Making Your Way to the Gala

“Everybody ready?” You ask, getting all the girls to confirm.

You and the girls are all dressed up for the gala, and are just about ready to leave the apartment. Prior to getting ready for the event, most of your morning and afternoon was spent with Cassie and Stella. They informed you of their decision to ‘see where it goes’, and you couldn’t be happier for them. They made sure to assure you that whatever happens with them, it won’t affect their relationship with you.

When you asked them what their plans are, they answered they didn’t actually know, making you suggest they go on another ‘Girls’ Night Out’ tomorrow with just the two of them, so that they can spend some time together. Cassie and Stella both excitedly agreed to the idea, and you’re happy to find out that they’re both hopeful of what might come out of Cassie’s confession.

Afterwards, the three of you went on a run, had a bit of fun after your showers, and spent most of the afternoon doing chores and relaxing together. You also took the time to book a hotel room at Hoffman Hotels for your date tomorrow with Brooke. You were told it was fully booked, but after a call with Becca and after being told by her to call them again, they suddenly have a room available. As for Maddy, she didn’t drop by anymore as she spent all of her morning and afternoon touring Tricia around the city with her grandparents.

After you picked up Tanya, Viv, and Brooke, all three of you went back to the apartment to get ready for the event. Maddy arrived at your apartment not long after you arrived too. Tanya and Brooke helped the younger girls out with their hair and make-up, while you had a nice chat with the O’Briens who were dropping off Maddy. After over an hour since you arrived with Tanya, Brooke, and Viv, all of you were finally ready to meet up with Becca and Paige who were already at the venue.

“We’re leaving early tomorrow, dear. Don’t stay up too late.” Mrs. O’Brien reminds Maddy.

“Oh, come on, Grammy. She can sleep in the car while I drive. Let her stay out a bit longer.” Tricia replies to her grandmother, who huffs to concede Tricia’s point. Maddy gives her older sister an appreciative smile for the assist. The O’Briens then take turns in giving Maddy a tight hug and telling her to have fun.

“I’m so jealous of you, sis.” Tricia tells Maddy affectionately during their hug.

“I’d invite you if I could.” Maddy tells her sister.

“You guys already showed me a great time today. That's all I could ask for during my one day here.” Tricia thanks Maddy, before breaking away from their hug.

“It doesn’t have to be just a day, you know. Maybe we can talk to Dad and convince him to let you stay with us over the summer.” Maddy tells Tricia.

“Who are you and what have you done to my sister?” Tricia jokingly asks. “You know that’s impossible.” Tricia adds in disbelief.

“I don’t know. He let you drive here and have you stay here for a day. He’s thinking about allowing me to dorm now too. I think Dad’s getting soft in his old age.” Maddy jokes, knowing full well the reason behind her Dad’s softer stance.

“You have a point.” Tricia concedes. “I don’t want to poke the bear though. It could all just be a phase that he’ll regret if he gives up too much too early.” Tricia says, tempering her hope.

“You’re right. It’s still worth a shot though.” Maddy tells Tricia with a hopeful smile, not wanting to give away her assuredness, and they both hug one more time before Tricia tells Maddy a final goodbye.

All of you finally leave the apartment afterwards. You and the girls say your goodbyes to the O’Briens once more, before they make their way back to their apartment; while you and the girls make your way down the stairs.

“Who’s riding with who?” You ask them, after arriving at the sidewalk in front of your apartment.

“We can ride with Tanya.” Viv suggests, pointing to herself and Brooke, who nods in agreement. The others agree to that arrangement, with Cassie immediately shouting ‘Shotgun’ after the arrangement became final, beating Stella to the punch. Your group separates from the others, as you both head for your respective vehicles. Once everyone is seated and buckled up, you begin your drive to the venue — The Hoffman Hotel.

“I’ve always wondered what happens during gala events.” Stella says out loud from the backseat, trying to make conversation.

“You guys didn’t know either?” Maddy asks.

“This is the first time we’ve been invited to one of these, so we have no clue what’s going to happen.” Cassie answers her.

“What about you, Mr. Craig? Do you have any idea what we’ll do there?” Maddy asks you.

“From what Viv said yesterday, there’s going to be champagne, fancy dinner, and a bunch of old guys with their arm candy.” You jokingly answer.

“Then you’ll fit right in, Dad.” Stella teases you, making the other girls laugh, while you give her a sarcastic one in response.

“I actually asked Becca about it yesterday, since I didn’t know either, and she said there’s going to be dinner, then some live entertainment, dancing, and mingling… while constantly being hounded to donate to the charity that they’re promoting.” Maddy shares.

“Ooh~, I wonder who the live entertainment is going to be? What if it’s Beyonce?” Stella asks excitedly.

“I wouldn’t get my hopes up, baby.” You reply.

“Let a girl dream, okay!?” Stella responds in fake annoyance, making the others laugh.

“By the way, since you brought it up, Maddy; what did you and Becca do yesterday after we left?” Cassie asks.

“Oh! Umm… we went to Ms. Viv’s restaurant after, since Becca had business to take care of there, and then Becca took me to her other restaurant for dinner.” Maddy answers.

“What other restaurant? You mean Dorsia!?” Stella asks, already unable to hide her envy if her guess is right.

“Yeah. That one.” Maddy answers nonchalantly, unaware of Stella’s envious tone, making Stella gasp.

“That’s awesome. I wish we could have joined you.” Cassie replies, a little too passive-aggressively.

“Oh! Umm… Sorry we didn’t invite you. It was just a spur of the moment thing, you know?” Maddy says, a little ashamed.

“It’s fine, Maddy. I think it’s nice that you and Becca are getting closer.” You assure Maddy, while also trying to diffuse the instigation being done by Cassie.

“Why did you suddenly want to hang out with Becca yesterday?” Stella asks, not getting the hint from your statement.

“I-uhh~” Maddy begins to stutter.

“You don’t need to explain, Maddy. You already assured me this morning that we’re good, so you don’t need to explain whatever happened yesterday any further.” You finally put your foot down, making Cassie and Stella apologize for instigating.

“Oh! It’s okay, Mr. Craig. It’s not that I wanted to hang out with Ms. Becca. It’s just… she helped me with my situation and I…” Maddy begins to explain, before pausing once more.

“It’s okay, Mads. If you don’t want to tell us yet, we understand. Again, we’re sorry if we sound like we’re pressuring you. We’re just curious, you know? Plus, we just want to say that we want you to be comfortable telling us stuff too.” Cassie tells her.

“I am! It’s just… I’m not comfortable telling Mr. Craig about my… body... yet. I’ve never had to have boys know about that. I’ve always been around my sisters when it happened, so it wasn’t a big deal. Plus, I didn’t want Mr. Craig to worry about paying for the dress I ruined.” Maddy explains.

“See! I told you it was just about her…” Stella exclaims, before catching herself.

“You knew!?” Maddy reacts.

“Of course we knew. Becca basically spelled it out for us yesterday. Although, Detective Conan over here didn’t want to believe it was that simple.” Stella answers Maddy. You look towards Cassie for a moment, who’s looking at you with an eyebrow raised, still not fully believing the explanation being given by Maddy. You mouth to her to just let it go. Cassie nods, before looking back towards the road, conceding her theory about yesterday.

“I just want you to know that I hope you can feel comfortable talking about that with me someday, Maddy.” You assure Maddy.

“I will, Mr. Craig. I just panicked yesterday, you know?” Maddy replies.

“I understand. Just know that we’re happy to help too once you feel comfortable enough to ask us.” You tell Maddy, who thanks you for your understanding.

It doesn’t take long after that for all of you to reach your destination. You meet up with Tanya, Brooke, and Viv at the lobby of the hotel, before all of you make your way up to the open area garden and events place on the 15th floor of the hotel.

As soon as the elevator doors open, there’s already someone to greet your group and ask for your names to check if they’re on the guest list.

“We’re Ms. Rebecca Hoffman’s plus seven.” Tanya informs them.

“Ah, yes. Of course. Ms. Hoffman gave us your names, we just want to check if it’s accurate.” The man replies, and the girls each give their names with you and Stella going last.

“Stella Craig.” your daughter tells him, who starts checking the guestbook again.

“Craig, Stella. Here it is - oh. That’s a different Ms. Craig. Ah. Here. Craig, Stella.” The man confirms, and you give him your name and he immediately confirms you’re on the guest list. “Welcome to the annual Hoffman Charity Gala. You’re all seated at Table 15. We hope you enjoy your evening.” The man finally welcomes all of you, before allowing you to enter the main venue.

As you enter the venue, you finally notice the amazing view of the city from up here. The decorations of the venue, you can only describe as simple but elegant. Not as lavish as you would have expected it to be, based on what Becca and Viv may have made you think since they mentioned multi-millionaires and probably other billionaires will be guests in this gala. Stella notices Paige sitting alone at a table, and you realize that it’s your group’s table as well, so you make your way to approach her. Before you can even reach the table, Becca calls out to you from behind.

“Good evening, Jay.” Becca says, after you turn around to face her.

“Hey, Becca.” You greet her back.

“I wanted to introduce you to—” Becca starts saying, before she gets cut off and the older man behind her moves forward to stand in between you and Becca.

“So… you’re the man my daughter has chosen over all the men I’ve introduced her to.”