After smoothing my dress, I checked the time for the tenth time in two minutes. I stared at the mirror and hoped I would please Chase with my choice of outfit. Jaiden took me to a local goodwill shop and picked out this dress for me, a red halter neck backless fitted gown. The fabric was accentuated by my curves and flowed over my breasts, dipping low at the back, exposing my pale skin to the air. I had styled my hair in a low elegant updo and paired my dress with a silver clutch and heels. A knock at the front door echoed through the hall and drifted into my room. When I entered the living room Dad was talking to Chase on the porch. I stepped out to join them, both turned around at the same time, Dad whistled in appreciation, a slight tear forming in his eyes.
"Ah, here she is! Elena, you look so grown up, your mother would be so proud. Just like I am." Dad lightly kissed my cheek as Chase interrupted us, clearing his throat.
"Elena, shall we go?" Chase offered his arm, and I looped mine through his.
"Night Dad, try to behave whilst I'm out, Marcia is a lovely nurse, and you shouldn't give her such a hard time." Dad chuckled behind us as Chase led us towards the limo waiting at the curb. Having a fancy car turn up in the neighborhood caused quite a scene, people had come outside their homes to see what the fuss was about, and others chose to stand on their lawns and stare whilst talking to those that had walked over. The driver for the evening stood holding the door open as Chase ushered me to get in first, I slid into the seat noting how soft the leather was and that there was champagne chilling in the side console. Chase soon followed and before I could tell him that I had never been in a limo he leaned forward and collected two glasses and filled them with champagne.
"Here you are Elena, let's hope this evening is a successful business venture in the making."
I could only nod, as I was unsure of what he meant. I took a small sip of the cool drink and sighed. This was now two firsts for me, riding in a limo and drinking champagne. I had finished my glass just as we pulled in behind a line of other limos, waiting to drop off guests.
Once the car stopped, the door opened and Chase stepped out, he leaned inside and put his hand out towards me, I took hold of it, and he eased me up from the seat. I was startled by the activity around us, cameras clicked and photographers each called to Chase, eager to get his attention. Chase placed his hand on my lower back and caused a shock of sensation at the base of my spine. My breath hitched and I was suddenly aware of how close we were standing. Air left my lungs as a paparazzi jumped the rope lining the red carpet and fell against me, pushing me into Chase's arms.
"You need to stop throwing yourself at me Elena, it's beginning to become a habit" he smirked, looking down at me through his long eyelashes.
"Please take me inside, I need to sit down" Chase took my hand, striding powerfully past the cameras and into an ornate entrance hall. White marble and mahogany with crystal chandeliers hanging from an impossibly high ceiling. A staircase in front led to an upper floor, splitting in two at the top and snaking around the walls.
Pushing past the other guests, Chase ushered me into the grand ballroom on the left of the hall. Fifty tables laid out with the finest dinner service money could buy adorned the crisp white tablecloths. Each table seated six, and every one of the guests was allocated a place by a name placard. I sat down and Chase grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter.
"Here, drink this. It will help calm your nerves" without thinking I drained the glass within moments. Chase looked down at me and my empty glass, a look of confusion filled his face.
"That was some entrance Chase, not sure I care about coming to any more events if that's going to happen." My fingers fidgeted with the clasp on my bag, looking to take my mind off what had occurred. Chase lifted my chin, our eyes meeting.
"I will never let any harm come to you Elena" his jaw stiffened as a perfectly manicured hand slid over his shoulder and down his arm, pulling him away and taking his attention straight to Aphrodite herself.
"Oh Chase, I was hoping you'd be here!"
"Claire" Chase spoke almost with a touch of disdain.
"Oh Chase, I believe we have some unfinished business left from the other evening, if you recall we were in the middle of something" she continued, first glancing at her French manicured nails and her eyes lifted and scanned the room.
"I'm not here with anyone so we can leave together once I'm bored" sneering the last part of the statement, the woman used her free hand to play with the diamond necklace, the light bouncing off it, dazzling anyone close enough. Her dress clung to her plastic curves like water to the beach, rolling and yielding when needed. I hope she wasn't intending on bending over because her dress would surely not be able to cope, and I fear she would flash the entire room. I laughed into my hand as I imagined her falling over and exposing her arse to everyone. I had to pretend I was coughing so no one noticed.
"Not tonight, I'm here on business and I have company this evening. This is Elena McClaren, she works for my accounting team." Chase shrugged from her grip, and she began staring at me, venom dripping from her eyes as she looked at me up and down. I stood to give her a better view as I placed my hand on Chase's arm.
"Please excuse me, Chase, I shall get us both another drink" I walked away from them both, just to try and get somewhere less filled with power. Approaching the bar at the front of the room, I lifted my hand and ordered two scotch and ice. I had intended to return and hand Chase his whilst she was still clinging to him but when I turned around Chase was stalking towards me, head down and a look of seriousness written all over his chiseled jaw.
"I can't believe she acted like that, and in front of everyone!" I took a long sip of my scotch, it burned my throat as it slid down, I could feel the liquid warming my stomach.
"I'm sorry she did that, I'll be having a word to her about how to behave later. Follow me please, there's some people I'd like you to meet." Chase placed his hand on my lower back and guided me through the small gatherings towards a large corner table, near the podium. An older couple stood talking animatedly to an equally older lady, who excused herself once she saw us approaching.
"Oh, Chase darling, I was hoping to catch you before the auction. Thank you again for your lot, Aspen is such a beautiful place, and it will fetch a high price for the charity." This lady was glowing with a genuine smile, her simple dress exuded class and fitted her frame like a glove. Her eyes sparkling with affection as she looked at Chase and I could only assume she was a relative. The man beside her stood proud, an arm behind her back and she leaned into him, displaying a love story many decades in the making.
"I know how much this charity means to you mother" he leans forward and places a gentle kiss on her left cheek. Turning, Chase shakes the hand of the man to her side.
"Father, great golf game the other day, I've put the next one in my schedule" Chase looks animated talking to them both. The lady nudged Chase with her hand,
"Chase, have you forgotten your manners, who is this lovely young lady on your arm this evening?"
"Mother, father, I would like to introduce you to Elena Maclaren, she works in the accountancy side at Crawford." I leaned forward and smiled as I took his mother's soft hand in mine.
"Elena, this is my parents, Grace and Robert Crawford" moving towards the other hand, that of Robert Crawford, he grasped at it quickly and pulled me towards him for a hug.
"Oh! You have quite the handshake Mr. Crawford," I said blushing and smoothing my dress.
"Oh please, Mr. Crawford was my father! Call me Robert, and this dear lady is my beautiful wife, I'm sure she won't mind you calling her Grace." He finished with a wink and then kissed Grace on the cheek, lingering a moment, before sighing with a smile directed at her.
"So, Aspen?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I have a ski lodge there, I don't use it as much as I would like, hence offering it up as a holiday for mothers auction. Have you ever been?" he began to rub my lower back with his left thumb, the contact was electric, slow, and almost habitual.
"Err, no, I've never travelled, furthest I've got is the state border!" I giggled into hand, trying to hide my embarrassment.
"I'm sure Chase will take you! that's if you can convince him to take time off, Chase you work too much darling, you need to have some time to relax." Nodding, a cloud came over Chase's face and his thoughts looked miles away. Before I could say anything else our conversation was cut short, a man stood at a lectern situated not far from where we were standing, his voice booming over the room as he spoke.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the auction will be starting in five minutes, please take your assigned seats and there you'll find your bidding paddles, thank you."