Chapter 71 The Birthday Party
ALICE
I ran my fingers gently over the new gold earrings I got just for the special occasion, then stepped back.
Renting a dress for the occasion was absolutely the right thing to do. It was stunning and expensive, and I'd look great for a much smaller price point.
Freddie would be picking me up. I felt terrible for relying on him the way I was, but he insisted that it wasn't a problem. Anyway, since I'd be his plus-one, it would be more convenient for the two of us to go together.
I walked around my apartment barefoot while waiting for him. I made sure to get ready on time because I couldn't risk being late. He was already doing me a huge favor by picking me up, so I refused to keep him waiting.
Twenty minutes later, he and I were on the way to the venue. It would be at Francesca's residence or something like that. A relative's. I wasn't sure and I didn't ask because it didn't matter. Freddie and I made small talk. Honestly, I was just grateful that he hadn't brought up Todd after the day he caught us talking in his office.
I still couldn't get over my anger. Did that man really think that I would say yes to his totally indecent proposal?
Did I ever give him the slightest indication that I wanted to pursue a relationship with him?
These thoughts fled my mind the second we arrived. The huge iron gates were open, so all Freddie had to do was hand his invitation to one of the security guards, and then he drove into the estate and parked the car.
"We're here," he announced. On our way here, I hadn't felt any nervousness, but it was a different story now. I wasn't sure how things would go. My plan was to stick to Freddie, and if he got busy, I'd find a quiet corner and try to enjoy myself until it was time to leave.
Francesca was honestly so nice to me. I was happy to be here. I wasn't foolish enough to think that she'd have all the time in the world for me, though.
All her employees were like family to her. That didn't make me special.
"This is something you don't see every day," Freddie remarked as we headed inside. He was looking around and appeared clearly impressed. Heck, I was impressed, too. This house was enormous and stylish. Everything looked like it cost an arm and a leg.
The foyer had a black-and-white checkered marble floor, and waiters were pacing up and down. Freddie and I were immediately offered champagne.
I took a sip. It was to die for and reminded me of the champagne I had at the New Year's party where my whole world turned upside down.
But I didn't want to think about that.
Freddie turned to me and said, "I think we should look for Miss O. What do you say?"
"Yeah. Of course."
It didn't take us all that long to find her. We walked into the very next room, where most of the guests were gathered. It looked like a ballroom, really, and I couldn't believe that this spacious room belonged in a home where people lived. Everyone was dressed extravagantly, and the scent in the air was heavenly.
I didn't feel so out of place in my black designer rented gown. Black would always slide, anyway. It was long with a slit on the side, and sleeveless. My breasts weren't spilling out the top, though. The dress fit me like a glove. It was just perfect for the occasion.
"Ah!" Francesca said as soon as her gaze landed on us. She walked away from her group—a mix of men and women who all appeared to be around her age—and headed straight toward us. "Welcome, welcome! Freddie. Alice. It's so good to see you!"
"Thank you so much for the invitation," I smiled.
She slapped my arm playfully and made a face. "Of course. Thank you for coming! Now, there are a lot of people around. There's food. Drink. I want you both to have a lot of fun!"
"Thank you, Miss O."
"Thank you, Francesca. And happy birthday."
We embraced one more time before she moved on to her group. Freddie and I turned to each other. I took a few more sips of my champagne and he did the same. He then asked me, "So, where do we go from here?"
"I don't know. You've been around longer than I have."
"Ha! I haven't been invited to a party of this caliber before, though."
This came as a shock to me. "Really?"
"Really."
"That sucks," I joked. "I was hoping you'd show me around and make me comfortable. So, you're just as lost as I am, huh?"
Freddie laughed. We started walking through the crowd in no specific direction. He fit right in with these people. His tuxedo was expensive, and he was fairly good-looking. His brown hair was shorter on the sides, but really elegant.
"Maybe we should grab something to eat."
"Hm. Typical."
Again, he laughed, "Why the hell would that be typical? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means people of our socioeconomic background will never beat the allegations. We're starving mongrels and we're here to eat when nobody else cares for it. Look around? No one's chewing anything."
Freddie shrugged. He leaned closer to me and whispered, "I don't know about you, but that doesn't bother me one bit."
"It doesn't bother me either. I'll go hunting for canapés."
He drained his glass and I did the same before handing it to him. "I'll get us more drinks. Champagne?"
"Please."
We parted ways, and I had a small smile on my lips because I realized that I found a friend in Freddie. He was honestly a great person, and if it weren't for him, I didn't think I'd be able to face this party with any hint of excitement.
It was so easy to feel out of place here, but I wasn't alone, so that made a hell of a difference.
I found the waitress with the canapés, but I also found something else.
Or should I say, someone else.
I stopped in my tracks when I made eye contact with Theo's cousin. What was his name? Dammit, I wasn't sure that I ever caught it. It seemed he'd seen me before I saw him, because he was looking at me with an expression that sent shivers down my spine and I had no idea why.
What the hell was he doing here
Did that mean...?
I backed away slowly before turning around fully and heading in another direction. I kept my eyes low and forced myself to calm down. Just because he was here, it didn't mean that his cousin was.
What kind of coincidence would it be, anyway? What were the odds that Theo would be here, at this party?
This was clearly a party that only members of high society attended, but this city was enormous, and there were bound to be other groups.
Right?
I give up on the canapés and go searching for Freddie on the other side of the house, which was where we first got our drinks. I looked around for him, hoping to spot him. I'd feel a lot easier by his side, and we could go in search of food together. It would be better that way. I didn't want to come across anyone else I might know.
But just as this thought crossed my mind, I made eye contact with Theo.
My heart literally froze in my chest.