Chapter 258
I spent the next few hours getting ready, my anger fueling my determination to look perfect. Every curl had to be in place, every eyelash perfectly coated with mascara. I was going to show Noah, Zoe, and everyone else that I was more than capable of handling myself.
Hours later, I stood in the foyer, dressed in a shimmering black gown that hugged my waist before flowing out at the hips. My hair was swept up in an elegant updo, and I had taken extra care with my makeup. The chandelier overhead made the diamonds at my throat sparkle, and I held a matching silver clutch.
“Thomas?” I called for my driver as I primped an unruly curl in the hallway mirror. “Are you ready to go?”
“He won’t be coming,” a familiar voice said from the doorway. I looked up to see Noah standing by the open door, looking devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo, his dark hair slightly swept by the breeze. The sight of him nearly took my breath away, but I steeled myself against the flutter in my chest, even when he extended his arm. “What are you doing here?” I asked, pursing my lips.
“We’re going together,” Noah replied coolly. “I had one of our other drivers pick Zoe up privately, since I know it means a lot to you.”
A wave of emotion washed over me. Noah had put me first. Even if he never did it again, I could at least have this one moment to remember. “Noah, I… Thank you.”
He smiled slightly, the dimple on one side of his face puckering. The sight made my throat tighten. “Shall we?”
As we arrived at the gala a little while later, the cameras flashed blindingly, capturing Noah and me as we made our way up the red carpet. Noah’s hand on the small of my back felt warm and oddly reassuring as we stepped inside.
The opera house was stunning now that the sun had gone down, the decorations even more beautiful than I had imagined. Enormous crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd, and the air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and the quiet strains of a string quartet as everyone took their seats.
I felt a surge of pride at what I had accomplished. “It’s perfect,” I breathed, stopping for a moment to take in the scene.
As we made our way to our seats, however, I noticed something odd. Zoe was seated on the other side of Noah’s seat, in a place I definitely hadn’t assigned her. I tried to keep my composure, smiling politely as we approached, but the closer I got, the more I felt my blood simmer.
“Zoe,” I greeted, my voice tight. “I hope you’re enjoying the evening so far!”
She beamed at me—or rather, at Noah. I just happened to be standing in the way of her view of him. “Oh, it’s… it’s wonderful, Hannah. You’ve… outdone yourself.”
I nodded, feeling that the compliment was awfully difficult for her to offer.
“I’m curious,” I asked, “how did you end up seated here? I don’t recall this being your assigned seat.”
Zoe’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh, well, I couldn’t see very well from my original seat. It was further back, you see.” She gestured up to the nosebleed section, which was exactly where I had intended for her to stay tonight—just one night without her breathing down my neck. “One of Noah’s staff was kind enough to help me move.”
My eyes narrowed slightly, although I maintained my polite smile. “Oh. Which staff member?”
Zoe looked around, her eyes scanning the crowd. Then, with a smile that seemed just a touch too innocent, she pointed across the room. “Him, I believe. Leonard, isn’t it?”