Right Hook (Gaslight series) COMPLETE

44| Like a movie

Max ♕
________________

Mixing with LA's elite is like stepping into a movie. The kind where rich kids dominate the screen and guys like me are just background noise, there to give the rich kids some depth.

And I hate it.

Everywhere I look, there are bottles of champagne popping or people toasting to some great charity or cause like they're the second coming. The only thing helping me to keep it together is the thought of how it would impact Alyssa if I flip.

But my patience is wearing thin. Maybe it's hearing her Mom call me a stray, but suddenly I see past the grandeur of this place to the ugliness behind it. These people might smile and seem pleasant on the surface, but they're hypocrites, swanning around preaching about climate change and poverty while riding in private jets. All the while I stand and nod, forced to hold my tongue, because the thought of embarrassing Alyssa right now holds more weight than my pride –I'm sure as hell that's not a good thing.

At one point, we find ourselves embroiled in another conversation with some rich tycoon couple who think they're the next Messiah.

"We're named in numerous charities for our contributions," the woman says. "We've had causes named after us. That's how much we've donated. One of the charities was thinking about building a statue of us – isn't that amazing?" They look at each other all proud and shit, and I can't keep my mouth shut any longer.

"Are you donating for you or for them?"

They both jerk to look at me, clearly perplexed. "Whatever do you mean?" the man asks.

I shrug, acutely aware of Alyssa's eyes burning through my profile. I have no idea what it is she's thinking, but I can't keep it up any longer. "You seem pretty focused on the recognition you get for donating than the actual cause. Would you still be happy to donate if you had to remain anonymous?"

Their faces pucker like they're sucking a lemon, and I feel Alyssa tense. "Excuse me, young man," he says, "but we have donated hundreds of thousands to charity, which I am certain is more than you have ever donated in your life, yet you have the audacity to stand there and shame us? What exactly are you doing to make a difference in this world?"

He shakes his head and takes his wife's hand before the pair walk away. Alyssa turns to face me, but the look on her face suggests she doesn't agree.

"You about to tell me I was wrong?" I ask.

She frowns at the agitation in my voice. "I don't think you're wrong, I just think it was an unnecessary thing to bring up."

"Oh come on," I say. I can feel myself getting angry, not at her but this place. The sooner this night is over, the better. "They're out here acting so high and mighty and what are they doing it for, Alyssa? To help those less fortunate or to feel good about themselves?"

She sighs and steps closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "I get it, I'm just saying that either way, whether they're basking in the recognition or not, they're still donating to good causes."

My jaw contracts as I focus on the wall, trying to calm down. "You want a drink?"

She shakes her head but looks up at me innocently. "No, but I want to dance."

Despite my agitation, it's hard to say no when she's looking at me like that. I take her by the hand and pull her into the next room, where some of the other guests are dancing. Somewhat nervous, she wraps her arms around my neck as I pull her in closer, and for a moment I forget that we're here in the clutches of hell. I just keep my gaze on hers, the faces around us blurring to nothing, the way I prefer it.