Page 108 of Mr. Aster
“And the night my darling mother-in-law turned something simple into an insane shit show as if this were the event of the year,” Mickie said.
We all gulped down the entire contents of the glass, knowing we had no idea what would become of the night that awaited us. One thing was certain, though: these ladies attended these events all the time, mingling with the upper elites, and they’dalways survived just fine. I attended them by invitation only so as not to be mistaken for belonging to this social circle.
Tonight, it would all be different, though. Tonight, I would be attending this as the new girlfriend—or fiancée—of Sebastian Aster. I had no idea how this would play out, but hopefully, Sebastian and I would find our way to the other side, and I hoped we could laugh about it later.
Chapter Forty-Five
Sebastian
Iarrived at the venue just as the damn thing was starting. I wished I could’ve been here to escort Darcy, but I’d already scheduled meetings with wine enthusiasts who’d flown in from Italy to promote our wine overseas. The deal had finally been landed, and after texting Jim and my father to notify them that our wines would be sold in a few five-star restaurants across Italy, I was ready for a stiff drink.
What I wanted more than anything was to get this night over with so Darcy and I could enjoy the penthouse suite I’d reserved for us. The last thing I expected was to walk into the ballroom where this event was being hosted and be met by a swarm of people who consumed so much of my time that I hadn’t even seen Darcy yet. The night was wearing on my nerves already, and we were only forty minutes into it.
“We are having the gentlemen sit over here,” the event planner said after I spotted Darcy in a lively conversation with the Mitchell wives across the room. She looked fucking stunningeven from over here. Her black strapless gown made her tan skin and honey-colored hair nearly glow.
“Excuse me?” I said with humor. “My fiancée is across the room; wherever she is seated for dinner, I plan to be beside her.”
“Sorry, Mr. Aster, but there seems to be a mix-up,” the young woman stated with a humorous expression. “Your mother, Mrs. Aster, has made these specific arrangements, and I will not get fired for ruining her plans.”
I stared at the woman with shock and confusion, “Well, one thing is certain,” I answered her, “there is most definitely a mix-up. You’re trying to seat me with eligible bachelors, and as I just said, my fiancée, Miss Burke, is over there.”
“Darling,” my mother’s voice cut through this confusing conversation like a samurai sword as she approached. “You look well,” she said after looking me up and down and pretending to pick a piece of lint off my jacket.
“I am well. What are you doing here?” I questioned, knowing an event like this would typically make my mother’s skin crawl.
“Have you forgotten I am the one who has taken on all of the planning?”
“If I’d forgotten, the venue and every ounce of gold and black décor filling the room with the extravagances onlyyoucould and would pull off would have instantly reminded me.”
“Well, then, you know very well why I am here.”
“No, I don’t,” I responded, my frustration rising. “You have planned events just as extravagant as this and not been in attendance for no other reason than the event was beneath you,much likethis one,” I said, sliding my hands into my trouser pockets and meeting my mother’s stern gaze with one of my own. “Why the hell are you here?”
Her smile was wicked, which made me even more pissed, “An event where my son is the grand prize could never be beneath me, don’t you agree?”
“Unless Mark is getting auctioned off as an eligible bachelor, I am not sure to whom you are referring.”
“I’m not speaking of Mark. Because you are merelydatingMiss Burke, not married, you are eligible to raise money for the cause.”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes in response, “I’m not justdatingMiss Burke. I’m engaged to her, and I’m quite certain every available woman in this room is acutely aware of that fact after seeing the ring on her finger. Nice try, Mother, but your childish games will not work on me.”
“Pity you think so,” she said without blinking. “The cover charge for this event was five hundred thousand per invitee, and the venue has been completely sold out. These women know exactly what they are paying for.”
I felt my anger pulsating throughout my entire being, “And whatexactly arethey paying for?”
“The opportunity to bid for an evening out with you while you are still available,” she smirked. “You know as well as I do that youareavailable, regardless of yourdating status.”
“Have you lost your damn mind?” I snarled at her.
“No,” she returned unflinchingly. “It isyouwho has lost yours. I am merely working to help you get it back.”
“You will regret this repulsive idea,” I said. My mother had officially stooped to levels far lower than I expected in her attempt to prevent Darcy and me from becoming more than what we were.
“Save your threats for idle business deals for that silly winery your father should’ve never invested in.”
“You are a spoiled, condescending woman,” I snapped, “doing anything and everything to have your way with your family.” I stopped myself and smiled, knowing my angry reaction was precisely what she wanted. Her goal was to humiliate me and make Darcy jealous or upset, pitting us againstone another as we broke under the pressure. It was a very childish motive, proving to me how threatened my mother felt by my relationship with Darcy.
“I hope you’re smiling like this when you see how much money you’ve raised tonight.”
