Edward stood up and gently placed his hands on my shoulders. “Since you’ve taken on this project, let me broaden your horizons and give you some fresh inspiration for your designs.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, curiosity piqued as he took my hand in his large one.
“To check out other designers’ styles,” Edward said with a smile. “There’s a charity gala tonight, organized by people from our country. Half of the donations will be sent back home. I want to take you there to see it for yourself.”
I was surprised, but my blood was pumping with excitement. Edward never just talked the talk—he always showed his care through real actions.
“Alright, let’s go see the big scene for ourselves,” I replied with a light laugh.
The gala was held on a luxury yacht, not docked at the pier but floating out on the water. VIPs were being flown in by helicopter, and as I got out of the car with Edward, I watched the choppers take off and land at dusk—it felt like something out of a blockbuster.
The wind was whipping around me. I had on a sleek black dress, my hair left mostly natural except for a few curls at the tips. The wind tossed my long hair, and instinctively, I edged closer to Edward’s side.
Edward slipped his arm around me without missing a beat, then, without a word, he shrugged off his suit jacket and settled it over my shoulders.
I paused, glancing up at him. Bathed in the golden sunset, his eyes looked impossibly deep, and there was a soft, tender smile on his lips.
“Mr. Hallman, everything’s ready. Please take Ms. Murphy this way to board,” a few staff members, flanked by bodyguards, approached us.
I knew these were Edward’s assistants and aides. He kept his arm around my shoulders and led me onto a sleek black helicopter, which soon lifted off and headed toward the brightly lit yacht in the distance.
From up here, looking out over the unfamiliar sea, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of anticipation for whatever was waiting ahead, I thought to myself.
Edward noticed me gazing out the window and chuckled. “Not afraid of heights?”
I shook my head and smiled at him. “Nope, not at all. The view from up here is incredible.”
The sun was sinking, painting the horizon gold. The sea stretched out like an endless line—so magnificent, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime view.
When we landed on the helipad, Edward stepped out first, grabbed my hand, and helped me down from the helicopter. At the entrance, a lineup of gorgeous hostesses greeted us.
It suddenly struck me—Edward’s been surrounded by all kinds of stunning women and men. I couldn’t help but wonder why he chose to be with me.
I handed his jacket back, and he just slung it over his arm instead of putting it on.
“Mr. Jennings, this way, please. Your seat is ready,” a sharp-looking middle-aged man stepped forward to greet us.
Edward replied with polite detachment, “Thanks for your trouble.”
We walked into a large hall on the second floor, and Edward leaned in close to my ear. “There’s going to be a charity auction later. If you see anything you like, we’ll buy it together.”
I froze, thinking, ‘Did Edward really bring me here to buy things at an auction?’
“Won’t these things be super expensive?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Edward smiled. “It’s only natural for things to be expensive when it’s for charity.”
I gave a small smile. “Okay.”
By around 7:30, the guests of honor had all arrived, and the hall—which could seat a hundred—was almost packed. People were murmuring among themselves. Edward and I were seated in the third row, and everyone around us seemed to know him. They’d come over to quietly greet him, then give me a curious look, smile politely, and head back to their seats.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that Edward brought me here on purpose, just so people would get to know me. His affection for me was so public, but at the same time, it felt a little confining. If everyone knows my name just because I’m with him, am I going to have fewer options for boyfriends in the future?