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“Oh, my gosh, you’re here.” We clasped hands and executed a little excited dance.
“Yes. I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you, but it’s so secret. I was shocked when I learned you gained a blood seat, but Abel wanted it all to be hush-hush. I’m thrilled we get to do this together. I’ve been learning since I was in diapers, so I’m happy to let you pick my brain anytime.”
Relieved my friend was here, I hugged her, and we giggled. “I’m just glad you’re here. It’s something else we can do together since I’m not in the sorority.”
“I thought the same thing.” Kailey stepped back and instructed me to turn around. “Oh, my God, sister, you look gorgeous. The 1920s were definitely your era, which makes sense. You’re classic.”
Giggling, I appraised her outfit, and she was perfect as usual. Abel nodded to Kailey and asked if she’d stay with me while he and Evan went and made some introductions.
Kailey escorted me around the room, and she gave me the gossip on every person in the room.
“You really know everybody here?”
“Yup. I know their portfolios and everything there is to know about their personal lives. My father wanted me to know their business, and my mother wanted me to always have something in my back pocket. Growing up like I did wasn’t for the faint of heart.”
We eavesdropped in conversations, and people talked about their latest accomplishments. The business they got for a steal, then subsequently tore it apart and sold its pieces. Inevitably quadrupling their investments. There were no discussions of lazy holiday trips. All the trips were planned for negotiations and/or networking. Everything around me was very braggy and calculating. And cold. No mention of the people who lost their jobs in their play for extreme wealth.
How was I to live in this world? I didn’t fall into any of that.
The Hemsworths, Millers, Wentworths, Harpers, Wellingtons, and so many more names were dropped, and I did what Abel suggested and paired names with faces: business and political ambitions to the names. I even took Kailey’s advice and got some gossip because personal lives could make business decisions as easily as a good investment.
Abel and Evan rejoined Kailey and me as I was offered yet another drink. Abel and Kailey each grabbed a glass, but I declined. A couple in their early thirties approached and seemed eager to meet me. Abel proudly introduced me, and they were Eric and Celia Dartmouth, and they owned an up-and-rising financial company. They were both pledges who made it into the society and married.
They asked about what I had planned for my future, and I said little, afraid to make a wrong move. Kailey knew the game as well, if not better than Abel, and she dove into the conversation, answering for me knowing I struggled to answer correctly. She explained how I was learning from the ground up, so nothing surprised me in the future.
The Dartmouths seemed impressed, probably because they were in the same place as me. Well, in having learned about society later than the others.
“We admire you for that. We were like Abel here and had to pledge. Do you have any charities in mind?”
“Charities?”
Abel jumped in. “My girlfriend has a heart of gold and can’t seem to decide what she wants to make as her lifelong goal.”
“Ah, that’s commendable,” Mrs. Dartmouth said. “What about you, Abel? What are your charitable intentions?”
Hearing them talk about charities as fulfilling a box on a checklist instead of fulfilling a need in society was strange.
“Oh, I have a charity about to launch for children of addicts. I want to further their education and create safe places for them to do so. I plan on making it the basis of my platform.”
“Are you going into politics then?” Mr. Dartmouth asked.
“Law. Start as a prosecutor and work my way toward becoming a Supreme Court Judge.”
“Lofty goals, Mr. Hartford. I commend you. Men like us have to take every opportunity as they come.”
Listening to the men talk about charity as a steppingstone for their careers made me sick. Abel only did this for his career and no other reason. But I kept my mouth shut and stayed silent as everybody talked about different events and fundraisers. I wrapped myself in my distaste over their self-involvement. I missed a question directed toward Evan, only to hear his answer.
“Oh, I’ll be going into the family business. Don’t like outsiders getting in on what my ancestors built.”
Everybody laughed as if people beneath them weren’t trustworthy with their money, but I’d say it was all about the person’s character. Trust had to be earned and not so easily given because of the person’s station in life.
Kailey and Evan quieted as they looked over my shoulder. Curious, I turned, and Blake walked toward us with a smug smile. Kailey excused herself, but Blake distracted me, and I didn’t pay close enough attention.
“Hello, all.”
Abel gripped my waist hard as he took a long swig of his champagne. The Dartmouths watched Blake and me closely, and I couldn’t gauge if they were looking for a blood bath, gossip, or to label the interloper.
“Blake, surprised to see you here,” Abel said with gritted teeth.
