CHAPTER 174: GALA (3)

Outside their condo, a sleek black limousine waited, gleaming under the streetlights. The driver opened the door as they approached, nodding politely without a word.

Gray held the door for Selina as she stepped in, her dress sliding elegantly against the leather seat. He followed, and the door closed with a quiet click.

The car pulled away smoothly, merging into the street of the city.

The ride didn’t take long, but Gray felt every second of it. The closer they got, the more surreal it became.

And then, they turned a corner, and there it was.

The Sterling Hotel.

It was a hotel that he had heard of, of course. Well, it was a hotel that everyone had heard of. It was one of those places that were talked about in luxury magazines and high-end travel blogs.

It was a five-star empire built into the skyline, towering with clean, gold-lit lines and fountains that never stopped flowing.

It was the kind of place where a single night in the penthouse suite could cost more than a year of college. The kind of place that hosted presidents, royalty, and billionaires.

He never thought he’d step inside of that place, much less walk in like he belonged there.

The car pulled into the grand entrance under a towering awning of glass and steel. Staff in black uniforms stood like statues in front, opening doors with perfect timing. One of them stepped forward immediately to open theirs.

Selina stepped out first, poised and graceful. Gray followed her from behind, adjusting his cufflinks. He was feeling the warmth of every glance that was turning toward them as they walked.

It wasn’t a moment before cameras were already flashing.

The entrance was glowing under a hundred chandeliers, with marbled floors that shone like still water and a towering floral arrangement in the middle that looked more like a sculpture than anything that grew from the earth.

Gray had to consciously keep his mouth from falling open.

"Don’t stop walking," Selina whispered beside him, her arm still looped in his.

He nodded stiffly. "Wasn’t gonna."

She smirked. "Sure."

As they moved, the crowd seemed to part just slightly. People were already gathering in little circles with men in impossibly tailored tuxes, women in shimmering gowns, laughter low and moneyed in tone.

It wasn’t just a party. It was a world. One Gray had only ever seen through the screen of his phone.

They stepped into the grand ballroom.

Gray’s breath caught again.

The entire function hall which was massive, high-ceilinged, and glittering, had been transformed into something almost mythical. Hundreds of soft pendant lights floated above like stars suspended in orbit.

A live string quartet played in one corner, their sound swelling and echoing off the walls lined with gold leaf trim and velvet drapes. Tables were set with crystal glasses and arrangements that probably had their own bodyguards.

Everywhere he turned, someone was dressed to kill and impress. It was like showing how much they have on their names.

Gray leaned slightly toward Selina.

"You’re telling me Conrad rented this entire place?"

"Not just the room," she replied casually. "He booked out the whole floor."

Gray blinked. "Jesus."

She leaned in, whispering with a smirk.

"They say the presidential suite alone costs a hundred thousand a night."

"...And that’s just the suite?"

"Mm-hmm."

Gray glanced around again, half in awe, half in sheer disbelief. "How do you even spend that much in one night?"

"Conrad finds a way," Selina said dryly, before glancing down at her clutch. "And apparently, tonight is worth it."

A hostess appeared, smiling at them with practiced poise.

"Miss Selina. Mr. Gray. Welcome. The reception line is just ahead."

Selina nodded. She thanked her softly, then took Gray’s arm again and guided them forward.

As they stepped toward the main floor, more heads turned to them.

Gray could feel them. They were eyes assessing and admiring. Not just who they were but how they looked. A current of curiosity and recognition flowed in their direction.

He wasn’t sure if they thought he was someone important, or just someone, but for once, he didn’t feel like an outsider in someone else’s world.

He stood taller, matched Selina’s pace stride for stride.

And when they reached the edge of the ballroom floor, she looked up at him with the faintest smile.

"We made it."

Gray smiled back, a little crooked, a little stunned.

"Yeah," he murmured. "We really did."

And with that, they stepped into the light. Their two silhouettes were ready to turn heads, shake hands, and write their names into a night no one would forget.

The light hit them as they stepped in, and for a moment, it was as if the entire room shifted.

A few eyes widened, not because they recognized Gray, but because Selina had just walked in with someone no one quite knew how to place.

They didn’t need to say it aloud. In a place like this, context was everything. And Gray, in his clean-cut suit and quiet confidence, looked like someone important enough, making the people curious.

The event was already in full swing, but it didn’t take long before someone approached. A man in his forties with thick glasses and a slightly graying goatee, stepped forward with a cordial smile.

"Miss Selina. Glad you could make it. And—?"

"Gray Adams," she said, already slipping into her social rhythm. "A close friend of my grandpa. He’ll be filling in for him tonight."

The man turned to Gray, eyebrows raised, clearly not expecting that.

"Ah. Conrad’s friend, huh?"

Gray smiled, extending his hand.

"Yes. Big shoes to fill, I know."

The man chuckled, shaking it firmly. "No kidding. I’m Philip Tan. I do logistics, mostly maritime.It’s nice to meet you."

"That means a lot, sir."

Philip gave an impressed nod, then turned slightly, already gesturing toward another small cluster of guests.

"Come on, I’ll introduce you to some people. If you’re a friend of Conrad’s, I’m sure you’ve got something interesting going on."

Gray caught Selina’s eye. She gave him a small nod, a subtle sign of encouragement before drifting into her own world too. She was already smiling at a group of women who had begun to talk to her with interest the moment she stepped in.

The next few minutes unfolded in a strange blur of names, faces, and firm handshakes.

Gray stood confidently, introducing himself over and over again.

"Gray Adams."

"Gray. Adams."

"Ah, yes—Gray Adams."

Each time, he became more confident. He simply said his name and let the conversation take its course. Most assumed there had to be a story behind it.

No one questioned how someone his age ended up as Conrad’s proxy. If anything, the mystery seemed to work in his favor.

"You’re not on any of our decks," one woman said, tapping her temple playfully. "What sector are you in?"

"Retail, mostly," Gray said. "Food distribution. Grocery chain under restructuring."

There was a second of silence.

Then a thoughtful nod followed.

"That’s smart and rare for someone this young to touch that kind of market."

Another man leaned in, adjusting his tie.

"That sector’s brutal. But if you’re Conrad’s pick, I imagine you know your margins."

Gray smiled modestly. "I’m still learning. But I try not to make the same mistake twice."

There were polite laughs. More nods. And More talk.

He wasn’t delusional. He knew his background wasn’t glamorous. But somehow, his honesty didn’t disqualify him. Instead, it intrigued them to know who he was.

Selina rejoined him not long after, effortlessly sliding beside him like she belonged on a magazine cover. The shift in energy was instant. Every conversation deepened, lightened, brightenedm, depending on how she steered it.

At one point, a tall man with silver hair and a lapel pin shaped like a falcon tilted his glass toward Gray.

"Not bad, kid. Most people your age crumble the moment the lights hit. But you’re just...here. Present."

Gray shrugged, catching Selina’s smirk from the corner of his eye. "ItHhelps to have someone like her nearby."

The man gave a knowing look.

"Always does."

The music became louder behind them. Waiters moved in graceful patterns with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. A toast happened somewhere in the distance, met with a ripple of clinks and laughter.

It should’ve felt overwhelming. And maybe, on some level, it was.

But standing beside Selina, feeling the attention not as pressure but as something neutral, manageable, even enjoyable, Gray found himself relaxing more with every passing minute.

They circled the room together, sometimes separating for a few beats, but always finding their way back to each other’s side.

Selina introduced him to a pair of architects. Gray ended up talking about urban zoning laws and building costs.

Gray was pulled into a conversation with two investors from other countries. Selina jumped in, gently steering the discussion toward green logistics and the potential for sustainable packaging.

They made a good team, and everyone could see it.