Lila’s POV
The moment Maren and I step into the dinner hall, I freeze.
She was right.
The place is buzzing—glittering under amber lights strung like a canopy from one end of the ceiling to the other. Music hums softly through the speakers, blending into the low murmur of conversations and the occasional clink of glass. Each table is shaped differently—some circular, others oval or rectangular—and each one carries a specific theme, from ocean blue linens to golden centerpieces flickering with candlelight.
It’s not just a dinner.
There’s a full-blown international event happening right here. Men in tailored suits, women in breathtaking gowns, photographers weaving through the crowd. It’s glamorous, surreal… and way above anything I’ve ever experienced.
“Lila! Maren! Over here!” A famil
