So This Is Love

Chapter 1

Sylvia

The peach of my ball gown is a stunning contrast against my black skin. I’m lighskinned but the pale color is breathtaking. I only take notice of myself for a second, because that’s not really my style anyway.

But my style is doing everything it takes to do good for these children. And that means dressing the part.

 I organized the One Family Fund as a way to put up orphanages that are committed to finding homes for every child that needs one. And when they can’t be found homes, they will certainly be taught the life skills they will need at one of my orphanages so that when they reach adulthood, they are ready to face the world. The One Family Fund even provides college scholarships for those children who don’t find homes. 

I’m committed to saving as many orphans as possible. We even take in children from war-torn countries seeking asylum. Which is why the fund is important because it helps so many lives.   

Every year, I hold the One Family Gala where I invite several hundred of my closest friends with deep wallets. There’s a silent auction. There’s a presentation from the children. Some sing. Some dance. Others put on a play written by the children. It’s a roaring good time.

This year, we’re having it at the Bartley Hotel, one of the most beautiful locations in the city. Each plate goes for five thousand dollars. My friends and their acquaintances are happy to pay. The rule is, for you to be invited back to the Gala, you must bring a new donor along who can help the cause. 

My assistant and best friend, Clara, thought of that brilliant idea. “That way, we can maintain a fresh number of donors every year,” she told me. It made me feel like a vampire for a moment, but I quickly shook out the feeling because we need as many donations as we can get. It all goes to helping the kids. I know some people are donating and attending to look like they’re doing good...but even so, those donations really, really help.

Even I donate every year through the generous endowment of my father. I told him, if he’s going to continue to plunder the earth for oil, then he might as well secure futures for as many children as possible. He harrumphed at the idea, but remains generous to my various causes every year. 

I believe he thinks that organizing fundraisers and charities is a way to keep me out of trouble. I can’t blame him. Many of the socialites in my circles keep ending up in the gossip rags and websites because of one scandal or another. 

I adjust the skirt of my custom peach Valentino gown before I return to my rounds around the ballroom. I have to make sure to schmooze as many of the donors as possible. My goal is to raise more money this year than in previous years.

Clara walks up to me just as I finish accepting the very generous donation from the ambassador of Norway. I excuse myself from the conversation as I sidle up to her. She’s grinning like a cat given a bowl of cream.

“He’s here,” she says. I’ve had her on watch duty all night regardless of all the other responsibilities on her shoulder tonight to ensure that this party runs smoothly.

My heart beat kicks up. “Where?” I ask her without craning my neck in an obvious way. I merely scan the crowd as if I’m looking at the guests when really, I’m searching for a specific one.

“He just came in.” Clara tilts her chin toward the entrance to the ballroom. “He’s currently shaking hands with several businessmen.”

I whip around so fast that I fight off a dizzy spell with a couple of blinks. Then I spot him in all his glory. My hand goes up to touch my chest.

“God, he looks so damn good in a tux,” I say, more to myself than to Clara.

By he I mean Will Devine, ambitious congressman who’s as handsome as sin. I’m pretty sure a majority of his votes were from women. Can you blame them?

He’s 6”2’ with an amazingly muscular built. Not scary muscles. Just toned enough to show that he goes to the gym regularly.

Pair that body with golden-brown hair, the most amazing blue eyes, thick lips, and a square jawline and you have everything you need for a presidential win. Being in the fundraising world, we run in almost the same circles. I’ve admired him from afar for years. I get sick of most white boys’ bullshit, and I know more bullshitters than most, but this man is sexy as hell and he’s genuine, so I take a second look. A third look.

“I can’t believe you actually got him here,” I say, conscious of my breathing.

“Took some doing but one of his aids owes me one,” Clara replies, a self-assurance in her voice that I’ve always admired.

“Handsome and known for his revolutionary work in politics.”

“Woah, slow down there, girl. You’re about to drool.”

I actually swallow when she says that. “What? Am I being selfish by using this gala to get closer to him? Maybe.”

I have to admit, getting to meet Will is the hidden agenda of this party. Of course, it will still benefit the kids. They are the number one priority, after all. If that means I get a congressman as an ally in the process, then all the better for everyone.

“I hear that his next bill contains harsher punishments on child abusers,” Clara says.

“That’s why it will be to our benefit to be friends with him,” I say. “His agenda clearly aligns with ours. I’d like to hear more about it from him.” I love that this man actually works to get shit done. Where do you find that in a man? So, yeah, I can’t help but be into him.

“Then I say you better go over to him and introduce yourself.” Clara nudges me. “While I go round up the children and start preparing them for the show, they’ll put on for everyone. It’s going to be a great night.”

“What will I do without you?” I ask.

“Fail?”

We share a laugh. Then as I begin to make my way through the party toward Will, I look back and she gives me an enthusiastic thumbs up. I run my hands over the front of my gown. I decided to go with simple earrings as a way to showcase the dress since it’s one of the auction items up for grabs tonight.

Will manages to disentangle himself from the businessmen that have gathered around him. I admire a man who can hold his own in a crowd. On the way, several donors ask for my attention and I give it to them while keeping an eye on Will.

He has the confidence to walk the party alone. No aids. No bodyguards. Impressive.

When I finally free myself from the donors who cornered me and make a beeline toward Will, my hands shake. My stomach begins to quiver. The closer I get the more nervous I become.