Chapter 57: Social Climber

Edrick Throughout the gala, I tried not to look too long at the way Moana’s body looked in her dress — but there was also something else that caught my eye and held my attention, even while I was busy schmoozing with other wealthy socialites to get donations for the foundation.

Her belly, which was always slim with nice curves at the waist, was a little bit rounder.

I quickly looked away as her eyes met mine, chalking it up in my head to the simple monthly fluctuations in a woman’s body; besides, if she gained a little weight, maybe it was good for her. As far as I was aware, she had next to no money before she began working for me, so maybe she didn’t get enough to eat and now her body was settling into a healthier weight.

Soon, however, I had to push aside these thoughts as it was time to give my speech. Kelly, who made a generously large donation prior to the gala, made a speech as well, followed by Sophia, who said a few words of gratitude. When the speeches were finished, there was a champagne toast followed by a dance portion of the event.

I stood off to the side, watching as the couples that had come together — many of them married — headed toward the dance floor. I wasn’t planning on dancing, but when Kelly scurried up to me with a particular look on her pointed face, I knew what was coming.

“I think you owe me a dance after what happened at that family banquet,” she said, shooting me a sultry look as she sauntered up to me. “What do you say?”

I said, shaking my head.

on her hips. I noticed that she was wearing an almost inappropriately tight and low-cut dress, and seemed to be wearing a brand new diamond necklace. Kelly had always been the type to obsess over fashion, but as we grew up together, it became more and more

shutting my eyes for a moment, before finally relenting and holding out my arm for her to take. Kelly grinned as we made our way to the dance floor, then pressed her body uncomfortably close to mine when

flicking her hair over her shoulder, “you didn’t tell me that this

there

at all,” she said,

I interjected. “It’s just

of water in her hand, rather than champagne, which

Holding her stomach.

me with a sly smirk. “She’s gained a little

thinking about her sudden bouts of nausea lately, made me wonder

always careful, and we had had our one night stand over a

night of the family banquet, and possibly

there for several moments, still as a statue, as I watched Moana. She was now sitting with my mother. Finally, Moana’s eyes

out to squeeze my hand as I approached. “I just heard that Sophia, the director from the orphanage, was looking for you.” I glanced over the crowd, breaking my

go and talk to her. My investigation of Moana’s strange behavior would have to be put on hold. I made my

really can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing for the orphanage,” she said. “Really. The children are so excited, and they wanted to give you this.” She pulled

folded over with crayon stick figures drawn on it, and on the outside, it read “Thank You, Mr. Morgan!” while inside was a series of children’s names, all also written in crayon — some of the letters were backwards, and the warm

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