Chapter 23

I was awed by the beauty of the banquet hall. We had just walked in and the place looked awesome and well…rich. Not to mention the chandeliers hanging in the ceiling. Everyone I saw so far, looked as though they were literally made of money. I tried keeping my nervousness under control. Before we came inside, Lucas had laid out the rules for the night, which I really didn't think I would have much problem following. I was to stay by his side at all times, don't talk to anyone unless I'm being talked to, try to act polite and proper, do not take anything from anyone unless he gave the okay and just plainly try not to embarrass him or myself. I know that I wouldn’t have much issues anyway because I was definitely planning to follow his instructions.

Lucas led me through the crowd of people, with his hand resting on the small of my back like a real date would play out. I was really starting to count down the minutes before I could get to leave. I was surrounded by rich, important, famous business individuals that I just didn’t feel like I fit in with. I felt a little better as I saw Lucas leading us over to where Mr. Cavelli and Lexi were. Even though I was still a bit scared of Giovanni Cavelli, I really liked his wife. The two of them looked awesome together, and Lexi was absolutely gorgeous and her dress was really beautiful, not to mention her hair.

"Oh Amy, you're here. What a surprise? It is so nice to see that you're being let out of the prison." Lexi smiled at me as she saw us before giving Lucas a stink eye. "Wow, you look great."

"Thank you. You look gorgeous too. I love your dress." I smiled before greeted her husband. "Hello Mr. Cavelli."

"Hi Amy," he nodded. "You can call me Gio. You look amazing."

"Thank you sir... Gio." I smiled.

"Lexi, I wanted to congratulate you on carrying the future heir." Lucas said to her. "Gio told me the other day. I just haven't seen you in person since then to say congratulations. I'm really happy for you guys."

"Usually I'd say something really snappy and insulting but I'm just going to try and be nice tonight. So thank you Lucas. It’s really nice of you to say." Lexi responded.

"You're actually being civil to me tonight, that’s really a miracle." Lucas said chuckling.

"Don't get used to it alright?" Lexi told him

I couldn’t help wondering what went down with these two that made Lexi seem to hate Lucas so much. Lucas and Gio had started talking while Lexi and I talked as well. We mostly talked about dresses and shoes and makeup. Lexi and I talked about me finding a dress and I told her that Carter was the one assigned to bring me dress shopping. Lexi even asked about my mom and I told her that we spoke this evening and that she had done the angioplasty to fix her coronary heart issue. I wasn't sure if I should've mentioned it but I just felt like hearing someone else's opinion on the procedure being already paid for anonymously.

"Wait, you said someone paid for your mother's surgery?" Gio asked joining in as I mentioned it to Lexi.

"Yes, my mom's doctor told her the medical bill was paid in advance." I nodded.

"And you have no idea who paid it?" Gio asked raising a brow.

"No, her doctor wouldn't tell her. I find it really strange that someone would do that, I mean not a lot of persons know about my mom's condition." I replied. "I was saving up to pay for it but since I had to... had to quit working, I couldn't afford to do so anymore. It was weird with my mom doing the procedure and not knowing how her bills were paid but she needed it and we're just hoping whoever did it had a good intention because it was just weird."

"Indeed." Gio nodded before turning back to Lucas.

"So, is she feeling better now then?" Lexi asked me.

"Yes, she's recovering good so far from what she told me." I said to her. "I haven't had the chance to get to see her though."

Gio and Lexi had gone to meet and greet some other business personnel after saying that we would catch up later since we would all be sitting at the same table together. Lucas and I were left alone and again that awkward feeling had come back. A waiter was passing by with champagne and Lucas grabbed two flutes.

"Champagne?" He asked handing one to me.

"Uhm, thanks but I.... I haven't really been drinking much since my whole drug incident." I said to him whispering the last part so no one would hear.

"I don't think a glass or two of champagne is going to send you to junkie town." Lucas responded.

"Okay." I nodded and decided to take a sip of the champagne.

As we made our way around, Lucas had talked to quite a few other people. He even had to introduce me as his date to some who also introduced their dates. For most of the time, whenever Lucas and the others talked, it'd be about business or some previous event or something. I couldn't help but noticed how Lucas didn't seem to enjoy being here much like I thought a business man would.

When we were at the table, I noticed he seemed really bored like he couldn't wait for the night to end. Since it was somewhat a two-part event, everything was long. There were speeches, awards and other performances. At our table, there were actually six of us- Lucas, me, Lexi, Gio, a blonde hair guy who they introduced as Paolo and his date a model looking girl. I barely ate much of what they had there. I mean, how could I eat much when I had already filled my stomach at home?

"Excuse us." Lucas said to the others as he took my hand and helped me up from the table.

"You don't really like these events do you?" I finally gathered the courage to ask Lucas when we were away from the others.

"What gave me away?" Lucas asked in a sarcastic manner which I ignored.

"I just noticed how you seem to be counting down the minutes just as I am." I said to him. "Why do you come if you hate it?"

"It is an opportunity of helping to increase business. It is a networking opportunity with the meeting of new potential business associates and it’s expected of us business folks". Lucas replied.

"Hmm." I nodded with understanding.

"Lucas Ackles." I heard someone said causing us to turn around.

"Rinaldo," Lucas greeted the middle age man who had come up to us with a young woman by his side. "It is good seeing you again."

"You too son." The other guy smiled as they shook hands. "It has been a while."

I looked at the girl who was by his side as she continued eyeing Lucas longingly. She was absolutely stunning in her floor length long sleeve lace gown. I had to wonder though, was this girl this man's date? He wasn't extremely old or anything but he looked old enough to possibly be her father. And the way she was eying Lucas like a piece of candy, it would be totally inappropriate if she was really his date.

"Hey Lucas, how have you been?" The girl squeaked excitedly as she hugged Lucas. "It has been forever since we've last seen each other."

"Adena," Lucas greeted smiling widely at her. "You look amazingly beautiful."

"I know right? You know I always dressed to kill." She chuckled. "Lucas, I actually can't believe it."

Self-centered much? She was gorgeous I had to admit that, but girl, a little modesty wouldn't hurt.

And oh, no worries I'll just stand there and continue being invisible. I had no idea why I felt this way but I couldn't help it.

"So Lucas, how have you been and who is this stunning young lady?" The older man asked finally looking at me.

The minute his eyes reached my face, I started feeling nervous and really uncomfortable. The way he was staring at me, I couldn't really explain it but it actually scared me.

"Oh, this is Amy Stewart. She accompanied me here tonight. Amy this is Marcos Rinaldo. He's a part of the family." Lucas said to me.

Oh, so he was also involved with the mafia.

"Stewart?" He asked as he stretched his hand out to me. " It is nice to meet you Amy."

"Likewise Mr.Rinaldo." I said to him as I shook his hand.

This guy was really making me super uncomfortable. Why was he staring at me like that? And couldn’t he please let go off my hand already? Whatever he was thinking, I was just hoping that he knew that I wasn’t really the sugar daddy type. He was still holding on to my hand and staring at me creepily, which caused me to clear my throat and actually pull my hand away.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He apologized as he let go.

"It’s okay." I said to him.

"Sorry if I make you uncomfortable or something. It’s just that you remind me of someone I used to know." He said to me. "Have we met before?"

"No, I don't think so." I replied.

"You're right, probably not." He smiled at me. "You just look familiar."

"Who does she remind you of daddy?" The girl asked with a smile.

Daddy? Please tell me this girl was actually his daughter.

"Oh, Amy. This is my daughter Adena." The guy smiled pulling her to him lovingly.

Oh, so he was actually her dad. Well my bad, I thought she may have been his date. But couldn’t you blame me? In this day and age, the older men do love the young girls, so it could have been.

"Hi," I said to her.

"I love your dress Amy." Adena smiled.

"Thank you. I love yours too. It is really beautiful." I said to her.

"Oh thank you," She smiled. "So Lucas have you seen Carter tonight? I don't think he came tonight."

"Your brother is probably chasing some skirt tail right now. I haven't seen him yet." Lucas chuckled.

Carter was her brother? Then that meant that Mr.Rinaldo was Carter's father too then.

I had totally zoned out that I didn't hear what Rinaldo was saying to me.

"Amy." I heard Lucas called snapping me out of my zone.

"Oh, I'm sorry what?" I asked shaking my head. "I was just thinking about something else, sorry."

"I was asking you where your family is from?" Rinaldo asked me still looking at me with that creepy look.

"Right here in New York." I said to him.

Like seriously? What's up with this guy? He was making me really uncomfortable. What does my family and where they came from had to do with him?

"It is amazing how people can resemble another person." Rinaldo smiled.

Alright enough already. You're making me uncomfortable. I wanted to say to him but couldn't.

"I guess we'll see you around." Rinaldo finally announced. "I have to introduce Adena to a couple more people seeing that Carter didn't show up. It was good seeing you again Lucas, we'll keep in touch. Amy? It was nice meeting you."

"You too Mr. Rinaldo." I said putting on a smile.

"Lucas it was good to see you. Amy, nice meeting you." Adena smiled but kept her eyes on Lucas.

"You too." I smiled at her.

I couldn't help the sigh of relief I let out as the two were gone. I was glad to get rid of Rinaldo and his creepy looks more than anything.

"You were uncomfortable." Lucas finally stated.

"I just didn't like the way he was staring at me. It made me felt uneasy." I admitted.

"Are you sure you haven't met him before?" Lucas asked me.

"I'm positive. Tonight is the first time I'm seeing him." I told him truthfully.

"He seemed to think you look familiar though." Lucas replied.

"Well I don't know because I don't know him." I told him.

A couple minutes later, we met up back with Gio and Lexi and I met some other businessmen. There was even this one girl who seemed as if she was going to dry hump Lucas any second. You could tell that Lucas wished he could throw her off the 30th floor though. She was acting really desperate.

Carter even showed up later with a girl, I believe was his girlfriend. I had wanted to go to the ladies’ room and since I couldn't just leave without Lucas knowing, I told him. Lexi heard and followed me but not before cursing Lucas out in a decent way. I actually found that way funny.

On our way back, we met some other people who Lexi introduced me to. I met her brother Dominic and his girlfriend. And then I met her friend Marc and Gio's little sister. That was when Lexi told me that we needed to get back so she could play referee in case Gio decided to snap. I came to a conclusion that Gio's sister was seeing Lexi's friend Marc, and for some reason, Gio probrably didn't like the idea. I was starting to get tired and wondering when we'd be leaving. My feet were starting to hurt and I just think that I definitely had enough of this business party.

"Lucas, are we going to be leaving anytime soon?" I gathered courage and whispered to him

"Why? What's the matter?" Lucas responded.

"I'm just starting to feel a bit tired and my feet are hurting." I said to him as I showed the heels. "Is this event going to be over anytime soon?"

"I'm sure you can hang on for a few more minutes can't you?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, okay. I guess so." I nodded.

"I don't really want to be here much longer either." Lucas said to me. "In a few more minutes we can leave."

We stuck around for a whole longer with other people coming to socialize and more talks of business, introductions etc. I think I had finally gotten rid of the major nervousness I had when I just came in, well that was up until we were greeted by a familiar face. Seeing this guy caused me to hold unto Lucas's arm for some sort of security. That didn't go unnoticed by Lucas, since I have never willingly done anything like that before.

"What's the matter?" Lucas asked lowly.

"Nothing, it’s just that..."

"Well look who it is. The one and only Lucas Ackles." He smirked as he came up to us with a timid young girl on his arms.

"Marvin Seagal. I see you haven't croaked as yet and you're still alive." Lucas responded nastily.

So maybe Lucas and him didn't get along so well either. I've met Marvin before. He was an older guy in the business world but really perverted and corrupted. When I was working at Alfredo's club, he was a regular customer and that was how I met him. Though I doubt he would recognize me now- since back then at the club we wore masks when we performed- I was still afraid to be in his presence.

"I always love your sense of humor Lucas. Sorry to disappoint you but you can't get rid of me that easy." He chuckled before turning his eyes to me. "Oh, wow and who might this stunning beauty be?"

That caused me to tense and tightened my hold on Lucas's arm. I really didn't like this guy.

"Someone who isn't any of your concern and who wants nothing to do with you as well." Lucas replied noticing the hold I had on his arm.

"You can't keep them all to yourself Ackles boy. I'm sure that's not true right sweetheart?" Marvin said smiling at me.

Instead of responding to him, I just gave him a bored look.

"Is she mute or something?" Marvin chuckled.

"She's disgusted." Lucas replied. "Seagal, how about you make your presence scarce and go find someone else to nauseate."

"Alright Ackles." Marvin chuckled. "We'll meet again. And you too sweetness. Maybe we can get together some other time when you're not with him huh?"

"It is time to leave." Lucas said to me.

"Oh okay." I nodded gladly before letting go off his arm.

I hadn't even realized that I was still holding unto his arm all this time. That wasn't something I would have normally done but that was because seeing Marvin scared the hell out of me. Lucas still hadn't said anything about it even when we were on our way back home which was a surprise. I was so glad that the night was over and I was back in 'safety'. We had entered Lucas apartment as I slipped off my heels in relief. Lucas had gone ahead of me, so I thought he had gone to his room. Well that was up until I heard him spoke.

"How do you know Seagal?"