Page 37 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
And fine as hell…
Cress was poised and graceful, wearing a cream-colored dress and designer heels, exuding confidence that came from years of being in the spotlight. Even in heels she moved with the grace of a dancer. She clasped my hands with excitement radiating. “This is absolutely stunning. Better than I imagined.”
I was relieved. You didn’t disappoint an Omari or a Devereaux and Cress was both. Born a Devereaux before she married an Omari.
“I’m so glad you love it. We wanted something that honored the company’s legacy while still feeling fresh and modern,” I stated proudly.
“Well, you nailed it,” she said as her eyes scanned the space. “It’s elegant without being overwhelming. The way you incorporated movement into the design? Brilliant. I’ve already had three board members tell me this is the best donor event we’ve hosted. It’s the first I’ve hosted since buying out Shilo.” She shot me a side glance. “Ithadto be perfect and is.”
Kenneth Shilo was Liberté’s owner prior to the buyout. Cress’s brother Christian had always been a silent owner, but after she married Elias, Christian bought out the rest of the company from Shilo and pushed him out. Now the company was completely owned by the Devereauxs and Omaris.
I smiled big as shit but still maintained my professional composure. “That’s exactly what we were aiming for.”
Cress shook her head, still admiring everything. “I knew hiring Haute Events was the right choice, but I didn’t realize how much of a difference someone likeyouwould make. You have an incredible eye, Baylyn. I’m not surprised though. Tae is the best, which means she would only employ the best.”
Compliments were part of the job, but hearing it from someone so deeply tied to the community made it hit differently. She could make or break my career.
“Thank you,” I said genuinely.
She looped her arm through mine, turning me toward the main ballroom. “Come, let’s make sure you meet some of our top donors. They need to know the mastermind behind all of this.”
I smiled and nodded. Cress led me through the ballroom, introducing me to key figures as if I belonged among them. Gideon and Rhian Powers, Ezekiel and Jhori Omari, Kaamal and Reyna Greyson.
The top donors looked like money. But what I loved the most were all these beautiful shades of brown. Crescent Falls’ elite were just like me and that made me proud.
“Baylyn Andrews, our event planner. She’s the reason this afternoon looks as beautiful as it does,” Cress said proudly to Reyna Greyson.
“Damn girl, you did your thing. This is perfect.”
“Thank you.”
We moved through the rest of the people in her circle and each introduction came with a string of compliments, polite handshakes, and approving nods.
Everything was seamless. At least, it was until I felt it.
That pull…
A sensation crept up my spine, a low vibration of awareness that had nothing to do with the people I was speaking to. I kept my smile in place as I subtly scanned the room with the hairs on the back of my neck rising and my body alert before my mind even processed why.
Then… I saw him.
Emir.
He was standing near the entrance, watching me.
He wasn’t dressed like the other men in the room. No suit, no tie. Just a slim fit black button-up, sleeves rolled to his forearms, jeans that fit too damn good, and an expensive watch resting against his wrist. So damn sexy but somehow he still commanded more attention than the richest men in the room.
What the hell was he doing here proving once again that he moved when he wanted and showed up wherever the hell he wanted. As if he could feel my frustration, he smiled sexily and winked from across the room.
“Baylyn?”
I snapped back to the conversation I was in, realizing I hadn’t been paying attention.
Cress gave me a curious look, waiting for me to respond to whatever had just been said. I forced myself to focus.
“Yes, sorry. What was that?” I asked smoothly.
Reyna chuckled. “I was just saying, you have to let us know if you ever decide to venture into private event planning. A talent like yours shouldn’t be confined. I would love to host an exclusive event at Mahogany. If you can do this with dancers, I can’t wait to see what you can do for books.”
