Free Web NovelChapter 29: _Gala Night
When the sun fell, the time for the Phoenix-Talon joint gala descended with it.
Ambrose was in his room, adjusting his bow tie in front of the full-length mirror. The event would be held in a hall downtown Aurelia City, popular for flashy events like this.
It would however be the first of such events Ambrose ever attended both in his past life and this. Sure, as Benji Foster he had a few instances where he got close to the high society of Chicago.
But attending an internationally recognised gala with some of the most powerful people in the country attending? That was an entirely different level.
"Daddy?" Orion’s knock cut his thoughts short, forcing him to snap his head to the bedroom door. "Papa is here."
"Little urchin," Ambrose grunted, dropping his hands. "What did I tell you about calling Devon that?"
When he got to the door and opened it, the little boy stood there with an awkward smile, blinking at him with those big golden eyes.
"Sorry, daddy." He apologised in that soft tone that always managed to melt Ambrose’s heart.
Sigh. He could never get mad at the little rascal.
After ruffling his hair for a couple of seconds, Ambrose advanced to the living room door. Once he opened it, a small smile lifted the corner of his lips despite himself.
There he was.
Devon.
The S-Rank looked absolutely dashing if he was being honest. His fiery red hair was styled perfectly for the occasion. And in contrast to Ambrose’s black tuxedo, he wore a pure white one, the inner shirt leaving part of his chest exposed.
As the Guide assessed the Esper... the latter took time doing the same.
This was the first time he was seeing Ambrose in such an outfit. And God, did it look good on him.
"Evening," Devon was the first to regain his composure, offering a small smile. "Your ride has arrived."
Devon was the only one with a car so he suggested driving Ambrose there. Way more convenient than taking a cab. But also comes with the risk of receiving public scrutiny.
"Well, the ride’s driver sure looks breathtaking," Ambrose smirked, about twisting his head back to Orion.
Without warning, Devon grabbed his elbow, making him turn sharply back to him. The S-Rank’s eyes burned with something possessive, leaning toward his ears:
"Depending on how tonight goes, you can have two rides..."
It took a good three seconds for Ambrose to get what he meant by that. And when he did, embarrassment flooded his chest as he yanked his elbow off the Esper’s grip.
"You pervert."
"I have no clue what you mean by that." Devon smiled wolfishly, brushing past him. His eyes were pinned on Orion who sat quietly on a sofa. "Hey, buddy. Your daddy and I will be gone till midnight. You’ll be fine, right?"
Ambrose’s cheeks reddened when Devon called him the kid’s dad.
Orion, clueless about the tension between them, nodded. "Yes, I will. This means I can’t open the door to anyone else, right?"
Devon snapped his fingers. "Good boy. Be good now, okay?"
"Okay, Devon! Bye. Bye, daddy!"
"Bye, little guy."
As Devon pulled Ambrose with him and shut the door, he muttered. "Let’s get to it. Hopefully, the paparazzi at the entrance aren’t too much already."
★★★★★
"What a way to jinx it," Ambrose grumbled when Devon’s Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the massive event building.
Because sure enough, a swarm of paparazzi already crowded the place, flashing cameras and hurling questions like their lives depended on it.
Ambrose’s eyes dimmed as he and Devon got out of the car, ascending the steps adorned with a red carpet. They stopped once or twice for pictures before they continued moving.
"Don’t answer any questions," Devon warned, hand brushing against Ambrose’s for a beat.
Yet the questions kept coming:
"Captain Devon! Is it true that the joint team cleared the S-Rank dungeon in record time?"
"How many lives were lost?"
"Do you think this gala is disrespectful to those who died?"
"Guide Ambrose?! Over here — how did a C-Rank guide survive an S-Rank dungeon?"
That last question made Ambrose’s heart stutter. He swallowed, balling his fists to keep himself steady as they got near the building and its massive stone pillars.
Once they got inside, Ambrose could finally relax. And admire the grandeur prepared by the United States Hunters Federation.
The hall was massive, its high ceiling lined with golden chandelier lights that glistened like constellations. A sea of elegant gowns and expensive tuxedos filled the hall already—all worn by some of the most powerful Guides and Espers in the country.
Long banquet tables filled the space, people sitting, drinking and socialising. At the other end of the hall was a raised stage where a live orchestra played a slow tune.
Just being in this room exerted so much pressure that Ambrose forgot to breathe a couple of times. Devon on the other hand was calm, a practised smile on his face as he nodded or waved in response to a few greetings he got.
"There you two are." A melodious chuckle behind them made them spin around simultaneously.
Walking toward them were Alisha and her Guide, Trina. The former wore a handless golden gown that swept the marble floor around her. Long black braids whipped behind her, her smile broadening when she locked eyes with Devon.
"Nice to see you too," Devon smiled in return as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders in a mini hug. When she pulled away, he added. "Hope we aren’t too late."
"Nah," Alisha swatted a hand dismissively, the other one dangling a glass of wine. "People have been settling in. You know the drill. Trying to butter up to powerful allies. Pretending some of them don’t hate each other’s guts."
Devon snorted a laugh. "Of course. Speaking of hating each other’s guts... have you seen Viktor around?"
A chill crawled down Ambrose’s spine when THAT name was mentioned.
Fuck.
He left the guy on delivered since this afternoon. And now he was at an event that he was sure to be attending.
’Fingers crossed for no drama tonight.’ he thought to himself, trying to act cool despite the cold sweat on his forehead.
Meanwhile, in one of the VIP lounges upstairs, a certain S-Rank Esper already had his eyes on Ambrose. And the way he stuck close to Devon.
His fingers tightened on the railing, the temperature around him dropping by a few degrees. "So that’s why you’re ignoring me..."
