49

AUDREY
The Stark’s mansion in the Hamptons was a three-story private residence on an oceanfront. The house was obviously new, as the landscape was appealingly modern. The surfaces were white with graphite walls, had a garden and a pool, and anyone could see into the house from a distance, and the party didn’t seem to be simple as I was told as I could see many people inside.
We headed towards the main door, and the guests instantly greeted Coulson while I jammed myself at his side, completely out of place and intimidated. My eyes were wandering around, looking for Gabriel instead, but I couldn’t find him anywhere.
“Where’s Gabriel?” I asked in a whisper.
“He was supposed to be here first,” Coulson whispered back. “I guess he’s just around or in his old room upstairs. If you like, I can find him for you.”
“No, no. Don’t leave me alone.” I caught his arm and brought him close to me. “I’m not accustomed to being around too many people I didn’t know. I’ll call him.”
I picked up my phone again to call him, but he wasn’t answering. “It went to voicemail.”
“He must be stuck with Dad. Come on. You’re probably hungry. I dragged you here. I’ll make sure you’re fed up first, and we can find Gabriel later.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
Coulson brought me to a table and asked the attendant to bring us food, and his nephew Noah suddenly appeared. He was dressed in a crimson suit jacket with no ties, and a dress shirt opened at the chest part, though he still looked charming.
“Uncle? Audrey!” He pulled out a chair across from us and sat. “It’s good to see you here.”
“Noah.” I grinned. “It’s good to see you, too. I didn’t see you in the office.”
“Because I’m at the university the whole day. How are you here?” He looked at his uncle. “She’s your date tonight, uncle?” he asked with a grin.
“Stop jumping to conclusions, Noah,” he scolded. “Your uncle Gabe wants his assistant to be here.”
“Dang.” He grinned. “Why do you have to be grumpy? Can I take her and show her around if she’s not your date, then?”
“Noah.” His eyes peered at him. “Know your place.”
But Noah was still smiling. “You’re probably my uncle, but you are still only three years older than me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Noah?” Coulson asked in his authoritative voice.
“I mean, why stop the fun?”
I looked back and forth between the two men, and Coulson shook his head. “Audrey is supposed to have dinner first. We can’t find Gabriel.”
“Uncle Gabe? I saw him upstairs with Carla. Are they back together or something?” Noah picked up the glass of water in front of him and gulped it. “The Garner twins are here too.”
I scowled at what Noah said but remained silent.
“What? What is she doing here? She just appeared and caused a scene in the office.” Coulson stood up instantly. “Wait here.” My eyes followed where he was going until he disappeared.
Noah laughed. “Well, look at that. He left you here with me anyway.”
Apparently, I was suddenly not in the mood. “I’m not his date.”
“Fine, fine.” He nodded. “But you know these parties can be boring, so it’s no good without having company—Oh, I guess here’s your food.”
An attendant came with a plate of seared tuna, Nicoise salad with quail eggs, and grape tomatoes. Despite my sudden annoyance, the crumbling in my stomach was unbearable, so I started digging up my plate.
“How about you?” I asked Noah.
“I’m finished.” He smiled as he watched me, then offered me a drink he snatched from the roving attendant. “Here. It’s pretty hectic, isn’t it?”
I nodded, chewing my food. “Is it usually like this whenever your family is celebrating?”
“I guess. It’s a part of the system. I’m not into family gatherings, but they like me here. But I’m glad I came. I wouldn’t have seen you.”
To be honest, his punch line made me laugh. “Okay. That’s corny.”
“You think?” The smile didn’t leave his face.
“Is the invitation still on the table?” I asked.
“What invitation?” He frowned. “Ah! The tour. Of course.”
“You’d probably save me from a whole night of boredom if you do.” Because his uncle Gabriel chose another company. I was getting paranoid. They just met in the office earlier today.
“Whenever you are ready,” he said, then sipped on his white wine.
Hoping that Gabriel would show up at any moment, I deliberately ate like a snail waiting for him, but even Coulson hadn’t appeared yet. Now I was thankful that their nephew was here, so I wouldn’t look so stupid. Even after I finished, they were still out of sight.
“I’m ready,” I informed Noah after I wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“Oh, sure.” Attentively, he moved to my side to help me get up, but my ring with a star pendant Chelsea gave me as a birthday gift abruptly got hooked on the table skirting.
“Wait, Noah!”
“What’s wrong?”
“My ring.” I was standing, but I couldn’t move. “It’s stuck.”
He laughed at me. “I got it, I got it.”
“It’s not funny.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” He chuckles, bending down his knee in front of me to help unfasten the hook. When suddenly, a pretty young girl who somehow looked like Noah stopped in front of us and squealed.
“Oh my God, Noah!”
Noah looked up. “Amy.”
“Noah is making a proposal!” she announced in a thrill, and her expression was dreamy.
“What?!” Both Noah and I reacted, and he was still on his knees and his fingers holding my ring.
The people near us began to gather, and applause erupted in the place, filled with “oohs” and “ahs.”
Noah finally got it off, and he sprang up. “Hey, guys! It’s not what you think!”
“Don’t deny it now, Noah! I saw you,” Amy said, grinning so widely that she almost tore her lips. “And I think she said yes!”
“Bravo!” someone shouted from behind, and applause erupted from the place. “Congratulations!”
I clasped my mouth. I was stunned at the moment.
Noah scratches his head. “It’s not a proposal, everybody, it’s not—Amy!” He glanced at me. “I’m sorry about that. Amy’s my sister.”
“Pfft! Don’t be shy!” She crossed her arms. Now that I looked at her, she was just a teenager—probably fifteen or sixteen. “Are you really stealing the spotlight on Granddad Ellie’s anniversary now? I’m going to tell Mom.” She ran in the opposite direction, screaming. “Mom!”
Noah faced the curious guests. “Everyone, it’s a misunderstanding! Thank you. Come on!” He snatched my wrist and dragged me towards the door. He brought me to the garden, where only a few guests were there.
“Noah, that’s embarrassing, but I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” I lifted my hand to check if the pendant was still intact. Fortunately, it was still there. “It’s a gift from my best friend.”
“Did I save it?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I’m sorry about that. My sister can be very intrusive.”
I slapped my forehead. “Oh, God. I think we just caused a scene. We should go back and explain. I think your sister is convinced that you… proposed.”
Noah seized my hand and touched my ring with his forefinger. “It’s a nice ring. Your friend has good taste.” He laughed. “But don’t you think it’s funny? I mean, that looks like a proposal. My uncles will really kill me now if they—”
“Yes, I will,” a deep, angry voice spoke behind us. I pivoted and found an immaculate-looking Gabriel Stark in a tailored, slim-fit, pale blue tuxedo that matched the shade of my dress. Coulson was next to him.
He strolled toward us and caught his nephew’s wrist so he’d drop my hand. “What the hell, Noah?”
Noah was surprised. “I can explain, Uncle Gabe. I didn’t mean to—”
“No, I will explain,” I interjected.
Gabriel’s jaw clenched. “You better. Come.” He yanked my hand and tugged me back into the house.