The more I’m in this expensive room, the more I want to run away. I make up my mind to try and sneak through the kitchen fire exit. Anna Green and her staff will be cooking up a storm and too busy to care that I’m trying escaping this boring ass party.
I make my way to the large foyer. I hear laughter as a group of men—with Arthur Cain leading the pack—walking down the large spiral staircase. Lance Cain is close by.
When Arthur notices me, he stops his laughter, and brandishes a concerned face. “Noelle, is everything okay?”
“Were you leaving?” Lance asks me with a smirk.
My eyes widen. “No! I wanted to see Anna in the kitchen. Marta had these amazing appetizers that I just had to get a few more of before the rest of the crowd digs in.”
Arthur laughs to himself. He reaches out a hand towards me. I smile, not knowing what else to do, and take his hand in mine. He gently guides me towards the banquet hall again.
“We’re about to sit for dinner,” Arthur says. “And you’re sitting at our table. So, I’ll lead the way.”
Arthur guides me up several stairs that lead to a head table on an elevated stage, facing the crowd. Arthur asks me to sit beside him. I nod my head and take my seat.
Lance walks behind me. He brushes his hand gently against my bare neck. He lowers his head and in a whispering voice says, “You deserve it all tonight. You truly do.”
I smile at him and nod my head as if he said something nice to me. “Bring it on,” I whisper back.
Lance takes his seat on the other side of his father. A few other business type people sit at the table with us. The man that I spoke to at the last function, Richard, is one of them. I notice that I’m starting to stick out like a sore thumb, being the only woman in the group.
Looks like I finally made it to the big boy table.
I look out at the crowd and feel completely intimidated. All those wealthy eyes staring at me. I could do an easier job blending in walking amongst them. With all attention towards the head table, I feel like they all know I’m a fake.
I remind myself I’m at the head table next to Arthur Cain for a reason. He sees something in me. He sees my potential. Why else would he have some random girl up here with him and his son?
I notice from the corner of my eye Lance staring at me. I turn, and he smiles at me coldly.
Just what the fuck does he have planned for me?
Waiters bring out entrées to the guests, starting with the head table first. A small piece of breaded chicken is on a plate in front of me with some type of vegetable dip smeared across the plate to make it look fancier. I’m pretty sure I can eat this with one bite. I take my fork out of its napkin, but Arthur Cain puts his hand over mine. I look over at him and he waves his head no.
Once the waiters are done serving, Arthur Cain stands and gives a toast, thanking everyone for coming on this special night. He makes a few more comments, which I completely ignore, hoping he finishes so I can eat the small portion of food on my plate.
Why didn’t I eat before coming? I knew from the last charity function that they don’t exactly give generous amounts of food, but this time seems even worse than before. It feels like the fancier the event, the less food on the plate you get.
The crowd bangs on their glasses, and a few cheer for Arthur Cain.
Arthur puts his hands up and directs the crowd to lower their enthusiasm. “My son, Lancelot, and my houseguest, Noelle, and I are all happy you were able to come.” Arthur looks at me and smiles. “Now, you know me, I don’t like being the center of attention…” A few tables erupt in laughter. Arthur again uses his hands to direct the crowd to lower themselves, and they listen. “But tonight is something special for me. So, thank you. Thank you all.”
The crowd claps vigorously, and Arthur Cain sits again. He turns his head and looks at me. “Noelle, can you say a few things to the crowd?”
I look almost in shock with the question. “What?”
“Just say something nice about how much you enjoy being here and going to Ryland Academy.”
“I—” Again, I can’t find words. Public speaking isn’t exactly my thing. I struggle for class presentations in front of twenty people, how the hell can I do over two hundred?
Arthur puts his hand over mine again. “Go on. You will likely have to give a lot of speeches someday, if you’re running a company like mine.”
I smile. I look over at Lance in a mocking way as I stand up. The crowd lowers its noise when I do. It feels strange having such power as to quiet a crowd full of people wealthier and more influential then I may ever be,
“I’ve been staying at Arthur Cain’s home for a few weeks now. He has treated me with the upmost respect and has welcomed me as if I were family.” I take my time before I say another word, and look over at Lance to ensure my words sink in. “Because of Arthur Cain, my future has a lot more promise to it. I truly don’t know where I would be without you, Mr. Cain. So, thank you.”
I sit back down, and Arthur gives me a reassuring head nod. I guess I gave him exactly what he wanted with that.
We continue our dinner, and the waiters thankfully bring out more dishes of food. At the end of the meal, we order
