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She reached into her pocket and pulled out a card “This is the gala event At least co the idea under the bus”

I took the card from her and didn’t reply

She stood froly pleased “Do h it sounded ive me an order

“What’s that?”

“Don’t bring Stella There’s a certain level of prestige that coala, and Stella does not fit the standard”

“Noted”

She leftas if she had acco After work, I headed to Stella’s art studio I knew she was in there working on a project when I heard old-school R&B blasting through the space

The ere open, allowing the breeze to move in and out of the space, and I knocked on the front door a few times without any answer

I peeked through theand understood why she couldn’t hear the knocking She was busy dancing around in front of the canvas to Toni Braxton’s music She wore her white overalls, and they were covered in paint Her feet were bare, except for the splashes of color fro The left strap of her overalls hung low against her shoulder as she sang out loud, acting out each lyric in the most dramatic way Her hips rocked back and forth, and man, did I watch them move I watched her ht—utterly enamored

When she turned and looked over her shoulder, she screa like a creep, but before I could reply, she sighed and laughed She hurried over to theat the door, s my way

“You scared ainst her nose, not knowing she spread a bit of yellow paint across her face

“Sorry, I knocked, but the music…”

“I get a bit lost in it”

“Nothing wrong with that”

She brushed her thuainst her cheek More paint “What’s up?”

For a hts I was too focused on her features The way she hts ild to me

Focus, Damian

“Oh, uh, I have a question for you”

“Shoot”

“Apparently, there’s a ala that Catherine hosts each year”

“Ah, yes The luxurious winter gala It’s a staple” She raised an eyebrow “Is that your event for her?”

“I think it ht be”

“It’s a pretty big deal They auction items off and whatnot”

“I hate her,” I mentioned

“Why?”