The Art of Gala Survival

Not many things are certain in life: death, taxes, and Nova Alden teasing you ceaselessly about every little, unintended brush with said ice-cold CEO.

Emerging into late afternoon sunlight, Nova's smile lit up pretty much an entire street. The nice kind that foreshadowed an interview of deep emotion with mental contortions and laughing at jokes about me.

"So," Nova started in an innocent tone, taking her arm through mine in case I would run, "want to chat about what just went down?"

I stared straight ahead of me, the pavement curiously empty. "I have absolutely no idea what you mean."

Nova laughed like a hyena that was about to have lunch. "Oh please. That little encounter of yours with Miss Moneybags? Honey, I nearly lost my eyebrows off of my face."

I winced to myself, raising my jacket collar higher. "It was nothing. She just. steadied me. Purely accidental."

"Okay," said Nova, skepticism as thick as syrup. "Because people are known to 'accidentally' hold eye contact for three seconds and blush precisely the color of ripened tomatoes."

"It was two seconds," I hastened to correct, and instantly cursed. Nova's smile expanded in victory.

"You timed it?" she asked in feigned innocence. "Adorable."

"Shut up," I murmured. "Act as if this never happened?"

"Oh, beautiful summer omega," sighed Nova theatrically. "Pretending is just how things become bigger issues. And in any case, blushing for Alessia Ryvenhart? That's rare enough to warrant chronicling."

I stumbled to a halt, shocked. "Wait she was blushing?"

The eyes of Nova gleamed with mischief. "Just a little. Like 'oops, did my frozen exterior slip?' kind of blush. Virtually microscopic. But enough."

I took a deep breath, my heart pulsating oddly. "Enough for what?"

"For confirmation!" shouted Nova triumphantly. "She's human. She can be embarrassed. I believe that we've made first contact."

"Real funny," I said sarcastically, pulling her along again, step quicker now.

Nova laughed softly beside me. "Oh, you're so cute when you're scared."

"Stop talking, please," I weakly begged

Nova gave me a reassuring squeeze of my arm, his voice less stringent now. "I mean jokes aside how do you feel about it all? Attending a gala event, an evening with high-end jewelry, personally sponsored by Alessia Ryvenhart? It's massive, Sera."

"Yes," I said uncomfortably, heart thumping. "Because that's what I'm afraid of."

Nova hummed. "Because you don't trust her, or because you're afraid that you will?"

"Both," I whispered. "She's. different these days. It"

Nova lightly pressed my arm. "Different good, or different creepy?"

I hesitated. "Different. careful. Almost as if she's making an extra effort."

Nova nodded gravely, prodding her chin for emphasis. "It sounds terribly like growing. Beware of it it's contagious."

I snorted softly, prodding her. "You're absurd

She grinned, eyes twinkling. "Maybe. But get serious, this gala affair do you have any idea how to conduct yourself? Have you done your 'corporate omega etiquette' studying?"

I stared at her, petrified. "That's. an actual thing?"

Nova smiled. "No. I simply wanted to see how frantic you'd become."

I glared. "You're a menace."

She shrugged, unbothered. "True. But you worried so adorably

I breathed deeply, becoming nervous again. "Seriously though how am I to behave? That gala's huge. Alessia will want me to mingle with industry executives and not embarrass her."

Nova smiled. "Relax. First of all, don't set anything on fire. Secondly, nod sagely when people talk about money, investments, or typically expensive things. Finally, don't mention Alessia's recent illegal background if you don't want her to burst." "Thanks," I said in a sarcastic tone. "That's

Nova shrugged gleefully. "I'm here to serve."

We went down to the subway station, that familiar dirty smell of underground transportation making me feel a tiny bit better. The train came in, bustling but doable. We packed in, grasping poles as it lurched out of the station, rattling through dark tunnels.

Nova stared at me fiercely. "Just be yourself, Sera. Sing your song, be gracious in a smile, let Alessia handle the nasty business side of things. Your talent will speak for itself."

I relaxed my shoulders slightly. "You actually think so?"

"I do," Nova said in a stubborn voice. "Anyway, no one asks to be perfect well, apart from maybe Alessia. But even she would let it slide these days."

I raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "That would be a miracle."

Nova grinned wickedly. "Miracles do happen. Alessia Ryvenhart was caught flushing today, anyway."

I rolled my eyes to fight a smile. "You're insufferable."

"And you love me for it," Nova stated with a radiant smile. "Now let's get down to business. Such as your gala dancing prowess."

I stared in horror. "There's dancing involved?"

Nova smiled, eyes glinting with humor. "Oh, honey. You're so cute when panicked."

I sighed, giving into gala-fueled embarrassment.

Back at work afterward, I slipped happily into the serene sanctuary of my small studio room. The classy silver necklace that Alessia ultimately chose rested securely in its velvet pouch, shining softly in the fluorescent lighting. My hands caressed it lightly, heart skipping yet another beat.

I replayed it in my head: Alessia's brief stroke of my back, the intensely serious worry in eyes so deep and guarded.

An accidental touch but now so tender, unexpected. Puzzling. I took a deep breath, seated back against frigid studio walls. Foolish to think this gala would truly be a turning point for us? Or should I have faith in Alessia's inconsistent behavior, or just set myself up for eventual heartache?