C4 Chapter 4

Tonight was all about having a change after being stuck in the same loop for days. It usually started with fighting with Ryan and ended with listening to Aunt Coral nagging at me. There were shifts I picked up every now and then as I was looking forward to events, small or big. They cheered me up more than working in a boring bar or café across the street.

And tonight was full of entertainment.

The women at the stage gracefully danced around the singer inside the well-lit mansion. I recognized a few of the dancers that descended all around the grand staircase and back up, keeping the atmosphere of the event calm and collected. More and more people began walking around and drinking. I found myself admiring the way the high-class people walked, it was different, and it almost seemed like they weren't even here. They flew through the air, spoke with elegance, ate with manners, and weren't strained from all the worries in the world.

Why?

I slipped a glass of champagne from the server passing by and tooka small sip of it. Everything is under control. I reminded myself. My heart felt lighter than ever without having any kind of drug. It was uncommon but I wanted it to stay that way.

"Don't drink too much, Valerie! You might just end up in the hospital." Liz said as she swept past me a smirk on her face.

I clicked my tongue and turned around before she could continue. Her taunts hadn't stopped leaving her mouth. "What is your problem?" My hand tightened around her elbow. I held it tight as her nerves throbbed underneath my tips.

"Leave me."

"What is your problem?" I repeated.

"I don't like you and I don't like you. What are you even doing here? Why don't you just go get drunk and pass out on some street?" She questioned with a face full of annoyance and irritation. Her brows kept picking up and dropping and the wrinkles she tried to hide appeared again.

"Why don't you mind your business today?" I asked, scowling at her.

Lizzie was among one of those girls I had met through high school. She was always around to pick a fight with anyone she didn't like. And also, one of the prettiest models in town. Her face was brimming with goodness and bliss. Most people were captivated by her beauty. It was hard to turn eyes away fom her.

In most of the events I was called upon, she was there, like always.

"I don't like you around," She slapped her hand over mine, moving it away. "And don't put your filthy hands on me again." Her eyes narrowed to a little red spot over her arm. She eyed me before leaving.

I quickly bought my hand in front of my eyes and examined my nails. I never held her tight, and I had no nails. It shouldn't have left any mark on her.

She is dramatic. An inner voice in me spoke before I turned around and resumed my work we were supposed to do for the next few hours or until the event was over.

The main guests had been welcomed into the mansion and as soon as the welcoming party was over, so was our work. All we had to do was just be around for the rest of the evening and there was nothing much better than enjoying a free dinner and drinks.

Romano Anderson.

My eyes clicked toward him as I finally found him walking out of Mayor Aiden's office. Upon seeing him first, I found myself captivated over his mystical beauty that couldn't be found even when searched everywhere. He was a beautiful man that took my breath away fora second.

His eyes were a shade of golden brown and he had curly pitch-black hair. A few strands of his hair fell over his eyes and lingered over his forehead occasionally.

Every woman in the event was attracted to him. Who wouldn't be? I was too when I swore on never liking another man after Ryan.

My stomach clenched tight, and a tingling sensation took a swing deep between my legs as my eyes scurried through Anderson's beauty and his body one more time. I pressed my hand over a table and leaned back before taking another sip of the champagne in my hold. Suddenly, everything was just tastier.

A deep sigh of relief dropped from me, and I looked away. I couldn't do this. Even to imagine such beauty seeking for me was a terrible idea. A man like Mr Romano had a thousand women to his side.

I was just a commoner.

Mr Romano stood along with Mayor Harden and a few other men from the office. They spoke about something I didn't bother hearing, Instead, I kept my attention on Romano and his every movement.

There was something about him that pulled a string in my heart.

Maybe because he was just a billionaire. I thought to myself.

Money was the greatest attraction to a female and having heaps amount of it could make anyone pull toward them- even prissy little Liz. She took her chance and reached out to him. Romano showed no hesitation in taking her hand while she greeted him once more.

I stepped away from the table and got near, hoping to listen to their conversation.

"I hope you're enjoying the event, Mr. Romano." Liz said in her sweetest tone.

"Indeed." He nodded before turning his head to the mayor. "Your people have been very welcoming. I hope to stay here for quite a while."

He owned a deep, raspy voice that only makes the flutters in my stomach deepen and I imagined other, disturbing words spilling out of him.

Only thoughts.

The Mayor laughed before placing his wrinkly hand over his broad shoulders. "Your people, Romano."

My brows quickened. What?

Before any of them could continue, Lizzie opened her mouth and began asking questions. One of our tasks contained entertaining the main guest of the event and she was doing exactly what was asked.

"Your return has been all over the local news since morning. It's surprising. You were quite popular in town when I was a little girl."

She went deeper, emphasizing at something completely different. "Will your return be for long, Mr. Romano?"

"Not quite long. I'm here to seek for something and once that's found, I will be leaving." He smiled at her before uttering the few words Lizzie didn't want to hear. "It was great to speak with you. Excuse me." His eyes narrowed before he walked aside from her.

I exhaled and turned myself away before catching Liz's attention once more. Every man in the town might have given her attention because of her beauty but she wasn't going to catch the attention of a man who was a billionaire and who has had a thousand more models to his side.

Pfft.

The night went on along with the music that continued to play near the massive staircase of the mansion. Small, silent laughs and giggles spread through the chilling air. And then the lights dimmed. The house that was once lit up with golden lights was now darkened. A soft blue light came from the ceilings and the slow dances began.

I lurked around the area, hoping to find someone to dance with but I was unfortunate. Ryan and I attended most of the events together. He usually worked as a bartender while I was one of the hostesses. After parties such as these, we ended up spending the night together in each other's arms and slept by dawn.

Until he cheated.

I breathed out and sat near one of the tables with an drink in my hand. The ice inside the drink moved slowly as I shook the glass. The wound was still fresh and stingy. I hated Ryan for what he had done but there was nothing I could do about it now.

Going back to him and accepting his apologies would appear me as a stupid, depressed girl that was desperate for someone's attention and love that she went back to her cheating boyfriend.

I didn't want to be that.

I hated Ryan. I really did. I no longer had love for him-only hatred.

"What is a beautiful girl like you doing here? All alone?" My body went taut at the voice that rang in my ears for several seconds. I turned around, finding the main guest of the party standing beside me with his hand stretched. "Care for a

dance?" Mr Romano asked.