The Possessive Billionaire ✔

Chapter 18 - The Snowflake Ball {}

Chapter 18 - The Snowflake Ball
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I was dressed in a pastel blue color in order to match the theme of the ball. I felt nervous as I walked hand in hand with Brandon down the blue carpet which was set out for us to walk on to make the 'Grand  Entrance' to the ball - It was Evelyn's idea. Reporters crowded the room as they clicked tons of photos and asked millions of questions.

'What are your future plans?'

'Is Ashley Hayes your personal assistant?'

'Are you really selling Hawthorne Tech?'

The questions got more ridiculous as time passed on. Brandon silently clutched my hand tightly as we approached our seats and when we finally arrived at our table I greeted Evelyn and Mr. Hawthorne, her husband, who seemed to have slightly warmed up to me a lot more than the last time we met. At least this time he actually greeted me and shook my hand! Brandon or Evelyn must have said something to him, I thought to myself.

We took our seats as more guests and billionaires arrived. Melanie arrived a few moments after me and joined our table with her date, Brad Paisley, who was one of my friends and one of the waiters at The Waterfront, the restaurant I used to work in before I became Brandon's personal assistant.

When I heard another roar of enthusiasm rise up amongst the journalists and reporters I looked towards the door and couldn't believe my eyeballs. Alessio Jackson had arrived. With Sophia Lacross who looked amazing.

I saw Melanie look at Sophia and tears glazed in her eyes. I saw her blink them away showing me that my best friend was truly the strongest person I know on this planet. She then plastered a smile on her face as Alessio and Sophia approached our table. The ring on Sophia's hand shimmered and sparkled as she waved it around as if to show it off. I guess being engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors makes it worth showing it around.

Melanie suddenly got out of her chair and I followed her immediately to the bathroom. I was not in the mood to greet Alessio or his date. I didn't really like him a lot, especially after how he was behaving with my best friend. One minute he liked her, and the next he was engaged to a model.

"Mel!" I called, "Mel wait!"

"What is it now, Ashley?" She asked with a tired sigh.

"I'm here for you," I told her and pulled her into a hug.

"It hurts." She sobbed, "It hurts too much to even see them," She continued to cry as I rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"Mel you're a strong person. I know you can do this! You're truly amazing!" I encouraged, "I don't know why he is doing this but if you see the way he looks at you even a blind person can tell that he really likes you!"

"He's engaged to her! " Melanie spat.

"He is. We don't know his side of the story. Maybe Alessio was forced into this as a business agreement or whatever," I told her.

"Maybe." She said and wiped her tears away.

"Now you've ruined your makeup over a useless piece of a jerk!" I told her.

"It's nothing I can't fix," She smiled.

"Waterproof?" I asked her with a grin.

"Most of it. I did bring some makeup with me, I figured I'd see him here. I guess I'd rather be safe than sorry at this point in my life," She grinned.

"You got that right!" I smiled.

I walked out of the bathroom with Melanie. She had fixed her makeup and we headed to our table. I took my seat next to Brandon. When I turned to look at Sophia, she was already looking at me, and when she noticed that I had caught her starting she simply smirked at me as she clutched Alessio's hand which looked like he could murder someone. When Alessio saw Melanie I noticed his eyes soften as he studied her.