“My wife tells me your name is Morina.” He stuck out his hand. He had a gold ring similar to Bastian’s on his finger. “I’m Ronald of ShellOil and Tropical Oil.”
Bradley’s lips curled. We all knew Ronald had been blamed for some of the oil terminal troubles in the past. He pushed the companies to their limits, and I now wondered if my grandma had been on board with that.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Maribel’s granddaughter. I appreciate the invite here.”
“Well, you’ll be a part of the family now.” He glanced at Bradley. “And you? You must be her lucky partner tonight. I was surprised after reading some of the tabloids.”
It was a bold statement from him. Like a weasel, he wriggled in his true reason for approaching me. Bradley stuck his hand out to shake though, ready to play the game. “I’m Bradley. And I’m damn lucky, that’s for sure.”
He pulled me close as he shook Ronald’s hand. The man smiled and his teeth were too white and too perfect to be real. All of this exchange felt the exact same.
Ronald continued talking to Bradley as if I wasn’t there. He explained they were holding a silent auction down the hall, that there was a powder room that way too. He invited us to take a self tour of his grand place and even started explaining his part in the company to us.
A friend of his that was more my age than Ronald’s meandered over and introduced himself as Quinton. He shook my hand and stared at me with blue eyes and a smile that seemed a bit more genuine. Then he said, “By the way, Morina, I know your ex, Bastian.”
“Well, nice to meet you here without him,” I said as I pulled my hand out of his, not asking him to elaborate. I’m sure many people knew Bastian. This was his scene, not mine.
Bradley and I nodded and hummed at all the right times. I got to hear about how the oil terminals needed to be expanded and our town had just the right coastline for it.
“You know, your girlfriend here holds the cards, Bradley,” said Ronald.
My friend was nodding and nodding but his mind had clearly wandered off.
“Bradley, why don’t you get us another glass of champagne or an hors d’oeuvre?” I said.
He practically jumped at the chance, excusing himself and beelining to the other side of the room where butlers served alcohol.
I wanted to disappear with him, wanted to search the room for Bastian, wanted to be anywhere but here.
“Morina, I just have to say that we’ve talked to government officials, and we could make all this a smooth transition even without Maribel. I know this is a lot for you. Maribel didn’t tell you, did she?” He patted my arm like I was a child.
I cleared my throat, stepping out of his reach and glared at Quinton and him. “It’s a lot for anyone, but I’m excited to do right for the city and the company.”
“Of course.” He nodded vigorously and then leaned in to whisper, “Quinton and I are willing to pay you fairly and take all this off your hands. I’m happy to see you aren’t with that Armanelli fellow anymore. He’s been a bit of a thorn in our side since the whole thing with his father.”
“What whole thing?”
“Oh, you know–”
“Ronald. Quinton.” From behind, his voice cut through our conversation.
Shivers ran down my body at the tone, deep and low and totally in charge.
I turned to see the man I’d secretly been searching for since arriving. He stood tall in a crisp black suit and a navy tie that shined in luxurious silk. His white collared shirt popped perfectly in all the right places and his gold cufflinks glinted bright under the chandelier.
Bastian belonged in big houses with crystal flutes of champagne. More than that though, he belonged with an exceptionally beautiful woman like the one on his arm.
Tall and willowy, she stood on heels that put her body at just the right height for Bastian to lay his arm atop her shoulders comfortably. Her long, deep auburn hair rested against his chest.
He leaned down and murmured something to her as she smiled up at him, her red lipstick painted perfectly across her lips.
“Bastian Armanelli,” Ronald almost sneered but his hand shot out. “Thank you for coming tonight.”
“Absolutely.” Bastian shook his hand and scanned our faces. He didn’t wink or smirk or show any connection to me. “Good to see everyone could make the charity event. Thank you for hosting.”
“Of course, of course. I’m happy you could all make it even under these circumstances.”
“What circumstances?” his date asked. Her voice was like a sex operator’s and I instantly felt the need to leave.