36 Chapter 36 - Nosedive

"Felix, babe, is something bothering you?" Felix had come over to my apartment for our usual nightly dinners but today he was barely touching his food. He did not respond seemingly lost in his thoughts.

"Did you fight with your mom again?" That was a sore point in his life that was getting worse as the days progress. The year we got engaged she blew up on him but then after she just ignored my existence. Of course they had bigger fish to fry at the time as Felix's reputation took a nosedive but regardless it was peaceful between them.

Now, as if a fire was ignited beneath her feet as she progressively wanted her previous future daughter in-law back. He stopped bringing me over so dinner became a routine event at my place.

"Ugh don't remind me about that. But no it's actually not about her. You remember the guy I told you about right? The one I do not want you to interact with." I thought back a bit and came up on his name. "Dean Cortez right?" His face morphed into disgust as he thought of his enemy.

"Yeah him. His family hosts a grand gala event every year to essentially showcase their projects and flaunt their wealth. This year ~we~ got invited." I dropped my fork. "Shut up we did?!" I was shocked. Based on the way that guy treated us at Rebeccas party, he seem to mutually hate my man and yet he took the initiative to invite us?

"That is whats bothering me. Why did he invite both of us?" Felix ate more of the salad I made for us, more puzzled at the others guys gesture. I felt my cheeks heat up in anger at his words. It was not like I was not aware of the situation. But every single one of his so called 'friends' treated me like I was less than. I logically knew why he would be puzzled but was also equally hurt because it was like only I was the problem.

Felix pulled out his phone and proceeded to text someone. "Who are you texting?" He glanced up for a bit. "I am texting my secretary to start getting us our outfits and details coordinated. I want to ensure we have everything to formally introduce you to other important business contacts."

At those words I felt better. I knew Felix really wanted to marry me, the lengths he was going to make me the best warmed my heart. But speaking of contacts. 'Would it be odd if I brought a recorder and a small notebook to interview people.'

My job at Charter Magazine was one I worked hard to maintain. It was a business magazine and was the leading news source for all things business related. Anyone who was of importance often graced our covers every issue. I have wanted to interview Felix to help boost his image but the proposal keeps getting rejected. The team who decides the topics just say that the issue cover has already been decided by the time the proposal reaches their desk.

As a journalist this would surely be a huge project to work on but knowing Felix he would probably be embarrassed. 'Maybe I can sneak it in my bag and work when he is not looking. If his parents also go I am positive they would keep him busy.'

I plotted how I would do what I wanted to do and drafted article ideas to submit. Eventually the day of the gala arrived. I took the day off from work to get ready. Felix hired professionals to come and get the both of us ready but since I would need more time he let me go first.

As I was getting my makeup done Felix, who was working on something on his laptop, suddenly got up, panicked. "Babe something just happened at the office and I need to take care of it. If I am not back in time meet me at the party. Your copy of invitation is on the table."

Before I could respond he ran out. I was a bit peeved but I also felt a little guilty at being also happy he was leaving. 'This works out because now I can interview and meet these high profile people without making feel embarrassed.'

As the time to head out inched closer I decided to have him meet me there. We initially were gonna go into his car and have his driver take us but since he ran off with him I took my car instead. I put in the directions into my phones GPS and headed over.

It led me to a seedy party of downtown. Right to a nightclub. Even though instinctively I felt this was a prank, with the reasoning as to why Dean Cortez even invited me becoming more apparent, I decided nonetheless to give him the benefit of the doubt. 'Supposedly this is his event, so based on the things I have heard about him, this is right up his alley.'

I parked and walked into the lobby. I saw some signs pointing to an event going on upstairs so I flashed the invitation and made my way up. Tons of socialites were partying and drinking, and while a few rich kids were definitely in attendance, none matched a business gala vibe.

"Hey sorry um who are you?!" A young woman approached me looking at me like I was a lost child. She was dressed in a deep purple wrap dress and looked more sober compared to others in the room. "I am so sorry I thought this was for the Cortez family gala." I yelled in the ear of the woman so she could hear me over the loud music.

"Cortez family gala? Oh honey you are far from it, that event is basically in the opposite direction from here." Seems the only one embarrassed was me tonight. I sent a text to Felix that the address was wrong so if he could meet me here or pick me up that would be great.

"Hey wanna wait in a more quiet area? I could sit with you." I nodded in agreement so she led me to a private room where the noise was significantly better and the seats more comfy. "Thanks." I took a seat and turned to face her. "My name is Sol Banks what is your name?"

The woman grabbed two bottles of water from an ice bucket and handed me one. "My name is Frankie Rhodes. Seems you fell victim to the pranks Dean likes to play on people like us."

Her words intrigued me, she spoke like she knew the man personally. "How do you know Dean Cortez?" She laughed and took a large swig of her water before slumping into the couch. "Oh I know everyone in their circle because I went to school with them. The high school we went to is prestigious in Eastside. For those of us whose family only very recently came into wealth, it was not the dream it should have been. Especially, when it came to the affairs of the old money kids."

What initially turned out to be a dud night became a golden ticket. This person had information on the kids who ruined what should have been the best time for myself and Felix. Even better, she likely knew something about the person I really wanted to unmask. "No way! Tell me more."