Chapter 3 - Gala

I look around briefly as I walk through the crowd aimlessly. Well, that's a lie. I'm trying to get to the food table. People barely spare me a glance as I walk past them but there's always a woman or two that will look me up and down in disgust before raising their noses high in the air in a snobby fashion. I'm not wearing the most expensive, straight off the runway clothes but I did think the embellished green dress was a good choice. Perhaps not.

I'm at another gala with my family. I hate these events with a passion but I'm only there because "people know you as our daughter," according to my mother. She has such a way with words, I think to myself before snorting unladylike. It's like one second they don't want anything to do with me and the next they're acknowledging me as a Miller.

It's always about raising money which is great...if these people would donate for the sake of helping others in need instead of pretending to be charitable for the media. I will admit though that there's some people who aren't as fake as my family but the bad outweighs the good in this situation and it's sad to watch.

When I first tried to get myself out of going to these events my parents came storming into my apartment and dragged me to the venue while throwing multiple threats my way. I thought they wouldn't do it again but I was so wrong, so naive. They seemed to always know wherever I was on the day of the event and had bodyguards follow me. If I tried to escape I would get caught. If I refused to leave my apartment they'd break in and leave me with the cost of damages that I cannot afford.

The Millers are one hundred percent stark raving mad and I don't have the slightest clue on how I didn't end up like them.

"Zoe!" I hear my sister call just as I reach the heavenly display of food. I cry mentally as she grabs my elbow and drags me through the crowd. "Dad is looking for you. Don't mess things up like you always do."

I frown and the back of my eyes sting as I rub my skin from where she dug her nails into it quite harshly. She's always roughed me up and I wish I could just set her straight. If only I could duct tape her loud mouth but even then I'm sure she'll find some way to go crying to our parents and get me in even more trouble than I already am.

"Ah, Zoe." My father greets bitterly as he pulls me to his side a little too harshly. I look up and my eyes widen in surprise when I see Hunter with a group of people beside him. "This is my youngest daughter, Zoe Miller. Zoe, these are the Jacksons."

I spot the Carson family and send them all a smile. We've been neighbors for years and they know I exist. They're most likely the reason why I'm being introduced because if nobody mentioned me in front of the Jacksons my parents would never let a single word slip from their lips about a second child.

"It's nice to meet you all." I greet them quietly before rolling my eyes at Hunter's shocked gaze. So, the fool finally realizes, I think to myself in amusement. It brings me back to when he assumed I was a mistress and I feel a tinge of annoyance rise within me.

"We were just talking about how Hunter is an impressive lawyer. Don't you think so, Zoe?" My sister smiles sweetly but underneath that mask she's telling me to kiss up to the family. Obviously, they are very important people then.

I shrug and stare back at Hunter in defiance who only arches a brow. "He's impressive at being an egotistical moron."

Why on God's green earth did I say that?! I groan mentally when I realize that I let my annoyance get the best of me. He helped me from Grant and I'm acting like a bitch! Ugh, I think one of my screws are loose.

I can see the rage building in my family's eyes as their faces ruddy with embarrassment. Hunter's family, on the other hand, are biting their lips and looking away to stifle their obvious laughter. I see an older couple and the stunning woman has a knowing look in her eyes as her gaze flickers from Hunter to me. I glance back at him to see a glint of amusement in his baby blues and his lips quirk for a fleeting moment. I open my mouth to apologize but my mom cuts me off before the words can leave my lips.

"Zoe!" My mother barks as she glares at me with her steely brown eyes.

I sigh before turning to the Jacksons. "I apologize for my lack of manners. To make up for it, all drinks are on my father. Have a good evening."

I turn with a wicked grin on my lips and rush away, weaving my way through the crowds. I can still hear the echoing laughter of the Jacksons and I thank the heavens that they found it funny. It's refreshing to see influential and powerful people not take everything so seriously.

I head back to the food table and grab myself a plate. Piling it sky high I turn the corner and slide down against the wall with my food. I haven't eaten properly in days and with just the income from my bar tending I'm only able to buy the basics and save the rest. So, I literally inhale the food and think about getting seconds too. If I must tolerate my family all night long then I want to leave fully stuffed with a food baby by the end of it.

But I jump and become startled when a body suddenly sits next to mine. Looking up I find myself staring into a pair of familiar blues. I narrow my eyes at Hunter and scoot away only to huff in annoyance when he follows and presses his body against mine.

"That wasn't very nice, Zoe." He drawls and I detect a hint of a southern accent in his tone that I have never noticed before.

My body shivers in response as my name rolls of his tongue smoothly. Cursing myself when he notices I focus on my plate of food again. "Being called a mistress isn't nice either, Hunter."

I watch his hands curl into fists and feel his body tensing against mine before he relaxes and meets my gaze head on. "I'm sorry about that. I should have never assumed things. Will you forgive me?"

I stare at him and try to judge whether he's being sincere. "Fine but go get your own plate of food."

"And risk catching my family who want to tease the hell out me? No way! Give me that plate, it's only fair!" He smirks before trying to take it away from me.

I cry out and pull it back while shaking my head in protest since my mouth is full of food. We go on like that for a few seconds until Hunter pulls too hard and the food spills all over him. I burst into a fit of giggles at his shocked expression because he looks like a little boy who didn't get what he wanted.

"Your fault, you get the food." I grin when he narrows his eyes at me.

Sighing, he stands and takes off his suit jacket before pulling me up with him. I yelp when he overestimates his strength and I end up crashing into his chest. I feel butterflies flutter crazily in my tummy over the contact and I struggle hard to act normal. He stares down at me with an unknown emotion before stepping back and leaving me cold.

"Come on, let's get out of here and get some real food." He mumbles before pulling me out into the hallway.

"Wait – what?!" I exclaim before trying to escape his grip. "I don't have any money on me –"

"My treat since I dropped the food." He winks before dragging me outside.

Sighing, I follow him and feel a little embarrassed that I don't argue much. I'm starving and the sound of free, good food is something that's hard to refuse in my situation. He seems to know where to go and luckily it's not that far because my heels are killing me. Why I'll never be able to walk in these death traps I'll never know.

We walk into an Italian restaurant and thankfully, it's warm and cozy inside. After being seated immediately the waiter brings over our menus before grabbing us some water. My gaze roams the expansive selection of dishes before they flit over to Hunter as he mumbles a curse under his breath. He shakes his head with a deep scowl on his face as he types away furiously on his phone. I smile in amusement before focusing my attention back on the menu. But Hunter notices and asks me what's so funny as he puts his phone back into his pocket.

"I can bet good money that you're the grumpy one in your family." I tease playfully as I take a sip of my water and watch him smirk in response.

"You'd have to meet all eight of us to confirm that statement."

Immediately I spit out my water before my eyes widen in embarrassment when I realize it all went on his shirt. He closes his eyes and releases a deep breath before glaring at me murderously.

"Sorry?" I squeak and hand him a napkin.

"First my suit jacket, now my shirt. If you wanted me topless you could have just asked, Zoe." He drawls as he dabs at the now wet material.

"Hunter!" I exclaim a little too loudly before covering my face in mortification when I notice the whole restaurant looking at me. "Kill me now."

"Nah, I think I'll keep you around kitten."

"Kitten?" I growl angrily with a glare.

But before I can spit curses at him a waitress runs over and her top has been clearly pulled down to reveal a lot of cleavage. "Mister Jackson, is everything alright with you and your sister?"

The nerve of this barbie looking bimbo.

"Sister?!" I cry out as my blood boils in anger. "Are you blind?! Do we look related?!"

"Well, you're clearly not girlfriend material." She mutters as she stares at me in disgust before choosing to ignore me and leaning down to ask if Hunter is fine...giving him an eyeful while she's at it. Hunter's booming laughter is drawing most of the attention of the restaurant while my temper rises.

"At least I'm not desperate for a quick lay!" I seethe before grabbing my purse and marching out of the restaurant.

I'm halfway down the block when Hunter catches up to me and wraps an arm around my waist to bring me to a stop. "Come on Red, I'll take you to another restaurant."

"No, Hunter. I don't want to anymore." I wrench my arm from his grasp with a sigh.

"It's not that big of a deal." He states and a devilish smirk quirks his lips when I freeze and turn back to face him.

"She – I...but – ugh!" I explode as I swat his arm in frustration. "How dare you just sit there and laugh like a hyena while she was being mean to me?!"

I barely register him taking my hand and tugging me forward as I continue my rant about the waitress. We make our way into another restaurant and are seated quickly. It's like everyone recognizes Hunter which confirms that he really is a well-known lawyer. When a waiter eventually comes to our table I rattle off my order and get a couple of extra sides with it before closing the menu. The waiter stares at me in shock whereas Hunter's eyes dance in amusement.

"What? I'm hungry." I pout before leaning back and crossing my arms.

He chuckles before requesting what he wants. As the waiter walks away with our orders I notice Hunter's eyes roaming my body. I flush under his heated gaze before clearing my throat and looking away.

"So am I." He murmurs before taking a sip of his water.

I have a feeling he isn't talking about the food.

Update schedule is: twice weekly whenever I find time!

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