I am at the doorway with Gray, griping. My feet are already aching from an hour of standing in these killer heels. If only my father had allowed me, I would have worn my black Converse instead of these. But no, he was like: "My dear daughter, be classy tonight. The whole world is watching you."
The thing is, what's wrong with wearing shoes? Is it not classy? I think it is not the articles of clothing that decide if a person is classy or not. It's all in the attitude. Fallen Grace defies all laws of fashion. I have made gowns that go with stylish shoes. I have made vintage modern. Critics call my clothing line revolutionary, so why can't my father let me wear my own thing? Ugh.
After another half hour, I shift my weight to my left foot and wince slightly.
"Are you okay?" Gray asks me when no one is looking. He looks utterly handsome in his black tuxedo. His hair is waxed up in a tousle, giving his reddish-brown hair a messy but stylish look. I, on the other hand, am… well, totally Lucy. Stunningly beautiful. My pale skin is in perfect contrast with my black satin dress, with a triangular style that reveals a generous portion of my flawless back. My hair is tied up in a ponytail and I let my bangs fall over my forehead in stylish waves. The only trace of make-up on my face is the intense red lipstick and a subtle touch of eyeliner to accentuate my eyes.
"Why are we posted here to receive visitors? We're supposed to be sitting somewhere enjoying the food they prepared. Jeez, my feet hurt," I complain silently, composing myself obligingly when another old couple walks over to shake hands with us. I should've worn some gloves, damn it. Who knows? Probably one of them just made a trip to the bathroom and forgot to clean up.
Gray puts his arm over my shoulder and leans close to me. "Shut up and play nice, will you? We got cameras rolling on our faces."
"Fine, but if we don't sit down soon I'm going to ruin this party and be done with it," I tell him, smiling briefly when I catch a camera flash in our direction. Gray lets me go, except for my arm which he securely locks around his. I sigh theatrically and gaze outside. It's only twilight but the flow of visitors is nonstop. I don't even recognize most of them, for chrissakes.
The caterers have done a great deal of effort turning the ball room into a spacious hall to accommodate the huge number of expected people. Chairs and tables covered with white linen cloth and pink silk ribbons occupy the floor while low-hanging chandeliers dominate the peaked ceilings. The massive curving staircase in the left wing is festooned with pink and white roses and the steps are covered in red carpet. The elevated space, an old spot of the white grand piano that's now resting in the living room, has been turned into a podium. That's where our fathers are seated comfortably while we're wasting away here.
I sigh again and try to focus on the task at hand.
Suddenly, Tim Michaels appears in front of us out of nowhere. He's wearing an immaculate all-white tuxedo and expensive handmade leather shoes. His striking hazel eyes roam over me appreciatively, lingering on the generously exposed skin on my chest. Oh, great. Just what I need, I tell myself sarcastically.
"Hey, Lucy." He gently takes my hand and kisses it lightly, to Gray's surprise. "I missed you."
"Hi, Tim," I answer dryly, taking back my hand. "I didn't know you were invited."
"I'm your father's associate, my love. Of course, I will be here. I must be honest, though. I didn't expect to see you with another man." He casts Gray a dark look. I feel Gray's arm stiffen and I snicker inwardly. Aw, Tim's getting on his nerves. Perhaps I should provoke him more?
"Are you here to save me then?" I ask, causing Gray to fully turn to look at me murderously.
Tim's face lights up. "If my love needs saving." He reaches out for my arm but Gray swiftly brushes him off. I look at him and I'm surprised to see a genuine trace of anger on his face.
"Touch her again and you won't like it," Gray says acidly. Is he jealous? I remember that we are supposed to play nice in front of the camera, so I reach up to touch his left cheek before kissing it.
I turn to Tim and smile dismissively. "See you around, Tim."
Disappointed, the businessman saunters away. Gray's about to say something but a high-pitched voice calls my name. I turn toward the direction and immediately, my face lights up.
"Jazz!" I pull the woman in a bear hug and holds on for a few seconds. When I let her go, I gaze at her affectionately. Jasmina Reamer-Kaplan, my cousin-in-law. Wow. It's been ages. Her shoulder-length platinum hair is curled elaborately, and a simple black steel hairclip is pinned just above her right temple. Her face is as mesmerizing as ever, especially her smoky gray eyes that almost look silvery in the pale light. She is wearing an ombre dress which is dark green at the hem and it becomes lighter in shade as it reaches the shoulder straps.
"Merry meet," Jasmina says after we break free from the embrace.
"Merry meet," I tell Jasmina, smiling genuinely for the first time tonight. "Where's Trevor?"
"Right here, cousin." A rough hand suddenly covers my eyes and I twist around to see Trevor grinning behind me. He looks gorgeous in his charcoal suit and black tie. His chiseled cheekbones emphasize his wide jaw and bi-colored eyes. I grin and try to wrestle him, only to remember Gray standing right next to me. When I look at him, he's rooted in place staring fixatedly at Trevor.
I wave my hand in front of him. "Whoa, is this love at first sight?" Gray swats my hand away and glares but he doesn't say anything.
"Is he...?" Jasmina trails off, immediately understanding. I nod solemnly at her.
"I'm Trevor Kaplan, Lucy's cousin." Trevor offers his hand for a shake and Gray nervously takes it.
"My name is Gray Langdon. I know it's not my place to say, but I'm a fan of your music."
"And the fandom GrayVor begins," I intone, stifling a laugh.
"May I remind you there are people watching us, Lucy." Gray looks at me sharply before turning back to Trevor embarrassingly.
"Uh, I think we should leave you two alone for a moment. What do you think, Trevor?" Jasmina tows her husband away hastily but not before Trevor could manage to wave and mouth a "nice to meet you" to Gray.
He turns to me angrily. "What the hell are you doing?"
Shocked, I glare at him. "What the hell are you doing?"
"You just flirted openly!"
"Are you freaking jealous of Tim Michaels?"
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm only worried about the cameras watching us. Have you forgotten we're supposed to be in love? Why were you flirting?"
"I wasn't flirting! I was just trying to piss you off!"
He's about to retaliate but the voice of my father fills the room. When I look up, I see him standing confidently at the podium. Everyone stops to listen. "Good evening, my dear friends. I am very grateful that you have graciously accepted our invitation tonight."
"Here we go. Don't ruin it," Gray whispers threateningly to my ear when we reach the center of the room.
"Keep quiet and try to look emphatic," I rush under my breath. Thankfully, Gray composes himself and his face is instantly morphed into an expression of definite calm.
"I believe you are all aware of the growing ordeal of Helterground Corporations, but I assure you that the rumors about my daughter, Lucy, and Cornelius Langdon's son, Gray, being juvenile delinquents are only based on what the people see, not what they know."
Embarrassing looks are thrown in our direction and I feel like shrinking to avoid their stares.
"History will be repeated. Another era is beginning in Helterground. The Woods and Langdon clans shall be bound—a tie that will strengthen, not only the company, but its mission to America and to the world. Tonight, Helterground is divided no more. We shall be united through Lucy Woods and Gray Langdon's engagement. Their marriage will be in the fourth of December and we invite you to come witness this historic nuptial." There is a collective gasp around the room and I hide behind Gray. I could see Jasmina and Trevor shaking their heads in baffled anxiety. Trevor seems to want to come over but Jasmina puts a restraining hand on his arm.
"Smile, they're expecting you to be ecstatic," Gray whispers. I grip his arm tightly and mumble a protest but it's stuck in my throat. Suddenly, I am propelled toward the stage. Camera flashes blind me and I stumble backwards, my ankle twisting because of the heels. I give a shriek, terrified, but strong arms break my fall and when I blink, all I see is Gray's calm face. For a moment, it feels like everything has frozen into place. The only sound I could hear is my rapid breathing and the frantic beating of my heart.
But the moment ends abruptly when Gray crushes his lips into mine.
Gray is kissing me. Again. But this time he's sober. I stare at his dark brown eyes, confused. Why is he doing this? His lips are warm, soft. My heart accelerates faster and I clutch at his arms to avoid falling straight to the elevated floor. Before I know it, everything's over and I'm already standing back on my feet—I mean, heels.
I blink, totally disoriented. The people below are gaping at us but the silence is broken by Gray's steady voice. "Sorry about that brief display of affection." A few scattered laughs resonate across the now quiet ball room. "The engagement might come as a shock to all of you, especially after the 'prank war' that broke out between Lucy and me. I'm aware this is a startling revelation but believe me when I say that I have fallen deeply in love with Lucy Woods."
Damn, I tell myself. He's pretty good at this. I could still feel the faintest trace of his kiss on my lips and my head is still reeling from the rush of adrenalin. Is this how it really feels to be kissed?
"…despite what the world might think—that this is merely a publicity stunt as an answer to the speculation of us being juvenile delinquents—Lucy and I have decided to proceed with our marriage. I hope you join us in this celebration. Thank you." Gray kisses the side of my head and smiles for the camera.
Oh, fucking hell. I almost forgot we are being broadcast live across the entire world right now. I swallow hard and force myself to focus. We promised we're going to put on a good show. I haven't done my part yet.
Besides, I won't let Gray Langdon take the spotlight all for himself.
I wrap my arm around his waist and smile. "I would like to say a few words, so please listen: our story began in a hate-hate relationship. He hated me and I hated him just the same. We used to pull pranks on each other and I guess that's when we started falling in love. Knowing Lang—I mean Gray, I have come to realize that he's perfect for me. It feels like I've known him for a long time even before meeting each other. He makes me feel weak and strong at the same time. And the strange thing is; I want to push him off a cliff and rush to catch him below. It's strange, I know, but there's only one thing I'm sure of… Gray Langdon is the best thing that's ever happened to me."
The people give some sort of aww and then they applaud when Gray kisses me for the second time. I pull away immediately and embrace him instead.
"I can't believe they bought it," I say through gritted teeth. I hear him chuckle quietly.
"Our fathers should be satisfied enough." When we release each other, I sneak a glance at my father and Mr. Langdon and they are nodding approvingly at our little charade. Huh. Thank goodness they are satisfied.
When the applause gradually dies down, Gray leads me to the plastic chairs at the center of the podium and we sit down. Finally. I think I sprained my ankle on the slight slip earlier. I bend down to massage my legs when the band starts playing a song I don't recognize.
"You owe me a punch," I tell Gray when we are settled. How dare he kiss me so freely like that?
"You already call that a kiss?" He pretends to be surprised. "Remind me some time to show you how a real kiss should be like."
"Not happening. That should be the last time you'll ever kiss me. Do you understand?" I smile abruptly when a camera man asks for our picture.
"Like I said, I won't kiss you except when necessary. Will you stop pretending you're not enjoying it? You're always blushing whenever I kiss you." He chuckles and pats my head playfully, smiling for the benefit of everyone.
"You are so dead," I whisper and I finally lean away. From up the stage, I notice Tim Michaels standing alone in the far corner, holding a glass of champagne, his eyes trained on Gray impassively. The announcement of the engagement must have come as a shock to him. I sigh. Sooner or later, I would have to face his questions.
In one of the by-the-window tables, I catch Katrin, Zette, and the rest of my team giving me the tell-us-everything-you-sneaky-bitch glare and I sigh for the hundredth time.
This is going to be a very long night.