Mending A Broken Heart

Chapter 9

The ballroom was beautifully decorated. Gold and black decor made the room look for expensive than it did before. A large rose gold chandelier hung in the center of the room, where a makeshift dance floor had be setup. Circular tables filled the room where some people were seated, while others mingled near several of the bars. Waiters in white floated throughout the room handing out glasses of champagne and other beverages. Trisha stood at the door, and took in everything that was going on in the room. She attempted to figure out how she still hadn't grown accustomed to the fancy parties, and always felt out of place. Her stomach started to flutter with each step that she took towards the table that the two of them shared.

Trisha's steps became easier as Augustine placed his hand on the small of her back. He guided her forward, all the while shaking hands of prominent people that they passed. Trisha threw on her award-winning smile, and shook hands alongside of him. Augustine smiled at how Trisha shook her fears away, and let her beautiful smile brighten up the room. He could see all the men's eyes on Trisha. They were slowly undressing her, and he found himself growing upset as they looked at her in such a manner. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he got back into greeting people he knew would come up to him later in the night with business proposal. It never failed to happen. Tonight was about the children, and some business people could never turn their switches off and focus at the task at hand.

As the pair neared their table, the journey was brought to an screeching halt. Trisha stopped walking causing Augustine to bump into the back of her. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, steadying her body. After assuring she was alright, he reluctantly released her. Trisha sighed softly as she wished that his hands were still on her. Her eyes were focused on the floor until she saw the foot that was tapping in front of her. Trisha's eyes snapped up to find the owner of the foot staring at her intently. Sofia's beautiful eyes raked over Trisha's body, making her cower ever so slightly. A smirk spread across her face as she realized how uncomfortable she was making Trisha.

Tossing her long black hair over her shoulder Sofia snickered, and said, "Well don't you look nice."
"Thank you. So do you."
"Oh not you honey. I was referring to Auggie," Sofia stated as if it were obvious. Trisha's eyes fell to the floor again, as she realized how Sofia was berating her, and speaking to her as if she were a child. Augustine quickly stepped in saying, "Sofia there is no need to be rude, Trisha was only telling you that you look nice. And it's Augustine, not Auggie."
"Oh Auggie I don't believe that I was being rude. I was merely stating that I was telling you that you looked nice, and not her. She clearly got her gown off the rack. I would never compliment such a monstrosity."
"Actually it is an Angeline Ross original," Augustine said proudly while grabbing Trisha's hand spinning her around. Trisha chuckle softly, and ran her hands over the soft fabric. Sofia looked taken aback as she realized that Augustine spared no expense when it came down to making sure that Trisha felt beautiful.

The pair moved around Sofia as she stared at the them in frustration.Trisha looked back over her shoulder, and waved pettily at Sofia. Trisha laughed a genuine laugh that caused Augustine to chuckle along with her. As they made their way to their seats, Augustine pulled her chair out, and she thanked him for being such a gentleman. He sat down in the seat next to her, and the two spoke softly about the situation with Sofia. Trisha soon found the conversation uncomfortable, and quickly changed the subject. Reaching into her bag, Trisha pulled out the check that Augustine had written for the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Trisha excused herself to the deposit box while Augustine chatted with the owner of a new chain of fitness centers.

Trisha maneuvered her way through the busy ballroom being sure to be polite on her way to the box. She kept a smile on her face, and said "pardon me" when she needed to get by. She sighed with relief as she finally made it to the box. As she turned to walk back towards the table she found herself running into a brick wall. Before she could fall on her bum, two hands steadied her waist. She looked down at the hands and realized that they did not belong to Augustine. Her head snapped up, and she made eye contact with a handsome man with chocolate brown eyes staring into her own. His beauty caught her off guard, and she found herself struggling put simple sentences together. She was brought out of her daze, when a slender manicured hand appeared on his shoulder.

Sofia slid in front the mystery man, and said, "Honey, why are you over here with the help?"
"The help? What do you mean, my love?"
"This is Augustine's new worker."
"Ahh...," the mystery man said understandingly. He reached his hand out to introduce himself, but his hand was smack out of the air by an angry Augustine. The mystery man jumped back in surprise, and furrowed his eyebrows as Augustine came into view. He pulled Trisha into his arms, and looked her over to make sure that there was nothing wrong with her. Trisha nodded assuring him that she was perfectly fine.

Turning back to Trisha and the mystery man, Augustine bluntly said, "Sophia I see you'll never learn. You show up to all these functions with him, and think that it'll get you back into my good graces."
"Oh Augustine. How highly you think of yourself. You think that everything I do is just to get at you. Colton and I are perfectly happy together, and it's time that you accept that."
"Accept? You want me to accept the fact that my ex-wife is living it up with my ex-business and ex-best friend? That is something that I can never accept. You both betrayed me, and I have nothing to say to either of you," Augustine said turning away pulling Trisha along with him. Before they could get too far, Colton grabbed Trisha's hand saying, "I've heard a lot about you. If you ever want a new job or a change of scenery be sure to give me a call." He placed a nice business card in Trisha's hand. A black card with silver foil writing read, "Enrique Garcia, CEO of Regency Alliance Inc." With a polite gesture, Trisha nodded and walked away.

Augustine stormed away like a child, causing Trisha to have to double up to stay close to him. He stopped quickly, and Trisha crashed into the back of him. He chuckled softly, and said, "You have to get your legs under control carino." He turned to her, took her hand, and led her to the dance floor. Trisha placed her hands around his neck, while he placed his hands around her waist. The danced silently to the soft music being played by the the band. Trisha kept her eyes on his chest, afraid to even look him the eyes. A move that didn't go unnoticed by Augustine.

After several moments, Augustine sighed heavily, and asked, "Is there something on my jacket"
"No... I just, um... No."
"Then why is that you just seem to stare at my jacket than look me in the eyes."
"I don't know. Would you prefer for me to look you in your eyes?"
"I would like it if you did," Augustine replied honestly. A few seconds passed before Trisha's eyes traveled up the lapels of Augustine's jacket. As their eyes locked onto one another, it seemed that the world stood still. Augustine smiled causing his dimples to show on his face. Trisha blushed turning her head, only to return her gaze into his.

Augustine found himself in awe of her beauty once again. There was something about her that drew him to her, and he couldn't figure out what it was. She wasn't just a pretty face, but she also had the brains to go along with it. He couldn't believe the thoughts that were going through his head about Trisha, but he did know that she hadn't left his mind from the moment he met her. Even with him being mean to her, he only wanted to wrap her in his arms, and make her feel wanted.

As he was in deep thought, he saw a confused look on Trisha's face. Snapping out of his daze he looked to her, and said, "I'm sorry what was that?"
"Your phone. You don't feel it buzzing," Trisha asked. Augustine shook his head, and reached into his pocket. Looking at the screen he saw a picture of his daughter appear on the screen. A bigger smile appeared on his face. Placing the phone to his ear, Augustine enthusiastically said, "Hola mami." He smile soon fell, as he searched around the room. Panic began to sit in with Trisha, and she asked, "What's wrong?" Augustine made his way through the room, and over to Sophia who was laying her head on Enrique's shoulder. Large tears were falling down her cheeks, and she turned to Augustine saying, "They have our baby."