AUDREY
The night was alive when we arrived at the grand porte-cochere of the Camelot Arts Exhibit. Gabriel said that even if he wasn’t going to meet the Italian designer, he was still invited to the opening.
The driveway was already packed with luxury cars when I stepped out of the vehicle. When we reached the enormous grand hall, I felt confident when I caught sight of the guests. Thanks to Veronica Park, I wouldn’t look out of place. Everyone was in their fancy dresses and suits.
We continued walking inside, and Stark first extended his greetings to the people he knew. I stood back and gave the best smile I could. Stark introduced me as an executive assistant, which made it more official.
“Yes, Rickman. We will be launching a brand-new collection for the upcoming fashion show in Las Vegas. I don’t want to spoil anything, but we’re bringing something new.” Stark gulped a shot of his drink.
“Then my daughter will have something new to look forward to,” Rickman Perez, a CEO of Foretech Ventures, said. “Your father must be really proud.”
Gabriel nodded, but his expression remained passive. “I guess.”
During my probation with Mr. Stark, I’d always wondered which family he came from, so I did a little research—something everyone could find on the internet.
Gabriel Stark got his MBA at Harvard, and his father was none other than Elazar Stark—the Chairman of Stark Group, a multinational conglomerate based in New York. It encompasses numerous associated businesses, most of which were joint under the Stark brand. He was one of the richest men in America. However, his second son, Coulson Stark, joined his brother in the thriving apparel brand, which was, of course, founded by Gabriel. They have a sister named Maya, and she helps their father in the family business.
“And, of course, I’m so proud of you as well.”
A blonde woman in a bright pink dress suddenly appeared next to Gabriel. I watched as she ran a finger on his arm flirtatiously before she greeted the others, “Good evening, gentlemen. Hi, Dad.” She kissed Rickman’s cheek and briefly embraced the man. Of course, this was Maxine Perez. She flaunted a curvy figure with a nice pair of long legs, emerald eyes, and evenly fair skin.
“Max, why are you always late?” he scolded, but his voice remained calm. “You kept our Gabriel waiting.”
Gabriel chuckled deliciously. “It’s alright.”
“You look absolutely stunning tonight, Max,” Gabriel complimented and kissed her on the cheek.
I looked away from the heartbreaking view. So, he really did wait for her? It must be true what the employees said in the office, then.
“Well, Rickman,” Gabriel interjected, still grinning. “We don’t want to keep you up. I have to look for Rivera, and my assistant still has to eat,” he told the man, then he glanced at me.
‘Great! Now, you remember I’m still here,’ I thought. I rolled my eyes.
“Of course. I think I saw the man earlier. Enjoy the rest of the evening,” Rickman said with a small smile. “Max, I’ll just look for your mother.”
“Mom is with Maria Evreux. And we will certainly enjoy it, Dad,” Maxine answered. Then she clung to Gabriel’s side, but he carefully took her hands off.
‘Yep, that’s right. Hand’s off!’ I thought, trying to hide my smirk.
“Max, as I have said, I need to look for Rivera,” he informed her. He seemed suddenly uncomfortable, which was odd, given that he had greeted her pleasantly a few minutes ago.
“Then I’ll come with you,” she insisted, pulling his arm again. “My Dad would be worried if you showed him this side of you. He’ll find out we’re not really close. Well, physically, we are, but—”
“Hey!” Gabriel cut her off, then stepped away.
My face was heated. I’d always known that Stark was a Casanova of the year, screwing different women here and there, but I didn’t like it very much meeting one of them face to face. I just couldn’t.
“Excuse me, Mr. Stark.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll just go to the restroom, and I’m hungry, so…”
He frowned and leaned his face slightly into my ear, “Wait for me. I’ll join you,” he said softly, his voice lingering to my deepest core.
My cheeks flamed. I gave him an astonished look. To the restroom?
“To dinner, of course,” he said as if he heard my thoughts.
My mouth parted. “Oh, it’s okay, Mr. Stark. I’ll try to look for Mr. Rivera as well,” I whispered back. “He might be here somewhere.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Wait.” Maxine prompted. Her eyes studied me from my red heels to my face. “And who is this? Your date?”
Gabriel heaved a sigh, pressing two fingers on the middle of his eyebrows. “This is Audrey, my new executive assistant.”
“Ah, I see that you finally found one.” She grinned, which seemed forced, and she curled her arms to Stark again. “I’m sure she can handle herself, Gabriel. Right, sugar?”
“Y-yes, sure,” I murmured. “Pardon, Mr. Stark.”
I didn’t wait for him to speak. I turned and strode away from them before I collapsed from jealousy.
***
I went to the restroom to refresh a little bit, then I came back to the grand hall to get something to eat since I was freaking starving.
Inside, I wandered my eyes around to look for Gabriel. I didn’t know anyone, and I was starting to feel like I was out of place. After brief sightseeing, I still couldn’t find him, so I just grabbed a glass of Sauvignon and a snack from a roaming waiter. I sat at the nearest table and munched my food.
As I ate, someone sat in the empty chair across from me. I looked up and found a dark blonde-haired man in a white tuxedo, and he was grinning at me. I stopped eating.
“Hi,” Coulson Stark greeted, still wearing a smile.
I swallow the food in my mouth. “Mr. Stark!” I chuckled nervously. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I just came. It’s a surprise to see you here, Audrey. But why is the most beautiful woman in this building eating here alone?” He studied me with his gaze. I felt his eyes run from my neck to my arms, then back to my face. I blushed.
Every day, I ran into Coulson Stark in the office, and I could say that he was always kind to me. He was the opposite of his older brother. He didn’t shout or order anyone around. He was always a gentle speaker, not to mention he was also ridiculously handsome.
“Did you come with Gabriel?” he asked.
“Yes, but I think he’s busy.”
“Oh, please continue,” he said as he noticed my plate. I gazed up at him. How could I eat when he was watching me like this?
He grinned so sweetly. Gabriel didn’t resemble his brother, but that didn’t mean Coulson was less of a bossman. His younger brother was actually handsome—with a pair of ocean-blue eyes, a big frame, and a charismatic boyish smile that would make anyone melt.
“I like this pasta very much. This reminds me of my mother,” I said, not intentionally sharing about my personal life, but Coulson seemed a sensible person.
“Oh really? Then I won’t be mistaken if you say that your mother is Italian?”
“She is… was.”
“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely.
“It’s okay, Mr. Stark.”
“You can call me Coulson. We’re not at work.” He leaned into his chair, and his eyes brightened. “So, you won’t mind if I ask you to come with me for dinner tomorrow at the Russo’s?”
I looked up at him, surprised. “The Italian restaurant that just opened? Near the office?”
“You’ve seen it too. Yes, that one.” He flashed a pleasant grin again.
“But, your brother might not want—”
“Don’t worry about Gabriel,” he interjected. “There’s nothing wrong with a nice dinner. I just really wanted to try the restaurant menus, but it’d be sad to eat alone, I guess?”
I chuckled at his boldness.
“And that would surely remind you more of your mother,” he added.
“Can I decline?”
“No, because I’ll insist.”
We laughed in unison.
“Okay, but don’t you think it will cause rumors in the office? They might think that we… you know.”
“I don’t care about the gossip. There’s nothing wrong with eating in a restaurant with a colleague.” He grinned again, showing me that this really never bothered him. “But it’ll make a big difference if it was a date—which would break the non-fraternization rule—but it’s not, so I guess you’re going to be fine.”
I nodded, agreeing. I smiled. “It’s not.”
“See? Now.” He moved forward again, clasping his hands together. “Would you like it if we tour around? I’ve seen exquisite photographs here, and I think you should see them.”
Well. I accepted Coulson’s invitation since Gabriel was occupied, and I wanted to avoid looking like some loser in a corner.
“Sure.”
“Great!” Coulson sprang up and offered his arm to me. I held on to him, and he ushered me to the exhibits. “Because it’s a shame for a beautiful girl to be alone tonight, you know?”