I don’t know what’s worse; the fact that the business party is in an hour, or the fact that the concert was tonight as well.

I hadn’t realized until yesterday that the concert and party were around the same time. Harry felt awful about it, but it wasn’t his fault either; he bought the tickets before we knew the official date of this stupid event.

As I helped Alek with his hair all I could think about was when this nightmare was going to be over. You guys may think I’m over exaggerating, but being in a large room with a bunch of people I don’t know isn’t exactly my cup of tea.

When we finally arrived to our destination, I was in awe. This place was beyond beautiful; chandeliers, roses, a grand piano room, a stage with a classy band playing, and the best part, the food!

We found our table pretty fast. Both the families shared it, so it was huge. I sat down next to

Alek and scanned the room to see if Rae had arrived yet. Mr. Cline said it was okay if I invited someone, so of course I called her.

“Can I go sit with Jake?” Alek asked. I turned to see where he was pointing to and saw a small boy just his age sitting alone at a huge table. I smiled and nodded my head at him. He wasted no time in racing over to talk to his friend. ‘Well, Alek has his friend, so where the hell is mine?’ I thought to myself as I took a sip of my water.

Next thing I knew someone from behind me covered my eyes with their hands.

“Rae?” I questioned.

“Umm same gene pool, so close, but no.” A deep voice laughed as they took the vacant seat beside me.

I smiled, “What are you doing here?”

“Rae invited me,” Teagan said, “thought you could use the back up.”

“Backup? For what?”

“For trying to survive this horrific party.”

“Where’s Rae then?” I questioned

He nodded his head behind me and I turned to see Rae talking to some guy, which wasn’t really a surprise. She was one of those people that were easy to talk to, and she always found someone to be with at parties.

I scanned the floor where people were already starting to slow dance. I feel like that was the worst part of ‘fancy’ parties; the music was way too elegant which caused people to slow dance the whole night. One pair of dancers specifically caught my eye; it was Harry and Carmen.

They were extremely close, and Carmen kept giggling like a hyena.

“Wanna dance?” Teagan asked. He probably noticed how I was staring. Even though I really wasn’t in the slow-dancing mood, I accepted with a smile.

The band that was playing started to pick the beat up slightly. Teagan pulled me close, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it; the boy smelled amazing.

“How’s the whole nanny thing working out for you?” he whispered in my ear.

I let out a sigh, not knowing how to reply truthfully. “Sometimes its great, and other times it can be real awful.”

“If you ever get sick of it then let me know, I think I can arrange a position for you at the office.”

I pulled away slightly too look him in the eyes, “Why are you always this incredibly nice to me?” I asked in confusion.

He half smiled as he replied, “Because I know you….and I know you’re a nice girl…. a good person…...and sometimes things happen to you that you don’t deserve. So if I can do anything to help you or make things easier on you..then I will.”

I couldn’t help hugging him tightly. I used to think of him as just Rae’s brother, but now I know I can call him a close friend. “Thank you” I whispered in his ear. but before he got a chance to say anything else, we were interrupted by a loud cough.

I pulled away from him to see Oliver smiling cheekily at us.

“Do you mind if I steal your partner for one dance?” he asked.

Me, being the sarcastic asshole, said, “Sure, he’s all yours.” As I motioned to Teagan.

“Ha-Ha” Oliver clapped, “Very funny.”

Teagan raised an eyebrow suspiciously at Oliver but nevertheless allowed him to have one dance with me; he was way too polite to decline.

I groaned as I had to place my hands on Olivers shoulder, slow dancing with him.

“What’s up with preppy boy over there? You guys together?” Oliver questioned.

“He’s a friend….What do you even want?”

“Just to keep you busy for a few more minutes” he winked, “---and I’m supposed to tell you to meet Harry out back on the beach, but only after the big speech.”

“What makes you guys think I want to meet up with him?”

“Can you for once in your life not make things difficult? --- just follow the damn plan. He needs to talk to you.” He replied with a hint of annoyance.

I was having an internal debate on whether or not I should listen to him. “Fine.”

He smiled and just as the song ended he pulled away, turning to the pair dancing beside us, which happened to be Rae and Teagan.

“May I have this dance?” He asked Rae.

“Dude I’m starting to think you’re purposely trying to steal all my dance partners.” Teagan said as he eyed Oliver.

“Last time, I promise.” Oliver said as he took Rae to the other side of the room.

“Well, I guess you’re stuck with me again.” I shrugged.

Our dance only lasted a minute before Mr. Cline and Carmen’s father called for everyone’s attention.

Everyone got quiet, eagerly awaiting their announcement.

After a few cheesy quotes, they finally cut to the chase, “We would like everyone to know, that Mr. Cline and I have decided to join our companies! Together we will dominate the industry!”

The audience roared with cheers and claps. Even I managed to make my left hand meet my right in a feeble attempt at a clap. The news wasn’t exactly news to me. I’ve been expecting it the whole time. Yes I hoped for something else, but I still expected this.

The music started again, but stopped immediately due to a huge object behind the stage curtain falling on the sax player, breaking his instrument and causing the entire velvet curtain to fall down as well. The entire crowd of people gasped, as the ‘object’ came from underneath the curtain and into clear view. The object was two people, actually. Two, very familiar people.

“Carmen!” Mr. Weller yelled, “What in God’s name are you doing with this boy!” he said as he pointed to Oliver, who was desperately trying to untwine himself from the curtain. He had red lipstick all over his face. And Carmen’s red lipstick was smeared off hers. Well, I can say that wasn’t expected.

She stood up and tried to mutter a response to her father.

“Do you know what kind of reputation you’re giving us?” He yelled, “We are not cheaters!”

Mr.Cline looked away awkwardly, as did everyone else. Second hand embarrassment was strong in the room.

This time Carmen looked over to Harry, who was standing at the edge of the stage, “Harry- I-I” she stuttered but he interrupted her.

“It’s over.” He said as he turned around and walked out of the room. Mr.Weller then took Carmen and Oliver and led them into the back room. Staff members rushed to pick up the fallen curtain and to provide the sax player with a new instrument. Within 10 minutes the band was playing again and the guests started to dance, completely ignoring what had happened.

I looked around the room and found Alek sitting with Jake. I quickly went over to him, “Can I trust you to stay well behaved?”

He nodded his head.

“If you need anything and can’t find me then I want you to go to Andrew okay?” I said as I pointed to the butler who was bringing drinks to some of the guests.

“I knowwww” he whined, “I’m not a baby Zoe.”

I smiled and pinched his cheek, “You’ll always be my baby no matter what.” I said purposely to embarrass him in front of his friend.

I then left the room, heading to the beach, just as Oliver had told me to.