Trust in Love

Chapter 3

The doorbell rang promptly at six o'clock. Justine couldn't control her nerves. She decided to take one of her pills before she went downstairs. She could hear Ada and Jared chatting and that made her even more nervous.

She glanced at herself one last time in the mirror. Her mother had helped put her hair up into a French twist. She had borrowed her mother's pearls and that was the only jewelry she wore. It had taken two tries to get her makeup just right. She hadn't put very much on because she wasn't used to wearing it.

Justine grabbed her purse and went downstairs. She felt Jared's eyes on her as she reached the foyer. He was wearing a tuxedo and he looked very handsome and debonair.

'Here she is,' Ada said proudly. 'Doesn't she look divine?'

'She looks very elegant,' Jared said kindly, smiling at Justine.

Justine smiled back shyly. Jared offered her his arm and she went to his side. She could smell his cologne and it made her feel a bit light-headed. Just being near him was a heady experience for her.

'You two make the cutest couple,' Ada gushed. 'Can I take your photo?'

'Mother,' Justine warned, rolling her eyes.

'Certainly, Mrs. Blake,' Jared answered, smiling patiently.

As Ada took their picture she said eagerly, 'You only have your first date once!'

Justine felt her cheeks blush in embarrassment. She couldn't believe what a big deal Ada was making out of everything.

A few minutes later Jared led Justine outside to where his BMW was parked.

'I'm sorry about my mother,' Justine said once they were both in the car.

'It's okay,' Jared replied, shrugging. 'I'm treated like a celebrity wherever I go.'

She realized he was making a joke and she smiled.

'I take it you don't go out very often?' Jared queried.

'Not really,' Justine replied.

'That's too bad,' Jared commented. 'You seem like a nice person.'

Justine didn't know what to say so she asked Jared how many people would be at the benefit.

'Oh, about three hundred,' Jared replied mildly.

'Wow,' she commented.

'It take months of planning,' Jared continued. 'Luckily, I have a very dedicated staff.'

They made small talk until they arrived at the university. The gala was being held in the Grand Ballroom of the main activity centre.

Jared parked the car in his designated spot and they walked over to the activity centre.

People started to greet Jared before they even got to the ballroom. Justine realized that he must know hundreds of people for his job to be successful.

Once they reached the ballroom, Justine gasped in delight. There were hundreds of tiny twinkling lights all over the walls and the tables looked gorgeous.

'What do you think?' Jared asked curiously.

'It's beautiful,' she murmured. It was like a fairyland.

'I'll take you over to our table,' Jared said. 'I'll get you settled and then I have to circulate a bit.'

'Okay,' she replied.