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NINETEEN
Melanie
I
held Shane’s hand as we entered the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and headed to the venue where Karl’s charity event was taking place. I looked around the grand high-ceiling room. Dozens of round tables were beautifully decorated with white roses in high golden vases and four lit candles in each bouquet. The place was extravagant and opulent, exactly how I imagined an event hosted by someone like Karl Vergoossen would be.
“Good evening, Melanie.”
Speaking of the devil.
Karl greeted us with Elena by his side, both wearing broad smiles on their faces. I could tell they both were in their element.
“Son,” Karl added, nodding politely at Shane.
“Good evening, Karl. Elena,” I said, and Elena hugged me as a welcome.
“Elena, you look ravishing,” Shane stated as they exchanged a cheek kiss.
I wasn’t sure if I was more dazzled by the remarkable venue or the hosts. Both Karl and Elena looked straight out of a magazine. Karl wore a white shirt under a worthy-of-a-king, black-damask tux with gold lapels and a bow tie, and Elena, a splendid long-sleeve velvet red ball gown with gold crystals worthy of a queen.
“Thank you, Shane. You’re so charming, as always.” Elena chuckled, snapping me out of the awe.
“Your date looks bewitching too,” Karl commented, his eyes on me, and I wasn’t sure if his remark was intended more for Shane or me. “No wonder my son is head over heels for you, love,” he added, smiling slyly before the waiter offered us a glass of champagne.
I felt weak in my knees and nearly dropped the glass to the floor when I spotted my parents heading our way. I knew Karl sent them an invitation, but never in a million years did I think they would accept.
“Ah!” Karl exclaimed the second he noticed my parents. “What an extraordinary evening! What a sight to see the Atwoods family attending one of my legendary charity balls.”
My parents approached us, both of their facial expressions so dark and gloomy as if they were attending a funeral. My mother nervously swiped the nonexistent dust from her emerald-green dress while my father sent Karl a death stare.
“Celine, my dear,” Karl continued, his tone as cheerful as ever. “You look gorgeous. You don’t look too bad either, Dedrick. It’s been ages, hasn’t it?”
Despite the show Karl decided to put on, the atmosphere was so tense and dreadful it was painful to watch, and even worse, to be a part of this ridiculous facade.
“Thank you for inviting us,” my father finally spoke, his tone as cold as a North Atlantic iceberg. “It’s a… pleasure to be here tonight.”
“Sure it is.” Karl smirked, sipping his drink. I had the impression that, for some twisted reason, he found this amusing. “The pleasure is all mine. Enjoy your evening,” he said before he excused them and left with Elena on his arm to greet other guests.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Atwood,” Shane tried to sound as polite as possible despite his hatred for my father.
My parents weren’t so well mannered because they both ignored Shane as if he were thin air or a ghost. I was annoyed that they couldn’t forget their judgments and be human for once.
“How are you doing, Melanie?” my mother asked, her brows furrowed and eyes filled with concern. My father, in contrast, didn’t even try to look bothered.
“I’m doing fine,” I said dryly, unable to fight the irritation. If I had to choose, I prefer Karl’s sarcastic games rather than my parents’ brusque behavior. “Better than ever. Would you excuse us?” I added as I grabbed Shane’s hand, and we moved to the other side of the room.
We sat at the table prepared especially for us, and I caught myself staring numbly at the man playing the piano on the stage; its sound soothed my nerves.
Shane overlapped his hand with mine, leaning toward me. “I know how it feels, baby,” he whispered, smiling softly. He put his hand on my cheek, stroking it gently. “I know it feels like you’re all alone fighting against the world.”
“How do you know?” I said softly, my brows furrowing faintly.
“I feel the same way. It may not seem like that, but it’s exactly that way,” he replied, his tone low and subtle. “But hey, now we have each other.”
I couldn’t fight the smile curling up my lips. It felt like Shane was the cure, taking all my worries away, medicine for my pain. I looked into the eyes of the man I was falling in love with more and more with each passing day, grateful that he swooped into my life, apart from the undeniable physical attraction and lascivious desire that I felt for Shane. For the first time, I felt precious and loved.
Shane kissed my cheek before saying, “I forgot to tell you. I booked you a session with a fortune-teller. It’s in half an hour.”
