The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Official

" Hey breathe, alright? " Melissa said as she looked at Ari's reflection on her vanity mirror. " This isn't your first date. "

Ari couldn't stop pacing back and forth as she fidgeted with her hands, unable to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

She was in Melissa and Mia's apartment. The former picked her up earlier so they can all get ready together for tonight's affair. Melissa had her glam team do them over and now they were just waiting for Marco and Robby to pick them up.

Melissa rolled her eyes and pushed herself up from her seat and walked to the middle of her room where Ari has been pacing nervously.

" Will you relax? " Melissa chided as she smiled at her friend. " There will be a lot of people tonight but we're all going to be there with you, I promise. "

Ari took a sharp breath not wanting to be reminded of the big crowd that was going to be present at tonight's Gala Dinner.

The Sebastian Holding Company will be hosting it's annual global convention this evening which will be attended by over a thousand employees from SHC's offices worldwide.

But tonight's massive guest list wasn't the reason why Ari was nervous. It was the fact that she was Marco's date tonight, their first official date as a couple. And being the girlfriend of SHC's Vice-President and the city's most eligible bachelor, who also happens to be the only son of SHC's Founder and Chairman, was a big deal. She will not only be in the public eye, she will also be scrutinized and judged.

" I've not attended this kind of big functions, Iz, " Ari confessed eyeing her friend helplessly. " At least not in the last decade. And to play hostess alongside Marco, I don't know how I can do this. "

Melissa placed a hand on her shoulders and told her as a matter-of-factly. " You've attended one, you've attended them all. It's all the same. So Don't worry. I'm sure you'll do fine, Ari. "

" What if I say the wrong thing? " Ari asked, her stomach churning at the thought. " What if it's not safe to be out there in public? "

With her permission, Marco gave his family an abridged version of what happened to her. Marco's father immediately connected with his network from the intelligence service to find out what happened to the Spanish cartel. And it seemed like what Ari learned when she was at the monastery was true, the Interpol had wiped the family out.

" You'll be alright, Ari. You've always been a charmer, " Melissa assured her. " And there's no need to be worry about your safety. We have tight security tonight. We get a lot of random people wanting to get in every year so a stiff security system has been put in order. You're safe. "

Ari pursed her lips together slightly nodding her head.

" Besides, " Melissa smiled slyly cocking her head to one side. " Except for Sara, Marco has never dated anyone from the holding company nor its subsidiaries. So bumping into my brother's exes is one less thing for you to worry about. "

Ari gave her wry smile and muttered, " I would rather bump into several Saras rather than play host to random people. "

Melissa chuckled and quickly reached out to adjust the neckline of Ari's metallic V-neck long sleeves pleated evening gown. " Stop worrying, Ari, and make Oscar dela Renta proud. "

" Ladies, " there was a knock on Melissa's bedroom door and Mia popped her head in after a moment. " The guys are here. "

Ari felt her stomach did a somersault at Mia's announcement.

" Come on, Ari, " Melissa said as she grabbed their purses off her vanity dresser. " It's time to show you off! "

She didn't want to be shown off. She didn't want the attention nor the limelight. But she didn't want to let Marco down, either. So she played along and stood by him the entire evening playing hostess to people whom she has never met.