Tonight was all about her. Marina had gone all out–her makeup flawless, her hair styled to perfection, every inch of her sparkling with the delicate pink diamonds that Jonathan had given her. From her headband down to the anklet at her heel, she was draped in the kind of luxury that turned heads and set tongues wagging.
The Grand Riverview Hotel was one of Aldenville’s premier venues, a place where only the wealthy and influential gathered. Yet even among such rarefied company, Marina stood out–commanding attention, her presence magnetic. On Jonathan’s arm, she carried herself like a swan–elegant, proud, and untouchable.
She knew Jonathan admired accomplished women. Only those who were truly exceptional deserved to stand beside him. And so, she never hesitated to show herself at her very best.
Walking shoulder to shoulder with Marina, Jonathan seemed softer than usual. The sharp, cold lines of his face were gentled by a warmth that made him appear almost approachable. His faint, enigmatic smile was flawless from every angle–just enough to hint at affection, but never giving too much away.
He loved bringing Marina to these events. She made him look good. Simple as that. “Wait, wasn’t there a grand piano here before?” Marina asked, pointing to the dazzling center of the lobby, now graced by a gleaming organ.
“I could have sworn it was still a piano just last week,” Jonathan replied, a trace of curiosity in his voice.
The Grand Riverview’s main hall was known for its live piano music, played by an in–house musician.
Preston Winslow chimed in, turning his attention to the new organ. “Maybe the pianist just got fired for being too mediocre? I remember Jonathan saying the piano was top–notch, but the pianist–not so much. He wasn’t even a fraction as good as Marina.”
He scratched his head, muttering, “But if the player was the problem, why not just hire a new one? Why change the whole instrument? Makes no sense…”
Jonathan’s gaze drifted down to Marina’s hand clasped around his arm.
“If only your hand hadn’t been hurt…” His voice was low, tinged with regret as he took her hand gently in his own.
1/2
Chapter 32
Marina forced her expression to remain calm and light. “Sometimes a setback is a blessing in disguise. If I hadn’t injured my hand, maybe I’d never have become a jewelry designer.”
“True.” Jonathan’s fingers wrapped around hers, his warmth seeping into her chilled skin.
“Marina got the highest score in the intern program this time!” Olive announced proudly.
Preston gave Marina a thumbs up. “She’s got a gift, that’s for sure. No matter what she does, she’s always number one.”
Jonathan nodded in agreement. “Marina’s talent is obvious to anyone who’s ever
met her.”
As they walked, the group drew closer to the new organ. Standing beside it was a woman in a deep blue housekeeping uniform, her back to them as she bent over, scrubbing a smudge from the polished keys with a tissue.
Jonathan stopped short.
Marina halted too, turning to see Jonathan frowning, his eyes fixed intently on the
staff member’s back.
The woman straightened up, and at that moment, both Jonathan and Marina spoke
at once.
“Niamh?”
Niamh turned, and out of all the faces staring at her, she immediately locked eyes
with Jonathan.
He was dressed in an all–black suit–tall, striking, looking every bit the model with a face that belonged on a magazine cover,
But his expression was stormy, and Niamh could tell instantly that he was angry.
“My God, are you working here as a cleaner?” Olive blurted out, disbelief in her
voice.
Only then did Niamh realize what Jonathan was so upset about. She glanced down at her uniform, suddenly all too aware that she really did look like one of the cleaning staff.
