"You look beautiful!" Sarah says smiling at me as I look in the mirror

"Thanks to you" I say with a smile

The strapless red dress hugs my body and it sparkles all over, especially when the light hits it. I haven't wore this one yet, it was a gift from my parents last Christmas. Not that I need more dresses but I can't help but say this dress is breath taking. It has a long slit cutting up my leg and stopping at mid thigh. My lipstick matches the red of the dress leaving the rest of my makeup simple. My hair is pulled half up, leaving my bangs to hang by the side of my face and the rest of my curled hair to fall off my shoulders.

"Mrs.Taylor" I hear Sofia say as the bedroom door closes

"In here!" I call out

I hear her footsteps, the small heel of her shoes clicking against the floor. I see her walk around the corner and her face lights up "oh mi señora, you look absolutely lovely" she tells me walking into the bathroom

"Thanks you" I smile

"We can't forget the shoes!" Sarah says walking out of the bathroom in a hurry and me and Sofia laugh

She walks back in carrying silver heels with a strap on the ankle, she nods raising an eyebrow in question  "perfect" I tell her

She smiles and walks over to me helping me put the finishing touches on the outfit.

"Mr.Taylor is ready" Sofia tells me

I pause from wiping the lipstick off the corner of my lips and sigh "alright" I say

I look down at my arm and the bruise is still there, shit I forgot about that. Sarah seems to notice "how about I grab a something to cover that up?" She asks and I nod without looking at her knowing both Sofia and Sarah have the same look of pity on there faces

She leaves the bathroom again and walks back in seconds later holding a black shawl, I smile gratefully and she wraps it over me. I let it hang on my arms, it doesn't really cover my bruises but it keeps my arms down so it'll have to do.

I go to step out but Sarah grabs me "have fun tonight? Ok?" She says with a hopeful smile

I nod "I'll try" I tell her

I wave to Sofia and she wishes me luck, I leave the two of them in the bathroom and I hurry out hoping Theo is being patient. I walk out and over to our bedroom but in the corner of my eye I see him by the front door. I turn from the bedroom and walk slowly down the stairs to him.

When I reach him I hesitantly look up, his blue eyes meet mine and he nods not saying a word. He's dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, with a red tie to match my dress, his hair is as it usually is, spiked in the front. He opens the large door and I walk out after him, I pull the shawl closer to me, shivering in the chilly night.

Benjamin is already standing out in his usual tux and chauffeur hat, I smile at the older man and he smiles sympathetically at me...my smiles falters. It feels like that's the only kind of smile I receive in this house now a' days

Theo slides in and I slip in next to him, lifting my dress a little making sure I don't trip or it doesn't drag on the ground. Benjamin shuts the door and soon we pull down the long manicured driveway, each side having plants and small trees lining the way.

"How was your meeting?" I ask attempting to make friendly conversation although it seems impossible with him

"Fine, your Father flew in" he tells me

Of course my own Father wouldn't come and see his only daughter while in town "how lovely" I say with a tight smile

"I convinced him to join my company, he needs to be more invested if I was going to keep funding him" he says pouring himself a glass of champagne

I'm surprised at his statement and tilt my head lifting an eyebrow "What so now he forgets about his company? His company is his life" I tell him, Theo is one of the most manipulative men I have ever come to know I swear

"No not necessarily, he still has his company, and he's still looking for more sponsors in Paris but now I'm making him a bigger part in my company" he tells me

I raise and eyebrow, why would Theo want that? "Why?" I ask

He turns to me his eyes getting dark "what did I tell you about asking questions when having to do with my company?" He spits angrily "what I do with my company is my business and what I do with my company happens to make a lot of money and buys you all your dresses and other shit like those books you love so much. So like I said stop asking questions" he says

I sigh "sorry" I wince at the apology that he doesn't deserve

He sits back sipping on his champagne while I feel the skin over my bruise reminding myself to be good if I don't want another one.

We sit in silence for the rest of the drive and I hope this night is painless and ends quick.

We drive under the awning of the hotel where the valets takes peoples keys. We come to a stop and Benjamin opens our door, I get out first and I'm greeted with a beautiful hotel where they are hosting the event. Double doors are opened with servers holding one each, both dressed in uniform. I look around to see other expensive cars and limos pulling up behind and beside us.

Theo climbs out and takes my arm in his, I look back at him a little confused but then I remember, we're out in public. We walk up arm in arm to the doors where the young men smile and greet us. Just beyond the doors stands a lady holding a clip board with a list of people attending the event. Her blonde hair is curled and her outfit is professional unlike all the other girls wearing extravagant dresses.

"Name?" She asks smiling a fake smile

"Theo and Adeline Taylor" my darling husband charms her with a small smile as he says our names

She blushes and looks down at the paper turning up the page to look for our name "Well have a lovely time Mr. And Mrs. Taylor" she says

I smile and nod in thanks, Theo latches our arms and his hand rests on mine. We walk in to a big beautiful ball room, a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the pained ceiling, tall windows line the walls, hanging from each are thick golden curtains. The floor is tile and like the curtains have golden details splashed on the lavish floor.

In the corner is a small band playing beautiful classical music with there stringed instruments "come on" Theo drags us across the floor and we walk further into the ball room. I look around at the other couples and everyone looks ready for the red carpet with their biggest diamonds and most expensive dresses, makeup and hair done to a T.

I feel Theo walking and I unconsciously follow after him, I'm to busy looking around to realise Theo has called my name "Adeline" he says a little louder pinching my arm

I jump a little and look back forwards to see an elderly couple, probably both in there fifties "I'm sorry" I blush "I was just admiring how beautiful this place is" I recover quickly and Theo nods in approval

"Why thank you" the woman says, her brown hair pulled back in two braids creating a crown around her head, small streaks of grey shows through the strands

"Adeline this is Mr. And Mrs. Henrys, they are the founders of the charity" Theo tells me

Shit I don't even knowing what the charity is for

"Oh my, it's an honour to meet you" I say extending out my hand, playing it cool as I shake each of there hands

"It's a pleasure, are you familiar with what we do?" Mr.Henrys asks

I freeze "Um..." I trail off, Theo squeezes my arm tighter not helping when I trying to figure out what to say next "Of course, it's just amazing what you do for those children" I say

I hold my breath at my random assumption, I know if I'm wrong two things will happen, one I'll look like a fool and two Theo will hate me for embarrassing him and probably not be happy with me...at all

"We do what we can, those poor kids in Africa can't educate themselves, we're just happy we can help build up there knowledge and schools" Mrs.Henrys says and I let out a long sigh of relief

I figured it had to be something with kids that's what most of these charity events are for "That's just wonderful" I smile and Theo nods in agreement

"My company would love to help with your program, we just had a shipment of computers go out to parts of Africa just last week" Theo gloats with a charming smile, they smile gratefully at him

"That's fabulous! And so generous of you." Mrs. Henrys says, she turns to me "If you ever get tired of this man give him to me!" she laughs along with the other two men

You can have him, I think to myself

But I put on a loving smile and lean my head on Theo's chest "How could I ever get tired of him?" I say as convincingly as possible

They all laugh again but I continue to smile wishing they knew the real Theo "Well we're going to greet the others, feel free to find us later" Mr.Henrys says

Me and Theo nod as they walk away "What was that!?" Theo whisper yells once they are out of ear shot

I turn to him raising an eyebrow "What are you talking about?" I whisper

I thought I recovered well "You could at least act like you have a brain." he spits already walking us over to someone else

"I'm sorry ok, you didn't even tell me what the charity was for." I tell him but he rolls his eyes, of course he thinks it's my fault

"Mr. Johnson!" Theo calls out waving over the bearded man we had dinner with the night before

He wraps his arm around my back pushing me by the base of my spine. We walk across the ballroom over to the couple, Mrs. Johnson smiles big at me clutching to her husbands arm excitedly as we come closer. I figured they were the founders of the charity but then I remember Mr.Henrys and Mr. Johnson are close business partners, then again who isn't a billionaire with billionaire friends or at least partners.

"Adeline! Glad you could make it!" She says coming over and hugging me, pulling me from my husbands grasp, not that I mind. I laugh at her enthusiasm as she pulls back.

She looks lovely, a long blue gown hugs her hips and then flares out down to her feet, silver beads and thread decorate the top of the strapless dress and then like ice-sickles the beads hang off her hips threaded into the silk material "Glad I could to, you look amazing." I tell her

She smiles and twirls around "It was a gift from my lovely husband." she smiles adoringly up at him, at first I had assumed she was just another woman trying to get money but it seems like she truly loves him and I envy that so much "You look incredible too!" She says, she sure does act younger than someone in there early thirties.

"Thanks you Mrs. Johnson" I smile staring down at my dress, I pull the black shawl down more helping cover the bruise

"Oh please call me Cara" she says and I nod

"Lady's how about you two go grab some champagne, us gentlemen will be talking about boring business deals" Mr. Johnson tells us with a smile

Cara smiles a young smile and hops over to her older husband kissing his stubbly cheek, the man blushes and I look away with a smile. Theo catches my eye and he mouths 'be good' his features hard and demanding

He looks away instantly when Mr. Johnson speaks again and his face shifts to a charming smile. I inwardly roll my eyes and Cara grabs me by the arm sweeping my bruise I wince without making a sound and my face scrunches up in pain. I pull my arm out of hers and instead she pulls me by my hand.

We find a server holdings a tray of glasses filled with light golden bubbling champagne. We both take a glass and turn to watch the other people while sipping on the delicate alcohol.

"Isn't it just beautiful here?" She says and I nod staring at the room filled with people

"It is" I say taking a sip letting the smooth liquid slide down my throat

"So how long will you be staying in the city?" I ask knowing my mother told me that the Johnson's original home is in L.A and there staying here for Mr. Johnson's company board meetings

"I hope longer, we're supposed to be leaving next week but I love it here" she says "I mean besides the rude pedestrians and the crazy polluted air it's still beautiful here" she says and I can't help but agree

Me and Theo live on the outside of the city, we're still close enough to town but Theo wanted a mansion rather than a penthouse.

"What about you? How long have you lived out here?" She ask moving a strand of short dark hair behind her ear

"Oh I've actually lived here my whole life, my Father owned businesses here when I was younger and then I married Theo" I shrug taking another sip

I look around the ball room again wondering how long this thing will last. I scan the area but my eyes stop at the door of the room. In walks a beautiful man, and I mean beautiful. His dark perfect hair was lush and smooth and even from across the room my fingers tingled to run through it. He had a dark stubble growing on his glowing tanned face. He looks around the room, his dark honey coloured eyes stare at all the details and people in the large space. His suit, like Theo's and the rest of the men's in here, is tailored perfectly to his tall muscular body.

I catch myself fawning over him and quickly shut my hanging open mouth, I turn to Cara to see her rambling on about something.

"Who's that?" I interrupt pointing my eyes back over to him

She stops talking and scans the area trying to see who I'm talking about "Oh" she smirks "That's Vincent King, he's only twenty five and is the CEO of his fathers company, but you know all about that, how old was Theo when he got his father's company?" She asks I keep my eyes on him as he walks further into the room

"Twenty" I tell her without taking my eyes off of the man

"Ah well his Father of course still looks over the company just like all those men handing over the company to there sons do" she laughs "But he's quite the bachelor" she giggles "He gets around with the lady's"

With that last sentence I instantly roll my eyes "Just like all men" I say quietly

She laughs "Don't say that!" She swats my arm "We got the good ones" she smiles winking at me and I fight the urge to laugh at the irony of it all

I look back over at him but this time his eyes are on me, a glass of champagne in his large hand, I instantly look away with a small blush on my cheeks "We should probably go find those crazy business loving men of ours" she says looping our arms and I nod following her while keeping my head down

We walk back over to Theo and Mr. Johnson who seem to be departing after a strong handshake. "I hope to see you soon" Cara says as we watch Mr. Johnson walk away

"Me to, I would love to have lunch with you sometime this week if you aren't busy, you know before you leave" I tell her and she nods

"Of course! It was nice seeing you again" She says

She walks off following her husband and I sigh walking over to mine. When I reach Theo he takes my champagne out of my hand finishing it off and places it on a passing servers tray.

"Having a nice time?" I ask. He nods without looking at me, I follow his eyes to see a beautiful redheaded girl dressed in a black figure hugging dress with a red flower in her hair, her pale green eyes starring at my Husband up and down, her red stained lips smirking and her darkly lined eye winks at him "Right" I whisper sighing and looking away

My eyes widen when my eyes catch the stare of the handsome stranger...what was his name? Vincent? My mouth yearns to say his name out loud but I hold back. His molten brown eyes stare right through me and makes my body warm, a feeling I haven't felt in a while. I look away from his handsome smirk and shake my head. Stop Adeline he's not looking at you and even if he was all he wants is to sleep with you just like Cara said.

"Hello there" I gasp and jump back being pulled out of my thoughts

I look up to see the handsome stranger standing right in front of me, when did he get there? "Oh um..."

I'm cut off by Theo stepping by me and wrapping a secure arm around my back, pulling me tightly to his side "Vincent King, it's nice to finally meet you" my Husband puts on his game face, ready to meet a new potential partner

Vincent's eyes move from mine down lower to my hands, he frowns but then shifts his gaze to Theo's outstretched hand and shakes it "Nice to meet you" he says sounding a little bored but it's well covered up with interest. I bite my cheek at the sound of his hard deep voice making my heart beat faster than its normal pace. When he speaks all the chatter in the room and the soft music is muffled, his words the only thing I hear.

"This is my wife, Adeline" Theo motions to me, I smile up at him feeling heat raise to my cheeks when my eyes meet his calm ones

I stick out my hand and his hand raises to mine, his eyes never leaving mine. His hand engulfs my small one, it's rough and at the same time so soft. His skin is warm against mine, heating my already flushed body "It's nice to meet you" I say softly

He smiles down at me, he has to at least be 6'4", he transfers his eyes "Mr. Taylor how are your sales coming this season?" He asks, a small unnoticeable shiver going down my back at the sound of his voice

"Well, very well, having your software on my computers would help though" he chuckles

Vincent smiles a beautiful blinding white smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes "My father is still keeping my authority on a leash, still trying to keep the company to himself, I don't think I'll be partnering with anybody anytime soon" he says "But if you would like to buy my software then we can do business"

All of us laugh and his head snaps over to me at my outbursting giggles his smile grows and my heart swells. I shake my head and look back up at Theo his head hung back in fake laughter.

"So you sell software?" I ask

He smiles not showing his beautiful white straight teeth "Indeed, that's not all though I own many businesses around the city, some small others big, my fathers the real creator of the different software" he says but I'm a little busy admiring his face "We have some educational software, business software that helps with organising and other uninteresting things that I'm sure a beautiful woman like you would be bored listening to" he says with a charming smile

I'm a little taken back by his words but that doesn't stop my blush spreading across my cheeks quick as wild fire "Oh...yes I suppose" I say looking away

I turn to Theo but he didn't seem to notice Vincent's complement "Anyways I would love to get together one day and talk over some...business" Theo says, he says it in a odd way I never know the meaning behind his tone

"Of course, I'm sure I can make some time" Vincent says smiling at me

His face straightens out and he reaches in his pocket digging out the newest iPhone "I'm sorry I have to take this, it'll just be a moment" he says almost like he's asking us not to go anywhere

He excused himself and walks away through the crowd of people. Silence stretches between me and Theo and I question if he'll yell at me "I need him to join me" Theo says to himself "We have to schedule something so I can convince him" I nod even though I don't think he was talking to me

We stand around a little longer both of us thinking and not speaking "I'll be back" Theo says

I reach after him but he's already walking off in the same direction as the redheaded girl. How did I know this would happen? I scoff and watch him. He