I liked it because it reminded me of where I'd been and how far I'd come. The last time I wore it I'd been a different person. A person I hadn't liked very much, a person about to give up.
However, it also reminded me that it is possible to change. To become a better version of you. Besides, I thought I looked pretty cute in it. Especially with my hair done up.
This fundraiser didn't take place in the same hall as the last one, though. That one had been grand and decadent with its faux Classical styling.
This one took place in the main hall of the St. Regis hotel. Another five star place. Also classically presented, but I found myself liking it more than the last place. It was sumptuously decorated, the many tables covered in lush, creamy tablecloths with candelabra set in the middle.
I couldn't help but look at the lovely crown molding, the heavy drapes the accented the arched windows. Even the staircase was better, winding up and up with a rectangle of space in the middle so that you could see the fresco on the vaulted ceiling.
Unlike the last shindig, this one didn't have a dance floor. I wondered if Dr. Aretino had anything to do with that. I suspected that he might have.
Then you also had your standard fare tuxedo-wearing waiters. A small orchestra played beneath the stage against the far wall, the backstage covered by curtains bearing the logo of Sapienza University.
At the moment, the microphone stand stood by itself on that stage. The wires leading from it to the backstage area caught my eye, but I couldn't watch for long.
"Stunning, Emma. Yes, so very stunning," Dr. Aretino said. He'd applied extra oil to his hair tonight so that it gleamed under the light. He'd insisted that we walk in arm-in-arm. Now that we stood in the hall he didn't want to let go, either, his hand holding mine to the crook of his elbow.
"Thanks," I said, trying to look out through the crowds of people for those familiar faces I wanted so much to see.
If Isabella and her baron beau had arrived, I couldn't find them. Liam had yet to arrive as well. And Dr. Aretino's wife was also absent. Though that made sense. Liam had the invitation sent to her doctored slightly to make sure she arrived in the middle of things.
Though I was quite pleased to see that most of the Arts faculty had showed up. Professor Di Cenzo chatted with a knot of well-dressed people over to our left. My other professors also made themselves known. And I saw the dean sitting at a table in the far corner.
The stage was set, it seemed.
I wished then that things were different. That there was no scheme. That it could be just me and Liam out to a nice dinner together, enjoying each other's company.
"I am so glad you decided to accept my invitation," Dr. Aretino said. He pulled me closer. "You are the most beautiful woman in the room," he continued, not bothering to hide the look in his eyes.
Where are you, Liam? I thought, looking back towards the entrance. "Thanks. That's nice," I said.
"Come, our seats are this way," he said. He lead me past several groups of people, winding between those tables with their white cloths until we reached ours. It was close to the middle of the room. He pulled out my chair for me and I thanked him again. He took his time, and also made sure to pull it out a little too far so that I had to bend more than I wanted.
It all really added up to me feeling no pity for him and what he had coming.
And that leads me to the plan. It was simple. Really simple. So long as Isabella and Dr. Aretino's wife arrived.
It was a two-pronged attack. First, his wife would get to see what sort of man he really was. Second, and this was the more complicated bit that depended on just how good Isabella was, his work colleagues would get an earful of what he really thought of them.
And with an arrogant, self-absorbed man like Dr. Aretino, I knew that they wouldn't like what he thought about them.
"Perhaps after this you would like to accompany me for some champagne?" Dr. Aretino asked. His hand slipped beneath the tablecloth and his knuckles brushed against my thigh.
I jerked and stood up. It's okay, just get through it, I thought. "I'm sorry. My leg went numb. The chair biting into my thighs, I guess."
"Yes, they are cruel to your flesh, are they not?" Dr. Aretino said, smiling as I sat down.
I swallowed against my rising gorge, suddenly happy that I hadn't been able to eat anything before coming out.
I wondered how long I'd have to sit there and wait.
Thankfully, not too long. Liam arrived not long after that. He caught my eye from across the room and nodded. My heart started racing, and I let myself really begin to believe that this could work.
With Liam here, that meant that Dr. Aretino's wife couldn't be far behind. Which meant that Isabella needed to hurry up and be here, too.
"So you have been studying for your exams?" Dr. Aretino asked. I realized I'd been looking away from him for several minutes now.
Don't make him suspicious, I thought. Even though I knew that he couldn't know anything about this, I still worried.
"Yes. I think I'm about ready," I said, trying to keep our snatches of conversation as brief as possible.
"You know, I could arrange it for you to receive top marks in all of your courses. In addition to continuing your semester here..."
He thinks my studying for the exams means that I'm giving in! I realized. And now he already wanted more than he thought he had.
How many other young women had he run this sleazy proposition by? How many more would have to deal with it if I didn't deal with him that night?
I had to go through with the plan. I looked at Liam across the room. He felt my searching eyes and turned to me. He seemed so calm and collected, so sure I could do this.
I hoped he was right.
Then it all started happening so fast.
Most of the other guests arrived and sat down, so I could see over them more easily. Isabella appeared in the doorway, hanging from the arm of a handsome, richly dressed man I assumed was the baron.
She looked around, noticed the stage and the set of stairs that led into the area behind the curtains. Even from here I noticed her smile. It was almost exactly like we'd discussed.
She saw me and waved, keeping her hand low. I didn't wave back. Dr. Aretino would definitely be suspicious if I did that.
She whispered in the baron's ear and he smiled at her and then stepped back out of the room.
I could see it all coming together. All the pieces of the puzzle fitting themselves into the final image.
Any second now, Dr. Aretino's wife would arrive to first see him flirting with me at the table, and then stolen away from me by an even more beautiful woman and brought backstage.
Any second now.
And then a lone woman did step in through the entrance doors. Except it wasn't Dr. Aretino's wife. It was Liam's former secretary, Abigail.
Chapter 23
What is she doing here?
In my shock, I started standing up again. She started sweeping the room with her eyes, and I knew that she couldn't be allowed to see me.
She wore her business stuff, that grey skirt and the matching blazer. Professional. She'd pulled her hair back tightly again, really emphasizing that false perfection of her face.
She didn't fit in here, not with the tuxedos and the evening gowns and the fancy waiters. Everyone else noticed, too, turning and watching her.