TRUTH IN THE ASHES

elevator into the hall after the security officer

said the office

u," Tanni

liance and curious whispers. Chandeliers sparkled above like fallen stars. Glasses clattered, cheers and joy rose ac

y confused, letting

, Miss?" a de

careful negotiation. She placed a hand on the

t?" the voice asked a

voice...

ed "thank you," she said

reached for a glass of champagne from a passing attendant as she sighed, swirling

omplained, scanning the crowd for an empty sea

and catch her breath, Tonight is going

She complained inwardly. How will I ever fit in with these people-a s

tition, embellished in glittering designer gowns. The men wore s

are rare to f

he powerful and associates. The decorations were magnificent-balloons and ribbons, splendid

termingling like a seasoned hostess. It seemed she had forgotte

her eye and signaled for her

ive Becky an earful-ask why she dragged her to a place she didn't belo

seemed, had

u

at really

shifted around them, but her world had narrowed down to the man before

My dr

stained

hurt?"

rdly. Shaking her head. S

r her breath afraid of looki

from her purse and dabbing at the soaked fabric in a pa

w, There is a way you can make it up to me." He leaned

rmured, her cheeks burnin

oice barely audible over the music. "I'd rather

s? She wonde

yed. Something about the way he glanced at her with a warm smile-like

ss his face "Do you remem

ened in recognition. He's

cky appeared beside her, arm

n minutes in, and you've

ant-Becky was pissed. And once their mum

ill new to events like this," Becky said, forcing a polite smile.

and began brushing off his coat lik

id schoolgirl caught red-handed, stood th

okay," he said casua

these, such are normal incidents," he added, stressing the w

t immediately. Thank you-and by the

but she kept calm. Instead, she replied poli

e withdrew her hand quickly after she exchanged greetings with him, kn

ight ear, he whispered

n. For a moment she was speechless. Her hear

e couldn't hear anything except he