Even with the terrible sleep that Torrie managed to get the night before. She was still in her office at six in the morning. After hours upon hours of working through the day she was nowhere near five percent of her work done by noon.
When she heard a knock on a door. She was expecting Niall. "Come in!" She says and James pops in. Coffee in his hand and places it on her desk. "Ah! You are a lifesaver thank you!" She says picking up in her hand and sipping her coffee. He smiles down at her and she looks back up at him.
"I have something to ask you." He says and Torrie nods looking over at him. "The Veneti Family was invited to a banquet tonight. And are required to bring someone with them. And you are going to be my plus one." He says and she hesitates.
"James I-" She starts to say but he stops her. "If you are about to say you have to work to do or you arent family that doesn't matter you and I as friends are going together." He says and she sighs huffing and looking at him. "Alright Alright." She says and he smiles. "Great now go to the master because ma is waiting for you." As he basically runs out of the office closing the door.
She walks out looking out into the long hallway. Trying to find the master was nearly impossible for her. She eventually finds the master and knocks on the door. It opens and Angelica is on the other side with her hair pinned up and wearing a silk robe.
"Ah, Torrie! Good, you are coming with us!" She says opening the master door wider showing the glamourous room. Torrie's nose is hit with the overwhelming smell of expensive hair products. And fancy dress packaging. The room is massive and fits the way the house looks. The aesthetic is the same as well. Modernism ties in well with the furniture and color scheme. It gave off a warm feeling.
"Okay! So it will take a while to get ready so we invited you to join us!" She says looking at Torrie. "Oh, But I don't have a dress," Torrie says and Angelica looks at her. Veronica slightly laughs from where she is sitting while the hairstylist is doing her hair. "Nonsense we have plenty of dresses right here." She says pointing to four racks of dresses standing in front of her.
Before Torrie can respond Angelica is pulling dresses one by one off the rack of all sorts of styles and colors. As she ushers Torrie back to the bathroom. To change. After a very very long time after trying on dress after dress. She looked at the very last dress and tried it on. When she looks in the mirror she was amazed and almost didn't recognize herself.
The dress was a light grey with a little bit of lace on the torso. It was just tight enough to show off her curves. It hugged her body nicely and showed off her tan skin with perfection. As she walked into the main room Angelica turns to her. "Oh my god, you are stunning Torrie." She says in admiration. Causing Torrie to smile shyly.
"You both look gorgeous," Torrie says as she sits in one of the chairs and the hairstylists begins to work on her disaster of hair. As the hairstylist went to work Torrie couldn't help but watch their every move. It was almost as if the longer she looked maybe she could possibly learn from it. With the finished product of her chestnut brown hair sitting on her shoulders with tight curls. And the gold and black eyeshadow complementing her hazel eyes.
Torrie could barely recognize herself. It was as if she was looking at a whole new person. But she didn't hate it. But as the makeup artist was adding the final touch of light rose lipstick to her lips she laughed to herself silently. She never knew how to wear lipstick.
As they finished getting ready Torrie couldn't help but feel intimidated by the women in front of her. But not in a bad way at all. Both Angelica and Veronica were standing in front of her with their golden-brown hair and emerald green eyes. Angelica didn't look a day over thirty and Veronica could be mistaken for her younger sister. Torrie picked up that the women in front of her were Strong, Independent, and Caring. Not to mention gorgeous and intelligent.
You could see it in the way they stood. They had their shoulders relaxed but their backs were straight. They walked and talked with grace and elegance. But also with boldness and that 'try me' tone. Torrie looked at the women and was admired. "Thank you guys really, You have done nothing but show me kindness these last three days." She says and Angelica turns to her. Walking up to her and giving her a hug. "We take care of the people under our roof, Torrie that is who we are." She says and lets Torrie out of her grip.
They smile at Torrie and lead her out of the room. As they do their heels click on the hardwood floor. When they reach the stairs Torrie feels that feeling again. For once it was a feeling of nerves. But in a good way? The rest of the Veneti family was waiting at the bottom for the women to come down. And one after the other they did. Angelica and Leonardo were together, Veronica went to Dante and James was waiting for Torrie.
"You look stunning Ms. Matthews." He says in a proper voice. Torrie holds in a laugh mimicking the same voice doing a slight bow. "And you look dashing yourself Mr. Karder." She says and they both laugh James lending his arm out to her. As she takes it they are lead out of the manor with the driveway full of limos. "Why are there so many limos?" She asks him and he looks at her. He laughs helping her into the limo.
"Because we all have to arrive separately." He says and the limo starts to take off. "I didn't see Niall is he not coming?" She asks and James looks at her. "He is, He just got ready at his house with Chantelle." He says and she nods turning her attention to the window.
The drive to the banquet was nice and they talked the majority of the way but Torrie couldn't shake the feeling of being nervous the closer they got to the address. And when they pulled up a ton of paparazzi was out waiting for whoever got out of the limos. As she noticed the paparazzi the nerves started to grow. James turned and noticed her nerves reaching over and grabbing her hand.
"You're going to be fine." He says looking at her and she breathes in slightly and nods. The limo soon stops and the driver opens the door. James gets out leading Torrie behind him. She walks really close to him and speaks out. "You didn't tell me there would be paparazzi." She says and he looks at her. "You work for billionaires and this is a billionaire banquet what did you think?" He says with a smile as he leads her onto the carpet.
She notices the attention that Leonardo and Angelica are getting in front of her and gives James hand a squeeze. "Don't worry, just smile and don't try to look at one specific camera it's useless." He says whispering in her ear and she nods. And she does she just smiles and looks around. But something made a connection in her brain.
If there is paparazzi here then why did the Veneti's not exist on the internet? She thought and as she was brought out of her thoughts James was leading her into the banquet. As they entered the Banquet the room was amazing. The smell of expensive colognes and perfumes hit Torrie's nose. The sound of elegant music and people chatting away was in the background.
As they descended the stairs Torrie looked around. The room was full of tables of people sitting and standing chatting up a storm. As they got to the main floor she noticed the people around. They were all sorts of ages. Old and young. They all wore very fancy and clearly expensive dresses and suits. Their hair all put well together. Sipping on their fancy wines and whiskeys.
In the front of the room by what looks like the stage and the dance floor, they met up with Angelica and Leonardo. They stayed and chatted awhile and soon were served champagne. Torrie reluctantly took the glass and slightly sipped on the bitter beverage. She never was a wine and champagne girl. She was lost in her thoughts of the beverages after the taste on her tongue when she heard Angelica speak out.
"You didn't tell me he was bringing her." She says and Leonardo changes his attention to something behind Torrie and James. Both of them turn around and Torrie's eyes make contact with Niall's she adverts her attention to the gorgeous blonde next to him. She was wearing a tight-fitting light blue dress that complimented her eyes. She was smiling and her face lit up as she did. Her gorgeous sun-kissed golden blonde hair was tied into a bun with pieces hanging down her face.
Her attention diverts from the blonde to Niall. He looked amazing cleaned up in his entire black suit and his black hair gelled together. One thing she picks up on is that his attention isn't on his gorgeous date next to him. Instead, it's on her. She watches as she makes eye contact with the ocean blue eyes and followed them as they scan her body. Almost as if he was reading her like a book. She notices him stiffen and shove his free hand into his pocket while the other is on the blonde's waist.
They turn back around and Niall and the blonde stop to talk to someone and look back at Angelica. She did not look happy. In fact, she looked hysterical. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Veneti." A female's perky voice says next to me. I look up and the blonde and Niall were standing right there. "Hello, Chantelle. You look beautiful tonight." Leonardo says nodding towards her as she smiles. Torrie then makes the connection as to why Angelica is so mad.
Chantelle waits for Angelica to say something but she never does causing Chantelle's smile to fall. Niall clears his throat and turns to Torrie. "Chantelle, This is my Patent Attorney Torrie. Torrie this is my girlfriend Chantelle." Her attention turning to Torrie and she smiles. "Oh my god! You look gorgeous in that dress! It's good to meet you!" She says wrapping Torrie in a hug. Torrie looks up at Niall and he just shrugs his shoulders.
"Chantelle why don't you join me for some drinks to catch up," James says after awkwardly clearing his throat. James looks at the rest of the group and they all nod. Chantelle plants a kiss on Niall's cheek and walks away towards the direction of the bar with James. "When will she accept we just don't like her," Angelica says and Niall sighs rubbing his head.
"Seriously Ma, Can you at least try to be nice to her?" Niall asks and Angelica looks at him and raises her eyebrows. Leonardo looks at Torrie and sighs. Before Torrie can even say anything Angelica pulls out the Italian and starts to yell at Niall. Both Leonardo and Torrie stand in silence awkward as Angelica gives Niall a lecture as if he was five years old.
"Alright alright Amor, He understands," Leonardo says placing his hands on her shoulders and placing a kiss on her cheek. Torrie feels Niall turn to her. "Want to dance?" he asks and she looks between the couple in front of her and him. "Oh, Um sure!" She says and he nods leading her out to the dance floor.
As they get onto the floor he places his hand and puts it on her waist. Pulling her in tighter. Another grabs her hand in his. The way he touches her electrified through her body. And the feeling of butterflies flapped around all over again. As they start to move with the music. The way the sweet melody of the live music as classical as it was she still enjoyed it.
But she looked up at him. "Niall?" She asks and he looks down at her. "Hm?" He says and she hesitates. "What's the whole deal with Chantelle?" She asks and he looks at her. "It's a long story. And I don't want to ruin your night." He says and she looks at him. "Are you sure you look like you need to talk?" She says and he looks away from her. "We have a very toxic past." He says looking down at her the ocean blue eyes meeting hers and she can't help but get the feeling again.
She feels his hand on her waist tighten slightly as if he is struggling to hold it in. "You don't have to tell me. It's alright." She says and he nods. "Thank you." He says and she nods. "Alright tell me a random fact about you," Torrie says and he looks at her and raises his eyebrows. "What do you mean." He asks and Torrie looks at him.
"Just something that comes to the top of your head." She says and he looks at her and thinks. "I have never had a pet." He says and Torrie looks at him shocked. "Never?" She says in shock. "Nope, Ma never wanted them they always were too smelly or messy." He says and she bursts out laughing causing him to laugh as well. "Alright alright. Your turn." He says and Torrie thinks about it. "I have never said I love you." She says and he looks at her with intrigue. "Never?" He says with the same tone. Causing her to laugh. "Why?" He asks and she looks down nervously. "I'm afraid of commitment. Because of my mom and dad's whole story. They were college lovers whose dreams were living on a ranch and raising their kids to keep the ranch in the family."
She looks down and smiles. "My sisters and I used to sneak out when we were little at night because my parents used to dance in the kitchen every night when we were little. They would dance to the song they used on their first dance to." She says and he looks at her. "Why would that cause commitment issues?" He asks and she bites her lip slightly. "My mom left when I was ten. Crushed my idea of love so all those romance novels and books made me realize that the perfect romance never lasts."
She says and he looks at her and she looks back at him. "What?" She says and he shakes his head. Before he can say anything James comes up from behind them. "May I steal her?" He asks and Niall nods Chantelle and Torrie swapping places. James leads her to the bar. "Have you gotten any drinks yet?" She asks and he shakes his head. "Drinking around Chantelle is a bad idea?" He says and causes Torrie to laugh.
"Shots?" He asks and she nods he orders around and hands one to her. She throws the shot back with no expression on her face. He looks at her his shot still in his hand looking at her in shock. "How can you drink that?" He says and she looks at him and laughs. "This is nothing. I might get buzzed that's it that's the most that can happen from this. I'm from the south what can I say." She says and he laughs knocking down his shot. "I will be honest I have never seen a woman drink like you." He says and she smiles. "Well good thing about being this woman is I can probably out drink you." She says and he looks at her.
"I believe that you honestly could." He says and she raises her eyebrows and smiles. "Alright what do you want to drink?" He asks and she looks at him turning to the bartender she says. "Whiskey on the flats please." She says and the bartender hands her the drink. "Uh wine please," James says and turns to Torrie. "I don't know how you do it." He says and Torrie looks at him.
"I believe the speech is going to begin we should get back to the table." He says looking at her and she nods. "Lead the way." She says and he looks at her leading the way to the table. As they sit down Torrie makes eye contact with Niall from across the table. He looks at her drink and raises a brow.
It wasn't long before the food was served to them. Torrie looked down at her steak and her mouth watered just letting it hit her nose. She started to dig in as a guy heads out to the front of the stage. Chantelle looks up and exchanges looks with Niall and he slightly smiles at her. The man on the stage starts to talk.
"Good afternoon everyone thank you for joining me. I want to thank every one of you for coming. This charity means a lot to me. And I am glad all of my good friends and allies are here to help and support me." He says and Torrie turns to James. "What's the charity?" She asks and he looks at her. "He's raising money for kids in Africa to attend school or something." He says and she nods drinking her drink.
"I also want to thank my gorgeous daughter Chantelle. Who is here tonight with her handsome boyfriend Niall Veneti." The man says on stage and the room goes silent. "So anyway thank you again for the charity and I hope you all enjoy your dinner!" he says and the room claps while he leaves the stage.
Torrie looks up from her drink and makes eye contact with Niall. He looks back down and begins eating. The table was silent the entire dinner. Chantelle shifted in her seat awkwardly. Several times. "What a coincidence seeing you two here!" A male voice says and all of us lookup. There was a man standing at the table looking down at Chantelle and Niall.
Chantelle's face goes pale as she looks over at Niall. Niall stiffens in his spot. "Gunnison," he says and the man laughs. "Veneti, I'm surprised you're here." He says and Niall crosses his arms. "And why is that. This is after all my banquet hall. I am a sponsor for the Charity run and it's my girlfriend's father." He says and the man laughs. "So I take it you haven't told him?" The man says and Chantelle frantically freaks out.
James shifts in his seat and turns to Niall. Torrie looks at Niall and he is already fuming. "Told me what." He says and Chantelle turns to him. She drops her fork and looks at him. "Can we go somewhere else? Please?" She says and he looks at her. "No, Tell me now." He says his voice starting to get louder.
"Well, Chantelle and I have been seeing each other for a while now isn't that right babe." He said placing his hand on her shoulder. Niall's Jaw tightens. "I would walk away before I kill you right now." He said looking straight at the man. "Woah Woah Niall I wouldn't do that if I were you. This room is full of allies of mine and yours but don't forget we are both allies Veneti." He says with a devilish smile.
Niall stands up and goes face to face with the man. "Don't forget who you are talking to. Gunnison. I will not hesitate to start a war. And your allies would be on my side." He says and Leonardo clears his throat. "Niall." He says and nods toward Torrie whos sitting down awkwardly.
Niall looks at her and turns back to the man who is now smiling like a devil. Niall was fuming at this point. "Get the hell out of my sight." He says and Chantelle stands up. "Niall I-" She begins and he looks at her. "And you stay the hell away from me I don't want to see you again I won't hesitate for one second, You hear me?" He says looking her up and down and walking over to the bar.
"I'm sorry about that Torrie." Angelica apologized. "No don't it's alright." She says standing up. "I'm going to go check and see if everything is alright and get another drink." She says and they all nod their heads.
As she headed over to the bar she saw an aggravated Niall sitting at the bar. His suit jacket was off and his hair was a mess as he shoved his hands in it. "Hey," Torrie says and turns to the bartender. "Another whiskey on rocks please." She says and Niall looks over at her. "Hey." He says and goes back to his pile of shots. She looks at the shot glasses. "Are you going to drink all of those in one sitting?" She asks and he looks at her.
"That was the plan yeah." He says in a snappy tone. "Alright, I was just saying take it easy." She says and he laughs. "Take it easy. Alright, so when you get a boyfriend and he cheats on you with another person you let me know how it feels." He says and she looks at him. He sighs. "I'm sorry I-" He says but she cut him off.
"Nope, I get it." She says grabbing a bartender. "A few more shots please." She says and he looks at her. "What are you doing?" He asks and she looks at him. "Taking the same amount of shots as you." She says and he looks at her and turns back to his shots. They both finish off their shots and look at each other.
"I'm surprised you arent falling all over the place," Niall says to Torrie. "I drank whiskey and tequila since I was in high school by this point I'm immune." She says and he laughs. Torrie looks around the banquet again but a couple walks towards them not intentionally. "Oh my god." She says and Niall turns to her. "What?" He says and she turns to him. "I think that's my mom."