Page 22 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

"Thank you," he smiled wide, offering me his hand. "Let's go."

A surge of excitement coursed through me as I looped my arm through his, our steps falling into sync as we headed toward the car. As the driver drove towards the gala, Rafael took out his phone, scrolling through the pictures we took earlier.

"I think it’s time we stirred the pot a little," he smiled lazily, showing me the image of us, his hand proudly displaying the engagement ring on my finger.

I smirked at him, agreeing that it was time. "Let the drama begin."

-16-

Rafael

The night seemed to come to a head as Yasmin and I pulled up to the grand entrance of the gala. The flashing lights of the paparazzi cameras illuminated our faces as we stepped out of the car, greeted by the chaotic buzz of journalists shouting questions. "Rafael! Who's the lucky lady?" they yelled, desperate for a story. We exchanged knowing glances, our smiles masking the emotions beneath the surface.

"Smile for the cameras," I murmured to Yasmin, feeling her tension through the slight tremor in her fingers. The paparazzi's relentless barrage of questions about Yasmin hung in the air like a persistent fog, but we deflected them with practiced ease, offering only enigmatic smiles and polite deflections.

"Who's that with Rafael? Is she the new muse?"

"Is this a budding romance?"

Yasmin's serene facade betrayed her inner turmoil, her eyes flitting between the flashing lights and the prying lenses. I squeezed her hand gently, a silent reassurance that we were in this together.

Once the camera clicks faded into the background, I guided Yasmin into the building. The opulence of the venue seemed to swallow us whole, a whirlwind of shimmering gowns and tailored suits swirling around us. Yasmin's wide eyes mirrored the spectacle, her wonder was palpable.

"It's overwhelming, isn't it?" I remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

Yasmin nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I was expecting it to be grand, but I didn't expect... all of this."

"Are you okay with all of it?"

“Yeah, I am.”

"We stick to the plan," I reminded her, my tone firm yet reassuring. "Enjoy yourself, mingle, and let the night unfold. Okay?"

She glanced at me with wide eyes. "I assure you I'm fine." As we strolled past a bunch of people, the buffet Roman prepared could be seen tucked away in a corner of the room with servers on standby. "I didn't think they'd have a buffet at an event like this."

I chuckled, a fondness blooming in my chest. "Last year, two women fainted from hunger. I may have suggested a buffet as a solution."

Yasmin laughed loudly, gaining attention from some of the other attendees. "You're joking, right?" When I didn't say anything, she tugged on my arm to stop me, her lips parted in amused shock. "Did that truly happen?"

I nodded. "You'd be surprised how little the women here eat. It's worrying."

"I can imagine it'd be frustrating," she smiled. "I don't know how they do it. If there weren't any food, I would have demanded you take me out to eat."

I never understood it either, the need some women had to look ultra-thin even at the expense of their health. I've dated models before, but I never thought much of their diets until the rumbling of my date's stomach could be heard over loud music. It didn't help that we were at an event much like this one and the portion sizes were tiny.

"That's one of the many things I've grown to like about you," I told her, not even realizing what I said until it was too late.

"Oh, you like me?" she grinned, her eyes sparkling.

"Wouldn't you like to know..." I teased, shifting the conversation to a lighter topic. If I were to answer that then I would have to reveal the growing feelings I had for her and I wasn't ready to admit it to myself much less announce it to the world. "What do you think about the decor?"

"It's nice but I don't think Roman had anything to do with it."

I chuckled. "Of course, he didn't. He hires a team every year."

"Somehow I'm not surprised."

"Don't tell me you could sense his horrible sense of style from that one meeting?"

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