Chasing Gold

9

It's been a full week since I slept over at Sebastian's house. He was a perfect gentleman and respectively slept on his side of the pillow barrier that I created-- with minimal complaint.

I survived another week full of classes, which were going easier since I was now switched out of Professor Creed's class. Not that it really mattered because there was only a couple of weeks left until graduation anyways.

Today was Saturday and my Dad planned on throwing a party at our house to celebrate his new partnership for his company. They are usually so boring, so I begged him and made him agree that Katie could come this time.

Thus, leads us to the previous moment where Katie and I are in her bathroom doing our makeup. "So is this going to be a full black tie event?" She asked while curling her lashes.

"I mean you saw our dresses, so you already know the answer to that is yes." I giggle.

"Okay whatever, but do we stay all night? Like when should we expect to come home?"

"I mean I always get bored and leave super early, but my parents usually host guests until 11 or 12." I look at the clock that reads 2 pm and sigh. This is going to be a long day.

"WOO. I am so excited. I hope I meet some beautiful, rich business man and we dance all night and get married."

I laugh, "Kate, I don't know what you're expecting but you really need to lower the bar. Okay, I'm done with makeup so I'm going to put my dress on and then I'll just meet you downstairs when you're ready. Dad likes it when we're there to greet even the first of his guests."

I walk down the elongated hall to my room and look at my dress. It's a beautiful silky blue that hugs my figure in all the right places. Paired with a pair of white heels and my hair flowing down my back I looked straight out of a fashion magazine.

I wonder if Sebastian is going to see me in this.

What the heck, why would I even think that? Why would I even want him to see me in this? I made it clear that we're just friends. And every since then he hasn't tried to contact me, so it's very obvious that he simply wanted to hook up with me and ditch me.

I scoff, all boys are the same and Sebastian is no different.

I slide in some dangled diamond earring and make my way towards the elevator. Katie and I make our way downstairs into the towncar and chat the whole way about the mystery man she is bound to meet tonight while we make our way towards my childhood home.

We arrive around 4pm and are greeted at the door by my mother and father. They're like a second set of parents to Katie, so we all hug and catch up while waiting for the other guests.

"So Dad, what big business deal have you made this time?"

"Well hunny, it's actually very exciting because I've decided to hand my shares of the company over to Sebastian Avery." I nearly choke on the air that I was breathing in.

"What? Sebastian is going to be here? You're retiring? Why didn't you tell me this?"

He rests his arm around my mother, pulling her close. "Well your mom and I decided that it would be a good time for us to travel and see the world while we are still young and able."

I smile at them and inwardly swoon because I've always admired how much my parents love each other.

"Yes, after ten years of him working late nights and early mornings I finally convinced him it's time for a real break. Plus, this will give Sebastian the chance to be the head of our company." She smiles and winks at me. "You know he is really handsome as well as incredibly smart Ash."

I blush, but try to hide it by coughing. "Mom what are you suggesting?"

"Nothing any of us haven't wished for before." Says someone coming in from the door. I turn my head and there stands Elizabeth Avery. "You two should just date already to give us older women something to gossip about." She starts to laugh and my parents get up to hug her.

I stand to hug Elizabeth as well, "Please Mrs. Avery, I know it's been a long time since I've last seen you, but you must remember some things about me!"

"I know you two have a... difficult past, but hopefully this deal will bring you closer. You two basically grew up best friends for God's sake!" She then turns to my parents and starts gossiping more about what they've missed recently.

I look towards Katie and sigh. This is why I am going into the fashion world. I can handle clothes way better than I can handle people. "Do you want to go into the main room? I'm sure people have arrived and maybe your mystery man is waiting out there to propose to you." I giggle while wiggling my eyebrows in an obnoxious way.

Katie grabs my hand and laughs along, "Sure make fun of me now, but if you keep this up you won't be my maid of honor at the wedding!"

We make sure to gracefully glide into the main room while taking in the scenery. All around the middle of the floor are tables reserved for dinner and dessert. There is a luxurious looking bar straight back towards the far wall of the room and all throughout the middle is a dance floor filled with mingling and dancing people.

We decide to go to the bar first and while ordering our drinks my Dad gets on the mic and announces that dinner is about to be served and we should take our seats.

"Do you think that we are sitting together?" I inquire.

"Oh I'm sure you're parents didn't split us up. I am basically your plus one to this event." We joke while walking through the tables trying to find our name cards.

"Hmm I think this is me and you're right across from me!" I say while walking clockwise around the table to read all the names on the cards. While I was about to sit down I read the card right next to me. "Well crap."

I try to lock eyes with Katie to ask to switch seats when I feel a hand on my lower back. Then, I can feel an entire body being pressed against my back. They lean in close and whisper in my ear, "Nice seeing you again Ashley. Pity you're aren't waking up in my bed again."

I gently elbow him so I can have my own breathing room and turn to face him. "Hello Sebastian."