HER || 18+ (OLD VERSION)

T H I R T Y - f o u r

I looked at my fingers. "The color suits?" I asked Zavier who was sitting behind me in the limo.

He took my hands in his, inspecting my short nails which were painted light pink. "Pretty." He kissed my palm.

"You're nervous," Ashton said, putting a hand on my bouncing leg.

I bit my lip. "I try to not be at public places..." I looked down at my arms. I had hidden the scars. "Are they visible?"

"No," Xerxes said.

"Come here," Ashton said, picking me up.

He pulled me on his lap and tucked me to his chest.

I set my head against his chest, eyes on Xerxes and Zavier who were looking at me.

We stayed like that till we reached the building where the ball was happening. It was a little out of the city. We could easily have the ball at the mansion but Creeds didn't want its location out. I had seen the extra protection around the mansion, too. They had always been careful but they were more careful now.

My eyes widened at the number of photographers around the entrance.

"I was not informed that paparazzi are here!"

Zavier opened the door, smirking at me. "Scared, kitten?"

"Get out of my way." I got out of the limousine before he could and looked around as the cameras bombarded me.

I extended my hands towards Xerxes and Zavier, grinning. "Come on."

Xerxes rolled his eyes while Zavier smirked. They took my hand, not that they needed help, and stepped out of the limousine. I extended my hand towards Ashton and he took it, grinning as he did.

Now, the flashes were a little too much. Security was trying to contain the paparazzi, there were so many of them. The limousine drove away and we climbed the large staircase. Xerxes in front of me and Ashton and Zavier on either side of me. They had a firm grip on me which helped with stairs because heels and stairs were never a good combination for me.

We entered the ball which was already filled. We were fashionably late.

Everyone looked at us, at me. Too many people. Too many people. Too many pe-

"You did an excellent job, kitten," Zavier said to me, his arm coming around my waist as he looked around the ballroom.

"We should have never hired what's-her-face," Ashton commented.

"Thank you for this, little love." Xerxes kissed my lips. I smiled.

I had added silver to the ball. Now the curtains on the walls were velveted and large, filtering under the lights of the large white Chandler in the middle of the black dome-shaped ceiling which had a fairy lights type of thing but a lot brighter spread around it looking like a web. The waitresses and waiters were now wearing good uniforms which were comfortable-looking shirts and pants or skirts, looking elegant and not the clique editors and waitresses they looked before. Basically, everything was dark and light, a perfect contrast.

I could be an event planner. I was good.

And the Creeds liked it, too.

Spirits lifted, I grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter, nodding at him in thanks, and took a sip.

Creeds picked up flutes, too, and then the people started approaching.

I slipped away, ignoring the stern glare Ashton gave me which promised punishment, and went on my hunt for my Mafia friends.

I spotted Giovanni but he was surrounded by women so I decided to not bother him. Ignoring the stares I was getting, I kept looking around till my eyes fell on Tamara.

I grinned. I had thought that she'd be here. She was a successful businesswoman.

She grinned. "Olivia." She excused herself from the conversation she was in with some old dude and captured me in a hug. I hugged her back.

"How's my favorite businesswoman doing?" I asked, my eyes doing a quick scan of her blue dress which hugged her hourglass body.

"Making money, fucking hot guys." She smiled. "And you can here with three guys."

I bit my lip. "Yeah...about that."

"I knew it was you in the airport photograph," she said, chuckling. "Guess who I'm here with?"

"Who?"

"Me." Rick smiled at me, looking handsome in his dark grey suit, dark skin slightly illuminated by the faint lights of the ball. "Missed you in the cafe, Liv."

I smiled, hugging him. He hugged me back.

"He's my plus one," Tamara said, grinning.

"The only reason I came is free drinks," Rick said, grabbing a champagne flute from a passing waiter. "And I wanted a ride in a private jet."

"Priorities." I nodded.

He smiled. "Of course."

I felt an arm around my waist and two bodies on either side of me.

"Who's this, Olivia?" Ashton asked me, eyes fixed on Rick, his jaw clenched.

. . .

To everyone who didn't like the dress:-