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I finished my look by adding gold hoop earrings and leaving my neck bare. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I made sure that my hair and makeup were perfect and the red satin dress, which Jake had bought for me for this event, hugged my body perfectly. The material was soft and the full-length dress looked gorgeous with my golden skin. Straps of the dress were thin. The neck was a little deeper than I would like, but it showed a bit of my cleavage without looking too revealing with the low cut back.

It was the Friday night of the fundraising gala where I would join Jake as his date. I felt a nervous tug in my belly and ran a hand through my dark brown hair tumbling down in waves over my shoulder. I didn’t know why I was so nervous suddenly. I had agreed to go with him because of the children fighting cancer.

Taking a deep breath, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. I had subtle makeup on but a little red tint on my lips to match with the dress. My almond-shaped eyes looked hooded with the eye makeup Anya had helped me with.

Wearing my black strappy heels, I walked out of my room with a small clutch in my hand which held my phone, chapstick, a tampon, and a check for donation.

“So, how do I look?” I asked the duo sitting on the couch working on Andrew’s assignment.

Andrew’s eyes twinkled with awe. “Like a beautiful Indian Princess!”

My cheeks flushed with his honest compliment, and I ruffled his hair, thanking him. Anya stood up and gave an appreciative hum, her pale fingers brushing over my hair as she fixed them over my shoulder, smiling at me.

“I would be surprised if Jake doesn’t take you to his house instead of the fundraising gala,” she whispered with a mischievous twinkle in her dark eyes.

My fingers tightened over the clutch. “He won’t do such a thing,” I said and added. “And I wouldn’t mind if he did.”

She grinned at me and went to open the door when someone knocked. I felt the nervous churn in my belly again. I looked down at my left hand, the diamond ring glinting on my finger.

“My God,” Jake whispered, his cobalt blue eyes trailing over my body and face as he walked closer. His eyes turned a shade darker when they rested on my chest, and he gave me a secretive smile. “You look stunning, Kiara.”

I chuckled nervously when he wrapped his arms around me, his strong cologne making me feel heady. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I whispered, taking in his navy-blue suit and polished shoes.

He looked handsome with the five o’clock stubble and his high cheekbones. Cupping his neck, I pulled him closer as his eyes twinkled with adoration, looking over every inch of my face.

I kissed him, a slow peck because I knew we had an audience, and pulled away when he closed his eyes and kissed the corner of my lips. My nerves relaxed when I heard him whisper,

“What did I do to deserve you?”

“Stop for gas?”

His ocean eyes twinkled with humor when we said our goodbyes to Anya and Andrew. She yelled from the living room, “Be back before eleven, kids. And no funny business.”

I hid my grin against his shoulder when he squeezed my hand and replied to her, “I can’t promise you that, Anya Wu.”

* * *

The fundraising gala was on full buzz when we arrived in Jake’s car, cameras flashing on both of us. Jake held me close, his hand squeezing mine when we entered the hotel. The hall was humongous and decorated with beige and satin where everyone mingled with each other, servers moving around with champagne, and there were many people from the fashion industry. It looked more like a fashion event than a fundraiser as I recognized designers and models from all over the world.

“You doing good, Kiara?” Jake whispered in my ear, his arms wrapped around my waist.

I gave him a reassuring smile, and he pecked my temple. We met his agent, his friends. Even the host of this event, Mr. Stone, who was a sweet, kind man in his early sixties and wanted to help kids. I talked with Jake’s friend but slipped off, needing something to warm up my throat.

I don’t know why I am being so nervous.

Thanking the server, I gulped down the bubbly champagne, which left quite a burn in my throat. I watched Jake laugh with his colleagues and talk to them. I smiled and let him be as I ventured to hand over my donation check for the children.

I had a nice chat with the warm lady who explained to me where the money would go and how it would help aid kids fighting cancer. I asked for their office card so I could visit their office personally and see if I could volunteer or help them in any other way. She was taken aback by my answer and thanked me, even though I should be the one thanking her for supporting this alternative.

Mr. Stone arrived as I hugged sweet Olivia goodbye after talking to her.

“Among all the three hundred people, you are one of the few who came forward to donate, Ms. Sharma,” he said in his soft voice, walking beside me in his pristine suit.

I assured him, “I am sure more people will come after the dinner.”

He huffed, “You are being too optimistic. I wish that would happen, but unfortunately, most of the people are here for their popularity. At least it will get the word out.”

I agreed and my eyes drifted to the tall, bronze-skinned man with a beautiful raven-haired woman in his arm. I tilted my head to him, “Well, Khalid Al-Latif is here, so you shouldn’t worry about it. The press will do its work.”