Video: Fever by Peggy Lee
Hey guys! I'm pleased to announce that edits for Breaking Eden are going well. Readers wanted longer chapters so this chapter went from 850-ish words to over 1,300 and is packed full of new content. So give it a read and let me know down below in the comments what you honestly think. Good or bad, I'll take it if it'll help improve my story.
As always, please point out any mistakes you may find while reading. Fresh eyes see everything I miss. And don't forget to vote, comment, and share to help get Breaking Eden to #1! :0)
Chapter ten update coming soon...
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9 – Ballroom Boredom
Less than twenty minutes went by before Eden and Diamond were dressed and ready to present themselves to the guests waiting in the banquet hall.
Rose led the women back through the maze-like hallways, through the central part of the mansion that remained empty and silent and stopped at a set of cherry wood French doors. She opened the doors wide and ushered them in.
Eden and Diamond were too stunned to speak.
Their gazes swept across the crowded room, took in the large dance floor in the middle and the scattering of white covered banquet tables surrounding it.
Men and women, dressed in their finest, milled around the room, talking with glasses of champagne in hand. Their voices drowned out the lovely piano man's notes.
"This is where I leave you." Rose turned toward the girls who were still busy surveying the room. "Declan should be here momentarily. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear." She pointed near the front of the room.
Declan sat with a group of people, having an in-depth conversation and hadn't a clue they were watching him. He seemed relaxed as he laughed.
"Go to him. He'll want to show you off. A quick word of advice." Rose waited until she got their full attention. "Don't speak unless spoken to first. It will drive them wild." And with that Rose left them alone.
Diamond turned to Eden when Rose was out of earshot, "Do you smell that?"
"I don't smell anything"
"It's the smell of easy money." Diamond's red lips curled into a broad grin as she rubbed her hands together.
"What happened to you wanting to leave this place?"
"I was thinking about that. If we demand to leave now, we won't see one damn cent of that forty grand. Then all of this would have been for nothing."
"Then we stay and finish out the night?" Eden asked.
"Yes, but we stick together. No one leaves this room without the other, okay?" Diamond held out her pinky, and Eden linked hers around it, sealing the pact.
"Deal."
There was no way in hell Eden would leave this room with anyone other than Diamond at her side. These people were strangers. And a part of herself feared that maybe she would wake up in a tub of ice without a kidney.
The two entered the room as though they owned it and their entrance garnered more than a few people's attention. At the last second, Eden slipped her hand into Diamonds and allowed her to lead the way.
They cut across the nearly empty dance floor and made a beeline for Declan's table.
He turned towards them as they approached and a convincing smile claimed his lips.
No longer was he the hardened individual that Eden dealt with after her performance. In his place was the perfect gentleman. But Eden saw through his bullshit facade the moment his gaze met hers. The side of his mouth lifted a little higher and looked almost surprised to see her.
Eden brushed him off and acted as though nothing had occurred between them. When she glanced away, she heard him chuckle.
Declan stood and snaked an arm around each of the girl's waists. "I'd like to introduce you all to Diamond and Eden. They're my guest for the evening's affairs."
His tone was smooth, like liquid velvet, but when his hand dipped and ran along her lower back and came to rest against her hip, Eden tensed. He gave her a teasing squeeze and pulled her against him.
"Do not resist me," Declan murmured against her ear. "Keep sweet and smile now to show you understand." his lips brushed her cheek.
Eden delivered a convincing grin and fought the urge to swat his hand away.
He's showing off is all. Eden thought. The bastard.
"We've heard so much about you both." A young woman with silky blonde hair and dull blue eyes stood up and embraced Eden. "So beautiful." She cupped Eden's cheeks.
When she moved to Diamond, she added, "You'll make an excellent addition."
An older Asian man, with high cheekbones and shaggy black hair, stepped in. He pulled the girl off of Diamond with gentle force.
"Kristen you're going to frighten them away if you don't let them be." He mocked a scold. "Please excuse my wife. It's her first ball. She's a little overzealous about bidding tonight and has claimed almost everything she sets her sights on." His chuckled.
"The first auction is the most exciting. It's perfectly understandable." Declan reassured him. "Have you met with the other houses? There are plenty up for auction tonight. You can take a peak in the Gallery to access the finer details."
"You told me the Gallery was off limits!" Kristen slapped at her husband's chest, playfully pouting. "I want to know what I'm bidding on and don't forget you promised me two tonight to celebrate our anniversary."
"How long have you two been married?" Eden's gazed bounced between the pair. The man seemed to be at least fifteen years her senior and for a moment the term gold-digger entered her mind.
Kristen looked as though she recently graduated high school and possessed the body of a perky teen and was untouched by time. Eden envied the way Kristen looked at her husband. And no matter what negative thoughts filled her mind, it was clear the two were in deeply in love so who was she to judge their bond. Hell, their love story outshined Eden's last disastrous relationship.
"It's been a year today!" Kristen leaned against his chest and wrapped her slim arms around him in a tight hug, "And we're celebrating with everyone in the Cellar tonight. It's going to be an amazing experience. I hope you both will participate."
"Sadly, they won't be available," Declan answered. "By the time the auction commences these two will have already retired to their room."
"I wouldn't mind seeing the art that's been donated for the auction," Eden said.
"Art?" Kristen frowned, looking more than confused at the sudden change in topic. "I thought-"
Declan cleared his throat, "Kristen the Gallery should be open. Why don't the both of you go and place your bids early. Make sure you get her something extra good? May I offer something from my own personal collection?"
Kristen gazed up at her husband, "Please, can we?"
"You've been waiting patiently for all night." His eyes crinkled as he smiled, "You ladies have a good evening. Declan we'll meet up later, yes?"
"Of course." Declan clapped him on the shoulder. "I wouldn't miss the celebration."
Over the next hour, Declan took his time introducing them to around. After the third face and name, Eden lost track of who was who, which house the belonged to, and how far they've traveled for the event. Faces blurred together, and names no longer existed.
One suit-clad man happened to be a close companion of Declan's from his schoolyard days while the next man was a business associate.
Eden smiled and nodded right along with Diamond. They both answered the same questions that were asked of them and provided the same answers. And by the look of utter boredom on Diamond's face, she was in the same boat as Eden.
Eden downed the last of her third champagne glass and thought back to the little blessing Rose had mentioned. The only little blessing here was that her glass didn't remain empty for long.
Words: 1,361
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