Chapter 138

CHAPTER 25

Isla stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her silk beige trousers and the half-cut blouse tucked neatly under a fitted blazer. It wasn’t her usual style, but it was the best she had—her attempt at looking a little older, a little more refined. The combination was subtle, sophisticated even, but still, there was a small knot of worry in her stomach. Would it be enough?

The thought of standing beside Graham—so polished, so confident in his perfectly tailored three-piece black suit—made her feel small in comparison. Would she look too young, too awkward? She sighed, running a hand through her hair, wishing she felt more at ease. She wasn’t accustomed to these kinds of events. What would she even talk about? The world of high society, with its polished elites and business magnates, felt so foreign to her. She had no head for business, no understanding of the complex conversations that likely swirled in circles like that. She thought of the art world—maybe that was something she could talk about—but even that seemed like a stretch.

The very idea of attending a party in New York, surrounded by wealthy celebrities and influential people, made her pulse quicken with a mix of nervousness and excitement. But it wasn’t just the idea of the party that had her stomach fluttering—it was the man beside her. Graham, so composed and powerful, standing there with his usual air of command. He was effortlessly charming, effortlessly stylish. The way the suit hugged his broad shoulders and tapered at his waist made her heart race. He was a picture of elegance and confidence.

They stood side by side, waiting for the helicopter that would whisk them away to New York. The hum of the helicopter's blades could already be imagined, cutting through the air like a promise of adventure. The thought of the city, the bustling shops, the glamour of it all... Isla couldn’t help but feel a rising excitement in her chest. Shopping. That one word was enough to distract her from her worries. She would have the chance to pick out a dress, to finally embrace the world that Graham was opening up to her.

As she glanced over at him, she felt a rush of warmth. There was something intoxicating about being close to him, the way he always seemed so in control, so unshakable. She wondered what it would be like to live in his world, to be by his side. She shook off that thought. What a silly thing to think about.

Isla’s mind raced with excitement as she thought about the dress. A red dress. Sexy. The kind that would hug her body like a second skin, slinky and alluring. She imagined it slipping over her curves, the fabric smooth against her skin. Off-shoulder, she mused, with just enough of a neckline to hint at something more. Her smile was unbidden, a small grin playing at the corner of her lips as she imagined herself in the dress. Little did she know, Graham had been watching her, the silent observer of her daydreams. He had caught the look in her eyes, the subtle spark of joy as she imagined the transformation she was about to undergo.

She didn’t even realize she had been lost in her thoughts, her mind wrapped around the excitement of what was to come. The dress, the hair, she thought. She envisioned her curls cascading down her back, the rest of it pinned back in soft, elegant waves. A touch of makeup, a hint of shimmer, and she’d feel like a completely different woman—a woman who belonged in the world Graham moved in.

Graham, meanwhile, couldn’t help but notice the way her eyes lit up when she thought about the evening ahead. It wasn’t just about the party or the dress. No, it was the first spark of excitement he’d seen from her that wasn’t related to Thornfeild Manor. For all the beauty and the history of the place, he knew that his home wasn’t enough to keep her there forever. Isla needed something else. She needed the world outside, the pulse of the city, the energy that surrounded it. And as much as he loved the sprawling countryside, the endless green of the fields and the quiet of the small towns, Graham couldn’t imagine staying there long-term.

His heart longed for something more dynamic, something that matched his pace. And Isla… She was the missing piece in that puzzle. He had to get her to see that. As much as she loved Thornfeild, it was clear to him now that there were other things that would call to her, things beyond the quiet walls of the manor. He could see it in the way her eyes shone when she talked about what was coming. It wasn’t just about the party—it was the life, the adventure, the excitement. She wanted more, just like he did.

He sighed, realizing that he was getting ahead of himself. He was thinking of New York, of the city life he envisioned for them together. But first, he had to get her there, make her experience the world he wanted to share with her. The party tonight was the perfect step. It was the beginning of something much larger, something he could feel deep in his chest.

But it wouldn’t be easy. The timing was tricky. It was smack in the middle of January, after the rush of Christmas and New Year’s parties had passed. Invitations to any of the best events were few and far between. He’d have to do something about that. His secretary would have to get to work arranging the event, or he could do it himself—he didn’t mind. It wasn’t just any party—it would be one designed with her in mind. A party that would take her breath away, a night where she would feel like she belonged.

He smiled again, thinking of how she would look, how the dress would fit her perfectly. And the best part? She would love it. He would make sure of that. Everything about tonight had to be perfect. It was just the beginning. Soon enough, he would find a way to make New York feel like home for them both.

As Graham stepped into the bustling energy of New York, a different kind of smile tugged at the corner of his lips. New York. The chaos, the noise, the pulse of life everywhere—it was like a shot of adrenaline to his veins. This was his element, and he thrived in it.

They headed straight to his office, perched atop a skyscraper, offering a panoramic view of the city. Isla was ushered inside with grace and given refreshments in his sleek, modern office while he went to find his secretary, Nella. He had a plan, and it needed to come to life within hours.

The moment he found her, Nella’s expression was a mixture of professionalism and concern. “Nella, I want a party. Tonight,” Graham announced, his voice calm but laced with authority.

Nella’s face froze, her eyes widening with shock. A party tonight? She must’ve thought he was joking. But as Graham stood there, unyielding, she realized there was no humor in his words. Her expression morphed from shock to disbelief as Graham slowly started listing the specifics—an exclusive event, a glittering array of celebrities, hundreds of guests, and an ambiance that would blow everyone away. It was clear that this was no ordinary gathering.

She blinked, her jaw slightly slack, looking as if she had just been handed an impossible task. “Please tell me you’re joking, sir. A party of that scale... it takes months to plan—celebrities, over a thousand guests! You can’t just throw this together in a day.”

Graham’s grimace deepened. He wasn’t one for taking no for an answer, especially not when it came to things that mattered to him. “Keep your voice down,” he said with a slight frown, his gaze sharp. “And no, I’m not joking. The party’s happening tonight. I don’t have months.”

Nella’s eyes darted around, as if searching for any kind of escape from the impossible task Graham had just set before her. “But how...?” Her voice trailed off as the enormity of the request settled in.

Graham let out a soft sigh and gave her a look that said it all. “I don’t care how you do it, Nella. Hire more people, throw more money into it, whatever it takes. I need a mega event, a full-on spectacle. Get every man with any kind of standing in this city to be there. My soon-to-be wife wants to be at the best party in town, and I’ll be damned if she doesn’t get it. Got that?”

Nella opened her mouth to protest, but the weight of his words hung in the air, leaving no room for argument. She knew him well enough to understand that there was no backing out. He was determined, and his focus had a way of driving everything and everyone around him to bend to his will.

“Yes, sir,” she said, her voice finally steady, though her wide eyes betrayed the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in her head. “I’ll get it done.”

Graham nodded, satisfied. He knew she’d handle it. He didn’t care about the logistics or how impossible it seemed. All he cared about was seeing Isla’s face light up at the spectacle of it all.