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The car stopped in front of 583 Park Avenue. Daimon didn’t wait for his driver. He opened the door and let himself out. He stood up and fixed his suit jacket then held out his hand waiting for me. I looked at his hand and wondered what I really had gotten myself into. Daimon’s hand looked strong and powerful as he demanded for me to come to him. I stretched out my hand and placed it in his, his fingers wrapped round mine and nearly pulled me out of the car. The shawl fell to one side as I stood beside him. I tensed up, but Daimon only smiled; he was playing his part now. He reached down and picked up the soft, black silk shawl and placed it gently back onto my shoulders. His hand reached for my face and he softly caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. I closed my eyes relishing in his soft tender touch. I almost yearned for it, like I needed some warmth.
“Let’s go, Addie,” he said softly as he took my hand and walked me toward the building.
Soft purple lighting highlighted the four large white columns lining the entrance. The building itself looked old and wondrous. In between the columns were three double doors, above each door was a large arched window. Doormen stood by each door, opening and closing, allowing the patrons inside to come and go as they pleased. It was a black tie affair, everyone wore their best. Women dressed sophisticatedly, while the men all wore black suits. They all seemed on their best behavior, but an air of cattiness seemed to linger around everyone. I felt uncomfortable and uneasy about being here, but like Daimon said, he bought me and I had a role to fulfill. I still thought it odd that he would need to avoid a business marriage, but the rich lived differently than me. Standing there I was proof of that.
Live soft jazz music spilled into the air as we walked closer to the building. Daimon marched over to the door, which was opened by the doormen. They nodded their heads as they let us in. Without skipping a beat, Daimon continued inside. I let out a breath once I saw the gala itself. Soft purple and red lights had the entire grand hall glowing. A large crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the room, accenting the space. A domed window was above it, letting in the night sky. It was simply stunning. Daimon held onto my hand, not letting me go as I marveled at the space around me.
“Daimon,” I heard someone call out. It was Rafe. “Hey, Addie, you look good,” he smiled at me.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
“Not to shabby yourself, Daimon,” Rafe joked.
“Bite me,” Daimon retorted.
“That’s Addie’s job, not mine,” Rafe laughed. “Come, our table awaits and I'm famished.” Rafe signaled us to follow. We walked through the crowd of business associates and colleagues, all whom had their eyes on me, or so I felt.
“Could you calm down?” Daimon said under his breath.
“Sorry, Mr. Evans,” I said quietly. He stopped in midstride, turned and glared at me. “Stop with the Mr. Evans crap,” he said irritated.
“No,” I smiled. He pulled me close, our faces almost touching.
“Addie, remember you’re the one who agreed to this, so stop making me the asshole,” he said callously, as he played with my hair, trying to make it look like an intimate moment.
“If I recall correctly, you’re the one who needed my help,” I said in a hushed voice as I played with his lapel.
“Are you guys coming?” Rafe called out.
Daimon pulled on my hand harder this time, jerking me to follow. We made our way to the table that toward the front of the large banquet hall. Daimon released my hand and pulled out my chair. Instinctively, I thought of high school, but I immediately realized he wouldn’t do that here. I hoped. I sat down carefully and smiled to the rest of the guests who sat with us. Daimon sat down next to me and reached for the linen napkin on top of his silver charger plate.
I looked over the table we sat at, a large gorgeous arrangement of various white flowers overflowed in a silver vase in the middle of the table. Silverware and crystal glasses were placed perfectly on the table. I smiled, taken aback at the sheer opulence of it all. Give me a simple dinner and I’d be happy, but I guess in Daimon’s world that was out of the question.
“You look good when you smile,” Daimon said softly to me. I turned and saw him looking right at me with a gentle grin.
“They just let anyone in, don’t they?” Our moment was ruined by Clara’s snide remark. Daimon hissed under his breath and I stiffened, her presence alone grated on my nerves.
