routine electrical check. Neighborhood’s been buzzing with flickering lights and minor outages, could be a wiring issue.”
"There are no flickering lights here. And who’s going to pay for a service I don’t need?” I ask.
Chuck chuckles, “Well, that’s the beauty of it! We’re doing these checks for free, to keep everyone safe. Think of me as your friendly neighborhood superhero, without the cape, of course."
“Well, superhero. I have somewhere important to be right now, so maybe you can come back tomorrow,” I reply.
“I promise I won’t overstay my welcome,” Chuck says, winking. “Just a quick look around."
Twenty minutes,” I insist.
“Ten,” he says with a smile.
I sigh and step aside. “Fine, but make it quick.”
Chuck enters, looking around. “Wow, nice place!"
"Where are you heading, a date?" He probes.
“None of your business,” I reply.
He grins widely. “Ah, right!"
My phone rings and I head to the kitchen to take it. It's s Ms. Raven letting me know she’d be here soon.
When I return to the living room, Chuck is finishing up. “All good!” he says cheerfully. " Don't forget to rate me."
“Right,” I reply as he packs his tools and leaves.
The fact that he actually didn't ask for payment is strange. Not that I was eager to pay for services I didn't ask for. But I don't remember the last the services were free.
Minutes later a black Audi pulls into the lot and the window rolls down. I see Ms. Raven's blonde hair.
The driver steps out and opens the back door for me. Inside, there are two comfortable leather seats facing each other. Ms. Raven sits on one side, smiling as she pats the seat next to her, inviting me to sit with her.
I get into the car.
"You look hot as hell." She compliments. "I gonna be fighting women who want to talk to you tonight."
"You look even more beautiful," I reply.
"What should I expect at this event?" I ask, curious.
"The usual stuff," she says.
"Not usual for me," I remind her.
"Just a lot of rich people flashing their wealth." She tells, moving to sit closer and rests her left hand on my shoulder. She stays silent for the rest of the drive of which I am grateful for.
It is just past eight when the Audi winds up a tree-lined lane filled with more luxury cars. The lane curves around and opens into a sweeping driveway in front of an impressive mansion with towering stone walls and arched windows that make it look like a castle. It's palatial.
"My parents will really like you," Ms. Raven says confidently as we get out of the car. How can she be so sure?
A dark green carpet runs across the perfectly trimmed lawn toward the entrance of the house. Ms Raven has her hand on my arm, as we follow the green carpet to the entrance with the crowd of elegantly dressed guests.
The interior is even more breathtaking, five large crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow across the large room. Each table is covered with white linens and decorated with colorful flowers that brighten up the elegant space. The white-suited servers move effortlessly through the crowd of guests with bottles of champagne.
Frankly, the wealth, the glamour, and the sheer lavish scale of this event is intimidating. I have never been to anything like this in my life.
“Aubrey?” A feminine voice calls from behind us, and we both turn. An elegant older woman in a pale blue silk dress approaches us.
"Hello, darling," The woman says as she kisses Aubrey's on both cheeks.
"Abel, this is my mother, Grace." Aubrey Introduces giving her mother a smile before turning to me. "Mother, this is Abel blackwood, my boyfriend."
Wait, what? I barely have a moment to process that before Mrs. Raven is shaking my hand enthusiastically. “Oh, finally! You’ve found someone wonderful and so handsome!” she exclaims.
“Victor! Victor! Come here and meet our daughter’s new boyfriend!” she calls out, her voice carrying across the room and drawing the attention of nearby guests.
“Mom, please don’t embarrass me,” Aubrey groans.
I immediately spot a man approaching, billionairess Victor Raven. I’ve seen him countless times on TV and on newspapers. He approaches with an unreadable expression.
“Hello, Dad,” Aubrey greets him with a curt nod.
“Aubrey,” he replies coolly, his tone just as formal.
"Meet my supermodel boyfriend, Abel Blackwood," Aubrey says with a proud a smile.
What the hell? no I'm not. Why did she show up with me instead of Jonathan? Isn't he her rich boyfriend?
“Mr. Raven, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, forcing a smile as I extend my hand.
He studies me for a moment before shaking my hand firmly. “The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Blackwood.”
He knows my name?
“Please, call me Abel,” I respond, trying to keep things friendly.
He nods slightly, his brown eyes soften just a bit and his face turning gentle.
"Mr. Raven,” a short man with a microphone interrupts us. “They’re waiting for you at the stage.”
“Excuse me,” Mr. Raven says curtly before turning to leave.
Mrs. Raven turns to me with an inviting smile. “Let me show you to our table, dear.” She gestures for me to follow her.
"Why did you tell them that I am your boyfriend?" I hiss at Aubrey first opportunity I get without being overheard.
“Because if you’re here as my boyfriend, they won’t bug me about Jonathan.” she replies with a mischievous grin.
Fuck! This is why she wanted us to arrive together.
“They seem to like you already. Don’t worry about it,” she reassures me as her mother leads us to a large round table at the center of the room. Two people are already seated there, and Aubrey introduces me. One is a well-known Hollywood actor, and the other is a CEO of a major company—both close family friends of the Ravens.
Suddenly, the speakers crackle to life, and Mr. Raven’s voice fills the room,
"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to our annual charity ball. I hope that you enjoy what we have laid out for you tonight and that you'll dig deep into your pockets to support my family's fantastic work. As you know, it's a cause that is very close to my my family's heart, thank you."
Guests settles in their seats and the whole Ravens family is in our table, including mr and Mrs Raven.
The servers, each holding a plate, come to stand between us. On a silent cue, they serve us our starters in complete synchronization, then vanish again. The food looks incredible, and I realize just how hungry I am.
"So how long have you two known each other?" Mr Raven looks impassively from Aubrey to me.
Holy s**t! The power of speech has deserted me. How I'm I supposed to answer that when we are not together at all. Aubrey puts her hand around my arm.
"A whole year," she says smoothly. "We met when Abel came to Audition for my agency."
At least there is one truthful thing in that sentence. That I auditioned for her agency.
"We should share this exciting news with our guests today and celebrate," Mrs. Raven suggests. And before we can respond, the sound we hear loud clicking of heels from behind. Mr. Raven's smile widens as he looks up.
I turn and freeze with shock. Holy shit... Vanessa! f**k! All the blood drains from my face. Why did Aubrey mention she was invited?
- Writer
