Alpha Billionaire Series
Hot Mess Chapter 5

KAYLA

Once I arrived at the party, it was exactly as I had expected it. Lights sparkled up in tree branches. A vested door man helped open car doors and even held his hand out to help me from the car.

I stepped aside and waited as Jessie, Claire, and Kiki got out of the car. I was at a real Hollywood party with real actors. This was so thrilling. I had butterfly swarms in my stomach. I was so nervous and excited all at once.

I must have been gawking at the decorations too long because the next thing I knew my cousin and her friends were giggling and walking away from me. The short skirts on their matching dresses flipped up exposing their butts as they strutted in the high-heeled go-go boots. My eyes went wide. They weren't even wearing panties to cover their butts.

My mother would die if she knew I was out with Jessie. My dress was taped on, and anyone looking at Jessie's b**t was going to get an eyeful. I spun to see Gabe as he finished adjusting his suit after having stepped out of the car.

Either he didn't notice his sister's bottom was exposed or he didn't care. I had to assume he didn't know. Surely, he would be protective of her reputation.

I stepped up to him and wrapped my arm around his.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He sneered down at my arm.

I gripped a little tighter. "Please don't abandon me here. I've never been to a party like this before."

"Sure, whatever. Just don't let people think you're my date. Oh, I know. We'll tell everyone I'm your pimp."

I glared at him before letting my gaze soften. "Oh, the costume," I let out a nervous laugh.

"Um, I thought you should know Jessie is exposing herself. She doesn't seem to have any panties covering her bottom."

"Gross don't tell me stuff like that. I don't want to see my sister's ass."

I didn't understand his reaction. "But other people can."

"If she wants to show off her ass, that's on her. I don't know why you're telling me." He put his hand over mine as we strolled into the party.

I took in everything. The high ceilings and grand staircase of the entryway, all of the beautiful people. Everyone in Los Angeles was unrealistically attractive. And then there were the costumes.

I felt half naked with my back not covered, and my dress taped on, but there were people who were literally half naked.

I saw one woman with starfish on her breasts, only covering her nipples. No one else seemed to be offended or even noticed that all of her breasts were just out and exposed. I blinked and took it all in. It was overwhelming, to say the least.

I saw at least two other women in the same costume. Ishtaria. I felt like a fraud having not watched the show. And I definitely looked different than they did. I could really imagine what the character looked like seeing them in the costume. The effect was completely lost on me and my curves.

I continued staring at everything as Gabe met someone he knew.

"Kayla, this is Ken."

"Hi. This party is amazing. I've never been to anything like this before," I said, trying to make conversation.

"I can tell." Ken's gaze never left my cleavage. He made me feel even more exposed than I already was.

I pulled my hair over my shoulder and covered my chest with it.

"I'll catch you later, man," Gabe said before we were walking deeper into the amazing home.

"Everyone is so thin here."

"It's Hollywood baby. You know"-Gabe paused and looked me over- "I could probably take care of a few gambling debts I have with you."

"What is that supposed to mean? I don't have money."

"You're different around here. Unique. You could do me a real favor if I hooked you up with some guys I know. They're the adventurous type. Probably never had a fat girl."

Was he serious? "Never joke about selling people for favors. That's not right."

"Relax, Kayla. It's a joke."

It wasn't funny. I didn't want to hang around him anymore. He was being super creepy. But Jessie and her friends had disappeared into the crowd. I didn't know anyone else here.

"Is that Marci Wolf?" I saw the blonde actress in a slinky dress that looked made of bandages. "I love her movies. She is so cute."

"You want to meet her? Gabe asked.

"Yes! Do you think it's her, or someone dressed up as her?"

"Oh, it's her alright. Come on."

The next thing I knew we were crossing the patio and Gabe was calling out to the actual Marci Wolf.

"Marci. I haven't seen you since Brent's yacht last spring. How are you?" He leaned in and they did that cheek kiss that I only ever saw in the movies.

Marci was wide-eyed and smiling. I didn't think she knew Gabe, and he was just showing off.

"Don't tell me you forgot already? Gabe, Manny's friend."

Marci's eyes went even wider. She braced her hands on his arm. "Gabe, right, how are you?"

I couldn't believe he actually knew her, knew people who went out on yachts, and I was standing next to Marci Wolf.

"Let me introduce my cousin. She's a huge fan."

Marci looked me up and down. "I can see that. Ishtaria, bold choice. Have you met any of the Mithrandes? I heard Nick was actually here."

She waved her hand about. Everyone kept dropping names as if I personally knew everyone they did.

I put my hands on my chest at my collarbone. "My cousin got me this. I've never actually seen the show." I confessed. "I know it's not cool to do this right now, you're relaxing at a party. Cute mummy costume." I felt proud of myself for having figured out her costume while being completely starstruck.

I clasped my hands together and practically hit myself in the chin with my excitement. "I just love your movies. You are so talented."

She reached a handout as if to touch me, but pulled it back at the last minute. "I'm so glad you enjoy watching my movies. Gabe, it's been real. Oh, I hear Jeff is looking for me. You enjoy yourself now Leyla."

I was stunned. She hadn't remembered my name for three minutes. Leyla, close enough. I gave Gabe a stupid excited grin.

He sneered at me. He started to leave and then turned and leaned in close. "That was f*****g embarrassing. Do not let anyone here know we're related. And keep the stargazing crap to yourself."

He turned on his heel and left me.

Too many emotions hit me all at once. Gabe was angry with me and acting weird. Jessie and her friends had completely ditched me. Marci Wolf insulted me, couldn't remember my name for five seconds, and couldn't get away from me fast enough. I wasn't from around here or used to parties like this, but I wasn't dumb. I had acted like a fool in my excitement.

I saw a couple of other young women in the same costume. I gave them a nervous wave. Maybe we could bond over how much tape this costume needed. The first Ishtaria rolled her eyes while the second one sneered and shook her head.

Well, there really was nothing else for me to do. I needed a bathroom to hide in and maybe cry. I would probably cry just trying to get in and out of my Spanx with enough time to not have an accident. I stopped standing there in the middle of a party with nobody to talk to and headed into the house.

I followed the basic flow of people who moved about as if they knew where they were going and what they were doing. I somehow ended up getting a mini tour of the house. It was amazing. A real architectural magazine quality dream house. But at the moment, it felt like it had entirely too few bathrooms. We didn't pass a single one.

I didn't know anyone here. I sucked in a deep breath and approached a small group having a conversation at the end of the hall.

"Um," I hesitated.

"What the fuck do you want?"

"I was looking for a bathroom," I said.

"Do I look like I live here?" The curt manner, the open sneer, yeah, I got the hint. I didn't belong there.

I found myself at the top of the grand staircase at the entry. If there were bathrooms, they had to be on the second floor somewhere. A familiar face smiled up at me. The man I had met with Gabe earlier climbed the stairs and stopped in front of me. "Ken! So nice to see a friendly face," the words were out of my mouth before I remembered I hadn't liked the way he had looked at my chest.

"You look like you're lost. Good thing I found you."

"I'm looking for a bathroom." He may have creeped me out, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Yeah, of course. Follow me."

I trailed behind him babbling about having seen a good deal of the house with a group that was admiring everything, but we never encountered a bathroom.

He opened a door and pointed across a bedroom. "Bathroom in there."

I sprinted to the best of my ability. I didn't want to run, not with tape being the only thing holding my breasts in. I closed the door behind me with a sigh. I thought about what Claire said about the Spanx being the panties. When I was done with my dire need, I ditched the actual cotton undies.

The foundation wear covered enough of everything; I should have realized they would have served as my undies when I first put them on. I just wasn't used to this lifestyle.

I stepped out of the bathroom. The door to the bedroom was closed. Ken was leering at me from the bed. I closed my eyes and groaned. How stupid was I? Talk about a naive mistake, letting myself get stuck in a room with a creep. I went straight to the door. Ken was fast. And his grip on my wrist was strong. I cried out.

"Not so fast girlie. Gabe said you were willing to―"

Ken didn't get a chance to finish. I kneed him in the groin just as the bedroom door burst open.