The hall, a thirty-minute drive away from the Benetti mansion, was incredibly luxurious and impressive, just like it.
Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, shining brightly over the many elegantly dressed guests.
The room was filled with the quiet sounds of people talking and the occasional clink of fancy glasses.
Claire stood at the top of the long, white staircase, her heart beating out of her chest at the sight of all those people.
She was dressed in a breathtaking white Arabian princess gown, rich with golden embroidery down the middle and delicate beadwork.
The fancy fabric flowed around her like a river, and her hair was styled in a neat bun, decorated with shiny gold accessories that sparkled when she moved.
Her makeup, expertly applied by Zarah, highlighted with kohl and added a bit of glamour to her already beautiful face.
As she took a deep breath, Lucas appeared at her side, his presence calming her nerves. He looked dashing in a tailored tuxedo, his eyes dark and intense.
He offered his arm, and she took it, feeling the weight of the ring on her finger—a reminder of the role she now played.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice low and reassuring.
"Ready," she replied, adjusting her hair slightly.
"Rami Al-Haziz; he's an elder controlling trade in the Arab market. That's who we want to establish contact with. So when we meet him, I want you to go full Arabian on him," Lucas instructed gently.
Claire nodded, staring straight ahead.
'Rami Al-Haziz,
Rami Al-Haziz,
Rami Al-Haziz,'
she continuously repeated in her mind.
With that, they descended the staircase together; Don and Madame Benetti.
They reached the bottom and entered the beautiful hall, filled with guests. Claire's eyes scanned the room, taking in the air full of wealth and power.
Lucas led her through the crowd, introducing her to various influential people and business partners.
Claire smiled and conversed smoothly, her training guiding her through each interaction perfectly.
As they moved deeper into the room, Claire noticed a group of people standing together, their presence hard to ignore.
The woman in the center of the group stood out. She had a strong face and carried herself with confidence. Her dark hair was styled nicely, and her eyes were bright and smart.
Claire then realized Lucas was taking her up to them. She felt his grip around her arm tighten as they approached the group.
"Claire, I'd like you to meet Ms. Luna De Carlo and her family," he said courteously.
Madame De Carlo turned to face them, her eyes fixed on Claire with a piercing stare. She held out her hand, her smile friendly but her eyes not-so-friendly. "Oh hi! Nice to meet you Madame Benetti. Aren't you just gorgeous? This Arabian gown, wow! Don Benetti has told me so much about you."
"Thank you! I'm sure he has. You look absolutely stunning too," Claire replied smoothly, shaking her hand.
"Oh stop it," Luna replied with a blush, which Claire could immediately tell was forced. "Oh Luc, a private marriage, that's really unlike us, you know?" Luna said playfully.
Lucas only smiled exchanged nods with the other members of the De Carlo family, each one smartly dressed, stern and intimidating. "Ms. De Carlo, I trust you and your family are enjoying the evening?"
"Of course! We couldn't ask for better," Luna replied. Claire couldn't help but find it creepy that her smile never reached her eyes.
"Well, it's been a pleasure meeting again, we'll discuss business soon. We'll catch up with the other families now," Lucas said, his tone measured.
"Oh certainly, we'll be looking forward to that," Luna said, again, with that creepy smile.
Lucas and Claire then turned to go. As they were a short distance away from the De Carlo family, Luna called out, "Madam Benetti!"
This caused Lucas and Claire to stop and turn. Luna continued, "Do enjoy the rest of your evening."
Before Claire could respond, the lights in the ballroom suddenly went out, sending the room into darkness.
A collective gasp filled the air, followed by the sharp, unmistakable sound of three gunshots, immediately sending everyone running for cover and screaming for help. Chaos.
Claire felt Lucas's hand tighten around her arms, pulling her close and grounding her amidst the panic.
After what felt like forever, the lights came back on, revealing a scene of horror.
Two bodies lay motionless on the floor, blood oozing from their wounds, forming a pool of blood around them.
Claire, still being held by Lucas, stared blankly at the dead bodies, her face pale with fear. She waited patiently for the familiar "Cut!" From Craig.
Then it dawned on her. This wasn't an act, this wasn't rehearsals, this wasn't a movie. THIS was real life. Two people had actually been shot right in front of her. She fought hard against the urge to throw up.
Luna stood calmly amidst the chaos, her expression darkening a little. She looked over at Claire and Lucas, then back over at the bodies.
Then she said, in the most cold-hearted way possible, "Hmm. Interesting."
Before Claire could process what Luna had just said, Lucas moved swiftly. "Claire, stay close," he whispered urgently, pulling her in.
The hall was in complete chaos. Guests were screaming, some crouching behind overturned tables, while others worriedly searched for loved ones.
Luna remained scarily calm, her eyes chilly and thoughtful as she watched the chaos unfold, almost as if she was enjoying it.
Lucas guided Claire through the frantic crowd, heading for a side door. As they moved, Claire couldn't help but look back at Luna, now surrounded by her family.
The De Carlos family had an aura of danger, and Claire couldn't shake the feeling that they were behind the assassinations.
"Lucas, what's happening?" Claire whispered, her voice trembling.
"We need to get out of here. Now," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Just as they reached the exit, a group of Lucas's trained men joined them. "Don Benetti, we couldn't find the threat," one of them reported.
"Keep Claire safe, I'll handle this," Lucas said, his expression stern.
"No, Lucas. I'm staying with you," Claire protested, her eyes pleading.
He cupped her face gently, his eyes locking onto hers. "Trust me, Claire. I need you safe. I'll handle this. Go with them. Now."
Reluctantly, Claire nodded, allowing the men to guide her outside and towards the waiting car.
She looked back with concern as Lucas made his way back into the building, accompanied by two of his men.
'Will he be alright?'