Charity Ball

"What?"

What does he mean gala tonight at 7pm?

Is he inviting me?

Is he asking me to go to the gala?

I stared at his message for a long time.

Well, he could've just asked me straightly if he wanted to invite me to the gala. Does he want me to go with him?

Or is it just how I perceived the text?

I waited for a second to process his message before responding to it because I'm not sure what he wants to say, it is not clear if he wants to invite me or I will go as his secretary because it is a gala.

Gala of what?

Is that why he is busy?

Tsk. Busy my ass. He got time to like my post, he is not busy at all.

That is all I know.

Artemesia:

What do you mean gala tonight?

Braxton:

Can't you read?

Ugh! This man!

Of course I can read! That is why I'm wondering what he is saying!

I grinned when I thought of an idea.

Artemesia:

Continue with that attitude and I'll resign as your flirting expert.

Hmmm…

Let's see what he is going to do. You can not treat me like shit all the time Braxton. I may be your flirting expert but I'm not a stupid fool that you can toy around.

My forehead creased as I stared at my phone. He didn't reply after what I sent to him.

Hmm..

I guess he is thinking about what is the perfect response to that. Well, he better have a good response or else I would really resign.

Contrary to what I said, of course I won't resign as his flirting expert. This is the only thing that I'm doing right now. I don't have anything to do. I was cut off by my own record deal and Braxton is the only one who gave me a chance.

Not really a chance but maybe an opportunity. I won't waste it, as Mossy said I need to be better. I need to master my craft more and I need to write better songs that a lot of people can relate to, without using profanity or anything sexual. Or maybe I can use some profanity to make it more realistic and close to their feelings because come, I don't know anyone here on this planet who doesn't curse.

My thoughts quickly fade away when a notification rings on my phone.

I grabbed it on the bed and looked at it.

I sighed when it wasn't the notification I wanted to see. It was just a reminder to workout.

Why would I workout? My mind is already tired or running through thoughts that never happened, my mind is tired of overthinking!

I don't even need to workout. I'm super thin now because I don't have a good to eat I'm freaking broke. Being a singer song writer wasn't easy at all.

Now I get why my relatives and my grandparents don't want my Dad to become a singer song writer. You can't make money out of it. Most of the time.

Unless you already have a connection or you are already rich and it is just your passion, then go ahead and make a lot of songs. You don't have to worry about anything else because you are already settled. You got endless money in the bank while here I am, clinging into an arrogant billionaire's condition just to make it to this world.

Another notification came from my phone. I look up to see it but it is just an app notification.

Hmmm?

I wonder why Braxton stopped messaging me.

Is he upset?

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Is he really going to accept my resignation as his flirting expert?

Damn it Artemesia!

How stupid are you?

Damn it! What should I do now?

I can't believe he really fell into that. I don't even mean what I was saying. I immediately grab my phone and open our chat. I stared into it as I bit my nails.

Damn it, what should I do?

What should I say?

This is your fault Artemesia!

Oh gosh.

Artemesia:

I'm sorry I didn't mean that. I don't mean to disrespect you Sir.

Ugh damn it!

Sir?!

Why would you call him sir? Is he your teacher or what?

Well, he is my boss.

Yes but you don't call him sir that much! And it's freaking awkward!

I deleted the text and tried to start with a new one again.

Artemesia:

Oh come on Braxton, don't be a pussy.

Fuck!

I slap my forehead.

Now I'm being too much of a bully and a push over. I deleted the text once again.

Artemesia:

Hello?

No!

Artemesia:

Are you there?

Freaking no!

Artemesia:

Why are you not answering my text?

What the hell Artemesia you are not his girlfriend? Why are you demanding him to answer you?

That is bullshit.

Artemesia:

Don't tell me you are mad about that?

I typed.

I took a deep breath as I looked at it.

No…

No, I can't message that to him.

You know what? I don't care! What if he really wants to fire me? So what? He can fire me anytime but he can't find any other girl to help him flirt with Monica.

He can't find anyone like me.

As the media said, I'm a serial dater so good luck to him finding a girl like me. Tsk.

I deleted the typed messages.

I wrote another one.

Artemesia:

You can't tell me what to do Mr. Billionaire. I am not your puppet.

That's right!

Without thinking I hit the send button.

That serves him right!

I am not your puppet Braxton, you don't tell me what to do.

I threw my phone on the bed and hit my head on the door. I keep telling myself that I did the right thing. I wasn't rude. I'm being honest to him. Even if everyone is bowing to him, following all his orders I won't be like them.

My head tilted when my doorbell rang.

My brows raised.

I'm sure that is not Mossy. He is busy with his talents project. He can't even message me. He has no time besides he is handling all of their projects alone.

So who will visit me at this moment?

One thing to find out.

I opened my room door. Without any hesitation. I walked towards the house door.

My eyes widened when I saw who it was.

"B-braxton?" I stuttered.

Damn it. What is he doing here?

I scanned him. He is looking very neat with his black tuxedo that suits his body well. You can still see his muscles in the tight tuxedo. He looks ravishing and elegant at the same time. How is that even possible?

Before I could even ask him another question he entered my house. My brows furrowed. I saw a clothed bag behind his back. He was holding that all along?

I didn't even notice!

But what is that? And what is that for?

"Hey wait a minute. What are you doing here? Aren't you busy? I thought you have a lot of things to do? Your schedule is full right?"

He was about to answer when his phone rang.

He took it out of his pocket and squinted his eyes, then looked at me.

With one look, I knew what that was.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

That's the text! Why did it take too long for him to receive that message?

Fuck it! I knew that I shouldn't have sent that!

I thought he was not responding because of my response but the truth was he is on the way here. It was the first time he got here.

How did he get my house address?

Well, he is Braxton Bentley. He doesn't need to beg anyone to tell him any information.

But damn it, Artemesia. Think of an explanation about the text you sent.

He threw a glance at me.

Come on Artemesia, stick to it. He needs to know that he can't command you like his servant.

"I said what I said Braxton." I firmly said.

His eyes remained on mine.

"Of course you are not a puppet Ms. Vena. A puppet is way too obedient and not annoying," he said.

"I'm not annoying—" he cut me off as he moved towards me.

He gave me the clothing bag.

"Hurry up," he said, then turned his back on me as he sat on the sofa in my living room.

I was stunned by what he did.

What just happened?

"What are you doing standing there? Move," he said.

"Do you even care to explain to me what is going on?" I asked.

"You are going with me to the charity ball."

"A charity ball? What would I do in a charity ball Braxton?"

"Bentley. It is Mr. Bentley for you Ms. Vena."

My brows raised. What is he saying now?

He wants me to call him Mr. Bentley again? I thought I would slip up with Braxton now since he doesn't correct me most of the time but now he wants me to be formal. I mean, there is no harm in that, but it is a little bit odd to me. I don't call him Mr. Bentley anymore so that is very weird but anyway, it is Mr. Bentley's command.

Who am I to say no?

I took a deep breath and fake a sme.

"Okay Mr. Bentley. What would I do in this event? I'm not your personal secretary nor your office secretary."

"Monica will be there."

"And so?"

"I need you,"

He needs me.

My eyes remained on him. I swallowed hard. He stared back at me. I don't know if it's just me but did he gonace on my lips?

Damn it, Artemesia you are crazy to think of that.

My thoughts faded when he coughed a little to break the silence between us.

"I need you there. I need to impress Monica."

There you go!

He needs me because he needs to impress Monica. Why am I even surprised by this?

I already knew that!

Maybe there's a part of me, hoping that he will need me because he needs me.

Not because of Monica.

Whatever. Why am I even thinking of that? I don't care if he needs me because of Monica. I don't need him to need me.

It doesn't matter which one he needs the most. I need to be okay. I need me to pay my bills. Not anyone. No one. Not even Braxton.

"Am I really needed there? You already know a lot of things, Braxton. I taught you how to talk to a girl. How is it hard to talk to Monica? As if she will run away if she doesn't like you."

"How sure are you?"

"What?"

"Nothing, get change. We are already late."

"Wouldn't you like it if we had a grand entrance? All of their attention is on you."

"Unlike you, I don't like eyes on me."

"Why is it hard to believe that Mr. Bentley?"

"I don't need you to believe. I need you to change, so we can leave."

"Tsk. Give me that."

While I was checking myself out in the mirror I couldn't help but notice how pretty the dress was. It was a simple champagne dress with a drape in the front showing enough cleavage while it was backless in the back.

I wonder if Braxton is the one who picked it up.

Tsk. Why am I even wondering? Of course it was not him. He wouldn't pick this kind of dress for anyone. Even for his soon to be girlfriend Monica. Why, though? Because it is too pretty.

It is simple yet it's pretty. It hugs my body curve in the right places. I don't know how to do my hair so I just tie it in a bun so the backless detail will be much more appreciated.

"Are you done?" Braxton said behind the door of my bedroom.

"How did you get here? I'm not yet done!" I screamed so he could hear.

"Can you do that a little faster? I don't want to be late."

I groaned. I'm not done with my make up yet. I haven't even started! I reached for the door knob and opened it. Braxton was in front of me. His eyes turned round when he saw me.

"I can't do it faster, Mr. Bentley. I haven't even started with my make up." I said as I walked towards my bedside table that has a huge mirror, enough to see my face.

I grabbed my thing and started putting a foundation. My head tilted as I saw Braxton's reflection on the mirror, staring at me. He is still standing in the door of my bedroom.

"What are you waiting for? Come in. Don't be shy." I chuckled.

"I don't come into anyone's bedroom." He said.

I shrug my shoulders. "Fine, suit yourself standing there. This will take thirty minutes."

"Thirty minutes?" He asked, unpleased. He walked towards me.

"Can't you do that a little faster? Five minutes is enough for that."

I raised my head, looking up at him. He is towering over me.

"You seem to forget yourself Mr. Bentley."

He forgot his rules.

"I thought you didn't come into anyone's bedroom?"

He was taken aback.

"Yes but I need you to—" I cut him off.

"I need to look good Mr. Bentley. Even though I'm your secretary slash flirting expert I need to be beautiful in front of everyone. Who knows if there's a producer at your gala?" I said as I put the foundation on my face.

"You don't even need makeup. You already look good like that. Let's go." He said as he grabbed my wrist.

"There is no way I'm going out there looking like this." I said as I pulled my wrists back.

"Can't you do that in the car?"

"Eye liner in the car? Are you kidding me?"

"Then don't put one."

I rolled my eyes. "Look at us, we are already fighting."

"What?" He asked, confused.

"We're like a couple fighting. Just and advice: don't ever rush anyone when they are preparing, especially if you ask them an hour to prepare."

He sighed in defeat. He sat on the end of my bed.

"Fine. You have your time. I'm gonna go. I'll just wait for you there."

I threw a glance at him, still unbothered.

"Okay Mr. Bentley." I smiled.

After I'm done with my touch ups, I looked at myself once again in the mirror before leaving the room. I was about to book a car to drive to the gala but I was shocked to find Braxton's car outside. A driver greeted me.

How did he leave my house if he didn't ride his car?

I didn't know he would ask his driver to stay and wait for me.

I was busy looking at myself in the mirror. I didn't even notice we reached the charity ball. The guards let Braxton's car inside, there were huge golden gates before we could even enter the main entrance.

There's no car coming in anymore. Am I that late?

Damn it.

I'm sure I would get a lot of attention later for coming in late.

But why am I overthinking about it so much?

And what's the big deal if I come in late? I needed to get dressed and dolled up. If only Braxton told me about it earlier I wouldn't be late. Besides I'm not sure if anyone even knows me. They are all businessmans. Bigger people and wealthy people. They wouldn't know nobody.

I took a deep breath before getting out of the car.

I thanked Braxton's driver and left him with a little tip for waiting for me.

I took a deep breath before going inside.

My mouth gaped as I walked inside the charity ball. It was an open event, they had a fancy catering outside the mansion's garden.

I didn't know a garden could accommodate almost a thousand guests! This must be an expensive event, an expensive mansion to begin with!

Everything is expensive for sure. From the golden table and chairs decorated with white satin tablecloths. I looked up and watched the lights set up. The lights are the stars of this charity event. It's so freaking pretty! Not even in my recording studio have these kinds of lights set up.

Is this really a charity ball or what? If I don't have any idea what this event was, I might think that they spend all their money on the catering, lights set up and everything with this event rather than focus on the whole charity itself, but what can I say?

I'm not used to this kind of stuff. To this rich stuff. I haven't even been invited to a gala or any awards ceremony.

As I expected when I walked into the event everyone looked in my direction. I tried to walk in quietly but my high heels don't have the same idea as I do.

I look around to see if I know someone. I avoid some of the people's gazes at me. I'm sure they don't know me so why are they looking at me?

I pursed my lips. Damn it, I looked like a lost kitten with these socialite's who's talking, whispering and laughing.

"Artemesia?"