Chapter 8: A Night to Remember

The gala was held at the heart of the city, in the grand ballroom of the Morningside Hotel—a towering glass structure that gleamed under the bright city lights. The venue was a symbol of wealth and sophistication, and the event was no different. A string quartet played softly in the background as guests in elegant attire mingled with one another, glasses of champagne in hand.

Julianne had never felt so out of place. She had never attended anything this extravagant. The sheer opulence of the venue made her feel like a fish out of water, but she kept her head high, doing her best to blend in. She had been hired to assist with some of the catering, but most of her attention was on the family she was assigned to serve—Adrian Kingston and his son, Liam.

Adrian stood across the room, looking every bit the part of a wealthy businessman. His tailored suit and sharp demeanor commanded the attention of everyone nearby. His dark eyes surveyed the room with quiet authority, and for a moment, Julianne swore she saw him soften just slightly when his sister, Olivia Kingston, walked up to him.

Olivia was everything Adrian wasn't—warm, inviting, and effortlessly elegant. Her blonde hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, and her smile lit up the room. She was much younger than Adrian, but they shared an undeniable resemblance, from the sharpness of their features to the intensity in their eyes.

She walked toward Julianne, her smile friendly but curious.

"You must be Julianne," Olivia said with a soft laugh. "It's so nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from my nephew."

Julianne smiled nervously, trying not to show her discomfort. "It's nice to meet you too, Miss Kingston."

"Please, call me Olivia. None of this 'Miss Kingston' business. It feels too formal for family."

Before Julianne could respond, a small voice broke through the conversation.

"Dad!" Liam's voice echoed across the room, and Julianne looked down to see the little boy, his tiny hand tugging at Adrian's pant leg. "Dad, I don't like it here."

Adrian's face softened as he looked down at his son. For the first time that evening, his icy demeanor seemed to melt. He kneeled down, placing a hand on Liam's shoulder.

"Liam, you need to be brave. We'll be leaving soon," Adrian said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "You don't want to upset your grandmother."

Liam's face scrunched in frustration. "I don't want to be here, Dad. It's too noisy."

Julianne felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. She knelt beside him, giving him a reassuring smile.

"You don't have to stay here if you don't want to," Julianne said softly. "We can find a quiet spot for you."

Liam looked up at her, his wide eyes searching her face for reassurance. He then nodded, his tiny hand slipping into hers.

Olivia, who had been watching the exchange with a keen eye, raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you two were so close already."

Julianne glanced at Olivia, trying to hide her surprise. "He's just a little shy. I didn't want him to feel overwhelmed."

"Well, it's sweet of you to care," Olivia replied, her voice softening. "Adrian's not one for crowds either, you know. He's just more used to hiding it than Liam."

Julianne nodded, glancing back at Adrian, who was watching them closely. His expression had returned to its usual stoic mask, but there was something in his eyes—something she couldn't quite place.

The evening stretched on, and Julianne managed to find a quiet corner of the ballroom where Liam could relax. As she sat with him, watching the guests from a distance, she couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian's cold exterior was just that—a mask. Beneath it, there was something deeper, something he didn't want anyone to see.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Adrian approached them, his posture still commanding but his tone more personal.

"Liam, it's time to go. Say goodbye."

Liam frowned but nodded, standing up and walking toward his father. As they left, Julianne caught Adrian's gaze for a fleeting moment. There was something in his eyes, something that made her heart skip a beat.

Something she wasn't sure she was ready to understand.

As the night wore on and the gala continued in full swing, Julianne found herself standing outside the ballroom, staring out at the sparkling lights of the city. She needed a moment to breathe, to clear her mind from everything that had happened that evening.

But just as she was about to turn back inside, she felt a presence behind her. She turned to find Olivia standing there, a soft smile on her lips.

"You don't belong in the shadows," Olivia said kindly. "You've got a heart of gold, Julianne. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Julianne was taken aback by the compliment but smiled in return. "Thank you, Olivia. That means a lot."

Olivia nodded, her gaze softening. "Take care of Liam. And take care of yourself, too. You're a good person."

And with that, Olivia turned and walked back inside.

Julianne stood there for a moment longer, pondering Olivia's words. It wasn't just Liam that needed saving. It was Adrian, too.

She couldn't explain it, but she knew that she had a role to play in both their lives. And whatever challenges lay ahead, she was determined to face them head-on.