Page 42 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Chapter Twelve

When we arrived, the gala was in full swing. The estate was beautiful, roughly five waterfront acres with a large mansion in the center of it. An enormous tent stood in the middle of the large property overlooking New York Bay, and the large city lights across the bay. The view was spectacular. The best part was that from any location in the tent, you had the front view of the bay. Soft classical music was played by the band tucked on the outside of the tent. I assumed it would prevent it from being too loud in the tent.

There were tall cocktail tables scattered to the right of the tent with a large bar set up staffed by four baristas. Waitresses were discreetly mingling and offering drinks to attendees who barely spared them a glance. On the left of the tent, there was formal seating, leaving the center of the tent open for mingling, and few groups already formed into their circles. There was one particular group that stood out. I would call them wives of the rich and famous although I didn’t recognize any famous people. But there were plenty of rich ones. Those women literally glittered with diamonds and elaborate gowns and almost reminded me of peacocks showing off their feathers. I was thankful to Kristoff for the beautiful dress and jewelry because I would have stood out in a bad way if I went with my simple cocktail dress. Thanks to him, I felt like a princess

“I guess we could say we are fashionably late,” I murmured more to myself than Kristoff.

“Don’t worry,” he assured me as he took my hand. “They won’t start anything till we arrive. And be prepared for both men and women to be curious about you. They’ll try to be nosy.”

“Oh, joy. I can already see this is going to be a great party,” I joked with a forced smile. Then Kristoff leaned forward kissing my cheek.

“Nobody at this party compares to you,” he whispered, shocking the hell out of me.

Heads turned as we strolled in.

An older man with silver white hair approached us and boasted cheerfully, “Kristoff! Thank you for coming. I am so happy you made it!”

Kristoff shook the man’s hand. “John. Nice to see you. This is Genevieve Rose.”

He gave me his hand, and I shook it. “Hello, Miss Rose. We are so happy to have you.”

“Thank you,” I answered, shaking his hand. He showed us to our table. Kristoff took my shawl from my shoulders and draped it across one of the chairs.

“Want to leave your clutch here?” he asked. I nodded but didn’t put it down. I wanted to check my phone to ensure everything was ok with the kids. I just wasn’t sure how to check it tactfully.

“Why don’t you check your phone to make sure everything is ok?” he asked. I smiled relieved.

I pulled my phone, checked for messages, and saw one from Sienna. I hurried and put my phone passcode on. I felt Kristoff’s hand slide across my lower back. I let out a sigh.

“All good?” he asked.

“Yes… yes, it is. Sienna just sent a picture showing they are all having a good time, and another one of them sleeping.” I smiled, typed a quick love you, and then focused on Kristoff. After all, I was working. I wasn’t here for some fun.

At that moment, another man approached us, seemingly with his wife. There were some introductions and I knew for a fact I wouldn’t remember their names no matter how hard I try to give attention. Remembering names has always been my weak point. The wife offered to show me around, and before I went with her, Kristoff whispered softly in my ear, “Don’t be long.”

Those were the longest fifteen minutes of showing me around, me nodding, and smiling politely, pretending I was interested in what she was saying. My cheeks hurt from my smile. Thank God she didn’t ask me to repeat anything.

I made my way back to Kristoff and he wrapped his arm around me. I glanced, surprised at him, but played along. It wasn’t hard since I loved feeling his hands on me. I felt his fingers on the exposed skin of my back, drawing circles in light feathered touches, all the while he was talking to a group of men, discussing changes in the stock market. I wasn’t sure if I felt like I was the trophy or if I had a trophy.

One of them surprised me by addressing me. “Do you play the stock market, Miss…”

“It’s Gemma… and no, I do not. It is too close to gambling for my taste,” I answered smiling.

“Ah, right you are, Gemma. Kristoff mentioned you have a graduate degree in International Finance?”

“Yep, but my focus was more on financial management, accounting and business development rather than global economics and stock market. I stayed clear of those topics back then too.”

“Smart woman! That is rare these days, beauty and brains,” he commended smilingly. “Of course, it would be Kristoff that would find that.”

I felt my face flush and was a bit surprised by the compliment.

“He didn’t find me. I found him.” I answered, and they both laughed. Kristoff pulled me closer to him, as if he wanted to ensure everyone knew I was with him. The breeze coming off the Bay felt good and if I focused on ignoring all the voices I could hear the sound of the water softly lapping against the shore.

Dinner was being served, so Kristoff and I walked together to our table, his hand on my lower back as always. I spoke to a lady that sat on my right, while Kristoff was talking to a gentleman that was sitting on his left. After dinner, people started to mingle again, and I was happy that Kristoff kept me by his side. I was not in the mood to discuss fashion or the latest celebrity gossip with the ladies. My knowledge in both of those areas was poor at best.

I excused myself from the group and Kristoff and went to the bathroom to get a little break. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and it was like someone else staring back at me. For the first time since I started working for Kristoff, I felt like I finally belonged in this world. But I didn’t. I knew all these people cared about power, wealth, and themselves. I took a deep breath, not really sure what the problem was with me.

I had never compared myself to this high-class society before. Before Kristoff. But after entertaining the idea of Kristoff and me, letting the what-ifs brew inside me, I was filled with self-doubt and agitation. I never liked big social gatherings. Even in my very young days, staying home with a book was always preferred over going out.

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