Perfunctory laughter.
“But I also want to take this opportunity to announce some big changes coming to Thorne Industries.”
My voice drops lower, and a hush comes over the whole room.
When the leader of an empire the size of Thorne announces big changes, it only strikes fear into the hearts of the guilty.
No one else has to worry.
Thing is, every single face in the room, apart from Jules looks worried when I mention the changes.
“There’ll be memos and updates first thing Monday. So until then, happy bidding and enjoy your dinner,” Is all I tell ‘em. For now.
I cast my eye around the room, feeling every set of eyes meet mine from the darkness beyond the podium.
I never said the changes would be bad, and they won’t be. But I know for a fact that it’ll be the last meal many of these people have at my expense.
That’s for damned sure.
I wish Nicholas was here. He’s always so diplomatic on my behalf.
Left alone, I’ve either got my head in the clouds or become judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to business.
Now that I have a better idea as to what’s actually been going on, I think there’ll be heads rolling for some weeks to come.
But not Jules’ and my own is screwed back on straight enough.
I make my way back to our table, ignoring the people standing and applauding me with gusto now, eager to make sure they’re seen to be supporting me.
Whipping out my phone, I hold it up, knowing that the cameras, and the crowd are still following my every move.
I motion for everyone to do the same, to make sure they have the app downloaded so the bidding can start.
The huge screen fades out then back again, a giant counter showing the amounts raised so far and how much Thorne Industries (me) is matching, dollar for dollar.
It makes me growl to myself with dissatisfaction, but feeling Jules’ arm touching mine as she shifts in her seat, I remind myself what I’m actually here for.
It makes me feel so calm, so happy straight away. Like going to the dentist. I know I have a little discomfort up ahead with work, with the business, but at the end of that tunnel…
I’ll make her mine, then nothing else will matter.
The eyes closest to me all look away.
Everyone at the table pretends to busy themselves with their auction app or making choices from the dinner menu.
Jules watches me, with a mixture of confusion. Then looks out into the darkness of the ballroom, as if she’s trying to find someone. I ask her if she’s looking for anyone special.
“No,” she says quickly. I want to put my hand over hers again, but think better of it. I don’t want to embarrass her any more than I already have.
“I think I’ve found what I’m looking for,” she adds cryptically, smiling to herself as she looks down at her phone, opening up the auction app.
I wonder who thinks of these things.
I can remember, not too long ago, you would have a dinner or an auction and the guests would actually look at each other in the eye, talk to one another.
These days, even in business, it’s all eyes down and everything is communicated in through reports or emails.
I think it’s stupid.
Besides, my bids have already been placed and I’ve told the people in charge that if I’m outbid, to let me know at once.
CHAPTER NINE
Jules
I pretend to look at the auction app, but truth is, I don’t even know how to add it to my phone. Or maybe I just don’t want to.
Actually, I know I don’t want to.
If Mason hadn’t bumped into me, I’d be home by now, crying my eyes out and eating junk food in front of the television before a bath and an early night.
But I can’t let myself think like that.
He did bump into me, and I do want to be here.
I just feel like a clown wearing this stupid dress that doesn’t fit, having the whole damned building in one room laughing at me behind Mason’s back.
I know he’s genuine. He meant it when he said I looked great, I know he did, even if I don’t feel that way about myself right now.
Everyone else, all the Karen’s of the world.
That’s a different story, and if it wasn’t for Mason’s unusual announcement about changes coming up, I think a fair few more would be laughing in my face.
People can be so cruel.
Our host for the evening, What’s his name again?
He’s reading of some information that sounds like rehearsed ads about the sponsors who helped make tonight possible, along with a montage on the giant screen, updating the amounts raised so far, plus a little about each chosen charity.
God, I’d forgotten how boring corporate anything actually is.
Still looking down at my phone, I can feel Mason’s eyes on me and I look over at him.
Up at him really, he’s so close. So big.
Being this close to him makes me naturally nervous and I wonder if I have something else for people to stare at, like a stain or something, as if this dress wasn’t bad enough.
But his eyes are kind, shining with excitement.
“I know it’s boring,” he observes in a low whisper, leaning in extra close, making me shiver when his lip actually brushes my ear.
“Maybe once I’m able to, once the auctions winds down, we can pick up where we left off?”
The look in his eyes suddenly registers with new meaning for me.
I’ve never had anyone, let alone a real man sound like he’s anywhere close to wanting to spend time with me… alone.
I feel my head nodding slowly, and my jaw’s dropping open.
This is actually-
A loud shriek from across the ballroom makes everybody look up from their phones.
I feel my own head snap up and look over to where I was sitting before.
I know that voice.
A low murmur ripples through the crowd and the host at the podium gives a running commentary
