Chapter 8 - The Performance
At nine-thirty, the gala’s charity auction was nearing its conclusion. The primary fund-raising effort of the night was dedicated to supporting music programs for underprivileged youth in New York City.
The master of ceremonies stepped up to the main stage microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the host announced, "for our final auction item tonight, we have an unexpected treat. The world-renowned jazz pianist, Monsieur Claude Laurent, has agreed to perform one exclusive song tonight—if a guest is willing to step up and sing lead vocals alongside him."
The crowd murmured. Many wealthy socialites looked around, but no one wanted to risk singing in front of three hundred elite guests and music critics.
Dominic leaned over to Ruby, a dark, wicked spark in his eyes. "Didn't you tell me last week that Monsieur Laurent was your favorite living pianist?"
"He is," Ruby gasped, her eyes wide as she watched the famous musician sit down at the grand Steinway piano on stage. "His albums are legendary!"
Dominic reached into his jacket pocket, raising his hand calmly into the air.
"Five hundred thousand dollars," Dominic’s deep voice rang out across the quiet ballroom.
The room gasped instantly. People turned in absolute shock to look at Dominic Vale.
"Five... five hundred thousand dollars from Mr. Vale!" the host stuttered, completely taken aback. "And who will be singing, sir?"
Dominic looked down at Ruby, offering her his hand. "My partner, Ruby Bennett."
Ruby’s breath hit her throat. "Dominic! Are you insane?! Five hundred thousand dollars?!"
"It's for charity," Dominic said with a smooth, devastating smirk. "And I want to hear my favorite singer."
"In front of all these snobs?!" she whispered frantically.
"Show them who you are, Ruby," Dominic whispered softly, his hands holding hers tightly, his dark eyes filled with absolute, unwavering faith. "Fill up the space."
Ruby looked into his eyes, feeling the surge of warm confidence that had always defined her life returning tenfold. She smiled, kissed his cheek, and turned toward the stage.
The crowd watched in breathless silence as the plus-sized woman in the emerald dress walked gracefully up the stairs, taking her place beside the grand piano.
Monsieur Laurent looked up at her, smiling gently. "What shall we play, mademoiselle?"
"Do you know Feeling Good by Nina Simone?" Ruby asked softly.
The pianist smiled warmly. "A masterpiece. On your mark."
The low, moody opening chords of the piano drifted through the silent ballroom.
Ruby closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath. She thought of her grandmother. She thought of her small apartment in Brooklyn. She thought of the cold, quiet mansion in Westchester—and the lonely mafia boss who had looked at her as if she were the center of the universe.
She opened her eyes, looked directly at Dominic standing near the front, lifted the microphone, and sang.
“Birds flying high, you know how I feel…”
Her voice burst into the ballroom like a golden light—rich, velvety, powerful, and dripping with raw, soul-shaking emotion.
The entire crowd froze. Champagne glasses stopped halfway to lips. People stopped breathing.
“Sun in the sky, you know how I feel…”
As she hit the chorus, her voice rose into a thunderous, breathtaking crescendo, rich and full, vibrating through the high ceilings of the historic estate, washing over the arrogant socialites and wealthy businessmen, completely paralyzing them with pure, unfiltered talent.
Dominic stood near the stage, his hands folded behind his back, staring up at her. His heart was hammering against his chest so hard it felt like a war drum.
She was magnificent. She was life itself—vibrant, beautiful, untamed, and glorious.
When she hit the final, soaring high note, holding it with effortless, breathtaking power before bringing the song to a soft, lingering finish, the ballroom remained dead silent for two full seconds.
Then, the room exploded.
Three hundred people leaped to their feet, delivering a roaring, thunderous standing ovation that shook the crystal chandeliers. Even Arthur Vance was clapping wildly, swept up in the absolute brilliance of the performance.
Ruby stood on stage, flushed, radiant, laughing with pure joy as Monsieur Laurent stood up to bow beside her.
She looked down through the crowd, her eyes finding Dominic.
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He wasn't just clapping.
He was looking at her with a raw, unshielded adoration that made everything else in the world fade into insignificance.
