Page 3 of Shattered Saint
I let my mother lead the way into the ballroom and the first thing that caught my eye was how the room had been transformed to fit tonight's festivities. A string quartet sat in one of the corners of the room, playing soft music and creating a calm ambiance for a crowd that was anything but. Several round tables covered in white silk tablecloths displayed centerpieces that included flowers and small candles. The floral scent was pleasant and not overpowering. I was beginning to wonder if my mother was treating this event as a second coming of her wedding, since my father tended to defer to her or his team when it came to décor choices for the events they hosted.
The extensive bar at the other end of the room drew my attention. It would take some effort to get over there, but it would be well worth it, and it would make tonight more bearable. That would be the only way I would be able to deal with this, so I suspected others felt the same. There was no doubt in my mind that the bar had been stocked with the best liquor and wine because my parents loved to pull out all the stops.
I looked up and saw the chandelier that was the centerpiece of the room. It was something that took my breath away every time I entered.However, this time something else was responsible for my sudden inability to breathe.
The number of people that my parents invited tonight was more than I was expecting. The room was filled with the people I expected: CEOs of companies, politicians, celebrities, socialites, and several people who probably wanted to be in one of these groups. I was surprised that members of the media hadn’t figured out a way to sneak in here as well. Then again, maybe they had.
The guests mingled with one another effortlessly, with their champagne flutes clutched in their manicured hands. Laughter floated through the air, mingling with the soft strains of classical music playing in the background.The shift in the air as people noticed my mother and me was obvious. I had the distinct feeling that everyone was staring at us rather than talking to each other.
I hated this, but I needed to suck it up and get it over with. The countdown to when I could go back to my room was officially on.
I watched as my mother changed into politician’s wife mode before she leaned over and whispered, “I'm going to find your father."
I quickly debated whether I wanted to beg her to stay with me and deal with her company, or if it was worth facing the wolves alone. She didn’t leave me much room to convince her otherwise because she was gone before I could say a word.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone begin to walk by me, and when I turned to see who it was, I gave myself a pat on the back because my manifesting powers had worked. Before I could think about it for a second longer, I instinctively reacted.I grabbed a glass of white wine with the confidence of someone who had done it time and time again.
And I had, even though I was underage.
I checked to see if my parents were looking at me, but unsurprisingly, they were both engrossed in the conversations they were having. Not that I was completely sure what they would do if they'd caught me in the act. Sure, it was improper given the time and place, but causing a scene wasn't what they would want to do either. I hesitated for a second before lifting the glass to my lips.
The drink was refreshing and just what I needed to get through the night. Hopefully, it would help me mask my anger and annoyance at having to deal with this.
At least I didn’t have this to complain about.
I heard someone clear their throat near me, taking my attention away from my wine. I looked over and found what looked to be a couple standing near me. Given how close they were, how hadn't I noticed them before? Was the wine hitting me hard already? I was sure the swig of vodka I had earlier in the night wasn’t helping.
"Isn't this party wonderful?" she gushed to her date. "I simply have to find out who catered the event."
The man she was talking to remained non-expressive, but that was okay because I'd had enough feelings about what she'd just said for the both of us. I cringed internally and took another sip of my wine. It might be me being egotistical, but I was willing to bet that she'd said that for my benefit. When she glanced at me, she confirmed my suspicions.
Although I wanted to do something else, I hid what I truly felt by forcing myself to smile at the woman and her date. The last thing I wanted to hear was that I was rude because I'd side-eyed someone.
"There you are."
It was a voice I recognized immediately, but his sudden appearance behind me almost made me jump out of my skin.I glanced over my shoulder and my brother came into view. Of course, he would show up when I had a drink in my hand, and I wasn't looking forward to the shit he was going to give me because of it.
“What do you mean ‘there you are?’” I asked. “I've been here for several minutes, and this is only the first time I'm seeing you.”
“I was with Dad, who has been trying to introduce me to what feels like everyone in the room. He dropped your name a few times to some of the men here as well.”
Dad mentioning me to some of his associates was weird, but I didn’t react to Nash’s news. “That's funny, because it seemed as if Mom had no problem leaving me here to fend for myself.”
"I'm surprised she left you. Normally she'd be afraid to in case you did something she didn't approve of."
I had to admit, I was surprised too. "She went to look for Dad, so I assume that was more important in her eyes."
Nash shrugged, but didn't offer anything else to that part of our conversation.
"You know you shouldn't be drinking alcohol."
I rolled my eyes. I expected him to say that at some point, but for some reason, it had left my mind just as quickly as it entered it after I saw him. "Who's going to stop me?"
Should I be challenging my brother about this right now? Probably not, but at times I reverted back to when we were younger, and he was bossing me around because he was about a year older.
"Not me, as long as you do one thing for me."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "What are you going to do?"
