Page 60 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

The two women speak first and then come over. Chasmin looks a bit nervous while bringing her over to my family, but she relaxes as they welcome her with open arms. It fills my heart with joy, seeing our family interact so lovingly. Journalists take photos of this moment from the sidelines.

After the introductions, Anna looks at me, beaming. “Lance, thanks for having me. This is a beautiful ball. I haven’t attended any balls, to be honest,” she mutters and giggles.

“You’re welcome. I expect to have you visit my home soon after. It’ll be a pleasure to have you, I reply, embracing her before guiding her to a seat.

“I’d love that. Oh,” she gasps as the lights dim, and the spotlight shines on the stage, where I’ll be giving a speech soon.

“Have fun. If you need anything, just beckon the servers, and they’ll do their best to get it for you,” I instruct and pat her hand.

“I’ll be checking on you, Mom. I’m here if you need me,” Chasmin adds.

“I’ll be fine. You love birds, go have fun,” she says and waves us away. She looks happier and more relaxed than she did at home with Paul.

Chasmin’s smile shows that she’s glad her mom is here. “Thanks, this means a lot to me.”

“For a chance to keep seeing that smile on your face, this is just the tip of the iceberg,” I say and wink, returning her to her seat. “When I call you, come to me.”

I leave her, heading to the stage, where I’m needed. I take the stage; the spotlight is on me, along with the eyes of the seated audience. Chasmin’s gaze is filled with anticipation and care. Igor’s gaze is supporting and joyful. These people matter to me. The champagne tower catches the light, reflecting it in a myriad of colors.

I tap on the mic to begin my speech. “Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming here to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this great company and my family. It started out as a dream for my late father and now his dream has come this far, helping people to achieve their dreams. I’m proud to be his son in charge of this arm of the company in London.” I see that I have their attention. I sweep the room with my eyes noting the reporters with their cameras trained on me.

“Recently, I have come under fire for my administration of the company and my involvement with Chasmin, my assistant. I understand the implication of our relationship, but I must admit that I’ve found something greater than I had bargained for by being with her. Over months of working together and overcoming challenges, we’ve grown to rely on each other. That’s why I’m happy to announce that we are officially a couple. In a way, the company brought her to me, and I’m grateful. My dear, join me.” I fix my gaze on Chasmin.

When she rises, a thunderous applause fills the space. She comes to me, walking into the spotlight, her beauty radiating for all to see. She’s a few steps away when the spotlight goes out and the light from other sources dims as well. The room is suddenly plunged into darkness, and Chasmin in her black dress blends in with the darkness.

“Chasmin?” I call, moving forward, my hand outstretched. I can’t see her; a nervous murmur is growing louder from the audience by the minute. I don’t understand why the lights went out, I expect them to come back on. The smell of smoke reaches me as fire sparks on one of the drapes, bringing an eerie red glow to the dark room. Everything is plunged into chaos.

Chapter 31

CHASMIN

“Lance,”Iscream,myvoice drowning in the frightened yells of the guests. My heart is tight in my chest as panic threatens to keep me from moving. The fire illuminates enough of the ballroom for me to see a bit. I feel a strong grip, and I look up to see Lance. Shock and relief are deeply etched on his face.

He holds me close, and my heart rests, yet we aren’t out of danger yet. The smoke from the fire fills the room rapidly. “Stay close,” he says with a growl and pulls me with him to the back of the ballroom, away from the cramped exit.

I look back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mom. I can’t leave her behind, but Lance pulls me fast. I’m hoping someone is getting her out. Lance and I plunge through a dark corridor. He uses his phone flash to light the way. The smell of smoke seems to follow us wherever we go. We reach an open door that a few people are using. We get out to the back of the building, where a few guests are huddling. When I look behind me, more people begin to pour out the door. “Let’s get away from here,” Lance comforts me with his arm around me.

I nod numbly, following him away from the rapidly-filling space. The wind whips my hair, sending chills down my back. I rub my arms, feeling the goosebumps. Lance stops, and I look at his troubled face. He takes off his jacket and hands it to me. “Wear this.”

“No, Lance, you need it,” I say, yet he places the jacket on me.

“You need it more than I do. I need to understand what’s going on.” I hold back what I’m going to say. From the look in his eyes, he’s hurt. This is the company’s 20thanniversary; it is a tragedy and troubles me as well. Is this sabotage?

Lance and I reach the front of the building, where we find a mass of firefighters, first responders, and shaken guests. Black smoke filters from the door and windows of the building; and the firefighters are putting out the fire and bringing more people out. Lance goes to talk to the captain. I walk around, looking for Mom. I check in with every ambulance and anyone I see wearing a dress similar to hers. Not seeing her plunges me down a dark path in my mind.

She didn’t make it out is the thought that strikes my heart. She is in there, in the smoke and fire, scared and helpless. Bunching up my gown, I push myself to the doors still swarming with firefighters. Arms fold around me, holding me back. “What do you think you’re doing?” Lance hisses in my ear. I hear a mixture of anger and helplessness in his voice.

My voice breaks, but I push past it. “Mom is in there! We have to get her out.” I won’t be able to live with myself if she loses her life. I invited her here and made this possible. Hence, it's my fault.

“You can’t go in there. I’ll inform them, and they will get her out,” he says with confidence that I don’t feel in the slightest.

“But…” I sag in his arms. I’ll only be a hindrance if I go in. I fix my gaze on the doors while Lance’s arms keep me on my feet. The firefighters shuffle out of the way; one of them rushes out with an unconscious woman, flopping in his arms. “That’s her!” Seeing her like that scares me. Dread fills me. She…no! I can’t think of that yet.

Lance lets go of me, and we both follow the firefighter to the ambulance. He hands her over to the paramedics, and they place her down on a stretcher.

“That’s Mom. How’s she? What’s going on?” I ask rapidly, barely giving the two male paramedics time to answer.

“Ma’am, please stay back. Let us attend to her. She’s breathing; that's a good sign.” One of them blocks my path with his body, while his partner attends to Mom.

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