Chapter 4

Connor's birthday party was held at the most luxurious club in the city, the Skyview Club.

At seven o'clock sharp, Blake and I arrived.

Blake was dressed in a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to show off his strong forearms. There was no logo, but the cut was perfect, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He looked so good that it made my knees weak.

Still, his leather shoes were practically crying and thinking, 'Even though we're handmade, Blake insists on scuffing us up with dirt, saying it makes us look more like something picked up at a flea market. That's so bad.'

I held onto his arm, and he was as tense as a statue.

As soon as we walked into the party hall, the blinding lights and loud music slammed into us all at once.

Connor was standing right in the middle of the crowd, the absolute center of attention. Alison was glued to his side, wearing a borrowed designer dress, practically clinging to him.

When we walked in, the whole place went quiet for a second.

Then, everyone burst out laughing.

"Well, well, if it isn't Blake and his true love?" Connor strolled over with a drink in hand, eyeing Blake up and down with obvious disdain. "So, where'd you borrow that outfit from? Looks almost real deal."

Alison covered her mouth, giggling. "Oh, Connor, these fakes are getting pretty convincing nowadays. I guess he snagged it for three bucks."

Everyone around us started jeering and laughing.

"Paisley, girl, your taste is way off."

"Yeah, why go for some guy who works with his hands when you could have Connor?"

Blake's arm was taut, and he fixed Connor with a frosty glare.

I gave his hand a reassuring tap, letting him know not to lose his cool.

Seeing us stay silent, Connor got even more arrogant. He snapped his fingers, and a waiter presented a massive bouquet of red roses.

Nestled right in the center of the roses was an exquisite jewelry box.

Connor opened the box, revealing a dazzling diamond necklace.

Connor said, dangling the necklace under the lights, "Paisley, all you have to do is walk over and say 'Blake is a loser,' and this necklace is yours.

"It's a limited-edition Cartier necklace. That broke guy could spend his whole life doing hard labor and still not afford even one diamond."

The necklace thought, 'Fake. I'm fake. I'm made of glass. He bought me from some shady reseller for $80. Don't wear me, my color will fade.'

I almost burst out laughing.

"You like it, right?" Connor gloated. "See? Everyone wants to level up."

Alison's eyes were practically red with jealousy as she sneered, "Paisley, Connor's treating you so well. Why aren't you taking it? Don't waste a good thing when it's handed to you."

Blake suddenly made a move.

He dropped my hand and stepped forward.

Connor flinched, taking a half-step back. "Hey, what are you trying to do? This is a classy place. There are security guards, you know."

Blake gave a cold chuckle and pulled a crumpled velvet box from his pocket. "Who told you I can't afford it?"

He opened the box, revealing an antique-looking necklace set with a deep blue gemstone.

The gem's glow was rich and restrained. It was obvious this was no ordinary piece.

The crowd froze for a second.

Then everyone burst out laughing even harder.

"Dude, what is that? Did you grab some glass beads from a flea market?"

"That box looks like you pulled it out of the dumpster."

Connor was doubled over. "Blake, have you lost your mind? You really think that busted rock can compete with my diamond? Is it even worth three bucks?"

Alison was laughing so hard that she could barely breathe. "Oh wow, is this the poor man's version of romance? I'm so moved. Seriously, I can't take it. This is hilarious."

Blake's hands trembled, his face flushed bright red.

He was burning with shame and anger, struggling to keep it together.

The necklace was practically bawling in its box as it thought, 'I'm the twin stone to The Heart of the Ocean. I was the star lot at last century's auction. I'm the real deal.

'These clueless bumpkins have no idea what they're looking at. Blake almost got caught by the butler trying to sneak me... I mean, take me out.]

My heart skipped a beat.

So, it was an auction piece.

Before I could say a word, Connor suddenly stepped forward and slapped the box right out of Blake's hand.

The box crashed to the floor, and the necklace rolled out, picking up dust.

"Take your junk and get out." Connor pointed at the door, his voice dripping with venom. "This place doesn't welcome broke people. Don't hang around and ruin the vibe."

Alison chimed in, shouting. "Get lost, Blake. Paisley, if you don't ditch him, you're out too."

Everyone's gaze felt like daggers, piercing right through us.

It was raw, unfiltered malice, mockery, and humiliation.

Blake bowed his head, fixated on the necklace lying on the floor. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white, his whole body trembling.

"Pick it up. Now," Blake ordered, his voice rough and strained.

"What was that?" Connor cupped his ear. "Didn't catch that."

"I said, pick it up." Blake suddenly looked up, his eyes so bloodshot that it was downright scary.

Connor flinched, but with his crew backing him up, he forced himself to shout, "Security. Where are the securities? Get this lunatic out of here."

A few security guards closed in, surrounding us.

Blake pulled me behind him, his eyes desperate and defiant, as if a lone wolf pushed to the edge.

"Paisley, go with the guards," he said through clenched teeth, his voice trembling. "I can handle this alone."

Nearby, the water plants in the ornamental lake swayed lazily, thinking, 'Come on, start a fight already. Toss him in.'

I couldn't help but let out a frustrated laugh.

Really? Was he still trying to be a hero now?

With the security guards closing in, Connor got even cockier, pointing at Blake and jeering, "You broke loser, what makes you think you can compete with me?

"The money I drop on dinner could feed your whole family for a year. Scum like you should stay buried in the dirt."

Blake gave a mocking laugh, about to fire back.