“What? Why not?”
“Because you’ll be beside me.”
Elise takes the compliment happily, smiling and leaning back in the leather seat as we flow through the city. I belatedly wonder if I should have hired a limo for the night, but having Elise this close to me in the car is a reward in its own right.
Once we arrive at the gala, a valet takes the car as I hold out my hand for my date. This event is rather large, and the red carpet and paparazzi lining said carpet make it apparent that this isn’t some small fundraising event: This is the big times.
As I’d guessed, Elise is perfectly familiar with all of it, and she smiles brilliantly at the cameras as we pass. There is a photo opportunity right before we enter the hall where the gala is being held, and like everyone else, we stop and let our images be captured. It feels unreal, having Elise next to me with everything going on. It’s almost like we’re more than just casual friends.
When she goes first inside, I notice that the back of her dress is plunging dangerously low. I can’t help heaving a long sigh as I try to focus somewhere else.
Inside, lights are low, and soft string music comes from the small group of musicians in the corner of the hall. The ceilings are stupendously high, painted with beautiful motifs that are more difficult to see in the sparse lighting, looking more like splashes of color than anything else. The night is young, so not many couples are dancing, maybe waiting for the buzz of champagne to kick in so their inhibitions fall to the wayside.
It’s assigned seating, so Elise and I find our table where my parents are already seated. I hadn’t warned them that I was bringing her, but considering how much my parents adore her, I knew it wouldn’t be a problem.
As expected, my mom jumps up from her seat when she sees us, ignoring me completely to rush over to Elise, taking her hands and gushing over how beautiful she looks. Dad stands too, shaking my hand in greeting before patting my shoulder.
“Interesting choice in plus ones,” he comments, watching his wife and my guest get reacquainted.
“She and I have been hanging out a lot more now that Andries is too busy for me,” I tell him smoothly, not wanting my dad to know anything about the drama going on.
Luckily, Dad buys it, nodding. “Yes, it is a strange time when your friends start to settle down and you’re still single. I remember those days…” he trails off. “She does look lovely tonight though. Good choice for a guest, son.”
Once Mom and Elise settle down, we get seated, my parents catching up with Elise and me about everything under the sun. It’s nice to be with them… it always is, really. I’ve been lucky. Because our family doesn’t have generational wealth, there are none of the strings attached like Elise and the Van Den Bosches have. We basically had a blank slate to start with.
I might be drinking and talking, but everything in me is focused on my faux date. I know Elise is nervous about the social aspect of becoming CEO of Van den Bosch industries, but she mingles so effortlessly, and carries herself with such grace, that I doubt there will truly be any issues for her.
I could watch her for hours; just seeing the way her mouth moves when she talks, or the way she crinkles her nose when she laughs. It’s all intoxicating, but this is an event with hundreds of people, and being smitten isn’t going to get me out of fulfilling my own social obligations.
Eventually, we all stand and make our way around the hall, chatting with other small groups of people and making introductions. This fundraising gala is being hosted by Pieter van Vollenhoven for the Victim Support Fund. The elderly royal spots my father from across the room, and when he waves us over we all follow.
“Mr. and Mrs. O’Brian, so glad you could make it,” he tells us, shaking my father’s hand and kissing my mother’s. Pieter is very old, but he holds himself tall and seems to take joy in holding gatherings like this. They’re usually for such a good cause that there is no way I can complain.
“Also young Mr. O’Brian. How are you, son? You’re looking well.” He squints down at Elise. “And what a beautiful guest you have brought!”
Elise smiles that million-watt smile as I go to introduce her. “Pieter, this is Elise Van den Bosch, second child of–”
“Sebastian and Julia Van den Bosch. Yes, yes, I know, Daniel.”
Elise’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d know who I was.”
“Only a fool would forget the granddaughter of Lady Margaret,” Pieter chuckles.
Elise clasps her hands together happily. “That’s right! How funny that you knew me because of Oma Margaret. That usually isn’t the first connection people associate me with.”
“Ah, young lady, I knew your grandmother well.” There’s a twinkle in his eye, which makes me wonder how well exactly.
Pieter isn’t the only one with a trick up his sleeve, though. Elise moves a step closer to the old man and while graciously touching his arm, she says, “Then, from my grandmother and I both, happy birthday Mr. van Vollenhoven.”
The old man blinks a few times before laughing, looking as happy as I’d ever seen him. “You know you’re the first person to tell me that since we arrived, Ms. Elise. Clearly, the focus is supposed to be on my charity, but you’ve warmed an old man's heart by knowing that.”
I’m in awe, and my parents are too, looking at each other and shrugging. “I had no idea,” Mom hisses under her breath, and I nod in agreement. Neither had I.
Elise is a powerhouse of a socialite, and she attracts them like moths to a flame. Pieter stays to talk with us for an excessively long time, charmed by my date, but as soon as we bid him farewell there is always someone else in front of us, ready to be introduced.
For as boring as these galas usually are, I’m having a great time. It feels so natural being here with Elise, and it gives me forbidden thoughts about how simple it would be to take our relationship to the next level. Having her by my side feels right… like she completes me in some way.
We make our way back to the table as food is served, and the moment I have her even somewhat alone I ask, “How in the hell did you know Pieter’s birthday?”