R E D

The Unexpected

"You look gorgeous!" Kelsey admired me in my dress from the edge of my bedroom door.

"It's not too much is it?" Sliding my hands down my dipped chest, I wondered if I had overdressed. This was for a charity after all, not a rave or club of some sort.

"Don't be silly! The dress is stunning!" She smiled and I thanked her before hearing my phone ring. Dipping into my royal blue clutch, I slipped out my phone before answering.

"Hi mum."

"Are you ready? I'm outside."

"Be there in a sec!" Slipping my phone back in, I grabbed my fur coat before saying goodbye to Kelsey and heading out to the car.

As soon as my clear strapped barely-there heels touched the pavement, I noticed the sleek white limo that was parked out front. Of course my mother was going to arrive in style, how could I think less of her! The driver slipped out of the drivers side before opening the door for me and tipping his hat as a gesture for me to enter.

"Thank you." I smiled politely before slipping in and having him shut the door gently behind me.

"Lina! You look amazing!" My mother caught my hand and I moved in right beside her.

"Thanks mum, you too!" I admired the pearl earrings in each lobe and the emerald dress that fitted her like a glove.

"I'm glad you could make it, Sean is going to be so happy to see you. He couldn't stop asking me if you're attending." She smiled and I gulped as a wave of anxiety flooded through me. Sean was lovely but I couldn't shake Damien's voice of warning from my head.

Stay away from my father.

Nothing about him is genuine.

Surely his father wasn't that bad? He seemed fine to me despite only having met the once.

"Is Martin not coming?" I questioned, noticing it was only my mother and I in the spacious limousine.

"He'll be joining us later at the function. There's some business he has to take care of." I nodded understanding. I was looking forward to seeing Martin again and getting a feel of who he really was. If he was going to be in my mothers life then I would need to know that his intentions were genuine.

-

"This place is amazing." I was in awe. We had arrived at a mansion that not only held a spacious gravelled area to the front, but also had enough room inside to hold half a football pitch. There were people everywhere, laughing, mingling and showing off their expensive attire. The hosts and hostesses stood out in all white as they weaved in and out of the different social groups, holding trays of canapés and cocktails in their hands, offering both selections to any and every individual.

"Oh look, I spot Sean let's go and say hello." My mother grabbed my hand, leading me over to Sean where he stood surrounded by a group of gentlemen.

"Good evening." My mother greeted and all the men faced us, bringing their conversation to a halt. Sean noticed me on my mothers arm and a smile grew onto his face.

"Ladies. A pleasure." He gave a kiss to my mothers cheek, then mine. The men that were with him dispersed almost instantly, leaving just the three of us alone.