✧TOGETHER FOREVER✧ ✓

2 ¶¶ MONTAGUE'S PARTY {I} [edited]

~*~
ASHLEY

"Thank you so much, Naomi. It means a lot to me that you can watch Jordan. I know she's a handful."

"Hey..." Jordan said, pouting, while Naomi chuckled.

"It's alright, dear. Anything for my goddaughter."

"Okay, sweetie, don't give Aunty Naomi a hard time, okay? Mummy will pick you up tomorrow."

Jordan nodded.

"Now, give mummy a hug." I squatted and spread my arms.

She hugged me tight and then said goodbye.

3:53 PM.

I had approximately two hours and thirty minutes to get ready for the Montague party. I headed to the venue since I’d already packed my clothes and makeup. I’d change there.

The decorations were stunning, the waitstaff were busy preparing to serve the guests, the red carpet was laid out perfectly, and the security team was on high alert.

Everything seemed to be in order. All that was left were the guests of honor and the hosts, the Montagues, one of the most influential families in the country.

I headed to one of the dressing rooms, changed into my dress, and applied my makeup. I wore a blue off-shoulder dress with a long slit.

I didn’t look bad at all.

As I descended the stairs, the venue was already filling with guests. The gentlemen were dressed in sharp suits, and the ladies wore elegant gowns and glittering jewelry.

"Oh my God, Ashley," Diana exclaimed. "You look stunning."

I smiled. "Thank you. You look incredible yourself."

"Thank you." She twirled around, flipping her hair.

"Have you seen Kyle?"

"Considering he’s a guest of honor, he should be here any minute."

Mr. Montague had specifically requested the presence of one of the best players in the NBA, Kyle Jacobs, who happened to be my father’s godson. He was ecstatic when he discovered that the CEO of Slates and Crystals Events was family to a basketball legend and personally sent Kyle an invite.

Speak of the devil...

Kyle Jacobs walked in, wearing a sleek black tuxedo. I had to admit, he was striking. Practically every woman in the room had her eyes on him.

He walked over to us, flashing a charming smile.

"Wow..." he said.

"Wow, what?" Diana asked.

"You two look absolutely breathtaking."

"Why, thank you," Diana replied graciously.

"Says the guy stealing the attention of every woman here," I teased.

Kyle rolled his eyes. He often complained about the unnecessary attention his superstar status brought. For him, the real thrill came from the game itself and the celebration afterward.

Before Kyle could respond, Mr. Montague appeared. "The one and only Kyle Jacobs," he announced warmly.

"Mr. Montague," Kyle greeted politely.

"Please, call me Richard." He extended his hand.

Kyle shook it firmly, offering a tight smile.

"Diana, Ashley, it’s always a pleasure to see you," Richard said.

"The pleasure is ours," I replied, smiling politely.

"I trust the party is up to your standards, Mr. Montague?" Diana asked, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

"Please, call me Richard," he corrected. "And yes, the party is splendid."

"Well then, let’s toast to that," Diana suggested.

"To more successful partnerships," Richard added, raising his glass.

As we clinked our flutes, I noticed Richard giving me a strange look. Was he smirking... at me?

I brushed it off, but Diana whispered as Richard walked away with Kyle.

"Was it just me, or was he practically ogling you? Not to mention he’s old enough to be your father!"

"Don’t be ridiculous. He’s married, isn’t he?"

"Marriage doesn’t stop some men," she quipped.

"Diana, stop. You’re being inappropriate," I said, glancing around to ensure no one overheard.

"Just be careful, okay?"

"I will," I assured her before gently nudging her to mingle.

After two glasses of champagne, I felt slightly tipsy. I decided to head to the restroom but ended up colliding with someone.

"I’m so sor—" I started, just as a deep male voice interrupted.

"Watch where you’re—"

Our eyes locked.

"Ashley?"

~*~

KYLE

When Richard pulled me aside, I had to fight the urge to tell him off. Men like him, always looking for personal gain, rubbed me the wrong way.

"Kyle, I’d like you to meet my youngest daughter, Natalie," Richard said, gesturing to a young woman in a tight, overly revealing white dress. "Natalie, this is Kyle Jacobs."

"Hi, Kyle," she said in an annoyingly high-pitched voice. "I’ve seen you on TV. You’re a... uh..."

"Basketball player," I corrected, forcing a polite smile.

"Yeah, number..."

"Ten," I finished for her.

"Why don’t you two chat and get to know each other?" Richard suggested before walking off.

Great.

As soon as he left, Natalie started biting her lip, gazing at me as if I were a steak on a dinner plate.

"Sorry about earlier," she began. "I thought you were a model. You’re just so good-looking for a sports guy."

I resisted the urge to groan. "Thanks, I guess?"

"So, do you work out a lot? I’m a model, you know. Diets are everything for us."

"Yeah, athletes have to stay in shape too, Natasha."

"It’s Natalie," she corrected, pouting.

I knew her name. I just wanted to role her up a bit.

"Right... excuse me for a moment," I said, leaving her without a second glance.

I needed to find Ashley.

Ashley... the woman who had been on my mind for years. She had a way of making me second-guess everything, from my priorities to my feelings.

When I finally spotted her across the room, she was standing with some guy. They were staring at each other, and it looked intense.

My stomach twisted.

Before I knew it, I was walking toward them, .