Chapter 4

Greyson Blackstone

"Don't disappoint me Greyson." He tells me, again. "I've held a tight leash over you when it came to events like this and, since I am unable to go, I'm entrusting you with not embarrassing our family."

I stay silent, sharing nothing but eye contact with the cold bastard I refer to as my father. The man I share nothing but blood with, nothing more and nothing less.

"If I so happen to hear you did something, expect consequences." It humored me how much he scowled when I'm around. I wonder if I hang around him all the time will become permanent. He'd look like a real-life Scrooge just worse. "Andrew Emerson is expected to introduce Sage as his Granddaughter. I want you to associate with her, but not so much that it causes suspicion. She is after all seventeen. If the biggest flirt of the Blackstone family was caught hanging around with a girl of that age it would cause speculations we don't need." Tonight is the event Mr. Emerson is hosting to introduce Sage as his Granddaughter and to start her up to becoming one of the successors of the Emerson name. That's what it is in theory. Andrew Emerson will hand everything to a stranger before handing it to a woman. The only reason he's hosting this event is to introduce Sage to potential male mates. Of course, it's already decided that I would be the one to marry her. That is something people don't know yet. And won't until she, of course, is of legal age to marry a man like me. My father isn't wrong when he says it would be bad for me to act comfortably with her father, since I am known by our cliques and family as a manwhore.

"Even though I'm not worried because even you aren't stupid enough to reveal your engagement to Miss Slade, make sure no one suspects it." His head rose. "Understood?"

I nod. "Understood."

****

Typical for Sage to be late on the most important day of her life. Unfortunately, I cannot go to her house and personally pick her up. We are not to arrive at the event together. I'm almost worried about how she'd function in such a place without me in the beginning. Maybe Andrew is planning on escorting her. Either way, she's not going to do it alone.

Why am I even worried?

If she messes up and ruins her image, it does nothing to me. No one knows that we were even arranged to be married. Sage messing up will not affect me. If anything, it'll most likely free me from this idiotic engagement.

Though I am interested in seeing how she'll act, it's something I admit I'm looking forward to.

"We have arrived, Mr. Blackstone," Walter informs me, his meetings meet mine through the rear mirror. I looked out the window and saw hordes of people walking into the Emerson hotel. People of the highest social status and wealth, from celebrities to doctors to lawyers to politicians, were all walking inside. This is the first affair my Father has allowed me to attend and to stay on his good side I'll have to use my deceitful charm and tainted words to these people.

It's exhausting to spend hours smiling and laughing and not showing my true colors. To hide who I am because my family would throw a tantrum at me if I didn't is tiresome. Since I'm in a hotel, I might as well use that and my fake charm to get something or someone out of this. It's not like I've got anything else to do and Sage isn't my problem tonight. She's Andrew's.

I nodded my head. "Thank you, Walter, don't expect a call from me until morning. I plan on staying tonight," I informed him. He didn't have to wait all night for a call from me. He wouldn't come. I'm not horrible enough to leave a man as good as Walter in such a position. Even if he's paid to be around me all the time, I don't find him annoying and enjoyed our small talk even when I was a child.

"Yes sir, I'll be awaiting your call in the morning." He nodded back. "Enjoy your event, Mr. Blackstone."

"You know what," I reached into my pocket and pulled out two one-hundred dollar bills, then handed them to him. "Take Miranda out tonight, you're off until Sunday. Enjoy the weekend, I'll take a taxi home."

His eyes widened. "Sir, there's no need for such generosity and I am happy to escort you tomorrow."

"Don't worry this won't affect your vacation, just take the weekend off, you deserve it." I smiled. "Anyways, enjoy your weekend with your family, tell the kids I said hi."

Walter nods and smiles. "Thank you, sir and I will."

"See you Sunday, okay?" I closed the door and then walked away.

******

There are thousands of people all around the giant and incredibly decorated room. Classical music was played live by probably one of the most talented musicians of this generation. I, of course, expected nothing less from Andrew Emerson. Everyone is scattered around, talking in small groups and cliques with each other. The majority of them have drinks in their hands, enjoying themselves.

Admittedly, I was two hours later than the rest, it was already eleven o'clock and the visitors seemed to be settled. I search the crowd for Andrew and Sage, but I see the familiar and unwelcomed faces of Dawn and her husband Nathan.

"Did you just get here?" She asks, smiling, her arms wrapped around Nathan's. They've been married for over five years and the way she still lights up whenever they together make me think love could be a real thing. Unfortunately, that thought quickly demolishes when I see the many attractive women walking around, all mine to choose from.

Nathan chuckles. "Beautiful isn't it?" His thick French accent makes me always catches me off guard, even after knowing him for so long. Nathan Mercer is a successful businessman like my father. His family too owns millions of dollars worth of franchises. The Mercer Towers in France is one of the most popular attractions in Europe altogether.

I cleared my throat. "Not surprised given that Andrew Emerson himself planned the event. Speaking of who have you seen him and the prodigal Granddaughter?"

"Yeah, the poor girl looks like a deer in headlights, she's pulling herself through, though I have to admit. No one here has spoken badly and has only said nice things about her, of course, except the immature strays." Dawn scoffs. "Anyways, Dad told you to look like you were getting acquainted with her, right?"

I nod.

Nathan smiles. "She's quite a beauty tonight, of course, nothing like my lovely wife." His eyes meet with Dawn's, then they go back to mine. "So you don't have to worry about appearances, I've seen a few gentlemen ask her out already."

Although this shouldn't shock me, it does. Sage is Andrew Emerson's grandmother's granddaughter, which means she'll attract money-hungry guys of all sorts. However, could it be possible that some may want to pursue her for other reasons? What if a guy like me tries something on her? She's so dense sometimes I wouldn't be taken aback if she fell for a random guy's ploy.

She fell for you in you.

Why am I even worried? I can't constantly worry about her and the opposite sex. That's not my job to do. My job tonight is to schmooze everyone into thinking that I'm this great guy so that my Father won't have to worry about leaving me alone at events like this. If I am to ever inherit any of his establishments, I've got to get into his stupid good graces.

"Oh there's Sarah, let's go say hi," Dawn says to Nathan and he nods. "See you later, Greyson."

Nathan waves bye and then the two vanish into the crowd, leaving me alone.

*******

I've spoken to over a hundred people, using my natural charm to woo them. They all think I'm this great guy despite the true intentions I hide inside. I'm only talking by name to help myself. My goal is large and to achieve it I'll have to surpass my brother's brother's expectations.

For the entire night, I have yet to see Andrew Emerson and Sage. I've been here for two hours too. The place is so enormous and filled with crowds of people that it's impossible to find them.

"Just the man I wanted to see!" I heard a familiar voice break my thoughts. When I turned around, it was exactly the guy I wanted to see as well. And next to him was a fatigued-looking Sage.'s cheeks were flushed and she had a pained look on her face. It took me a second to realize that she was not used to wearing heels. I'm amazed she's lasted this long.

Even though she didn't look it, as expected, Sage looked more enticing than the rest. The royal blue dress that took hours to find suited her well. It hugged what little curves she had and made them look more defined than they were. Not saying she has none, she has enough, but all those dresses that the intern at Gale's chose were made for children. This dress was made for an adult woman and she pulled it off well. Of course, I'd never tell her all of this.

Andrew turned around and Sage instantly fixed herself. She must have been told to look nothing more than elegant tonight. The stress must be getting to her. "Greyson, this is my Granddaughter Sage."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Blackstone, my Grandfather has spoken very highly of you." Did she do that? I don't know how I feel about a respectful Sage, it's unnatural and almost irritable to watch.

I smiled and grabbed her hand, then kissed it. There's nothing wrong with being a gentleman. "Nice to meet you as well, Ms. Emerson and might I say you look lovely tonight?" When I looked back at her, my eyes widened, she was blushing furiously and she looked nervous. What's wrong with her tonight? It's like a completely different Sage.

"Well, I'll let you two get acquainted, I've got hosting to do." Andrew smiles, then walks away.

When he disappeared and we were alone, there was a deadly silence between us. "So Mr. Blackstone...how are you enjoying yourself?"

"There's no need to act this way when we're by ourselves, Sage, informed her. "You seem to be pulling this off well, but it's clear as day you're having a tough time."

She frowns but quickly changes it when someone passes by to say hi. Then, with a fake smile, she said, "How do you rich people do this? It's exhausting to attend events like this." This made me chuckle, she's not enjoying herself one bit. It's almost admirable how much she's willing to go through to protect her family.

I watch her cringe when she moves out of the way of the caterers.

I knew this night would be enjoyable.