Chapter 130 130. Dinner at Sharpe’s
Tabitha’s POV
I barely managed to pull myself together later that night. The clock inside my room says quarter to seven and the dinner at Eliott Sharpe’s estate is supposed to be around seven. Sharp. There you go, we’ll be late for sure.
Not that it matters. Alpha Emery for one doesn’t seem bothered by the prospect of arriving a few minutes late. I don’t know. Maybe that’s just how rich people roll.
I take one final look at my reflection—I’m wearing a midnight-blue satin midi dress, simple and clean in its lines. The neckline sits low enough to show the sapphire necklace at my collarbone. Matching earrings rest against my neck. My long brunette hair is pulled into a low chignon, neat at the nape, with a few loose strands near my face. I smooth the front of the dress and let my hands fall to my sides.
Just then, I hear a knock on my door.
“Coming!” I yell as I scramble to open it.
“Why, hello there, beautiful.” Jace greets me with a warm smile. A pleasant glint flashes in his eyes as he rakes me from head to toe, seemingly impressed with how I look.
I want to say that he looks breathtaking too, with his usual unruly blonde hair now styled neatly. He’s wearing a powder blue button-down shirt beneath a gorgeous black coat. He looks very distinguished, far from the devious prankster that he is.
“Did they send you here? Sorry, it took me a while to do my hair.”
“Don’t worry about it. Knowing the Sharpes, they’re not exactly strict with time during these gatherings. We’ll be fine.”
I nod and straighten the front of my dress, smoothing the fabric with my palms.
“Can I ask what this dinner is actually about? I’m all dressed up and I don’t even know what’s going on with the Sharpe family.”
He chuckles softly.
“It’s the founding anniversary of Sharpe Hotels,” he explains. “It’s their flagship business, so they throw this every year.”
“Oh,” I say, nodding slowly. “I see. So it’s like a big deal?”
“I guess you can say that. It is a dinner party on paper, but in reality, it’s a networking circus for the island’s power players. It’s also the oldies’ favorite excuse to huddle together and talk business until midnight.”
I laugh. “So are we just supposed to sit there while our parents talk business all night?”
“Fuck no. That would be painful. Although I bet Luca and Evren would be down for that. But Reed would probably fall asleep halfway through,” he says with a snicker. “Don’t worry, though. After the formal dinner, they usually let us wander off while they argue over boring business crap.”
I nod again. “That makes sense.”
We head downstairs together where Luca, Evren, and Reed are already waiting. I take a moment to look at them and I can’t deny how striking they all look. Luca is dressed in black pinstripe coat over his white button-down shirt, his dark hair slicked back neatly. Reed wears an all-black ensemble with a few buttons undone, revealing the tattoo on his chest. Evren looks polished in a crisp red button-down shirt and well-tailored black coat that fits him perfectly.
Luca’s face lights up when he sees me. “You look incredible tonight,” he says, smiling openly.
Before I can respond, Evren reaches up and lightly touches my cheek. “Your earrings suit you,” he says softly.
I bite my lip and feel warmth creep up my neck. “Thank you,” I say, looking between them.
Footsteps echo down the stairs and Alpha Emery appears with my mom at his side. Man, he looks every bit the Alpha tonight. He’s dressed in a tailored dark suit that fits him like armor. His presence fills the space effortlessly. My mom looks effortlessly beautiful and elegant too. She’s wearing a sleek black dress and the pearl earrings I gave her.
When her eyes meet mine, I look away. After what happened earlier, I can’t bring myself to pretend that everything is fine.
“There are a few staff joining us, so we’ll be taking the limousine tonight,” Alpha Emery announces
Limousine, huh? I guess that makes sense. We’re quite a party tonight.
We make our way outside where a white limousine waits in the driveway. Damn, it’s massive! I’ve never ridden in something like this before. We climb inside and the ride to the Sharpe estate takes around twenty minutes.
When we arrive, my lips part in awe at the sight of their territory. The Sharpe‘s mansion is just as grand as the Aldair’s, but the style is different. Where the Aldairs favor gilded architecture, the Sharpes’ home resembles a Mediterranean manor. But both have the same timeless and refined appeal.
Staff members promptly greet us and escort us inside. As we walk through the driveway, I notice other luxury cars parked nearby.
Looks like Aldairs are not the only influential guests tonight.
We are led into a grand ballroom filled with guests engaged in conversation. Have I mentioned that this place is massive? Because it is! Damn, rich families and their homes.
Inside the ballroom, I recognize several faces immediately. There on the far side, Arthur is speaking with a man who is probably around his age. I also spot Melanie chatting animatedly with Isabel. Nearby, I notice Rye, Ian, Wyatt, and Wilson. Jace greets Ian with a fist bump. My attention lingers on Wilson just as Reed pulls him into a headlock.