August Rain: A Mafia Trinity Novel

"Mother, what is the meaning of this?" Elizabeth stares at the beautiful deep lilac evening gown her mother just presented to her. "It's for you, dear. You're going to a ball tonight!" her mother responds with a devious glint in her eye. When Agnes White made up her mind about something, there would be no persuading her otherwise. "Why wasn't I informed about this before? This is quite sudden!" Elizabeth exclaims, jumping up from her bed. Agnes looks at her with contempt, "Calm down, you ungrateful thing. This ball will have the country's most eligible bachelor present, and rumor is he'll be choosing a wife!" Elizabeth looks at her mother in surprise, "An arranged marriage? is that not a bit medieval, mother?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing! Of all the devious things her mother has put her through in the past, this is by far the lowest!"Not at all. This will benefit our family well," Agnes responds, "The Whites and Dereons are two of the country's mos

She hears a voice behind her and turns around. Standing there was a dashing gent. With his tall and seemingly muscular body showing through his tailored suit, she smiles and responds "How could you tell?"Stepping closer and standing next to Elizabeth, he says " Most of the women in there love the limelight, while you're standing out here. Is there any other reason?""I was hoping to make a quiet exit, I didn't realize I was being watched," she replies and laughs. Looking this man up and down, she couldn't help thinking that he was quite handsome in his Armani tailored suit. "How could you not stand out? You are by far the most beautiful here tonight," he replies. "Trying to charm me, sir?" she says and looks at him in amusement. Laughing, he responds "I was, actually. But it doesn't look like you're easily charmed." Smiling, Elizabeth says, "Unfortunately I didn't come here to be charmed.." sighing again, she looks down then back up at him, "

Elizabeth stares in disbelief.August Dereon heads to the stage with his fiancee, kisses her hand, and smiles. Elizabeth notices how beautiful Emily Gray looks. Black gown hugging her slim, athletic build, Louboutins on her feet and minimal make-up like Elizabeth, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Of course, August Dereon would be engaged to a stunner.He then turns around and looks at the crowd. Just as she thought, it was the stranger from the balcony. As he scans the crowd, his eyes fall on Elizabeth. They make eye contact for a split second, and he looks away again and frowns slightly. The women in the crowd are definitely swooning, Elizabeth notes. "Typical." she thinks drily."I'm pleased to see such a wonderful turnout of our city's most powerful families. On September 22nd The Dereon and Grays will become one. My lovely fiancee and I will only have our families present at this intimate affair, with a reception after

Arriving at White Manor, Elizabeth slips off her platforms and walks barefoot from the car. Knowing her mother would be highly pissed off with her when she gets home, she decides to sneak in quietly. From the outside, her life seemed glamourous. The Whites being the second wealthiest family in town, second only to the Dereon Family.Agnes White ran this family like her father ran his company, no love lost to any mistake made. Elizabeth dreaded running into her mother right now. But alas, Anges was waiting for her as she opened the door."Mother-"SMACK!The sound of the slap resounded through the Manor. Elizabeth grabs her cheek and looks at her mother with disdain, "What was that for, Mother?!" she screamed."For failing," Agnes responds curtly. Elizabeth could not believe what she was hearing. "Failing?! August Dereon is already engaged to be married in 6 months' time. Your inside source had it all wrong

"August!" Elizabeth exclaims and looks at the handsome man who just caught her. "Little Dragonfly, are you following me?" he says and gives her a devilish smile. Blushing profusely, she realizes she still had Liza on the line. Putting the phone to her ear, she says "Hi Liza?""I'm still here and want all the details when you get back. I'll get a mixture of cakes. See you at the office, Lizzy2." Liza responds and Elizabeth smiles, "You're a star, babe!" and ends the call. To everyone in the office, Liza was Lizzy1 and she was Lizzy2. An inside joke to the staff members.After ending her call, she looks up at August and says, "No, I wasn't following you, Mr. Dereon. I'm staying at this hotel for the time being." Why am I telling him this? she thinks.August grins, "I guess I'm following you then," he responds and chuckles."Uh..." Elizabeth was dumbfounded. August looks at her expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Relax, little Drag