Obsessed With My Husband's Step-brother - Chapter 37: Chapter 37

LEILANI.
With a flute of champagne in my hand, Neil had led me around the gold decked tables, introducing me proudly to the guests whom I had not met before, and many of them were particularly arrested by my beautiful glowing appearance. Most of them were men, to be precise. A couple of the women acted indifferent while a couple of the young ladies present, looked at me like they wished they were the ones in Neil’s arms instead of me.
My eyes discreetly scanned the guests behind the man who was laughing loudly with Neil and reliving moments that I had no part of.
Cora was nowhere to be found.
After Ms. Declan arrived, the guest seemed more pumped up, because they could sense something dramatic slowly, gradually, and quietly unfolding.
The host of event was a lanky woman in a sweeping, scarlet dress that was sure to catch the eye of every guest within sight. A mouthpiece hung by her hair as a glass of champagne casually sat in her left hand.
The loud music was slowly reduced to a lower level so we could hear the woman’s voice over the chatter and melodious sounds.
“I must say, I’m blown away by the display of beauty and distinguished excellence right in front of me tonight.” She started, a flashy grin on her face. She had an accent that reminded me of royalty. “Maybe I’ll finally get a husband tonight.” Her words were followed by laughter from the guests.
Neil looked at me and rolled his eyes. I stifled my giggle, elbowing him discreetly.
“My name is Elizabeth and I am the master of ceremonies of this wonderful event put together by the prestigious Giles’ family.” Applause rented the air. Her voice went a notch higher. “So I hereby welcome you to the Golden Jubilee of the dashing and successful Dominick Giles!”
Whoops and deafening applause drowned out her words and filled the air, smiles beaming from the guests' faces. Neil was clapping and so was I, but my eyes strayed to the far side to see Ms. Declan sipping her drink haughtily, ignoring the rest of the applauding guests.
“Now, we all know that this entire event would not have been filled with so much grandeur and golden opulence, without the massive efforts of our celebrant’s lovely wife and life-long companion, Mrs. Cora Aurora Giles.” Elizabeth grinned. I spotted Cora's golden dress rippling as she moved through the guests. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Neil’s mother stiffen as her deadly cold gaze nailed the host.
“Mrs. Giles would like to say a few words to you, our distinguished guests.” She continued, with the applause rolling tirelessly. Cora finally emerged at the foot of one of the large golden stairs where Elizabeth waited, holding out a microphone.
Cora collected it and smiled at us, not looking one bit as upset as she did earlier. “I want to thank all of you for showing up to celebrate with my family and my wonderful husband…” She went on and on in her sweet voice and I could see Ms. Declan growing murderously angry. Her fingers held her glass in a vice-like grip that threatened to crack it and her eyes looked like icicles.
She had been divorced by Neil’s dad for such a long time. So many years ago. Ever since Neil was a tiny little five-year-old boy. But she still carried resentment, anger, and envy in her heart all through the years and stayed close by to monitor their lives.
I had a feeling tonight wouldn’t end well. I abruptly paused in my train of thoughts. How can I think like that? Tonight was special for Neil’s father and the Giles family, it had to go on without a hitch.
Soon, the music gradually built up the volume as the star of the night, Dominick Giles, Neil’s father, finally arrived at the party, his amazingly impressive entry accompanied by Elizabeth's accent as she ushered him in with flattering words. He looked handsome in his suit and golden suit jacket to match his wife’s dress with a heavy wristwatch on his wrist. His salt and pepper blond hair was stylishly slicked back and his blue eyes glinted brightly, his angular jaw neatly shaved. He was broad-shouldered and tall, like Neil, definitely looking younger than his actual age.
You wouldn’t have to look at him twice to know he was Neil’s father.
The guests went wild with cheers and applause. The party had officially begun.
Neil’s father had enveloped me in a bear hug as soon as he saw me, patting Neil on the shoulder warmly before he was dragged away by eager guests, his arm firmly wrapped around beautiful Cora who seemed so happy by his side.
An upbeat song boomed and most of the younger guests cheered in appreciation and I found myself grinning. Hey, maybe I could actually have fun tonight.
“Wanna dance, babe?” Neil leaned closer, grinning down at me in his signature flirty way.
The music was enticing and I almost forgot I was at a family dinner party filled with sophisticated people and not a club.
Before I could say anything anyway, a huge fleshy hand landed on Neil’s shoulder. “Neil! Keep your hands off your lovely girlfriend for a second, we have something important to discuss!” A huge nearly overweight man laughed boisterously.
The old lady drenched in emeralds from top to bottom by his side nodded in agreement, her flute of champagne swaying dangerously. “Boys. They never change!”
Neil chuckled. “It’s nice to see you too, ma'am.”
She harrumphed and turned as the huge man gave me a deep bow, bending a rigid Neil slightly along with him. “Hello, beautiful diamond. I’m Ronald. If you don’t mind, I’ll have to drag Neil away for a minute.”
It was so comical seeing Neil stiffen in his meaty grip. I grinned. “I don’t mind at all.”
Neil sent me an apologetic look before they disappeared through the throng of guests.
As soon as they left, I regretted being alone immediately. Why? Because all the men that had been admiring me and raking their eyes up and down my body in my provocative dress from a distance finally got a chance to approach me.
Shit.