Lola’s acute tone is loud enough to draw curious glances from the people around us, including Marjorie and her conversational partner. I quickly smile at Nathan’s aunt, and since I don’t want to attract more attention than I already have, I whisper to Lola. “Ah, thanks. You know, for now we’re just dating. Anyway, I’d love to chat, but I really need to find the women’s room.”
It’s not even a lie. After I came down here with Marjorie, my throat felt like I chewed on smoldering embers, so I quickly drained two glasses of sparkling water. I really could use a restroom break.
“Just don’t use the one downstairs.” Lola wrinkles her freckled nose in an expression of disgust. “One of the guests had a little accident…” She bends to my ear and luckily lowers her sharp soprano. “She apparently had a few oysters. That’s why I told you to stay away from them. It got cleaned up, but you know the stench it—”
“Oh, yes, thanks, Lola.” I hurry to interrupt her, suddenly feeling lucky that I didn’t try the oyster. “I’ll avoid that.”
Lola throws me a no-worries-it-was-my-pleasure smile. A balding man wearing a white suit steps up to her and asks for more champagne. Lola hurries to serve him, mouthing a quick, “Catch you later,” to me.
I traipse my way through the crowd, avoiding eye-contact with anyone. If I hurry, I won’t miss Nathan. His mother said their chat shouldn’t take long, so he could be back any minute.
As I enter the spacious lobby, one of the security guards bolts over to me. “Looking for something, Miss Flores?”
Oh heavens, do they make them memorize every guest’s name with their picture? Or was it Nathan’s special request that they learn to recognize me, in case he needs to absent himself during the ball? Knowing his attention to detail, it wouldn’t surprise me if it were his doing. “I…uhm…I’m just searching for a ladies’ room,” I mumble.
The security guard points at the stairs. His square jaw is set in a polite but stony expression. “Please use the one upstairs. Fourth door on the left. The one downstairs is being spruced up right now.”
Ah, Lola wasn’t exaggerating then. “Thank you.” I flash a quick smile at the guard.
I sashay over to the marble staircase, trying not to trip over the fluffy material beneath my shoes. I pinch my skirt slightly with one hand and keep my palm on the cool banister of the stairway just in case. As I make my way upstairs, I take a peek at the ballroom’s buzzing air through the large ornate doors. I see Lola still coquetting with the bald man, and I think I catch Majorie’s back as she shakes hands with a slender redhead. I can’t believe I’m part of this glitzy world now as Nathan’s…girlfriend? Well that’s what Lola called me. And it does have a wonderful ring to it, I think.
As I get to the top of the stairs, I pause. In order to go to the restroom, I need to pass in front of Holly’s study. I wonder if Nathan is still inside. Probably, because he said he would come down to me right after.
Then, just as if life wants to prove that I shouldn’t lose faith in Nathan’s promises, I hear his baritone. Its melodious clang is carved into my memory like a cherished song that one wants to play over and over again.
I peer at the large wooden door. It isn’t closed properly, which explains how I can perceive his voice.
I tiptoe toward the study, which isn’t the easiest in this large tulle creation. Each movement makes a rustling noise, and I’m afraid someone will step outside to check who’s lurking around the corner. I really don’t want to pry on them. I’ll just take a small peek at Nathan’s handsome face and then be on my way to the ladies’ room.
I carefully lean to the wall and look inside.
Murphy is at the window with his back to me. Holly stands in front of her magnificent desk, her hips supported by the dark wooden surface. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows are raised and her arms are crossed over her chest. If I had to judge based on her posture, I’d say she is in a business meeting instead of a get-together with her sons. Where is Nathan anyway? As soon as the question materializes, his muscular figure comes into view and halts in front of his mother.
Okay, I guess this is as much as I can get now—a glimpse at his wide shoulders and dark locks. It’s better than nothing. I need to be thankful I didn’t get caught. It would be utterly embarrassing if they realized I was eavesdropping on them.
I start to move to the other side of the corridor and do a swift escape to the toilette, when I hear his mother’s question. “So are you confident about the outcome of your bet with Murphy?”
I freeze.
A bet? What bet?
My sixth sense tells me I’m involved in this.
I can’t see Nathan’s face and it’s hard to decipher what he answers Holly without reading his lips. I try to angle my ears closer without being discovered.
Suddenly Nathan’s voice becomes so loud that I can hear him clearly. “I was such a moron for believing that you and Murphy would hold up your end of the bargain if I managed to conquer Eva’s heart. Murphy chose her because you two were sure that she would never fall for me, right?”
The floor drifts beneath me as
