Edward let out a soft “oh,” his gaze sweeping over me with a hint of surprise. Since it was a formal night, I’d gone all out—a white dress, a warm coat over my shoulders, and my makeup professionally done.
“I’ll text you in a bit,” Edward said, rolling up the window as his car slowly headed toward the hotel’s main entrance.
“Ms. Murphy, what does your boyfriend actually do for work?” Minnie kept sneaking glances back at Edward’s car.
I glanced over too, just in time to see Edward getting out. There was a whole group of people at the entrance, clearly waiting just for him.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I explained quietly, dropping my gaze.
“Not your boyfriend? Please, the way he swooped in and took charge at the bar last time—anyone with eyes could see it,” Minnie teased with a grin.
I let out a helpless sigh. “Seriously, he’s not. Stop making things up.”
When we finally made it to the gala, the whole place was thick with the scent of perfume. If it had just been one fragrance, it would’ve smelled great, but with everyone wearing something different, the blend was a little strange.
We found our seats, and I realized we were surrounded by minor celebrities and socialites, all dressed to the nines and speaking in soft, polite voices.
Minnie leaned over and whispered gossip about the socialites and stars nearby, with that air of confidence like she owned the place. I listened and laughed, and the mood instantly lightened.
The host came over to greet me personally and even assigned two staff members to stay close by in case we needed anything.
A waiter brought each of us a glass of red wine, along with some exquisite appetizers.
I was about to pick up my wine, but then I remembered the awkward moment last time when I got tipsy and mistook someone for someone else. Plus, since I’d driven here, I decided to skip the alcohol and just asked for a glass of lemon water instead.
Thinking about what Edward just said, I went ahead and put my phone on silent. That way, if he messaged me, I could just claim I never saw it—no need to deal with him tonight.
There was a live show going on, and they had some new products on display—with tasting and demo sessions so you could actually try them out.
As I mingled with people, time flew by, and before I knew it, it was around 9:30. I said my goodbyes to the host, and Minnie and I were ready to head out.
Before we left, I quickly checked my phone. Sure enough, Edward had called me three times and sent two messages.
The last one said: “Blocked me again, huh?”
I decided to wait until I was out of the hotel before replying. That way, I could be polite without actually having to see him.
Minnie was a little tipsy and grabbed my arm. “Come on, Ms. Murphy, hand it over.”
I paused for a second, but she was already dabbing something on my wrist. “This new perfume is called… Night Fairy.”
“Huh?” Just hearing the name was enough to let your imagination run wild.
“Hehe, it’s supposed to boost… you know, bedroom activity,” Minnie giggled, totally uninhibited now that she was drunk. “Ms. Murphy, I know you never wear perfume, but I got you a bottle anyway. Take it—tonight, you and your man can go all out!”
As she spoke, Minnie gave a little burp and gently nudged me aside. “Ms. Murphy, I’ll just grab a cab. My place isn’t far, so no need to give me a ride.”
“Alright, be careful. Text me when you get home,” I reminded her.
Once Minnie hopped into her cab and took off, I leaned in and caught a whiff of the perfume lingering on my wrist.
There was something decadent and alluring about it—an entrancing scent that could easily set your mind wandering.
Edward’s voice rang out, teasing, “So, who’s the lucky guy you’re planning to have a marathon with tonight?” Just as I was heading for my car, a tall figure emerged from behind one of the Roman columns.