Page 1 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family

Chapter

One

Baylyn Andrews.

The sound of conversation blended with the soft clink of crystal glassware as servers weaved between guests.

Their trays were balanced. The ballroom was laid, thanks to me.

Soft lighting, satin-draped tables, and a string quartet played in the far corner.

Everything about tonight had to be perfect, and of course, it was my job to make sure that happened.

I shifted my iPad under my arm as I scanned the room for anything out of place.

The Kingston Foundation Gala was one of our biggest events of the season, and my boss, Tae, had spent the past two weeks making sure every detail was locked in.

Once she had her vision, it was up to me to ensure it was properly executed.

Tonight, I was in charge of making sure none of the VIP guest had a reason to complain.

I moved through the ballroom doing a mental check to make sure things were running smoothly. The guests who attended these functions were always the same. Rich and privileged.

I had to be on my shit because I worked enough high-end events to know that wealth made people feel entitled.

If their wine wasn’t the exact vintage they requested or their seats weren’t where they wanted, they would act like the world was ending.

My job wasn’t just to make sure the event ran smoothly but to make these people feel important.

Anything they had an issue with meant a complaint was sent to my boss and I wasn’t trying to have those type of problems.

While doing my walk through I spotted Cami making a beeline for me from across the room.

Like the rest of the staff, her black uniform separated her from the attendees.

Cami was one of the few people at work I genuinely liked because she was unfiltered and just as over these kinds of people as I was.

When she approached her voice was low and laced with irritation. “Baylyn, we have an issue at table six.”

I groaned internally because here the fuck we go. “Of course we do. What now?”

Cami grinned sensing that I was just as annoyed. “Entitled guests and misplaced name cards. You know, the usual, ‘y’all can’t get shit right and I paid a lot of money for you not to kiss my ass’ type stuff.”

I followed her through the maze of tables, dodging a server balancing a tray of hors d’oeuvres. By the time we reached table six, they were already on ten thousand. A man in a navy suit was throwing his hands in the air and his damn face was tight. As soon as we were close he started going in.

“I specifically requested to be seated near James Morrow, not two tables away. This is completely unacceptable.”

I barely glanced at the name card in front of him before handing him a professional smile. “Mr. Carlton, I understand your concern and I sincerely apologize for the mix-up. If you’ll allow me a moment, I’ll see what adjustments can be made.”

He scowled, clearly unimpressed. He wasn’t necessarily angry but wanted to flex his status by making a scene. Men like him wanted to be seen, catered to, and reassured that they mattered more than everyone else in the room.

I turned to Cami. “Morrow is at table three. Can we switch him with someone at table three? As long as it won’t create a new disaster…”

“Yep, got it covered.” Cami flashed a smile and asked Carlton to follow her.

Crisis averted…for now.

I barely had a second to breathe before the next issue surfaced.

A server passed by, whispering, “Ms. Andrews, we have a guest requesting the 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc, but we only have the 1955.”

“I’ll take care of it.” I huffed.

I scanned the room until I found the guest I needed to sweet talk. At table three I located a petite woman in a red dress who hadn’t touched her food but had been blazing through wine all night. She was about ten seconds from tossing everything off the table.

I wish the fuck she would…

I recognized her immediately. Vivian Ellis had been to multiple functions we organized and had a reputation for being entitled and rude. She was always ‘watching her figure’ so her focus was always centered around whatever alcohol was being served.

Drunk ass…

I stepped next to her seat with a neutral expression and suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. “Ms. Ellis, I understand you requested the 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc, and I truly apologize, but our selection tonight only includes the 1955 vintage.”

She looked me up and down with disgust in her expression like I had personally sabotaged her evening. “Unacceptable. Do you have any idea how different the 1955 tastes compared to the 1947?”

I did. But I wasn’t about to get into a wine connoisseur debate with a woman who would probably still drink it if I just lied and told her it was what she requested.

“I completely understand,” I said calmly. “Would you like for our sommelier to bring over an alternate? I’m sure we have something you might enjoy just as much.”

“Yes, and I’ll be sure to reach out to Tae to let her know how disappointed I am.”

Hoe, Tae don’t care about your disappointment. This is not your event and you were gifted a ticket by the host. You didn’t even pay to be here.

The words were on the tip of my tongue but I refused to let this irrelevant woman ruin my mood or my event.

“Sounds great. I’ll send someone over with a new selection.”

I walked away cursing her in my head but plastered on a smile. I needed to survive the rest of the night.

After hours of managing last-minute requests, defusing minor disasters, and keeping everything running smoothly, I finally managed to find a minute to breathe. While everything was running on autopilot, I stepped outside to get some air because these people were stressing me the hell out.

The minute I pushed through the door I inhaled feeling instantly relaxed and leaned against the black catering van parked in the back of the venue.

This was always my favorite part of the night.

The moment where I could breathe in private, or scream my frustrations after hours of keeping everything under control.

No matter how irritating the night was, I smiled at how well I handled each and every detail, problem or not.

You’re doing the damn thing, Bay…

Unfortunately my moment was interrupted when my phone vibrated with a call. I pulled it out of my pocket, smiling when I saw the name on the screen.

Rachelle…

She was about the only person in my life who constantly checked in on me and the only person I considered family.

My parents died when I was younger and my mother’s sister raised me until I was eighteen.

She dropped me off at college and pretty much gave me a speech about being old enough to figure things out.

She also told me to call if I needed her while delivering a look that clearly said, ‘don’t need me’.

I refused to feel like anyones burden so when shit got tough, I thugged it out.

When I needed answers I figured them out on my own and the last time I saw my aunt was right before I graduated college.

The only reason I saw her then was because she tracked me down to tell me she was moving and if I needed anything I left at the house, I should come by to get it or she would throw it out.

I had no ill feelings for her. She never wanted kids but felt obligated to raise me because she loved her sister.

I honestly believed she loved me too but once I was old enough to fend for myself she walked away and didn’t look back.

Some people weren’t meant to have kids and she was one of those people. How could I be upset about that?

I answered the call from Rachelle, moving my iPad to my other arm. “You must have psychic abilities. I just stepped outside to curse them rich ass people out in private.”

“Yes friend, I always know when you’re drowning in rich people’s problems. How bad is it?”

“Not awful. Just the usual chaos.” I glanced at the ballroom doors. “I’ll be home late, though. You still up for brunch tomorrow?”

“Yep, but you’re paying.”

I groaned. “I’m still trying to figure out the benefit of this friendship. Why are we cool?”

“Because I’m amazing. Now go pretend to care about whatever crisis they throw at you next. I just called to give you a pep talk. You got this, fuck them people and if you feel like quitting, remember you make a lot of money. Call me when you get home.”

“You’re the bestest , friend.”

“I know.”

I smiled as I hung up and was about to head back inside when I noticed movement at the end of the alley.

I froze when I noticed a man step out of the shadows dressed in a black suit.

He moved confidently but damn sure felt out of place.

Maybe it was just me but something about him had my attention and not in a good way.

I frowned, watching as he disappeared around the corner.

Something about him was definitely off .

And definitely not my business…

I shook the thought away and headed back inside because I had enough to worry about with surviving the rest of this event.