Chapter 36

Ailee

The ride to the gala took about thirty minutes. During that time I laid my head on Lug’s shoulder going over the speech I was expected to give while Finn filled Lug in on what to expect. Finn warned Lug about the press and photographers that were going to be there. There is a silent auction and a raffle. There is also an open bar and horderves to enjoy. “ So you are telling me there is free booze and snacks that wouldn’t fill up Brick’s daughter. Got it.” Lug says. I laugh at the way he summed it up. I turn my head and kiss him on the cheek. “ I promise we will grab a bite when all of this is over to make it up to you. Whatever you want you.” I told him. Lug smiles down at me and gives me a quick kiss. “ How about we grab some take out from that Chinese place you like and relax?” “ I do like the way you think. You have a deal.” I told him.

Lug turns to me and places a box in my hand. I look at him questioning what he is doing. " I got you a little something. I hope you like it." Lug said. I carefully open the box to reveal a gold braided chain with a sapphire pendant. Inside the pendant are the letters T and A etched in it. " Oh, Travis. It is beautiful." I lift it from the box and hand it to him. I turn my back to him and lift my hair " Help me put it on?" I ask. He reaches around so the pendant is laying on my chest and he clasps the back for me. He places a light kiss on my shoulder. I drop my hair and turn back to him. " Do you like it?" he asks. " Yes, of course. I love it. I will cherish it always. Thank you." I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him quickly.

The driver turns his head “ My queen. We have arrived,” he says. “ Thank you, Ray.” I sit up and hand my tablet to Finn. He will hold it until I need it.I look over at Lug ``Are you ready for this?” I asked. He grabs his hat and says “ As I’ll ever be.” Finn gets out first holding the door. Lug is next, he puts on his black cowboy hat and holds his hand out to me. I slide over, clasp his hand and climb out. Lug held his elbow out for me. I take his arm and we walk down the carpet between the velvet ropes with Finn right behind us. We don’t get more than two feet before the reports start. “ Miss O’Sullivan” is being shouted from all directions as flashes from the cameras go off. I know we prepared Lug for this but it is entirely different to experience it. I hope he can handle it. I’m going to owe him big time for this.

I turn to the left to answer some questions. I know a reporter that always comes to these things and for some reason that is where he always hangs out. He has given our charities lots of good press so I always give him my attention first. I spot him when he shouts “ Miss O’Sullivan a few questions please.” he asks. Always so polite to me and gives me respect. I nod to him to go ahead. “ Miss O’ Sullivan, this event is for one of your charities, am I correct?” “ Yes, Mr. Claren. We are here to raise money for the victims of trafficking. No matter what age or what they have been through, we want to give them all the support we can to make sure they have good, healthy, happy lives in the future.” I told him. “ Miss O’ Sullivan, who is this gentleman you are with this evening?” Mr. Claren asks. I knew this was coming. I have never brought a date to these things before. I look at Lug and he nods. “ Mr. Claren, this handsome gentleman is Travis Leblanc. My boyfriend.” I say with a proud smile. The flashes increase and so does the shouting to get my attention. “ Miss O’ Sullivan, may I get a picture of the two of you?” Mr. Claren asked. Lug moves his arm to place it around my waist pulling me closer to him and nods at Mr. Claren.

I smile up at him with adoration while the cameras click like crazy. After that I thank the reporters and go inside. We walk into a large ballroom where there are people dressed in the finest most expensive suits and dresses you can imagine. Despite how I’m dressed I hate this shite. Grandda knows this so when I have to dress up like this we donate the dresses so girls who can’t afford prom or formal dresses can still get one. Every girl deserves to have a special night and something as simple as a dress shouldn’t stop them. Lug looks around at all the splendor. Crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room. A three piece string quartet playing in the corner of the room. Waiters and waitresses walking around with wine, champagne and cocktails. Other with trays of fancy appetizers that are small the kids at the club house would see them as a snack. A stage with a podium set up for the speeches that will be given later tonight is placed at one of the side walls. Tables are set up throughout for the silent auction and raffles.

“ It is definitely fancy.” Lug says. “ A waste if you ask me. Instead of doing all of this the money should just go straight to the charity.” Finn says. Before anyone could say another word a large man approached us. When I say large I don’t mean Brick or Tank large. I mean he is a five foot ten balding man in his fifties with a barrel gut. On his arm is a woman whose dress is so tight and cut so low it leaves nothing to the imagination. She is also young; she can’t be more than twenty years old. His arm candy for the night. It makes me sick. This man is a grease ball and I can’t stand dealing with him. He does donate, barely but he uses these events to make business contacts. He has been trying to do business with us for years thinking being tied to the O’ Sullivan name will make him look better in social circles and launch him into fortune. He wants power. He isn’t going to get it from us. Yes, we are mafia as some call us. But we are respectable. This guys business practices are deployable. He owns a construction company that, to cut costs and pad their pockets, uses cheap materials. He goes through employees like I go through orange juice. When I’m near him I feel as if I need a shower. I don’t know how he can still keep getting invited to these events.

“ Miss O’Sullivan it is good to see you.” he says, reaching out his hand for me to shake. Finn steps forward to block him. Finn can’t stand the guy either and tries his best to keep him far from me. He drops his hand and looks me up and down like I am a treat for him. Gross. All of me belongs to Lug and no one else. And never him. “ Mr. Reeves.” I say curtly. Lug pulled me closer to him when he noticed that Mr. Reeves was gawking at me. I made my stomach burst with butterflies at his protective nature. “ This my date, Candy.” Reeves says, pointing to the girl next to him. Escort is more like it I think to myself. She is on Reeves’s arm but is openly checking Lug out. “ Miss O’Sullivan” she says but never takes her eyes off Lug. I look at Lug and see he is not enjoying the attention. That’s my man. I caught his eye and wink. He smiles, probably having an idea of what I’m fixing to do. Finn even steps back. I turn to Candy with my ice queen demeanor in place. Reeves sees and instantly pales. “ Miss Candy” I say, making sure she turns to look at me “ If you don’t want me to remove your eyes with a rusty spoon while you stand here I would suggest you stop eye fucking my boyfriend this instant.”