Chapter 4 The party

Annika stared at the invitation card in disbelief as she leaned against the kitchen counter. She had thought Ashton was bluffing when he had invited her to the party. The party was going to be extravagant and there were going to be a lot of people there. It seems only a few of the workers were invited and she was part of them. She had questioned this but later realized that she was his secretary, so she had to be in attendance. Annika sighed with discomfort. She wasn't a fan of parties and she didn't know what to wear. The party was two hours away, but she was lost in thought.

Her mother, Kristen would know what to do in this situation, but she was far away. When she had moved to California, she had wanted a fresh start, that was away from everything and everyone, including her mother. She was hopeful that when she had finally settled, she would make her mother move in with her. Right now, she doesn't know where to start.

Her first day at work hadn't been a bed of roses as she had expected. She had gotten into a fight with one of Ashton's associates, though she wondered if they were still that because of how close they were. Walking in on them making out would have made her hurl. The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with a playboy like Ashton. She had her fair share of love, and it had only brought her pain and trauma. Right now, she wasn't ready to be involved in any of that.

Annika leaned off the counter and headed to her room. She was still looking at the address on the card. The party was in Beverly Hills at one of Mikael's mansions. She had never been to the hills. And she had never thought that she would be there so soon. Annika dropped the card on the bed and swung the closet wide open. She gazed at her clothes and pulled out a red gown. It was beautiful, but it was too bright for a party like this one. She didn't want to be noticed. She just wanted to blend in with everybody even though the majority of the people attending the party would be people well above her class.

Annika browsed through her closet and finally stopped at a black gown. She brought it out and gazed at it with satisfaction. This would do for the party.

***

Ashton combed his hair backward in the mirror before tilting his head to one side. He was almost perfect. He wasn't a fan of parties like this, but since he was going to be the center of attraction for tonight, he had to be there and also look good. Ashton buttoned up his white shirt as he stared at himself in the mirror. His hair was glowing tonight courtesy of the chandelier that hung above him. A knock came on the door before it opened. Mabel, his mother, stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.

"The party had already begun," she said, coming closer to him.

"Well, I am the special guest of honor, so they have to wait for me," he said, reaching for his black suit jacket.

Mabel smiled at him admiringly as she watched him put on his jacket. Ashton straightened the jacket properly in the mirror before buttoning it. He was ready now. He turned around and his mother walked up to him and placed her hands on his chest readjusting the jacket.

"You look amazing tonight," she complimented. "My little boy has finally grown into a man."

Ashton chuckled.

"Let's go," she said.

Ashton nodded and they left the room together. They walked down the stairs and the sound of panic music filled the room. They were guests chattering and alighting below them. Ashton clenched his jaws as he scanned through the room. They were all people with class. He had to be on his best behavior tonight. When they arrived at the party, Ashton began looking around for Lilith. She hadn't arrived yet, and neither had Annika.

"There he is," Mikael called Ashton.

Mikael was a man just the same age as him. He was dressed in a lavender suit and his Rolex glittered whenever he lifted his glass.

"This is my son, the new CEO," Mikael introduced him.

The man who had plain white hair grinned and shook Ashton's hand. Ashton smiled nervously.

"Nice to meet you, son, keep up the good work your father has put in," the man said.

"I sure will," Ashton replied with a fake smile.

For the next thirty minutes, Mikael took Ashton around and introduced him to his peers. Ashton also met some of his colleagues back in the day and held short conversations with them. Completely gassed out afterward, he left the group and went to get himself a drink. He picked up a glass of Champagne from a passing waiter and drank slowly. Glancing at his Cartier watch, he realized that it was getting late and neither Lilith nor Annika had shown up.

He was waiting to see Annika. But it seemed she wouldn't show up. Ashton felt disappointed and he wondered why. He sighed and took another sip when his eyes caught a figure at the door. It was Annika.

She was dressed in a black gown and her braids were packed neatly into a bun. Her chocolate skin shown under the chandelier made her look outstanding. She was nervously looking around from the door. Ashton was completely lost in lust. He quickly picked up another glass of champagne and walked up to her.

Annika watched Ashton approach her and her heart skipped a beat. Was he going to scold her for coming late? He looked much more decent and attractive than in the morning. His blue eyes smiled at her as he approached her with two glasses of champagne and one-half drunk. As he approached her, his fragrance filled her nose and she was almost lost for a second. She regained control when he was in front of her. Gazing down at her with the hottest blue eyes she had ever seen and with the perfect set of white teeth, Annika's knees almost gave in.

"Hey there," Ashton greeted.