Dirty Business

I lived in a world where status, money and power outweighed love and for a hopeless romantic like me it didn't look good . My dad was old money dealing in stocks and shares he was ruthless with business and ruthless at home with his family. Me being his daughter only served one purpose to him and that was to marry me off to gain more power , at bit barbaric in our modern world I know.  But old money doesn't change, the clothes the technology the business even changes, but the politics they stay the same. Marry a rich girl from a rich family to a rich boy to gain alliances and more power its all about moving up in social circles , who the tabloids connect you with. It's what this charity event was all about not to raise money for the charity of choice but for my farther to show me off to see who's son shows interest in me, then my farther will figure out who would be more beneficial to him .  The money raised was just a bonus,  that my family will be portrayed as good people in this weeks news, that would be forgotten in a heartbeat for a good scandal. all the good deeds of the past obliterated for one indecent indiscretion. Sighing I look at my reflection in the mirror perfect I looked perfect, just as intended. My long brown hair was twisted up in a perfect hair style not a strand out of place. My makeup kept light not to take away attention from my big blue eyes and naturally rosy lips. Expensive earrings and necklace. Then a figure hugging green ball gown .  That shows off the top of my breasts respectfully. Like I said perfect. I hear my door open and glance behind me to see my mother enter she looks perfect too she always did. I turn to look back at my reflection as she comes up behind me her reflection turning up at the side of mine. " You look beautiful Jessica" she says placing her hands on my shoulders. Looking down at the floor i whisper so only we can hear " Do I really have to do this mamma? I do not wish to marry a man I do not love".  I feel her tense at my question I look up to see her glancing back at the door , to make sure no one is close . if father heard me he would be furious his wrath would be shown he wasn't scared to give us a slap if he saw us not being the obedient docile women he expected us to be. When my mother turns back to me she has a sad look in her eyes " My dear Jessica i did not wish this life for you but like me I had no choice. " "But over time I grew to love your farther, yes he can be harsh at times but I know he loves me in his own way as he does you. I know you do not wish for that kind of love but my dear its the safest. You will be looked after and cared for. You won't have to experience heartbreak this way, as you know what to expect of them". I turn away from my mother and my reflection she had been married to my father for connections too.  She once told me that she had once loved another, but it had to end due to her engagement to my father, the not suffering heartbreak she mentioned was because we would expect mistresses and being ignored then picked up when it was time to flash us off and play the perfect family. we would expect it therfore not be hurt by it. I head towards the door without another word it wouldn't get me anywhere to keep pleading at all so there was no point. I hear my mother's footsteps behind me as we descend the stairs. At the bottom my father is waiting with an impatient look on his face he glances in our direction when he hears us approach then he heads to the door without a compliment or any word at all, not that we expect it . Me and my mother both don our shawls and head for the limo.  Father is talking on his phone when we both get it and does so the whole car ride to the venue. I stare out the window watching the city pass by like I'll watch my life pass by, I could get lucky and be married to a nice man or I could end up with someone like my farther I don't know which would be worse. If he happened to be a nice man but I did not love him I'd feel awful, sure I could fake affection but can anyone truly fake love I don't think so. Before I know it we are pulling up to the venue ,outside is already a media circus lights flashing everywhere and questions being hurled.  Father ends his call and checks his reflection, then the door opens and he steps out me and mum then follow. The act is on Father has a mega watt smile on his face as he faces the cameras, he glances back like a daunting husband and offers his hand to his wife once she takes it he then looks at me and offers his other arm.  the mask slips on my face as I smile for the media, we make our way up the red carpet.  Paparazzi are shouting at us asking questions and like we've been told only Father answers , unless he gives us a nod of approval to answer the question. He speaks to a few reporters one asks where our dresses are from, mum says the name to save his hide and then he compliments us both saying they both look beautiful right. internally I roll my eyes if someone asked him what colour the dresses where he wouldn't be able to tell them without having to look.  We finally make it inside , to a grand Hall where tables are set up with fine China crystal centre pieces huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and there's a dance floor set up infront of a band.  a stage at the front it screamed money just how Father wanted it. A server walks past with champagne flutes and father picks off two glasses and hands one to both me and mum keeping up his appearance, little did they know we was only allowed two the whole night so we wouldn't get tipsy and say something to embarrass him,  he then asks the server to fetch him a scotch.  We spend a while networking and chatting father introducing me to men of power and money ,obviously there sons also.I don't take much note I feel like I'm on autopilot I smile and answer questions where necessary but the faces where all a blurr. It didn't matter I wasn't paying attention there was no point accessing the sons as I wouldnt have a choice in the matter anyway.  The band music slows down and a gentleman speaks over the microphone that it was time to take our seats. Just as we was heading to our designated seats there's a commotion at the door cameras flashing wildly ,the reporters going wild everyone stands still and looks to see what the ruckus is all about. then thats when I see him he's surrounded by men in black suits , but he stands out even though he's wearing the same coloured suit.  His blonde hair is slicked back his build is big and muscular , his face was all clear cut lines his jaw his nose then his lips where pulled back into a smirk at he assesses the room. when his eyes land on my farther his smile grows bigger and he saunters over in our direction,  my father's composure breaks for a split second his whole body tensing then just like that its gone not long enough for anyone to spot his carefree smile still perfectly in place. the stranger keeps approaching.  My breathing picks up as I take him in as he gets closer , I see that his eyes are a piercing green, once infront of us and the men in black suits surrounds us he thrusts out his hand at my father. " I was a little disappointed i didn't receive a personal invite George but not to worry I didnt mind paying the 10k a plate fee for me" he pauses and smile a wicked smile " and my men of course" he then gestures to the men surrounding him .I count them 7 in total so 80k including himself just for dinner, personal invites got dinner for free they then offer up buy in plates to attend the party all for the charity of course.  My father lets out a fake laugh " Ahh you know the score Jayden there is only a few free places don't want to take money from the charity now do we" his words are laced with anger  , passers-by would think him being polite but for me that lived with him I could tell he was angry. " Not to worry George no ill feelings here" he looks at my mum takes her hand and places a kiss on her knuckles." Nice to meet you " he says my mother smiles politely. Then his eyes turn to me and I stop breathing his smile vanishes as he takes me in, his eyes travel from my feet all the way up my body it burns a trail in its wake.  Then his eyes land on mine and they narrow slightly. He reaches forward and grabs my hand lifting it up and placing a kiss on my knuckles, a breathy gasp leaves my mouth and his eyes dart up and look at my face a sexy smile gracing his lips " Nice to meet you too Jessica" .his voice is all smoke and husk and its doing funny things to my insides then my eyes widen how did he know my name, before I could reply my fathers voice snaps us both out of our little bubble. " When did you get back Jayden ".  He lets my hand go and turns to face my father. " two months ago my father has took ill so I've returned to take over things from now on, I'll be incharge". This time my fathers smile slips and Jaydens does too, he looks at my father some sort of battle going on between them. Then Jayden looks back at me " Save me a dance Princess" then he turns and walks away finding his table. I watch his retreat until father grabs my elbow and stears me to our seats, once sat down he gives me a warning look and somehow I just messed up. I don't know what that was or how he knew my name but I deffinelty knew that whoever he was he definitely made me pay attention and I think the hopeless romantic in me just did a happy dance.