Rose (The Billionairess, #1.5)

Chapter 7: All That Glitters

The Sterling Hotel has a ballroom on the first floor. It's a popular venue for the rich and famous of the city to throw every kind of soirée they could think of. The staff did a lovely job of preparing refreshments and providing music as the city's glitterati crowded the marble floors beneath the glittered diamond chandelier.

And naturally, as the hostess's, I was plenty busy. I spoke with old business associates, public figures I met through other events, and of course, the paparazzi that buzzed on the side with their clicking cameras.

But even when surrounded by the most elite people the city had to offer, there was only one face I found myself compulsively searching for in the crowd.

Thomas an an impeccable server. He wandered the room offering champagne glasses to anyone nearby who wanted one. He was attentive, polite, and all around as perfect a butler could be at one of these events.

"Is that young man an employee of yours," Mr. Pierce, one of my business associates, asked. He gestured to Thomas across the room with his glass. I glanced over my shoulder and watched Thomas smile and offer a drink to some famous athlete.

"Why yes," I said. "Thomas Luxembourg is a university student. He's young, but he's quite skilled for someone with little experience."

"You do have knack for picking out the right people, Miss Delacourt," said Mr. Jackson, the other associate speaking to me.

I finished my glass, and noticed the other two gentlemen needed another drink too. I glanced Thomas's way, and he was already walking over before I even made eye contact with him.

"Do you need something, mistress?" he asked.

I gestured for my associates.

"Mr. Pierce and Mr. Jackson would both like some champagne," I said. I handed Thomas my glass. "And I could use a refill."

"Of course, madam," he said, then took my glass and disappeared towards the refreshments table. Moments later he returned with three new glasses of champagne on a tray, and handed them to the three of us. I threw him a small smile over the rim of my glass. If it wasn't for his butler duties, I would've shown him off to everyone there.

"That's a nice boy you got there," Mr. Pierce said after Thomas left.

"Yes, he is," I said softly, my eyes still on him.

"Yes, quite nice."

Pierce and Jackson had already walked off, and in their place stood a bulking man in a jet black suit. I rolled my eyes.

"Hello, Tristen," I said.

He gave me a smile. I did not recall inviting him. Although I did put a plus one on the invitations, so I guess one fo our mutual acquaintances must have invited him.

"Hello, Rose," he said. He was standing awfully close. "I must say, I'm very impressed. You always been good at organizing events like this."

"Thank you," I said coldly.

"You know, I wanted to talk to you about our date the other night at Montgomery's," he said. "I think we both overreacted a bit."

"Really?" I said. "From what I recall, I simply declined a drink, while you tried to throw yours at me."

Tristen's jaw tightened.

"I'll admit, I let your stubbornness get to me." He relaxed a little. "But we were both stressed from work. That's why we went out, right? To help each other unwind."

He stepped closer and tried to place a hand on my lower back. I stepped back to dodge his touch, his eye went cold for a moment.

"But that was one bad night," he said. "All couples have fights and disagreements, right? No relationship is perfect. But we can move past it. What do you say, my beautiful blossom?"