________

BRYAN

 

  The gala was being held in the ballroom in our hotel and by the time my ‘glam squad’ was done with me I barely recognized myself.  Sebastian had generously arranged for a team to help me get ready.  I felt so glam and the only thing missing was Sebastian by my side.  I tried not to let it bother me that we couldn’t walk in together, but it sucked that I wasn’t able to arrive with the man I loved for my first formal event.  I was happy that I had the event to look forward to because it helped me keep my mind off of the thing that was freaking me out.

 

I could not believe that both Sebastian and I forgot to think about using a condom.  Timing was horrible for me to get pregnant.  I was just beginning to get my name out there and I was going to be working for Doris Blocke!  There was no way I could even think about having a baby so I just pushed the thought out of my mind and kept telling myself that it was impossible for me to get pregnant.  The gala was a welcome distraction and I actually forgot about the issue for a while.

 

I didn’t see Sebastian before the gala because he had a meeting earlier in the day with his mother.  I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he saw me.  As much as I was looking forward to the gala and meeting all of the high profile people who would be there, I couldn’t wait until it was over and it was just the two of us exploring Europe.

 

Eva knocked on my door a couple of minutes later and she literally gasped when he saw me.

 

“Bryan, darling, you are a vision. My cousin took very good care of you, it’s nice to see that he can do that.”  She raised an eyebrow as she gave me a teasing look.  “Hmmm, maybe someone is causing him to change.”

 

I smiled at her and did a little twirl.  “Why thank you sweetness. I am so nervous about tonight, Eva. There will be so many people there who are big wigs. I have no idea what I am supposed to say to them.”

 

“Think of everyone in that room as an opportunity to get your name out there, and just talk about the work that you’ve done and what your experience has been like working for Blocke Designs so far. Trust me, the word about your designs has already started to spread so people are going to be looking for you tonight.”

 

“Really? People are talking about me?”

 

“Yes, they are, and this is just the beginning for you, Bryan.  Shall we go?”

 

I grabbed my wallet and checked myself one last time in the mirror.  The nervousness I felt was nothing compared to the excitement I felt having Sebastian see me all dressed up. I was looking forward to a beautiful night.

 

The ballroom was packed when Eva and I walked in and I quickly scanned the room and did a quick walk-through to see if I could find Sebastian, but he was nowhere to be found. I assumed that he was still with his mother and he would be there eventually.  I got a drink from the bar and walked around looking for Eva when I literally bumped into Pierre.  I was surprised to see him there because he had been fired, and without thinking I blurted out my question.

 

“Pierre!   What are you doing here? I thought you were let go.” As soon as I said the words I knew that I probably should have just kept my mouth shut.

 

He gave me a smug little smirk as his eyes slowly looked me up and down before holding my gaze.

 

“Oh Bryan, you have so much to learn. Do you have any idea who my father is?”

 

“Why would I?” I loathed his smug superiority.

 

“He was Sebastian’s father’s best man at his wedding, so you see, I would never be let go. I was simply reassigned to a different department. My talent and connections run deep, I’m not going anywhere.”

 

Once again his eyes slowly crawled over my body, bright with admiration.

 

“You look stunning, Bryan.  Who is your date this evening?”

 

I really didn’t want to talk to him anymore so I looked around trying to look as bored as possible.  I knew it was rude but I didn’t care.  He was gross.

 

“Eva, she’s around here somewhere.”

 

He raised his eyebrows in a way that irritated me.

 

“Oh.  I’m sure she has found some chap to spend her time with.  Not to burst your bubble, as you Americans say, but you are not her cup of tea.”

 

“Do you really think I don’t know that?”  I snapped.  “Eva is my friend and we enjoy each other’s company.”  I was done with him.  He was beyond rude and I realized I was wasting precious time talking to him when I could have been mingling with more important people.  I barely glanced at him as I walked away.

 

“Enjoy your evening.”

 

I took a sip of wine, took a deep breath and walked over to one of the executives I had met briefly during one of our many meetings while we were designing the store.

 

“Mr. Legrand?”

 

Thankfully he was just observing the room so I was not interrupting a conversation.  He greeted me with a smile.

 

“Yes.  Oh, Mr. Steele, how nice to see you.”

 

“Thank you, sir, it is nice to see you as well, and please call me Bryan.”

 

“Well then, you shall call me Martin.”

 

“Okay, Martin.  I wanted to ask your opinion about a Dubai themed room.  I have an idea for a store back in Eden Pines and I want to bring elements of the Middle East to the space but don’t want it to be overwhelming.  I have seen many of your gorgeous designs in Designs Today, Architecture Now, Cutting Edge Design and many other publications, and really value your opinion.”

 

“First, Bryan, let me say that I love your enthusiasm and spirit.  I understand you played a major part in the design of the store, Ciel Pur, and you were not just an observer.  That is very impressive for someone so new to the industry.”

 

I knew he was trying to say that it was impressive for someone so young, but I was sure he did not want to offend me even though I would not have been offended. Talking to Mr. Legrand was an opportunity of a lifetime.

 

“Thank you, I really appreciate that. I enjoyed every minute working on this project.”

 

We talked for quite a while and he gave me a lot of wonderful ideas which I mentally had to record because I didn’t have my tablet or my phone with me so I could take notes.  When we were done I thanked him for taking the time to talk with me and before I walked away he asked for my business card.  I had forgotten that the company had those made for me because I had never had a business card. And of course I’d left them in my hotel room, not thinking that I should probably bring a bunch with me to the gala.

 

“I am so embarrassed but I mistakenly left them up in my room.  I will be back in five minutes,” I said.

 

“Okay, just look for me, I’ll be around.  I have a few people I can put you in touch with.  There is no such thing as too much exposure so as soon as you give me your information I will pass it along.”

 

I hurried up to my room, silently kicking myself for not bringing my cards with me to the gala. The fact that Martin Legrand was offering to pass my information along was huge and it was an opportunity I did not want to screw up.  I walked into my room and rifled through my desk drawer looking for my cards and when I finally found them I turned to hurry back downstairs when I could have sworn I heard voices in Sebastian’s adjoining room.  I pressed my ear to the door and felt sick to my stomach when I definitely heard a male voice in his room.

 

I did something that was completely out of character for me and I slowly opened the door.  Everything happened in slow motion just as it did in the penthouse.  There, wrapped in Sebastian’s arms was Jason, and it looked like I had just walked in on the end of a kiss because their faces were less than an inch apart.  Both turned and looked at me and Sebastian’s face was filled with guilt.  He quickly pushed Jason away as I turned and went back to my room slamming the door behind me.  In less than a second he was in my room and he blocked my path as I tried to leave.

 

“Bryan, we are not going to do this.  Let me explain.”

 

I narrowed my eyes at him, every inch of my being seething.

 

“Explain what? What a fool I am?  How you used me and lied to me?”

 

“I did not lie to you and do not speak to me like that!”  His voiced boomed throughout the room and it startled me so much I stood there silent.  Why was he so angry?  He softened his tone when he saw how upset I was.

 

“I apologize for raising my voice, but I don’t want us to repeat what happened in the penthouse.”

 

“Why is he even here Sebastian?”

 

“Jason has had a really hard time accepting that things are over between us and he thought if he came here, showing me that he would travel anywhere to be with me, that I would want to take him back. But that is not going to happen. I want to be with you, only you, Bryan.”

 

I heard a slow sarcastic clap and we both turned toward the adjoining door and standing there with a nasty look on his face was Jason.

 

“Oh honey, you deserve an Academy Award for your performance,” he said to Sebastian.  He then looked at me.

 

“So, you are the little designer omega that was in the penthouse.” He looked over at Sebastian.  “I guess it’s true that a leopard never changes its spots, huh Sebastian?”

 

Sebastian snapped. “Jason, leave right now!”

 

He sashayed over to Sebastian, giving him a kiss on the cheek, and then turned to look at me.

 

“I was where you are, honey, and I bet he has told you all of the possibilities that lie ahead for you, starting with a fabulous trip the two of you are going to take after this gala. Am I right?”  He walked out leaving that bombshell hanging in the air.

 

I felt sick to my stomach as I slowly looked over at Sebastian. Had I really been so stupid and so blind?  I slowly started to shake my head as tears filled my eyes.

 

“Bryan.”  He took a step toward me, reaching for my arm and I backed away as if burned from his touch.

 

“No, Sebastian.  Not again.”

 

“You have to let me explain.  I love you!”  The pain in his voice was heart wrenching but I was numb to it.  I had been duped for a second time and I wasn’t going to fall for his lies again.

 

I looked at him, my eyes full of sorrow.

 

“What is that saying?  Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...we both know the rest.”  I gave him a cool stare as I put my business cards in my wallet.  “From now on this is a business relationship, nothing more.”

 

He tried to block my path as I made my way to the door and I stepped around him.  I looked at him with a blank stare.  “I have to go network.  Enjoy your evening.”

 

“Bryan…please…you have to let me explain…”

 

His words faded behind me as I tossed my shoulders back and willed the tears away.  I would never be so gullible and naïve again.  It was over between Sebastian Blocke and me.