Chapter 2 The Friday Event
Ayanna
It was Friday evening, and Ayanna flitted from her closet to the bathroom to get dressed. She had done as Yuri instructed and spent the last two and a half days resting in bed, streaming TV shows and movies, and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Her ankle was nowhere near its usual strength, but was better. At least she was able to walk like a semi-normal person.
The special cocktail dress Yuri had delivered slipped over her head, and she took her first glance at herself wearing it in the mirror.
It hugged her body, tight but not obscene. It was short enough to ride her thighs but not short enough to be shocking.
The deep wine shade paired well with her brown skin. She left her silky, straightened dark hair out like their fans prefer, and then applied a touch of makeup.
Dressing up has never been her thing, particularly for these kinds of events, but looking in the mirror, she was aware Yuri would be pleased.
He let her know the moment he saw her. His normally scowling face eased up, and he cut through the mingling crowd to get to her.
“Perfect, you’re here,” he said amid the loud sound of conversation coming from the other guests.
His hand grazed the small of her back as he guided her toward a silver-haired man in a suit and shirt that was halfway unbuttoned.
“Mr Vescari has been waiting to meet the Principessa Danzante of the show herself. He’s very impressed with you.”
She tried not to cringe in disgust and smiled in a fake manner as Yuri brought her up to the silver-haired man known as Mr Vescari. He sported a Rolex and a goatee that was as silver as his hair. His eyes flashed with delight at the sight of Ayanna.
“Ayanna Rhodes. You are even more stunning in person than on stage,” he said, taking her hand and slanting a kiss to the back of it.
She blinked at him, thrown by the forward approach.
“Uh, thank you. I appreciate you supporting our company.”
His lips curled into a slimy smile. And Ayanna fought the instinctual urge to shudder in disgust.
“Of course. I have always been a big supporter of the arts.”
She looked over to find Yuri gone. He was already off to introduce another dancer to one of their fans, there was a whole sea of wealthy men in various expensive suits waiting.
The next hour becomes torture. Mr Vescari pulled out a chair at the table that was assigned to them. And then proceeded to talk about only himself in excruciating detail. That’s when he was not making a snide remark that she had eaten too much for his liking.
A sigh left her lips as she tried her best to remain polite and agreeable, though her teeth clenched in annoyance. The remaining food she pushed around her plate with her fork, wistfully wishing for the night to be over.
“Excuse me,” She said, scooting back her chair.
“I need to use the ladies’ room.”
Mr Vescari opened his mouth as if to protest but she scurried off before he could object.
She was quick and nimble by nature, which came in handy during situations like these. As the crowd in the dining room mingled, she was able to slip in and out unnoticed.
Her ankle and the heels she was wearing slowed her down, but she was still fast enough to escape the dining room without anyone stopping her.
For half a second, she considered making a break for it. She could probably make it off the entire property unseen. But then what? What happens when Yuri finds out?
Another shudder vibrated through her. She changed her mind and did as she said she would. She headed for the women’s restroom.
Within a few footsteps, she realized she was not alone after all. She crossed the sparkling atrium with the distinct feeling that eyes were on her. An unsettling feeling loomed in her chest. Slowing down she glanced around, it suddenly felt like she was being hunted.
Even with the distant sounds of conversation in the dining room, she felt like she had made a wrong decision.
It was not until she was footsteps away from the door to the women’s restroom that a cold hand snatched her by the wrist.
Jerked sideways, she reeled into the arms of a man with silver hair and a wicked glint in his eyes.
Mr Vescari had followed her and by the glint in his eyes, he didn't have any good thing planned out for her.
