"Hi! Miss Fox, is it?"
Rory James was the only casually dressed guest in Elysium Hall at the moment. He looked not very different from his YouTube videos. The close-cropped ash-blond hair, the youthful charm, the Versace pullover cardigan with Escada jeans. Everything spelled Rory James in caps. His casual wear was more expensive than most of the suits at the party, though. Even then and there, at the bachelor party of his best friend, he was promoting brands like Nike, Apple, and Rolex.
The truth was, Rory liked suits and formal wear over casuals. His boyfriend shopped for them both at Armani and REISS. However, both his love for the tuxedo and his sexual orientation were best-kept secrets. Only his inner circle was party to his preferences and inclinations.
Rory had to keep up the image of the cool, straight, urban, and carefree guy. It defined his internet personality. Anything different would be damaging to his social media image.
Rory had sprung into action on Jake's request and had followed the contest-winning beauty from the bar to her manager.
"Please call me Claire. Of course, you need no introduction. You are Rory James! YouTube star! I am a big fan!"
"Aww, thank you. I am glad some real celebrities are my fans."
"I? A celebrity? No way." Claire blushed and dismissed his compliment with a wave.
Rory chuckled, approached with a flourish, and placed an arm around her.
"Care to join me?" he said with princely charm. "I'd like to introduce you to the crowd." He raised an eyebrow at Bono as if seeking permission. The two understood each other's intentions telepathically and chose to cooperate.
"By all means, she's all yours," Bono said, throwing up his arms. "I'm going to check out the hookah bar. Excuse me." He ambled away from them. His portly figure was a severe mismatch with his feminine voice.
Rory plastered on his well-acclaimed smile and made closer scrutiny of Claire.
'Mother of Madonna! If only I were not gay, I would certainly hit this,' he thought.
The social media star led his guest towards the VVIP area, where Jake's close friends and associates hung out. On the way, they crossed paths with the other most influential people of Norwich. All the invitees were young bloods- less than forty of age. A thirty-year-old deputy police commissioner, budding CEOs of smaller companies, social media prodigies, young ivy league professors, select media persons, blog writers, fashion stylists, minor Hollywood celebrities, and so on.
They reached the VVIP area, and a bouncer let them in.
Ashley made a quick survey of the scenario. A bunch of guys in the most expensive brands. The VVIP bar had bartenders shipped in from Europe. A couple of pool tables stood like twins in the middle. The most distracting image was that of the gambling tables. You could see the stakes being raised. There were fist-sized diamonds and wads of cash as tall as an infant littering them.
'These people gamble in millions of dollars.' Claire was almost dizzy from the sight and looked for her person of interest. They had arrived at the small gathering of the elite, but Jake Grayson was suspiciously missing from the group.
"Come, Claire, let's talk to the guys," Rory began the introductions. "This tall glass of water here is Todd."
"Oh, I know!" Claire said spiritedly. "Everyone knows the Parkers. They run the city."
Todd Parker, son of the Mayor, was already gobsmacked by Claire's beauty. He merely smiled back and mumbled inaudible words of greeting.
'Not a ladies' man,' Claire thought. 'This guy probably has jerked off to me several times during the contest reruns on TV.' The bikini stage of Miss Norwich world had ten million views on YouTube. Claire Fox had become viral. Some netizens had even ventured far enough to call her the next Miss World and the prettiest woman in the world.
"The internet overreacts," Bono had told her. "But we need to cash in on this opportunity, baby!"
And hence, Claire was riding the wave, taking all the risks she could.
"Stuart Spencer," Rory continued. "Tom Chicksaw. Mike Perry."
Claire greeted the three with a broader smile progressively.
"Don't forget to smile," Bono always reminded her. Powerful men had no interest in a dull and disobedient face.
Chicksaw had barely looked at her face. He had a scotch in one hand- his fifth of the evening. His eyes crawled over her from bust to hip, over and over.
Spencer kissed her hand, and his lips lingered on her skin a while longer than comfortable.
Perry was the most daredevil. "That body is to die for, girl."
Claire felt more flattered than offended.
'These are men who could have any girl they wanted, and yet they are interested in what I have to offer,' she told herself.
"Last but not the least, Kumar Rajesh, the Assistant District Attorney," Rory said.
"Welcome to the party, ma'am," Rajesh said, his sharp eyes meeting hers.
'Perhaps the only gentleman at the party,' Claire surmised.
"I must ask," she addressed the elite group. "I was looking forward to meeting the host of the party. Has he retired for the day?"
All of them except Rory sniggered. The latter shot a disapproving glance at the rest. The men immersed themselves in their liquor glasses, looking away.
Rory turned back to Claire and smiled infectiously. "Don't mind them. Please, walk with me," he asked her to follow.
There was an exit behind the VVIP section, which opened into a corridor. The passage was dimly lit with exotic sculptures and paintings from all over the world.
"The art decorating this passage used to be on the ground floor. Jake has brought them up recently as the security guards complained of burglary attempts. The collection here is worth over thirty million dollars."
"Amazing."
"Do you mind meeting Jake in private? We don't want other girls at the party becoming jealous."
Claire smirked and replied. "I don't. In fact, I understand. The wealthiest man in the city has a lot of fans."
"That's- yeah, that's right. But I must also let you know Jake wanted to speak to you alone. He kind of liked you, if you know what I mean."
Claire knew exactly what he meant. She blushed and tucked a few hair locks behind an ear. She was no fangirl of Jake Grayson or Rory James. They were all stepping stones on her path to riches and fame.
"I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable."
"It's unconventional. But I am fine with it. To be honest, I'm ecstatic that Mr. Grayson noticed me in the first place."
"Only a blind man will fail to notice you, Claire." Rory shot a winning smile at her.
'Yeah, heap on the praises. All you are right now is a glorified pimp,' Claire thought, but dared not say it aloud.
She was indeed okay with what was happening. In fact, she had been preparing earnestly for the night over the past week.
The beauty had dyed her hair strawberry blonde, for example.
Bono had advised, "If you look even a little bit like Ashley, you have no idea what miraculous effect it may have on your first impression. Jake Grayson will pick you out from the crowd."
Her manager was happy with her seducing any of the billionaire heirs, though, all of whom had their eyes on Ashley Palmer, just in case Jake backed out from the engagement.
While Claire was not gung-ho about cheap tactics, she really needed Grayson's support to catapult her career. Bono's idea, combined with her overflowing sexuality, made her practically irresistible to Jake. Why settle for any less?
'In fact, I am better than Ashley. I will prove that to him tonight. I will do anything!' she resolved.
The passage opened into a narrow gallery that overlooked the beach. The land breeze was pleasant.
Jake Grayson leaned on the rails, staring pensively into the ocean. He had taken off his waistcoat and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
Rory walked ahead and whispered in the billionaire's ear.
Jake stood to his full height, ran a few fingers through his hair, and turned to greet his guest.
Claire's heels tapped to a halt.
"Jake, this is Claire Fox, Miss Norwich World 2021," Rory declared. "Claire. Meet the host of the party- Jake Grayson. Chairperson and CEO, Grayson Enterprises."