Chapter 25 - The Charity Ball.

"A limo!" Amelia exclaimed as a chauffeur opened the door of the exquisitely beautiful limousine in front of their house.

"Were you expecting more? I can change it to whatever you like."

Xavier said huskily into Amelia's ears and it sent shivers down her spine. She gently shook her head, she was fine with whatever they went with.

He had not been able to tear his eyes off Amelia. She was devastatingly gorgeous. Her dark hair was straightened to perfection and it was neatly coiled in a braid at the nape of her neck. Her lips were painted blood red and there were tiny tear drop diamonds on her ears. The only accessory she had donned on.
He helped Amelia and Nana into the limo and he offered her a glass of wine but she politely declined, she didn't want to start the night with alcohol.
Her hands were shaking nervously as Xavier and Nana tried to ease the mood. Nana was dressed in a radiant bright pink dress and a huge mink coat.

Suddenly the limo stopped and from Amelia's look out the window, the charity was no small event. There was appropriate news coverage, even more people than she had imagined and the flashing of the cameras had lightly irked her. Her hands began to shake even more.
Xavier's warm large hand enveloped hers, he turned her face to look at her with his finger.

"Amelia, You have nothing to be scared of. I am with you and you are going to be the most beautiful woman this charity ball has ever seen. So take a deep breath and don't panic" he said softly as his intense blue eyes stared deeply into hers.

"Thank you Xavier" She said as she lightly hugged him.

"You'll be fine sweetie."

Nana sweetly whispered as she laid a gentle hand on Amelia's lap.

"Are you ready?" he asked her with a smirk.

She nodded her head and gave him a small smile.

"As ready as I'll ever be"  She replied honestly.

The door of the limo opened and Amelia was blinded by the lights from the numerous flashes of the media's camera, she had not been in the social scene for years so she had forgotten how it felt like.

The anxiety, the pomp, the pageantry that always made her question if she was good enough. Maybe it was why she rebelled against the social system and nearly scarred Charlotte Montgomery face that one summer at her mother's party years ago.

Xavier held her tightly while gently whispering comforting words in her ear, while the press bombarded them with endless questions. The paparazzi will be dealt with later.

A large burly man suddenly stepped in front of them and cleared a path for them. Another one gently escorted Nana into the building. 

"Mr Black will answer your questions later" he said with a voice that sounded deep and loud.
Some of the overbearing media reporters moved back a little while others lingered.

"Thanks Steve." Xavier murmured as he led them both to the stairs of the grand hall.

After they got past security, Xavier led both of them into the grand hall that was used for the charity ball. Nana looked ecstatic, everything was flawless and Amelia didn't notice it but it seemed like Nana was crying.

Xavier's face became a little stern and  guarded as they approached the crowd, not much of the nice and laughing Xavier she knew. He looked a bit cold, like when she first met him.

She gulped heavily as she saw the hall filled to the brim with men and women in fine clothing and accessories. The men looked dapper and the women looked exquisite.
The hall looked enchanting with its large dome housing a great big chandelier and its lovely purple drapes.

There were waiters everywhere carrying trays which held flutes of champagne and people were mingling together with a soothing background of classical music playing.

Eyes turned their way as they made their way into the hall occasionally Xavier would make small talk and Amelia was introduced to a lot of people.
Nana on the other hand had made her way to the podium, she was getting ready for her speech.
Everyone quieted down as Nana gave the speech. From what Amelia had gathered, Nana or Eleanor Sylvania Black, had started her breast cancer foundation the moment she found out that she had cancer. After that, she held a ball yearly on the date that her Eleanor Black breast cancer foundation was founded. The ball had been able to raise millions of dollars for the foundation and the event was always very successful.

Amelia felt her cheek warmed with pride when she saw how happy and confident Nana looked on stage. Xavier also had a smile on his face. After Nana's speech and a generous round of applause. Xavier went back to the party, introducing Amelia as his wife as they went on.

"Xavier!!! So good to see you here" a sexy sultry voice behind Amelia and Xavier called out and Amelia rolled her eyes. She knew exactly who it was.

Daphne Steele wore a black dress. A little black dress that had an illusion of a train. Molly had been right, she was going to wear Marconi. The little black dress had a plunging neckline that showed an ample amount of cleavage.

Daphne gave Amelia a condescending look as she studied her from head to toe.

"I see you clean up nice."

She murmured.

Amelia shrugged.

"Yea, I can't say the same for you."

"Amelia." Xavier quietly whispered in her ear as he laid a protective hand around Amelia's waist.

"Thank you for coming Daphne."

Daphne smiled tightly.

"Yea, I couldn't miss it for anything in the world. You know you used to bring me to this ball right?"

She said with a small smile and Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Will you at least be making a donation? That is the reason you're here right?"

Amelia asked with a sly smile on her face and Daphne's smile faltered till it briefly turned into a glare. Then she slowly smiled.

"I'll see you two around. I have some people waiting for me."

Daphne said as she walked away and Amelia smiled victoriously.

"Did you see the look on her face? It was priceless!"

Amelia gushed out and Xavier shook his head slowly.

"Come on, We still have a few people to talk to."

"Ugh! Do we have to?"

"Yes, Amelia. We have to. Events like this brings me a lot closer to business partners, so we have to mingle."

"I know. I'll need to drink to be able to stomach all this."

She said as she signalled a waiter who was carrying a flute of champagne and weaving in an out of the crowd.

"Don't drink too much Amelia. I don't want a repeat of what happened on our wedding day"

"Oh relax Xavier. It's just a few glasses."

"Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you about it."

He replied and Amelia rolled her eyes. She wasn't going to get drunk, because she wasn't planning on getting drunk in the first place.
After a long time of socialising and hearing more speeches, Amelia decided she needed to go into the ladies room to collect herself.

She was in the ladies room and reapplying her makeup in front of the large mirror when Daphne sauntered in. Amelia ignored her. Daphne didn't look like she wanted to be ignored.

"Can I give you a little advice?"

Daphne said and Amelia shook her head.

"I don't think you're in the right position to give me any advice."

She said with her face still concentrated on her reflection in the mirror but watching the sneaky Daphne from the corner of her eyes.

"Well, I'll give you anyways."

"There's a lot you don't know about Xavier. I'll assume you're just getting to know him although you managed to snag him some way. He'll get tired of you pretty soon."

"I can see you're still in denial about a lot of things."

Amelia answered as she turned around to glare at Daphne. She put her lipstick back inside her purse and prepared to walk out of the bathroom. Daphne didn't look like she was done but  Amelia didn't want to listen to her talk anymore.

"Do yourself a favour and stop trying so hard."




Back at the party, Amelia spotted Xavier instantly.

"Come. It's time for the waltz. Are you ready?"

He asked and Amelia's eyes widened.

"We're dancing?"

"Yes, it's a ball and it's the only dance for tonight. Will you let me have this dance?"

He asked with a smile and an outstretched hand as his bright blue eyes twinkled with a smile.

"Yes, it'll be my pleasure."

Waltz was something she could do. It was something she had learnt. And has they both made their way to the dancefloor staring in each other's eyes. Amelia realised how safe and happy she always felt whenever she was around Xavier.

The slow classical musical started and he laid a gentle hand around her waist as he pulled her close. Then they started, the waltz.

So they continued to dance and spin. The lights were twinkling with every step as Amelia spun in delicate circles, her silver dress softly swishing. She loved the pressure of a warm hand on her back and the feeling of her small agile feet gliding along the floor.

Amelia was a sight to behold. And with every passing second Xavier was increasingly aware of his feelings. This beautiful woman clad in the most stunning silver dress. With her shining black hair and the violet eyes that plagued his dreams.

He was falling in love with her. He found himself thinking about her every minute of his time. He loved her smile, the way she threw her head back and laughed, he loved how she was unapologetically brave and vain and goofy.

She was everything he needed and also everything he never expected her to be.

The music slowly came to a staggering halt and Xavier and Amelia stopped dancing. Amelia was smiling, exhilarated from dancing. Her eyes still glued on Xavier's face that held an unreadable expression.

Before she knew it, his lips were on hers. It was a loving kiss. Slow and sensuous and it sent sparks tingling all the way down to her toes.
They pulled away to grasp for hair and Xavier slowly caressed her face.

"I'm falling in love with you Amelia."