Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets as her gaze landed on the massive event happening before her. As the car stopped before a red-carpeted pathway, she knew she had made the mistake of agreeing to join this sweet but crafty man in this endeavor.
Luisa should have heeded the warning bells when she first saw the expensive dresses he wished her to wear. Then, the makeover that she thought she never needed. It already told her that this was no ordinary gathering.
"Stop fidgeting!" The Count sweetly ordered with his comforting smile. "I assure you that you look lovely tonight."
But alas, she had allowed her emotion to cloud her judgment. She had succumbed to this charming man and his plea to accompany him. Now, she had no way of backing out. She should have known better than to fall into a trap.
"But that is not the point." She knew she did not look bad. But still, she did not belong in this crowd.
"The point is I need you by my side as my assistant." The Count turned to her, giving her a reassuring smile. But that only tightened the muscles in her stomach, not easing her worries.
It almost made her puke her guts out on the front steps of the entrance. Luckily, the Count knew what he was doing, placing his gentle hands on her back to support her.
He had safely navigated them through the growing crowd outside, who wanted a glimpse of all the famous personalities attending this seemingly glamorous event.
"Do I need to be here?" Luisa asked, doubting the importance of her presence in such an event. "Maybe I should just sneak in the back and go home." As her courage deserted her, leaving her shaking in her knees.
Nobody told her that a dinner party for these people meant a gigantic social affair. She thought it would be just a few people sitting at a large table and eating dinner while she would sit on the sideline with the rest of the assistants like her.
But there seemed to be a hundred people already enjoying the event as they entered the massive hallway of this first-class establishment.
Everyone was impeccable in their attires, dressed to the nines. The men wore their tuxedos, exuding power, while the women had stunning, expensive long gowns together with their glittering pieces of jewelry, sparkling in style.
Everything screamed wealth, power, and influence in the high society, including her boss, who wore his black ensemble with elegance, confidence, and pride.
Nothing seemed to be out of place except for her. A person like her did not belong in this crowd. She immediately lowered her head, staring at the floor, afraid the other guests would notice an impostor amidst their presence.
"You are staying." The Count ordered with his serious baritone voice as his eyes frowned at her, making her remember that she was not here to socialize but to work for him. It was not a mere request but also her obligation.
Quickly, she took a deep breath and released it slowly, working on calming herself down. "I am sorry about my behavior," Luisa assured the Senior. "I suddenly forgot that this is my job."
"Come on. I want you to loosen up a little. I did not bring you here to work." The Count gently tapped her hands, which were still safely tucked in his. "We are here to have some fun." His lips curved into a friendly smile.
"But, Sir..." She was about to protest, but he never gave her a chance.
"Now, let us meet some of my friends." He let go of her hands but still guided her to the middle of the crowd. "Don't worry. They don't bite, but I want you to follow my lead."
She stood there greeting everyone as the Count introduced her as someone who worked closely with him. He never mentioned a specific title, only her name, as if she was just another guest at this spectacular party.
"This is Ms. Luisa Richmond. A daughter of a friend. She has been a darling, helping me while I stay in your incredible country." Count Julius spoke to his colleagues.
She was baffled at how the Count had easily lied about her, or maybe just a little, twisting some truth to fit what he wanted, especially about knowing her parents. She doubted he knew her mother.
But she was not here to argue with him nor correct him. Or question him. She smiled and stayed by his side, speaking so little unless asked directly. She was here merely to work for him and make him happy.
"I heard that you are searching for a bride for your grandson. I have a beautiful granddaughter if you wish to meet her." An elegantly dressed woman slightly younger than the Count offered.
Thankfully, the topic about her diverted into another. Finally, they lost interest in this new girl who nobody knew anything about, except that he worked for the Count.
"I think everybody had heard that." Another man in a black, impeccable suit seconded her statement.
"As you can see." Another one of the guests gestured with his hands. "The place is figuratively crawling with young, single, beautiful women who probably wanted to catch your grandson's eyes or your attention." The man teased the Count, who only smiled at his jab.
Although her ears perked up when Luisa heard about this news, it did not surprise her. She had seen many movies where the rich only wanted to marry their kind for money and power.
Of course, the royalties were no different from this stereotype.
But she had better things to do than meddle with their affairs. Her mind had enough problems to deal with to think about what others were doing with their lives, especially these rich people.
"I am sure she would be a fine wife for a handsome man like Liam." Another woman agreed with the other woman. "I assure you, Ofelia is not just beautiful but a very young, promising surgeon." The woman continued to tell the Count.
"Well, I do hope to meet your handsome grandson, too. If anything, I am sure he had taken your looks." The woman in the red gown stated. "Is he coming to join us?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, he is. And I am also looking forward to meeting Ofelia." The Count responded with equal enthusiasm. "And here he comes now." He pointed to the man who entered the hallway, making them all look in his direction.
When his eyes landed on them, she swore he looked at her with surprised, shocked, or whatever expression registered on his face. But it was quickly masked with a smile on his lips as he looked at his grandfather and immediately walked towards them.
Did she imagine it? Maybe.
Did she read it correctly? More likely not.
Then, she quickly dismissed the idea that he was even looking at her. It was more likely he saw something else, but she interpreted it differently.
He did not come alone as a beautiful blonde had her arms locked with his. Why would he even look at her when he had her as a company?
And why was she even having this argument with herself?