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We smiled a naughty smile between both and held each other’s hand in perfect timing, just as the elevator doors opened into the ceremony…

TAYLOR POV:

OH WOW! I gasped privately to myself, not at all expecting to see such a glammed-up awards ceremony, as my eyes ingested the amazing scenery around me, from the beautifully styled cream drapery that made up the walled interior, the shimmered glass chandelier hung mid-center of the room, to the grand stage before us with a thick glassed podium on it, for award nominees to collect their trophies. Behind the stage was a huge led projector screen that filled the back wall from corner to corner, and on it, was the cool awards ceremony logo sitting as its screensaver.

The room was filled with tuxedo suits and elegant gowns all around us, with smartly dressed waiters going around handing out fancy glasses of champagne to people in their seats. I could feel the excited buzz of conversation from everyone attending in the room, perfectly blending with the light background of classical music playing from the surround sound speakers.

‘’There he is, the man of the hour’’ said the excited voice of another tall man like Hudson striding his way towards us.

‘’Frank, hey how you doing?’’ Hudson said with a huge grin, and hugged the man with one hand while holding me still with his other.

‘’Is this the young lady I’ve been hearing so much about?’’ he beamed down at me, and I was a little nervous to smile as my self conscious was still heavily bruised on account of that article.

‘’She is indeed’’ grinned Hudson gently easing me closer in his arms ‘’Frank, I’d like you to meet my beautiful lady love Taylor Wainwright, and sweetheart, this is my good friend and financial advisor Frank Miller’’

‘’It’s very nice to meet you sir’’ I smiled warmly at him.

‘’And it's very nice to meet you too Miss Wainwright’’ he said, politely reaching out and shaking my hand with a warm smile of his own, before going back to conversation with Hudson.

While the two men talked, I let my eyes travel the scene again around me, noticing attendees starting to look our way now as our presence was noticed by eyes in the room…did they know about us? About the article? I bet every man and woman in here also thinks I’m a gold digg-

‘’Hey baby you okay?’’ said Hudson leaning down and kissing my cheek.

‘’Uh yeah, I’m fine, I um…I just uh, I need to use the ladies real quick’’ and off I went looking for any exit out the room, just needing a minute alone to myself to gather my thoughts and tame my nerves.

‘’Hey hey hey Taylor, is everything alright?’’ Hudson said gently pulling me back by my arm and looking down concerned in my eyes.

‘’Everyone’s looking at me, I know they are’’ I said feeling so self-conscious right now.

‘’Yes they are’’ said Hudson looking seriously at me, before his face warmed slowly into a beautiful smile that instantly engulfed me with his love ‘’but it’s not the way you think baby, it’s because you are singlehandedly the most beautiful woman in the room tonight, and the most beautiful woman ever in my eyes’’

‘’You’re just saying that’’ I smiled bashfully up at him.

‘’I say it Taylor because it’s the truth. And your beauty and elegance are powerful enough to reverse any damage that stupid article caused. In the elite world, which you are very much a part of, seeing is indeed believing. So let everyone see you happy tonight, I sure know I am with my gorgeous princess on my arm’’ he smiled, and I smiled back and tiptoed up kissing him romantically…ha, feast your eyes on that, I grinned to myself, knowing everyone around was watching us close, I could feel them. And just like Hudson said, I wanted them to see we were happy.

‘’Please take your seats ladies and gentlemen, the ceremony is about to start’’ came a voice over the loud speaker, and with a small wink, Hudson took my hand just as the overhead lights in the room dimmed, and led us to our reserved seats at the front of the stage.

THREE HOURS LATER…

HUDSON POV:

‘’…thank you again everyone, and enjoy the rest of your evening!’’ I waved, and the room erupted in loud applause as I stepped from the podium stage with my award in hand, ready to display it proudly next to the others in my office.

I was instantly mobbed by a ton of people, who all at once came rushing over to congratulate me the second I stepped off stage. I remember warning Taylor in advance this would happen given how prestigious the event was, and with the flashing lights of access only news press, bloggers, and a few vloggers all wanting to get pictures of me and my award, I myself wanted nothing more right now other than to hold my baby in my arms who was the real trophy of my heart.

At best, with everyone surrounding us still, I quickly winked over at her sitting patiently waiting for me to join her, and smiled as she waved and blew me a kiss of congratulations from her seat, before greeting and shaking hands with other award winners of the night, as we all posed together for photographs with our trophies in our hands.

‘’Congratulations Mr. Avery, and if I may, what a fabulously executed speech up there’’ said a mature lady swiftly making her way through the crowd of people still standing around me, after all the photo-taking was done, and placing her hand on my upper arm with a widened grin.

‘’Thank you’’ I smiled back politely, doing all I could to keep a straight face at the sight of her red lipstick overstaining her teeth like a vampire.

‘’Leaving so soon….?’’ the lady said grinning wider at me, doing what she could to engage me in conversation as her body sidestepped mine when I turned to leave. I desperately looked over her shoulder towards Taylor, signaling a very distinct help me with my eyes, and she quickly rose from her seat to come join me.

‘’Hey baby’’ I breathed with relief, instantly pulling her close with my trophy free arm and kissing her cheek ‘’I’d like you to meet…oh I’m sorry ma’am, what did you say your name was again?’’

‘’Vivian Monroe’’ said the vampire lady, narrowly scowling her eyes across at Taylor.

‘’Well Vivian, I’d like you to meet my beautiful girlfriend Miss Taylor Wainr-‘’