Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 11: BOUNDLESS, BREATHLESS

LAURA

The charity gala had been moving quite well. Greetings were exchanged across tables. Soft music, champagne and canapes helped me unwind after a busy day at work.

But the whole time, I felt quite uncomfortable. Like someone was watching me.

Harlan kept me entertained enough with his jokes to not have me paranoid. "Who wears a corset like that to an event and makes a face? I mean, you knew there’s no way you’d get comfortable!"

I hid my chuckle behind my palms, because the woman he was shading was just a few tables away from ours. "You’re a menace, Harlan. Who would believe so with that face of yours?"

He lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug, grinning. "It’s just a hilarious sight. I can’t ignore it. Plus," his gaze darkened as they burned into my lips, "I’m no angel."

He was beginning to make it more obvious, his interest in me. But that seemed to be as far as he was willing to go. Subtle-flirt with me until I lose my goddamn mind.

It was not until the host mentioned a familiar name in the course of guest recognition, that I understood why I’d felt the way I felt all evening.

Tristan was here. In the same hall. And he just got recognized as a sponsor.

I glanced up before I could stop myself.

Everything else fell away the moment our eyes connected across the hall. The noise. The people. Even Harlan.

For a good minute, the only thing I was aware of was the shift in my chest, my stomach dropping, and Tristan’s burning gaze.

I only snapped out of it when Harlan leaned in and whispered in my ear, sending a flurry of goosebumps across my skin. "Everything okay?"

I swallowed a lump down my throat and snatched my gaze away from Tristan. But not before I caught Madison glaring at me. A flurry of mixed feelings attacked me, leaving me breathless.

"Y-Yes." I flashed Harlan a small smile. "I just didn’t expect him to be...here."

Which was a stupid thing to say because this was New York. What are the chances that we won’t keep running into each other?

Damn. I hate this feeling. It was everything I felt on that night five years ago. It was suffocating and in a way...felt so good.

Harlan watched me like he knew what I was thinking. "We can leave if you’re not comfortable."

A nervous chuckle tumbled past my lips. "Oh, please." I waved my hand dismissively. "He’s not the reason I’m here."

"Laura.." He reached across the table and took my hand, massaging it. "You don’t have to pretend with me."

"I’m fine, Harlan. Really."

He did not look convinced, but he let it slide anyway. Harlan had been so considerate of me ever since he learned of my ordeal with Pierce Holdings. That was all he knew. The humiliation meted to me by the company. I never told him of the personal relationship I had with Tristan before the whole thing blew over.

And maybe...it was better if he did not know that I’d been a fool. And might still be one for the same man who ruined me years ago.

The recognitions were soon concluded and the live auction began. The early lots were a collection of rare vintage bottles, jewelry pieces, and valuable photography pieces. The crowd calmly sat through the auctions.

A painting from the mid-tier lots caught my attention. And Harlan made sure he landed the piece at the closing price of a million bucks.

"It’s a perfect gift for Eli," he whispered in my ear, and euphoria trickled into every part of my being. I could not count the times that Harlan’s thoughtfulness had moved me to tears. Tonight was one of those times.

"Harlan..."

"Shh, his birthday’s around the corner, so."

I would never understand why he loved me and my son so much.

Meanwhile, the painting’s artist seemed to be another emotional person in the hall tonight. She was a young woman who looked to be around her late twenties. She seemed quite overwhelmed about the fact that anyone would pick interest in her vivid dawdling artwork. "Thank you," she mouthed in our direction. Then she raised a toast to us, beaming from ear to ear.

"And now, for our final lot of the evening..." The host’s voice echoed across the space with the same excitement that burned in my chest. "A piece that redefined fashion in unimaginable ways.. The headline piece of the twenty-fourth NYC charity gala."

The stage lights dimmed and the spotlight shone on a luxurious piece that had everyone in the hall gasping in awe.

Diamond-studded, feathery, A-line, back slit. Glittery in a way that stole breaths.

"Ladies and gentlemen, behold the headline piece designed by the Phoenix brand!"

Applause exploded everywhere around me. My chest was almost exploding with a joy that knew no bounds.

The headline piece was mine. I couldn’t feel more proud. This was one of those moments that made all the years of pain feel like nothing. Especially knowing that the very people who betrayed me were in this room.

The piece was a burgundy dress I had designed last summer. The original intent behind it was for personal use. Until I decided that I could do better for myself.

"Join me as I welcome to the stage the brain behind this masterpiece," the host continued.

I glanced around, overwhelmed, as the guests cheered me on.

Harlan beamed with the same joy overflowing my chest. Then he stood and extended his palm to me. "It’s your moment, superstar. Go on, shine bright."

Fighting the tears that threatened to ruin my composure and make up, I took Harlan’s hand and made my way to the stage, while he clapped the loudest for me.

It took everything in me to not look in Tristan and Madison’s direction. I would kill to see the look on their faces. Triumph swirled in my chest as I got on stage and thanked the host for the regal entrance.

Then I turned to the audience, caught Tristan’s starstruck expression a moment before I carried on. "Thank you everyone. I feel so excited," I giggled into the mic as I caught Harlan’s wink. "It’s a pleasure to be here tonight...to have my piece recognized. I’m truly grateful."

"We thank you for sharing your talent with the world, Ms. Hayes. Why don’t you share a few words with us? It could be the inspiration behind this masterpiece...or even better, your brand’s success."

"Hmm." My gaze moved across the audience and fell on Madison. "Before that, I would like to give a special vote of thanks to the person who put me on this pedestal."