36: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
The night of the gala arrived, and Emma was beyond excited. She had never been to a high-profile event like this before, and she couldn't wait to experience the glamour and sophistication. Brayden had promised to take her and Jackson under his wing and introduce them to all the right people, and Emma was eager to make a good impression.
Emma questioned how he would handle their relationship conversation, “So how will you introduce us?”
Brayden touched the side of Emma’s face, “I have already been thinking about that and I am not ashamed of what we are. I will shout it from the rooftop if I must.” Emma smiled lovingly at Brayden. Jackson grinned from ear to ear.
As they arrived at the luxurious hotel, Emma felt like a princess in her emerald, green dress. The fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, and the delicate lace trim sparkled like diamonds in the light. Her long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her makeup was flawless. She felt like a million bucks as she gazed at herself in the reflection of the mirror. Ginger and Sally had done a number with her look, and she couldn’t be more thankful.
Brayden and Jackson looked dashing in their tailored tuxedos, they almost looked like twins with their broad shoulders and chiseled chests making them look like Greek gods. Their eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement as they took in Emma's stunning appearance. "You look incredible," Brayden whispered, his voice low and husky.
Jackson ran his hand down the low-cut spot on her back leaning in close to whisper, “I could eat you up right now.”
Emma blushed at the compliments as he led her into the hotel. "Breathe, Emma," he whispered, sensing her nervousness. "You're going to do great."
Inside, they were greeted by the host, a tall, imposing figure with a warm smile. "Brayden, my old friend!" he boomed, extending a hand.
"Hey, Max," Brayden replied, shaking hands. "This is Emma and Jackson. They are the love of my life."
Max's eyes lit up with interest as he turned to Emma and Jackson. "Ah, lovely to meet you both. You look stunning tonight, Emma." Then he looked to Jackson with a mischievous grin, “And might I say that you Jackson are a beautiful specimen to look at as well.”
Jackson didn’t know what to say, but he got the hint that Max might like him a little too much, “Thank you.” Jackson said, moving quickly away from Max and wrapping his arm around Emma.
Emma laughed at Jackson and smiled warmly as Brayden led her through the crowds of people, introducing her to various CEOs, entrepreneurs, and celebrities. She was amazed by the vast array of faces and names she encountered, but Brayden seemed to know everyone.
As they made their way through the crowded room, Emma felt more confident with each passing minute. She was having the time of her life, laughing and chatting with Brayden's friends and acquaintances.
Just as they were about to grab some food from the buffet table, Emma spotted Brent making his way towards them with someone on his arm. Emma's instincts immediately kicked in when she saw who it was. It was Heather. What the hell was she doing here with Brent? Did he not know that Brayden used to date her?
"Hey, sis!" Brent said with a silly yet sexy smile.
Emma's eyes narrowed as she took in Heather's too-perfect makeup and fake smile. There was something calculating about her that didn't sit well with Emma.
"Hey, Brent," Emma replied rubbing up his arm.
Heather's gaze flicked over to Emma giving her a death glare before returning to Brayden. "Hi Brayden, long time no see." she said with a sour sweetness.
Emma felt a surge of dislike towards Heather. She was up to no good, there was no doubt about it.
"This is Heather," Brent said quickly. "We're... um... friends."
Emma raised an eyebrow at the awkwardness between them. Something wasn't adding up.
As they stood there for an uncomfortable moment longer than necessary, Emma couldn't help but wonder what game Heather was playing. Why was she trying so hard to get close to Brayden? And why did Brent seem so uncomfortable around her?
But before she could dwell on it further, Max called out for everyone's attention, signaling the start of the main event – a charity auction to raise funds for a local cancer center.
Jackson grabbed one of Emma’s hands and Brayden was on the other, as they made their way to their seats for the auction. Emma felt a sense of unease wash over her, she could feel Heather’s eyes shooting daggers in her back.
The auction had gone on for a while and Emma had gotten restless, so she excused herself to the garden outside. Everyone else was inside so she was able to just take a breath of fresh air alone. That is until she felt someone’s arms wrap around her waist from behind. She jumped at first and then she saw it was Brent.
Brent ran his nose up her neck inhaling her perfume, “God, Emma you look so fucking sexy tonight. I would love to pin you against one of these walls and fuck your brains out.”
Emma moaned at the thought of Brent doing that, but then remembered she was mad at him. She pushed him back glaring at him, “If you want to be with me so bad then why are you here with Heather?” Brent was caught off guard by Emma’s attitude. “You do know that she and your brother used to date, right?” Brent shook his head and lowered it under her gaze. He knew what he had done was wrong, but why had he brought her?
Emma continued, “Do you also know that she called me every name in the book yesterday when she met me at the salon? Then she started texting Brayden under a secret number saying that she was going to hurt me and that he was the love of her life?” She stood with her hands on her hips waiting for his response.
Brent’s face was bright red with anger and embarrassment, “You are fucking kidding me? She threatened you, Emma?” Emma shook her head yes. “Oh, hell no! I cannot believe she tricked me into bringing her. I knew it was a bad idea, but she was trying to blackmail me with something she knew that I didn’t want to get out. But now I don’t even care about that.” He came closer to Emma putting his hands on her hips rubbing them in little circles driving Emma crazy.
His voice was low and husky, “Emma, I promise I had no idea about any of that shit. I would never hurt you.” He rubbed the back of his neck looking nervously at her, “Hell, Emma I think I’m in love with you just like my brother is.”
A loud gasp came from behind them, “You are fucking kidding me!” A shrill voice screamed. Heather came running out of the bushes towards Emma with a steak knife she had gotten from the table in her hand ready to stab Emma. “I’m going to kill you bitch. You can’t have all the men in this town!”
Before Emma could think, Brent tackled Heather to the ground knocking the knife out of her hand and holding her down. It just so happened that security was watching the whole scene unfold and came running out to help. Heather was thrashing around trying to get free.
“Do not move!” The security guard yelled, holding a gun to Heather’s head. She started to cry and raised her hands up. They handcuffed her and took her inside to their security booth until the police arrived.
Brayden and Jackson came running outside frantically looking for Emma, “Emma what happened? Are you okay?” Brayden said, grabbing her up into a tight hug. Emma began to sob uncontrollably into Brayden’s arm.
Brent walked over, his head bowed in defeat, “It’s all my fault. I brought Heather here, but I promise I didn’t know that she was up to any of this.” Tears welled in Brent’s eyes as he looked at his brother for forgiveness.
Brayden grabbed him up into a big hug while Jackson tended to Emma, “Brent, I would never think you did any of this on purpose. I know how you feel about Emma.” Brent looked at Brayden with a concerned look on his face.
Brent all but whispered, “You aren’t mad that I have developed feelings for Emma?”
Brayden laughed at his brother, “Brent how could you not fall in love with her.” They both looked at Emma with adoration in their eyes. “Don’t worry brother we will figure it out, but first let’s take care of this crazy heifer.”