The Arrangement (unenhanced Edition) by AnnaRCase (books to read now .txt) 📖

 Amberleigh was headed towards the kitchen, when the doorbell chimed. So it begun, as the first guests were arriving, and the butler opened the door to greet them. She paused to people watch at the threshold to the kitchen, and Courtney Van Tessin strutted through the door. Her gown was white as the bitch was a swan, complete with a feathered mask and wings on her back.

Amberleigh had to give her some credit, because her satin white and feathered dress was exquisite, but no way would that woman be eating, breathing, or peeing tonight as she looked sewn into the thing. And on her arm was some eye candy, though her wings kept hitting him in the face. Her date was wearing a jester’s mask, dressed in a red and black suit. Even beneath the mask, you could tell the buff, rich dude was attractive with dark locks and bronzed skin. Well played indeed. Try and flaunt him in front of her ex-fiancé no doubt.

It wasn’t lost on Amberleigh the way Grayson downed the half of his remaining bubbly in one go, as he watched Courtney and her date descend down the crooked trees. The mist was now wrapping around their feet.

 At least Amberleigh wasn’t the only one in for an awkward evening. Leo whispered something into Grayson’s ear with a stern look on his face. So naturally, Amberleigh crept closer to be within hearing range.

“Miss Van Tessin, a pleasure as always. You look stunning,” said Grayson with a tight-lipped smile.

“You must tell me where you got your dress, Miss Van Tessin. It is so nice to see you again,” said Leo.

Leo kissed her on her gloved hand, though by his tone, he was full of shit. You could tell the underlying dislike he had for the woman. And by her face, the feeling was mutual.

“Grayson darling, the place looks magnificent!” screeched the swan, as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, “Mr. Clemonte, so glad you could make it this evening after your worldly travels. My dress is Vera Wang, custom made, thank you for asking. Now let me properly introduce you both to my date Mr. Bradford Rothschild.”

Bradford shook both of the men’s hand in turn, and for a few moments, they made the required, forced small talk. It involved Courtney making sure her ex and his friend knew that her escort was a somebody in the finance sector and came from old as fuck money. Leo of course didn’t give a fuck, but Grayson seemed irritated and uncomfortable. Did the playboy still have feelings for Courtney Van Tessin?

Grayson took the first opportunity he could get to escape Courtney and her date, and pretty much threw Leo to the wolves. Leo was left to try and entertain them as Grayson made some bullshit excuse about needing to discuss something with the caterers.

More and more people began to file into the penthouse in the meantime, and none of them were wearing shit off the rack that was for damn sure. Designer gowns, tailored tuxes, and beautiful masks of every shape, color, and design imaginable. Dude, where was all the average looking or ugly people ass? Amberleigh had seen plenty of ugly, rich fuckers in her life, but it seemed all of those had stayed home tonight or not got the invite.

The room was full of beautiful, wealthy people, whose jewelry alone could put five kids from the Fringe through college. At least tonight she looked the part, as she certainly didn’t want to be an embarrassment. She wasn’t eating anything tonight for sure. She was already practicing sucking in her paunch as she made it to the kitchen. She decided to just make herself a quick drink and bypass the fancy serving people who would wait on her hand and foot.

The caterers were scrambling to add last minute touches to the night’s cuisines and carrying them out to the buffet style serving table. The food seemed to stick with the medieval vibe the masquerade was throwing off, warm, buttery baguettes, a whole roasted pig with an apple in its mouth, turkey legs, cheeses, small pork pies, fried oranges, salmon, and some fruit pastries. Though unlike back in the day, vegetables, fresh fruits, and other greens were also added to the menu tonight.

Amberleigh soon realized what a mistake coming into the kitchen had been. She picked up a celery stalk and chewed it glumly, as she poured herself a nice shot of vodka from Leo’s stash beneath the counter. She ignored the offer from the staff to fix her a drink, as it was an open, free bar tonight. There was really nothing wrong with the good old fashioned, cheap classics after all.

She could imagine the pretty penny the billionaire had paid out for this evening’s festivities. It was probably more than the average mortgage in the city. She felt no remorse that’d he’d probably easily dropped ten grand or more on the dress she was wearing. He could afford it after all.

She was in the process of topping off her second shot when Leo appeared in the kitchen looking distressed.

“Help,” he mouthed across the kitchen.

And she soon saw why, because right on his heels was Courtney and her date. The bitch had been following Leo around to find her no doubt. Courtney was waiting to see Amberleigh’s gown to try and gloat that her swan dress was so much better, and her boobs were so much better, and her skin was so much better, etc. At least the pale bitch couldn’t claim Bradford was so much better, because Leo was gorgeous, the winner hands down. Not that Amberleigh was biased or anything.

“Oh there she is! I was just dying to see your gown Miss Dubont as Leo has been telling me all about it!”

“Here I am,” said Amberleigh forcing a laugh, “You found me.  You’re gown is as beautiful as promised Miss Van Tessin.”

“Well your dress is certainly something,” said Courtney, giving her a long pass from head to toe.

It was clear the woman was not impressed. She latched back onto her poor dates arm and pulled him across the room. Bradford eyed the tray of cheese and meats longingly, but etiquette reigned supreme here and he didn’t help himself to one.