Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 11

Champagne is offered to me but I don't need alcohol in order to feel my head spinning.... It already is.

I swallow back my twisting stomach and shake my head, informing the waiter to leave me be. I don't want your fucking drinks. Or crab puffs, for that matter.

I've put off coming to this party for as long as I could. Any longer and I would have received an angry call from Janice asking where the hell I was.

I scope out the ballroom, trying to identify a hiding place. Somewhere I could sit and not be bothered, yet still be seen but hopefully not acknowledged. If it looked like I was hiding from everyone, that would definitely cause a lot of questions to arise—questions I didn't want to answer.

Talking to a small group with a girl on his arm, I see Theodore Collings. Just one glance makes me feel sick with guilt, his truthful words embedded and caged into the deepest, darkest parts of my mind. Nausea, yet again, sweeps over me and I confirm that I need to be as far away from Collings as I can. Just looking at him makes me want to throw up.

I wish for Zayn and I wish for Mia—anyone, basically, to come here and save me from myself.

There aren't that many people here, and I make a quick estimation of just under 50. Dread fills me when I realize that there is no privacy at small gatherings, so there is little chance I'll be able to stay unseen. I study the room yet again, trying to rack my brain for some logic that could give me a direction of where to stand.

I see the door leading out.

The perimeters, for the most part, are being avoided because the party is in the center of the room. If I hang out anywhere else other than the door, people will think I'm being rude or not wanting to take part in the social call, but since I am by the door, people might assume I am greeting the folks who come in and out. That is my best bet.

I turn to leave but then a voice stops me.

"Leaving so soon, Styles?" Collings sneers from behind.

I turn around and force a dimpled smile. I look around the room, spotting Vaugns in the crowd. If he's there, no doubt Victoria is near. "No, I was actually just going to go meet up with Miss Jarwin and her family. She's doing a toast for both Mr. Vaugns and me, since we both acquired the coveted title of head supervisor. I'll come and find you when we're done celebrating, eh, mate?" I shoot his girlfriend a wink which leaves Collings fuming, because she actually smiled back at me.

Realizing that he is probably watching makes me irritated because now I actually have to go and stand with everyone. On top of that, I have to drink champagne. Although I got the reaction I was hoping for, I was stupid for not thinking this plan through.

"Good evening," I greet, approaching the small crowd. Christopher stands with a platter of crab puffs in his hand, his father beside him. Alexander's assistant is off to the side, holding her tablet as well as a glass of bourbon... No doubt her boss'. Two people I have yet to meet are also within this circle, one of them actually interested in what Vaugns is saying, and the other judging Christopher for eating the whole platter of crab puffs.

Christopher stops eating just long enough to exchange a look between me and his father, anticipating what his response is going to be.

"Good evening," Alexander replies, making the rest of them acknowledge me. I give curt nods and firm handshakes, including one to Vaugns.

When I catch a glimpse of her, I am slightly surprised. Victoria is stunning in a floor length black dress. Gold shimmer coats her eyelids and black gel lines her eyes. Her cheekbones appear sharp, probably the effect of some cosmetic contouring, but I can't seem to draw my eyes away from her red lips. The Jarwins may be devils but no one can deny that they are an attractive family. The daughter is no exception.