A GOLDEN EMPIRE

CHAPTER TEN

THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR PULLS UP IN FRONT of the hotel. Winston gets out, going to the other side of the truck to let them out. Charles gets out first, then takes hold of Juliette's right hand to help her out followed by Aurora who's holding on to her mother's left hand.

"My two favorite girls." Charles kisses his daughter's temple and then pulls his wife in for yet another sweet kiss.

Most married businessmen tend to have affairs with their secretaries or have secret significant others. They pretend to be in love with their wives for publicity. Not Charles though. He has only ever had eyes for one woman: Juliette. He loves her too damn much to ever play into the dangerous game that is infidelity.

Everything he does for her is genuine and from the heart.

Aurora adores both of them and how much they love one another. She hopes that she and Justin get to that point. Of course, they will. (A/N: I feel like I'm foreshadowing this shit.)

Speaking of Justin, she gracefully glides over to the elevator waiting for it to open. "Door...open sesame. I'm eager."

Behind her, she can hear her mother's giggles and her father chuckling deeply. She pouts playfully as Charles pulls her into a bear hug. "You're cute. It'll open in a minute, honey bear." He kisses her temple again.

Not even a minute later, the elevator door slides open and the trio is inside. Charles is pushing the button for the rooftop lounge.

"Hold the elevator." The woman who yelled, struts inside standing right next to Charles, who moves away, standing on Juliette's left side. Aurora looks at the woman, who's clad in a black tight-fitting SAINT LAURENT jumpsuit, in pure bewilderment.

The next voice to speak up is Juliette. "Aurora, honey."

Aurora moves to stand closer to her parents. As the elevator door closes and moves upwards, it's silent in the square box. It's so damn silent you can hear a pin drop.

The woman is typing away on her phone causing both Juliette and Aurora to roll their eyes. There's so need to be that damn obnoxious.

Charles pulls the latter two closer to him, whispering so only they can hear. "Today, we remain calm and collected as we always do."

Aurora gives him a thumbs up immediately, a basic gesture that she understands. Juliette caresses Charles's face with a smile.

The elevator door finally opens and the woman walks out, swaying her nonexistent hips in front of Charles. Woman, he ain't lookin' at you. Give up already.

"Now we go. Jules, do you want a drink, my love? We'll need it if we're going to deal with the masses today."

Juliette nods. "Indeed. Especially if I'm going to be in the same vicinity as a certain Hawthorne. Aurora, honey bear, you know who I'm referring to, right?"

"I do." Juliette is referring to the one and only Scarlett Hawthorne. "Her son is one of my best friends. Even he gets tired of his mother's bs antics. I could've sworn I just saw him roll his eyes again." Aurora goes to say something else but catches sight of a now black-haired Justin.

She takes a deep breath and struts to the bar to order a mimosa. Her parents are gracefully making their way outside to mingle and greet the genuine people who actually matter.

She can see her father whispering in Carter's ear. He's most likely telling the younger man to gather the team and make sure no bullshit goes down today. We love a family-oriented man. Carter nods and speaks into his earpiece.

"Miss Hollingsworth. Your mimosa." The bartender sets the drink on the counter in front of her.

Aurora thanks him and picks up the glass. Now, she internally decides, it's time to head outside to make her presence known. Strutting over to the door, she can already hear her name, people wondering where she is.