Page 25 of A Dark Duet

My face flushes red, and he smiles, looking at Brie. “I know, but your best friend looks beautiful, and I can’t stop staring.” He gives me his elbow and I immediately place my hand through it.

We walk toward the foyer where Jaden awaits us. He smiles at Brie behind me, and he kisses her lightly on the lips. “You look amazing and beautiful, both of you,” Jaden says.

“So do you guys,” I say. Turning to look at Nate, I say, “You look nice in a tux. I’m impressed.”

“I’m glad you approve, gorgeous. Now let’s go before it gets late.”

Giselle

When we arrive at the charity event, I am not prepared for the paparazzi and the flashing of lights on the red carpet.

Looking at Brie, she eyes me nervously, feeling the same way. In my mind, I forgot who Nate is and the success he’s had as a fighter. I read up on him and they consider him a ladies’ man. I need to remind myself of that before I get too attached.

I need to play this cool and not expect anything serious. He says I am his, but in the heat of passion, I know deep down that doesn’t really mean I’m actually his. He actually paid me for a private dance with an NDA I needed to sign before he even let me in his house.

The door of the black Escalade opens, and Jaden and Brie go out first to the first flash of cameras. Jaden is also popular as the amazing duo in MMA, as he is the most sought-after manager of an undefeated fighter.

When it’s our turn, I can feel my stomach flutter in nervousness. He takes my hand and leads me out to the throng of people flashing their cameras and calling out Nate’s name, wondering who is the mystery girl he has brought to the charity event.

“What is she wearing?” one reporter asks.

He answers her but gives no other information about what my name is or how we met. One even asked if he was off the market. He responds with “no comment,” and we walk inside a beautiful hotel on the Vegas strip.

The ballroom is breathtaking, with many people in their gowns and tuxedos, all laughing and drinking. We arrive at a specified table where Brie and Jaden are seated.

I look at Brie from across the table, who continues to look nervous in silence. Smiling back from across the table, I scan the crowd to look for Nate, and I find him talking to others, asking him about the donations to underprivileged children.

His gym offers a program for kids, a place to learn fitness and self-defense. I listen intently and admire him for making a difference in the community, especially for children who have no family. I have no family as an adult, having lost my parents, and can only imagine being abused and then placed in foster care. Brie grew up like that but managed not to be taken away and placed in foster care.

My parents always welcomed her to stay at the house. We were always together when I wasn’t in dance or ballet, we would hang out after school every day until I left for Juilliard, and we still stayed in touch.

Nate returns to the table and I give him a smile, finding him even more attractive than before. One of the older ladies at the table, who also donates to the charity and is a founder and real estate mogul from what I have overheard, eyes me curiously.

“So how did you meet Nate?” she asks.

I look up with a smile. “We met when he was visiting Sioux Falls,” I say.

“Oh, wow. That is interesting. And what do you do, dear?”

Everyone at the table is nosy and wants to hear about the mystery girl Nate has brought to the event.“I’m a dancer,” I say. Brie looks at me with wide eyes.

“Oh, what kind of dance?” the woman asks.

I will not tell her exactly what kind of dance, but some people are smirking and I can only imagine they think I’m a glorified stripper.

“Ballet mostly,” I say. You can see the look of confusion on everyone’s face.

“Really?” she asks, shocked. “Well, come to think of it, you have the figure. Where did you go to school?”

I try to hold in my annoyance at her twenty questions. I’m definitely not revealing any exact truths here and decide vague answers are best. Nate is quiet and is about to interject when I place a hand on his arm to stop him.

“Upstate, I studied dance and ballet. Nowhere exciting,” I say.

“I see,” she says, ending the conversation.

Thank God the rest of the evening goes smoothly. Nate looks at me. “Are you okay?” he asks.

I assure him. “Yes, of course. I’m fine.”

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