"You just have to move around, hold a drink in one hand, and talk the company with one or two persons," he added.
"Oh… But how do I know who to talk to?" she muttered, her voice shaking as though she was nervous.
"Hey… Don't worry. I'll be by your side the entire evening."Nikolas said,reaching out,taking her hand in his. As he kept his gaze focused on the road.
He felt her draw in a sharp breath.
Nikolas' stomach tightened at the contact, his pulse racing as he realized just how warm her palm felt on his.
"You will do great," he softly. "Trust me. They're going to love you… like I do."
His breath caught the moment the words slipped out.
Shit.
Selene stiffened slightly but said nothing about it.
"Thank you, Mr. Darkos," she said quietly, choosing not to comment on his last statement.
Nikolas sighed slowly, relieved that she had said nothing about it. Or maybe she didn't hear him.
She heard you, dumbass.
"We're here," Selene said suddenly, pointing ahead.
Nikolas followed her pointed hands as his gaze landed on the sea of reporters waiting outside the venue.
It took several minutes to navigate through the flashing cameras and shouting journalists before he finally pulled up to the entrance.
Stepping out, he handed the keys to the valet before waiting for Selene to join him.
The loud chatter from different reporters calling out his name pierced through his ears,ignoring his discomfort. He kept his gaze fixed on Selene waiting for on her to catch up.
"Shall we?" he asked, placing a firm palm on the small of her bare back as he guided her through the crowd.
The second his palm made contact with her bare skin, an electric shock through his spine.
His jaw tightened,as he fought to control his muscles to as they stepped into the grand hall, fully decorated by dazzling chandeliers.
"This is gorgeous," Selene gushed, prompting a smile from him.
God help him, he thought. He was falling hard for her.
He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to her.
It didn't take long,before his eyes landed on two familiar men,his father's oldest business associates.
He small smile crept up his lips, as he leaned closer towards Selene, her intoxicating scent filling his senses once more.
"You see those men over there?" He subtly motioned toward them with his glass. Selene nodded.
"Good. Now, i want you to go to them, introduce yourself, and talk about what the company can do for them."
Selene's eyes bulged. "What?! I…. I don't think I can. Why don't you do it?"
Nikolas smirked. "Because you have to learn." One of the reasons he attended these gatherings,was because it was always a good place to meet good business men ready to spend money in other to make more money.
Putting his palm on the small of her bare back he gentle nudged her forward. She turned back to him, eyes pleading, but he only nodded.
Her shoulders dropped as she walked toward them,he eyes followed her closely.
Nikolas hated to see that look on her face,but she needed to learn how these things worked.
After few seconds,he could see Selene shaking hands with both men. A smile plastered on her face as they conversed.
Good girl.
But then his gaze darkened.
One of the men was checking Selene out.
Nikolas' jaw clenched,jealously creeping up his chest.
"She's mine, old man," he muttered under his breath.
Deciding that she had done enough socializing on her own,just as he was about to step in, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Hello, cousin."
Nikolas turned as his gaze met Austin. His arms wrapped around Cassandra.
"Hello, Nikky," she said with a smug smile playing on her lips.
Nikolas felt his entire body stiffened, as volcanic anger erupted within him.
His fingers curls balling into a fist as he struggled to keep his fury in check.
"Don't call me that, Cassandra. It's Mr. Darkos to you," he hissed sharply, his tone cutting through the tension like a blade
Austin smirked. "Oh, come on, cousin. That's not very nice."
His gaze flickered to Austin, a stiff smirk forming on his lips. "I see you decided to go for the knockoff version of me."
He noticed Austin's face redden with anger, but he couldn't care less.
Without waiting for whatever weak retort Austin was ready to say, he turned away, his eyes peeling through the crowd, searching for Selene.
His gaze landed on the men she had been speaking with earlier,but has he moved closer to them,he saw that she was no longer standing with them.
Confused his eyes sweeper through the crowd,just then they locked in on her, she was leaning against a tall, circular table.
Frowning his brows suspiciously as he moved closer, noticing something off about Selene, her posture was shaky, and her face looked pale drained of blood, almost like she had just seen a ghost.
Walking towards but stopped dead in his tracks,as she stopped a passing waiter holding a tray of champagne glasses.
And without hesitation, she grabbed two glasses, downing them both. Setting the empty glasses back on the tray,reaching for the third glass.
Nikolas froze, his eyes widening in shock. The waiter's expression mirrored his own,pure horror.
Did he just watch Selene drink three glasses of champagne at once?
Something was definitely wrong.
Putting one foot in front of the other in fast pace as he moved towards her. He needed to find out what was going on,before she drowned herself in alcohol.