Reputation's Play (Book 1)

Ch. 1 October Eyes

Chapter 1 October Eyes

Gia picked up her half empty champagne glass for the fifth time in past ten minutes and took a small enough sip to just wet her lips. She never liked the taste of alcohol. Especially not when her stomach was in notes at having to sit at a table full of people she barely knew.

Mrs. Mark, the blonde woman sitting across from her, looked at her as if to tell Gia to slow down. Gia gave her a quick smile as she picked up the napkin on her lap and dabbed her lips. But just as she did that, she felt a glob of pink sauce slide off her napkin and fall against the fresh clean fabric of her dress.

Shit, Gia thought, looking up to make sure no one saw.

She quickly gathered the long train of her dress in one hand and began to excuse herself to escape to the ladies room when a cold hand pushed her back down in her seat.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," Carla, Gia's aunt, said politely to everyone at the table. "I hope Gia has been keeping you all entertained."

Mrs. Mark laughed, adjusting her stiff bob with her finger as she scanned Carla to see what she was wearing. Gia was tempted to ask her if her hair was a wig. It had barely moved since the start of the evening. What was she even trying to adjust?

"She's been a doll," the woman said even though Gia hardly spoke two words to her all evening. "Such an elegant young lady."

"That she is," Carla squeezed Gia's shoulder once more before taking a seat. When she turned to her niece, she found the girl with her lips pressed into a thin line, not at all impressed with her aunt's punctuality.

"I'm so sorry, G," Carla whispered. "I had an emergency meeting."

Carla Silvano was a heart specialist at one of the best hospitals in New York City. Her career was her baby and she would never let any man or woman come in between her and her passion. Gia wasn't sure how her father had managed to convince his sister to raise Gia alone in the city away from the rest of the family in Italy. But she was sure it had something to do with the endless cash flow that paid off Carla's medical school debts in record time.

"Did you get here okay?" Carla asked, trying to catch one of the waiter's attention to order a drink.

"Yes," Gia nodded, letting out a long sigh. "I did. I got here with just enough time to check into the hotel and book a message for us tomorrow morning."

"Oh, you're the best," Carla beamed. "I need that."

"I know," Gia picked up her drink.

Carla's eyes darted to the glass with hesitation. Gia could see her aunt struggling to accept the fact that her niece was now twenty one. Sure it had only been a week since her twenty first birthday, but how long were they going to keep up the facade that Gia didn't drink when she was a teenager?

"Just one glass," Gia laughed.

"I'll get you something non alcoholic," Carla said, trying to catch the waiter's attention again. "By the way, you have a stain on your dress."

"I know," Gia groaned and looked down at the saucy situation. She raised her eyes once more and scanned the ballroom to make sure none of the glamorous faces had taken notice of her mess. "Since when does the New York Ballet Society host such over the top dinners anyways?"

"It's a charity event," Carla shrugged. "I heard there's going to be many exciting auctions later on."

"That sounds so entertaining," Gia rolled her eyes to the back of her head. "I'm seriously confused as to why we all had to drive up to Connecticut for this. Why not the Lincoln Center or some trendy spot in Tribeca?"