The next morning came faster than I expected. I groggily made my way to breakfast, half-expecting to find the dining room empty. But Alexander was already there, sitting at the head of the table, a cup of coffee in hand. His posture was as poised as ever, but there was something different in his expression, something more focused. He glanced up as I entered, his eyes scanning me quickly before returning to his plate.
"Good morning," he said, his voice measured.
"Morning," I replied, taking a seat across from him.
For a few moments, we ate in silence. The air between us was thick, the conversation from the previous night still lingering in the background. Finally, he broke the quiet.
"Tonight, we'll be attending another event," he said, his tone brisk. "A charity function. It's hosted by one of Colton's associates, so we need to be on alert."
I nodded, trying to suppress the sudden nerves that rose within me. "What's our plan?"
"We'll observe and mingle. You'll stick close to Brielle if possible. Try to engage her, but don't push too hard. If she's hiding something, we'll find out soon enough."
I bit my lip, feeling the weight of the responsibility he was putting on me. "I'll do my best."
Alexander's gaze flicked up to meet mine, and for a moment, there was a softness there that I hadn't seen before. "I know you will," he said quietly.
The moment passed quickly, and he returned to his coffee, his mask firmly back in place. But the subtle shift in his demeanor stayed with me. Whatever was happening between us, it was growing more complicated by the day. And my tiny brain couldn't handle this anymore.
After breakfast, I spent the rest of the day at the resort, trying to relax. I lounged by the pool with a book in hand, but my mind kept drifting back to the night ahead, to Brielle, to Alexander. I had a role to play tonight, and I couldn't afford to let my emotions get in the way.
Around four in the afternoon, Arabella and the other stylists arrived. They bustled into my suite with an array of dresses, shoes, and accessories, ready to prepare me for the evening. I was grateful for the distraction, something to take my mind off the weight of everything else.
Arabella and her team set to work, transforming the space into a mini salon. The dress they finally selected for me was a stunning, midnight blue gown. The deep hue complemented my complexion and made my eyes stand out. The gown was strapless, hugging my figure until it flared out in a gentle A-line silhouette. It featured intricate silver embroidery along the bodice that shimmered subtly, adding a touch of elegance without overwhelming the design. The back of the dress had a daring, low-cut design that added a hint of allure while still maintaining a refined look. What was with all these backless dresses these days?
As Arabella worked on my hair, curling it into soft waves that cascaded down my back, she chatted to keep my mind off the evening's anxiety. "This gown really brings out the best in you," she said with a smile, securing a delicate silver hairpin in my curls.
"Thank you, Arabella," I said, glancing at her in the mirror. "I'm just hoping I can pull this off."
Arabella gave me an encouraging look. "You'll do great. Just remember, you're not alone in this. We've got you covered."
With her final touches complete, I felt both nervous and excited. The gown made me feel confident, but the stakes of the evening weighed heavily on my mind.
As I descended the stairs to meet Alexander, I could see him waiting in the foyer. He was impeccably dressed in a sharp, dark suit that contrasted with my gown, his expression unreadable as he took in my appearance. For a brief moment, his eyes lingered on me, and I saw a flicker of something in his gaze—a mix of approval and something else I couldn't quite place.
"You look exceptional," he said, his tone neutral yet edged with sincerity.
"Thank you," I replied, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach. That was one big compliment coming from him. "Shall we?"
We made our way to the car, and the drive to the event was quiet, the air between us heavy with unspoken thoughts. As we arrived at the grand ballroom, the opulence of the venue struck me immediately. The room was filled with elegant décor, the soft strains of a string quartet, and the hum of lively conversation.
Alexander led me inside, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. His touch was firm but reassuring as we navigated the crowd. As we mingled, I stayed close to him, feeling the weight of our mission pressing on me.
Eventually, I spotted Brielle Colton, the blonde heiress who had made such an impression the previous night. She moved through the crowd with a confident grace, her aristocratic air unmistakable. When she approached us, her eyes focused on Alexander, barely acknowledging my presence. Her two companions, Celine and Mia, flanked her, adding to the entourage of sophistication.
"Alexander," Brielle said, her voice smooth and unbothered, "It's nice to see you again."
Alexander gave a courteous nod, his demeanor composed. "Brielle, a pleasure as always."
"Who's your companion?" Brielle asked, finally turning her gaze towards me, though her tone remained disinterested and pretentious. She was clearly faking not to know me. This brat.
"I'm Ivy," I said, trying to sound as polite as possible, which she didn't deserve anyways. "We met at the charity event last night."
Brielle's expression flickered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a practiced smile. "Of course. Ivy."
Before I could respond, Alexander glanced at his watch. "Excuse me, Ivy. I need to handle a few things."
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. "Of course, Alexander."
As Alexander walked away, Brielle's smile widened slightly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Well, Ivy, now that you're on your own, let's have a chat."
I tried to maintain my composure as Brielle's entourage circled closer. "Certainly." Just don't do anything funny, maniac.
"So," Brielle said, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper, "How are you finding the event?"
"It's been quite an experience," I replied carefully. She wasn't going to catch me faltering. Not ever.
Celine, Brielle's friend, chimed in. "You seem a bit out of place, Ivy. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Actually," Brielle said, ignoring Celine's comment, "I've heard that Alexander is very particular about his partners."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my voice steady. "Is that so?" What was this woman trying to imply?
Brielle leaned in slightly, her gaze intense. "Yes. And I suppose he's been very specific about the role you're playing. I wouldn't want to intrude on his private matters, but some people say he's always had a taste for... unconventional partnerships."
Mia, who had been silently observing, added, "And it's no secret that Alexander's past is complicated. You might find that people here have long memories."
What was their problem with me!? I felt a pang of unease, but I forced a smile. "I see."
As the conversation continued, Brielle's demeanor remained cool but occasionally she let slip a hint of underlying tension, as if there were layers of unspoken history between her and Alexander that she couldn't entirely conceal. It was clear there was more to their relationship than met the eye.
Just as Brielle seemed ready to delve deeper, Alexander reappeared, his expression neutral. "Ivy, we should get going. We have more guests to meet."
I glanced back at Brielle, who had resumed her aloof demeanor. "Of course," I said, trying to keep my tone friendly.
As we walked away, I couldn't help but wonder about the implications of Brielle's cryptic remarks. There was a deeper story here, one that seemed entwined with Alexander's past. I hoped that the evening would reveal more.