Eden's Temptation

Chapter Fourteen

When Silver said gala, I'd expected a moderately sized motel banquet room decked in lavish decorations with a nice buffet and a few drink fountains.

What she meant was extravagant gathering of who's who in the fashion industry at a prestigious five-star hotel reserved for the occasion.

We entered a ballroom straight out of a royal castle, with high ceilings from which chandeliers dangled, sprinkling light over marble floors. There were several buffets loaded with fancy finger-foods and tons of puffed-up garnishes. No drink fountains, but three bars with suited bartenders serving high-class wines, champagnes, and cocktails.

"Holy shit," I whispered as we were let inside, our coats given to coat-attendants in the hallway.

People in glittering gowns and flashy suits and sparkling jewels dangling from their necks mingled under the glowing lights. The NYC fashion elite was gathered here, prepped to critique and throw shade while making you think they were being kind.

My stomach bubbled with unsettling feelings.

Silver nudged me. "Quiet," she said, inspecting the room from afar. She wore a dashing fuchsia dress that showed off her round, tempting breasts, and hugged her curvaceous hips. "Whatever we discussed in the car applies now."

What we'd discussed in the car? Rules.

I was to stand by her, show off the dress, thank those who complimented me, and if prompted, remind them Silver made this exquisite piece of fabric. It was a prototype for her newest specialty—evening gowns. Silver Silk was the next adventure with her brand.

I was the test subject. The experiment to see how industry professionals would react.

She'd told me earlier that the private showcase was such a success, she hoped tonight would follow the same pattern. But tonight's guests were...voracious. A much tougher crowd than the hand-picked attendees from the night before.

In this room were fashion designers of all levels, mingling with fans. There were representatives of brands with stores based in New York, but with locations all around the world. There were expensive models, sporting dresses the same price as my rent. And the usual investors with cash overflowing from their pockets, but tight locks on their wallets.

Silver had also given me a heads' up about those she wished to avoid.

A few models she refused to work with would be in attendance. Bridget was one of them, but we didn't anticipate she'd show, flaky as she was.

Silver mentioned an investor she'd had a bad experience with, a former business partner, and...

"Titus Berkley," she'd said in the car, as we were feet away from being dropped off at the red-carpet. Yes, a red-carpet, and it was everything I thought it'd be. Paparazzi, screaming fans, and enormous bodyguards.

"Titus Berkley?" I scoffed. "What kind of name is that?"

She cut me a stern glance. "The name of my absolute nemesis, and someone I don't want you interacting with at all. Ever."

I gulped. "Noted." I buttoned my coat, my face overheating as I sighted all the cameras lined up to catch our stride up to the gala's doors. "And, uh, what else should I know about him? In case we bump into him."

"We will not bump into him." Silver sat up straight, adjusting her diamond earrings. "He and I have an agreement."

"Okay, but," I frowned, "just in case?"

She shuffled in her seat as Pete told us it'd be a minute before we'd be let out. "He's basically the leader of the NYC fashion world." Her voice tightened. "And he considers me the woman, the nemesis, who's taking over and bypassing boundaries that he set up."