Raine sat at her small dining table, her hands slightly trembling as she set down the final plate. She had spent the entire afternoon preparing, making sure every detail of the food was perfect. Tonight was supposed to be special—her first real paycheck, the night she would treat her parents to a meal they would never forget. It wasn't extravagant, but it was hers. And she had promised herself that it would be a moment to cherish.
The doorbell rang, pulling her away from her thoughts. She wiped her hands on her apron and went to answer it, her excitement palpable. She opened the door to find her parents standing there, their smiles wide and full of pride.
"Mom, Dad," Raine said, her voice tinged with happiness. "I'm so glad you could come."
Her mother embraced her warmly. "We wouldn't miss it for the world, sweetheart. We're proud of you."
Her father gave her a hearty pat on the back, his grin wide. "Looking forward to tonight, kiddo."
The night had already begun perfectly, with her family by her side, but just as they were about to sit down to the meal she had prepared, there was a knock on the door. Raine furrowed her brow, confused. She wasn't expecting anyone else. When she opened the door, her confusion only grew as she saw two well-dressed men standing on the threshold.
One of them, a tall man with slicked-back hair, smiled warmly at her. "Good evening, Miss Callahan," he said, his voice professional. "We've been sent by Mr. Vaughn to deliver these to you."
He held out three tickets, each embossed with gold lettering.
Raine took the tickets, her eyes scanning them. The cards were for a food tasting event at a hotel that was preparing to open. The letter explained that she had been invited to give her assessment of the venue, as well as to enjoy the meal, completely free of charge.
"Food tasting?" she muttered, her stomach sinking slightly.
"We're honored to have you as our guest," the man continued. "There's no need to pay for anything tonight. Everything is covered by Mr. Vaughn. Please, enjoy."
Raine's mouth tightened into a thin line as she glanced back at her parents. This was supposed to be their night—her first big treat to them. She had made all these plans, crafted the perfect evening. And now, it was being hijacked by... this.
She forced a smile, though it felt like it was cracking beneath her teeth. "I—thank you. But, this was supposed to be for us..."
"I'm afraid there's no way around it, Miss Callahan," the man said, his tone professional but firm. "You're expected. The tickets are already paid for. A lovely evening awaits you."
Her parents, ever the understanding pair, smiled gently at her. "It's okay, honey," her mother said softly. "Don't worry. It'll still be a nice evening."
Raine wanted to protest, but she knew she had no choice. She couldn't just send these men away or refuse the invitation. "Alright," she said reluctantly, her smile forced. "We'll go."
The drive to the hotel was short, and as they arrived, Raine's irritation slowly began to fade into awe. The hotel was breathtaking—a brand new, five-star luxury venue still under preparation but almost finished. The towering structure was bathed in golden lights, its sleek design bold and modern. Tall windows gleamed in the soft glow of the setting sun, reflecting the city's lights in the distance.
When they entered the hotel, Raine was struck by the opulence. Chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their crystals sparkling like stars. The marble floors gleamed beneath their feet, and soft music played from hidden speakers, filling the space with a serene ambiance. It felt like they had stepped into a completely different world.
A hostess greeted them with a smile and led them down a long, wide hallway, the scent of fresh flowers and rich perfumes wafting through the air. The walls were adorned with elegant paintings, each one more intricate than the last. As they reached the end of the hallway, the hostess led them out onto a grand balcony, where a large table was set up just for them.
"Here we are," the hostess said, gesturing to the table. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. The chef has prepared a special menu just for you."
Raine and her parents took their seats, still stunned by the grandeur of it all. The soft hum of the city below drifted up from the streets, but the hotel felt like its own world—separate and secluded from the outside chaos.
The waitstaff, dressed in immaculate tuxedos, moved like shadows, bringing course after course of the finest food Raine had ever seen. Each dish was an art piece in its own right—elegant, intricate, and full of flavors she could barely describe. The food tasted like nothing she had ever had before, each bite more incredible than the last. The flavors danced on her tongue, complex and bold, yet somehow comforting. The presentation was impeccable—every plate seemed to glow under the soft lights.
Raine's parents were equally enchanted, laughing and talking with delight as they dug into the food. Her mother praised every bite, her father making jokes about how the food looked too fancy to eat. The entire atmosphere was effortless, like something out of a dream. Despite her initial frustrations, Raine couldn't help but be swept up in the magic of it all.
As the evening wore on, Raine relaxed, her earlier irritation melting away. This was an experience unlike anything she had ever imagined, and even though it wasn't the night she had planned, it was becoming its own kind of special.
For the first time, Raine noticed that her parents were sitting in the kind of comfort she had always dreamed of providing them. Their faces were lit with joy, their voices filled with laughter, and the pride they had for her was evident in their eyes. This was her gift to them. Even if the night hadn't gone the way she had planned, it was a gift they would remember forever.
After several courses, when they were nearly finished, the waiter brought out a final dish—a delicate dessert that was more a work of art than food. The light dessert was served with a flourish, and Raine's father declared it "fit for royalty."
Raine smiled, her heart lighter than it had been all day. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass of the balcony. Even in the shadow of the grand hotel, she could see how far she had come—from her simple life, to this. It was an unexpected turn, but one that had brought her family joy.
Little did Raine know, this night would be the first step into a much larger world—a world that Tristan Vaughn was ready to pull her into, whether she liked it or not. But for now, she was content, savoring the moment with her parents, and allowing herself to simply be present in the luxury around her.