Chapter 4

Kinnerly P.O.V:

It was banquet day and I had convinced The Graysons to let me change my hair which I was crazy grateful for. They had given me the whole day off on Friday and basically pampered me. I got my hair in light and dark highlights that compliments my brownish-blone hair. It was down my hair. My nails matched the color red of my dress and Chelsea begged me to wear red bottoms with silver rhinestones on the heels. I caved in.

Drake had been acting weird ever since I gotten my hair done and highlighted but I didn't think to much of it as I was more nervous that someone from the royal family would recongnize me. My toes were painted white french tips and nude coloring which made my toes extra pretty. They had hired someone to wax me down I felt like a naked molerat but the team at the hotel pampered me.

It felt uncomfortable, felt like back at home but they had loved it. Apparently they never see me with my hair done so to have experience hand how different I was from the uniform, they were excited.

Now it was noon and I had been answering my work phone and making sure everything was fine before I got ready. I couldn't help it as this was the biggest night for the Grayson family and Mrs. Grayson kept repeating it was for me as well. As they were more concern with my image than their own.

"Kinnerly, you are not suppose to be out of your room." Jenny said as I visit her.

"I know but I feel completely uncomfortable. I mean look at me."

"You look like a princess to me."

"Jenny."

"What Kinnerly? You look beautiful and remember I will be there with you."

It was true. Jenny, John and JJ had been invited to the banquet but John didn't want that much people gushing over his son so he decided he wasn't going but that Jenny needed to go. As long as I stood by her side the whole night.

"I know. I just-- I'm going to see my parents for the first time and no matter what I changed I know my mom. She will know firsthand who I am." I said slouching.

"Don't you miss them?"

"Of course I do. But my dad said not to come back so I didn't."

"Yes but didn't you chose not too. He may have said it but if I know you well enough. I know that you already had picked your choice before he said it. He just called your bluff." Jenny said. I watched Jenny snugged into her waist trainer as she wanted her stomach to go down.

"Just think about it. You are the only child. I'm sure your mother misses you completely. As your stories with her are the most memorable. How do you think she feels losing her only child to God knows where?"

I looked away and at my perfectly polished feet. It dawned on me that I haven't thought about anybody else but myself for the past 7 years and it wasn't until Jenny said something that I wonder if my mother felt abandon by me. My phone ring indicating that Mrs. Grayson was calling me.

"Kinnerly, where are you?"

"With Jenny."

"Can you make sure that the banquet hall is right? I know Hannah is more than capable of having everything done but I know you have a bit of perfection hint to your designs. I also heard there was somethings happening inside the kitchen please fix it. I know you are not suppose to work today but--"

"I'm checking on it Mrs. Grayson." I said stopping her from rambling. Hannah must have gone in a panick mode without me as this was her first time directing everything on her own. I had no problem giving a hand as I had nothing to do and the banquet starts at 7. We have plenty of time to turn things around.

"You are a gift, my child." and with that she hung up. I spoke to Jenny about where I was headed and left. I made it to the elevator where I see Drake in the corner.

"Hello Kinnerly."

"Mr--Drake." I said.

"Your hair looks nice." he commented.

"Thank you." I touched it.

It was silent for a while until...

"You know my dad is coming. Mom wants everything perfect for him."

I turned. Drake was a little bit tipsy. He spoke hard and his eyes had darken when he mention his dad. Of course I heard about the publicize cheating his father did but no one never dared spoke on it.

"There is a lot of investors coming I heard."

"They want a united family front but how can I even look at him after what he did to us?" Drake said not exactly hearing me.

"Drake..."

"Don't say I don't have a reason to hate him."

"I'm not," I said softly. I turned fully towards him. "But you are the image of the hotel with a reputation to uphold. Are you going to drink and ruin it for the hotel and be the rebel son like the magazines say or are you going to rise to the occasion?"

He looked at me for the moment and stared me in the face.

"Do I have something on my face?"

"No just wise."

"Just something I learned being here. And family front image huh? Just focus on whats real. This is your business to run. Just because he messed up the family side of things doesn't mean you will. I think you would come out better than him as your kind and thoughtful."

Suddenly he kissed me with bourbon birth and for a moment I kissed him right back until the elevator dinged.

"Drake-- I'm so s-"

"I'm not." and with that he walked out first.

---

It was going on 6 oclock and finally everything was ready, guest were arriving and being seat and I was informed who was here by my microphone as I had convinced Mrs Grayson to let me wear it for just in case purposes.

Turns out the delivery truck had forgotten the shrimp so I sent for shrimp from a far away store that made it a rush job and hand delivered to us. I got extra hands in the kitchen and including myself to make sure every food was done and accounted for as two of the employees came down with a cold. They were dismissed. Now everything was being sent to the banquet kitchen and I was on my way to get ready for tonight. I had to stay away from Drake but our kiss kept replaying in my head.

I showered 50 times to make sure I didn't smell like shrimp and I had called the hair person before time to help me with my hair as the shrimp smell stuck to that as well. She styled it like we had it and I was good to go. I slip on my dress and heads and did a once over in the mirror. My red dress trailed shortly after me and I looked stunning.

Walking out I met Jenny on the elevator as we were told to me The Graysons in the penthouse.

"Kinnerly," she gushed.

Jenny had on a green fitted dress that hugged her body perfectly. She was gorgeous. They must have sent her to get her hair and make up done well.

"Kinnerly if I went that way you would have gotten kissed." Jenny said.

"Girl look at you. You are glowing." I said back to her. We took a couple of pictures together and straighten for the penthouse.

"Kinnerly, you look stunning." Mrs. Grayson compliment me.

"Thank you Mrs. Grayson and that dress seems to compliment you perfectly." She gave a twirl. "I have the best stylist."

And I blushed. I saw Mr. Grayson standing in the living room having a small sip of drink and he nodded at my appearance. "Seems as Kinnerly cleaned up nice."

"Chelsea idea." I said giving Chelsea a wink. Her soon to be husband stood beside her and they were were light pink. Chelsea went short smooth, and lace light pink dress that trailed the floor. I had stitch the sleeves of the dress to match the top and it was just gorgeous on her.

"Everyone is ready to walk down together?" Mrs. Grayson asked.

"Has anybody seen my son?"

"No--"

The elevators opened and walked out Drake. "I'm here."

He kissed his mom on the cheek as he completely ignored his father's looks. He had on a black suit and a red napkin perfectly tucked into his pocket.

"Drake where is Annalisa?" Chelsea asked.

"I wanted to go public with my girlfriend." he said casually and I cleared my throat. Girlfriend. He kissed me and he has a girlfriend.

"Well where is your date?"

"The most beautiful girl there. Kinnerly." And everyone turn towards me.