Page 101 of Claim Me
And of course every person nearby immediately notices him.
An omega in a dark silver suit waiting near the stairs smiles politely the second he recognizes Blue. Probably one of the event coordinators.
"Mr. Lowen," he says warmly. "We’re honored you could attend tonight."
Blue gives a small nod.
I step out right behind him, keeping some distance to look professional while still staying close enough to react if needed. My eyes keep moving across the entrance, the balconies above us, the people near the doors.
Nothing weird, even though the people around still make me uneasy. Inside, the place is ridiculous.
The ballroom is actually some giant expo hall transformed into this insanely expensive-looking gala space full of hanging crystal lights, massive floral arrangements, glowing tables, andhuge digital screens displaying the children’s hospital project everyone’s donating to tonight. Waiters move through the crowd carrying champagne like synchronized NPCs.
Some guy from the organizing committee leads us toward the front tables while greeting Blue with fake smiles.
I notice people staring while we walk past. Mostly at Blue.
I mean… yeah. Understandable.
The room slowly fills with politicians, investors, celebrities, corporate executives, and famous doctors. Rich people everywhere, and it’s a bit overwhelming, especially because I’m literally the only bodyguard staying close to his VIP inside the ballroom, which makes me kinda stand out in my mesh mask. Blue’s assigned table is near the stage with the major sponsors. The city mayor is already there talking to someone, and beside him sits Tim Kellan, Blue’s brother-in-law and apparently a newly elected state senator.
Tim notices Blue first and grins.
"There you are," he says. "I was starting to think you’d send a hologram instead."
Blue calmly takes his seat. "I considered it."
Tim laughs. The mayor looks way too fascinated by Blue immediately, which I dislike on sight.
I move a small distance away near one of the side pillars where I can keep the entire table and most of the ballroom in view.
The gala starts a few minutes later.
Some investor guy walks onto the stage and starts thanking sponsors one by one while giant screens behind him display donation numbers for the hospital project. The crowd claps constantly.
When he mentions Blue Lowen’s name, the applause noticeably gets louder.
Apparently Blue donated some completely insane amount of money.
Blue barely reacts while people around him glance over with obvious interest. He just sits there calmly with one leg crossed, fingers softly resting against his glass, looking like he doesn’t really care.
After the speeches, a young omega singer walks onto the stage wearing this strange green and fluorescent makeup that makes him look almost alien under the lights. I think he’s famous, but I don’t follow that kind of stuff. His voice fills the hall while servers begin bringing food to the tables.
Actual plated dinner. Fancy tiny portions arranged like modern art.
I notice that Blue doesn’t eat.
I stay standing while the rest of the elites stuff themselves and chat around the ballroom. Most conversations are fake as hell. Everybody smiles too much while at the same time measuring each other up.
At some point there’s an artistic dance performance on stage involving people bending in ways that look medically concerning. The audience seems fascinated.
I barely watch any of it.
Because my attention keeps drifting back toward Blue.
Especially when I notice the mayor leaning slightly too close while speaking quietly near his ear. A tad too close.
My teeth grind together.
