The Owner's Box

Chapter 25

Harlow POV

An hour later Rai and I leave out of an office after meeting Mr. Reese.

"Thank you Harlow and Rai. Ya'll have made a lifelong business partner in me." Mr. Reese laughs as we walk back to the party.

We shake hands before he goes dancing off, smiling widely as he heads back to his wife. We might have smoked a blunt or two while we discussed the final contract, we all signed.

"Aw shit." Rai says before quickly making eye contact with me and then looking back to where she was looking.

I follow the direction in which she is looking. "Fuck me." How much more is this night going to fuck me.

My mother is standing near a table, deep in conversation with Marina, my long-term ex—the reason I resented these functions and the reason I no longer attended any of them. The reason why my heart was so cold for so long. Until Saint, that is.

I look around and notice my dad next to them and he's speaking to Saint and Peyton. The three smiling and laughing amongst themselves. I'm sure daddy is telling them some of his corny old man jokes. I soften a little looking at Saints interactions with my dad.

"Alright, let's go break up this party." Rai says, immediately walking off. I take a breath and get in step with her.

As we approach my mother notices me and begins to laugh at probably absolutely nothing as she interacts with Marina.

"Harlow dear look who it is." She says as she pushes Marina closer to me and I take a slight step backwards.

"Harlow are you ready for your speech?" My mother asks as Rai squeezes her way between Marina and me.

"Yes. As ready as I can be." I tell her before making eye contact with Saint. She winks at me before giving her attention back to my dad.

"Harlow. Babe, I've been looking all over for you." Marina's eyes trace over me lustfully. "Diane told me you would be here tonight, and I just had to come and see for myself." Marina coos, as she moves around Rai and quickly places her hand on my arm. 

"Well, here I am, Marina. Not nice to see you. Goodnight." I respond, getting a low gasp from her. She wasn't used to this side of me.

When I look up again in Saints direction she's looking back and forth between Marina and me, her eyes filled with curious amusement.

When she notices Marina's hand on my arm her smile fades a bit, and her eyebrows begin to furrow a little.

"Harlow that is not how you speak to your fiancée." My mother says a little too loud and people near us begin to look.

"Ex- fiancée." I say with gritted teeth.

"Fiancée?" Saint steps closer, no longer paying attention to my dad and fully engaged in our conversation.

Saint's eyes widen as she processes my mother's words. I can see the wheels spinning in her head and I can see the hurt and confusion setting in.

This is not how I wanted her to find out.

"Ex-fiancée, Mom." I correct again, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Marina and I ended things a long time ago." I said looking directly into Saints eyes, hoping that she sees the truth in mine.

Marina then gives wide smile, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Oh, Harlow, you always were so dramatic." she says.

I could feel the tension rising but before anything else could transpire I hear my name being called to step to the podium for my speech.