Page 51 of Pretty

“All right. Do we have to stay long?”

“One . . . two hours tops, Drew. Can you give me that?”

“Baby, I can give you whatever your heart desires, including this stiff wood.” He lowered my hand and brushed it over his erection.

“Behave, Drew. I promise if you behave for a couple of hours, I’ll blow you off on the way home and make it worth your while.”

He kissed my lips and replied, “Any time with you is worth it all, baby.”

I smiled as the light changed, and he continued driving us to the art gallery. We pulled up, and I saw numerous cars in the lot, including my mother’s.

“What are my parents doing here?” I asked, scrunching my face up.

Drew shrugged. “I have no idea. Maybe she’s supporting the arts.”

“Maybe. I mean, she does love a good painting or sculpture, but this isn’t really her jam.”

We climbed out of the car and headed inside. The diamond chandelier shone on the gleaming hardwood floors, and every surface sparkled. Tables were set up and covered with black linen tablecloths and matching chair covers from one side of the room to the other. The front of the room was reserved for dancing, as the few people who weren’t mingling were dancing.

There were four pieces of covered art on easels up on a stage. A woman sat at a piano in the corner playing a classical piece, and people moved around the room mingling with each other.

It was a semiformal affair, and I spotted my mother across the room speaking with Lauren and another artist. Maman looked elegant and regal in a cream-colored two-piece vest pants suit. Her top had a floral piece on the left shoulder. It was sensual in that it didn’t connect with the top on the left side but left her slightly exposed from the left arm to just above her left breast. Her hair was pulled up in a chignon.

Lauren was beautiful in an olive green and gold halter neck jumpsuit.

“Baby, I feel somewhat overdressed,” I declared, looking around at the other guests who were all dressed similarly to my mom and Lauren.

“You’re perfect. I couldn’t have styled you better myself.”

I giggled and smacked his chest. “You did style me, crazy.”

I wore a black cocktail dress made of tulle. It had a high-low hem ruffled skirt and a plunging V-neck that also plunged sharply in the back. My long sleeves were sheer, and my dress was paired with black stilettos with a wide sheer bow at the ankles.

We moved around and mingled. Every time I drew close to my parents, someone would stop me to talk, and Henri held my attention the longest. By the time I made it to my mother, an announcement was conveniently made for everyone to take our seats. All I managed was, “Maman, what are you doing here?” while I hugged her, to which she gave a tight smile and waved goodbye.

She tugged my dad away from a group of artists he was chatting it up with, and they took their seats two tables away from ours.

Lauren took to the stage and smiled at everyone. She thanked them for coming, gave a brief spiel about the beauty and importance of the art community, and then turned her gaze my way.

“Now for the real reason of tonight’s event—Mr. and Mrs. Mercier, would you please join me on the stage?”

I was so confused as I watched my parents walk up onto the stage and then saw my siblings and their significant others file in through a side door. I looked at Drew, who shrugged again.

“Tonight is all about showering you with love, my dear. It’s all about you, Pretty,” Lauren announced.

She gave a light speech on the impact I had in the art community, my works, my volunteerism, my donations, and the relationships I’d built. When she finished, my parents shared how they knew I had a gift when I’d taken my oldest brother’s crayons at the age of three and drew an entire garden on the living room wall while my mother napped, not knowing I had woken from my nap. They went on to talk about investing in me and how thankful they were for Henri.

A host of people took to the stage and discussed how important I had been to them and the impact I’d had on their lives. They shared how grateful they were that I was out and involved once more after suffering a tragic loss. I rolled my eyes, but no one knew about the betrayal but Lauren and my family.

I was still confused as to the purpose of the event, even after Henri explained what he first saw in me and how it was a pleasure to open a new world for me.

It wasn’t until Drew moved from my side to the stage that I realized this was more than a recognition event for me.

Four high school students, who I mentored in the past, took to the stage and stood behind each easel.

“Pretty, this event is all about you—because my heart, my soul, my mind is always all about you. I created this event as an homage to you and the lives that you’ve touched, but mostly to tell you that you are my world. Since meeting you, my life has become brighter, more vibrant, and exciting. You’ve brought harmony, joy, and peace into my soul and my life. Things make sense with you in it.

“Sweetheart, I don’t want to go through another day without knowing that you are my future and my wife. Pretty, . . .” He kneeled on the stage, and my hand flew to my mouth.