Chase's POV

This morning when I awoke, I made a pact with myself that I would enjoy the day and not think about the trial which is only a week away, and so far it's going great! Diego and I spent the morning in bed, then I met up with Shawn and Jesse for lunch. The three of us hung out at Dean and Shawn's house, while Dean napped, before we decided to get our hair done. Jesse was always going to get his hair professionally styled for the benefit tonight, but Shawn and I decided to treat ourselves and get ours done as well.

"Oh my gosh! Shawn, his hair is slicked back!" I squeal, looking at Jesse, who just finished getting his hair styled.

Shawn giggles. "I know! Am I dreaming? Pinch me. Ow!" He exclaims, pouting at the fact that I pinched him. I giggle and give him a hug to make up for it, erasing the frown from his face.

"You look really good!" I say, returning my attention to Jesse.

"You think so?" He admires himself in the mirror wearing a blindingly bright smile. "Bryan has been giving me a run-down of all the people he has to meet tonight. He asked me to help him charm them!"

I'm still grinning when I move closer and squish him into a hug. "You'll have no problem charming them!"

"Hey! Where's my hug!" Shawn whines and I can literally hear the pout in his voice. He attacks us with a tight hug and all three of us are grinning and carefree.

"We should go," Jesse says once we've paid the hairdressers and the three of us set off to Bryan's house.

None of our boyfriends are there once we return, so we blaze music and sing and dance while we get dressed. Once we're finished and finally turn off the music, we hear their voices in the distance, and we hurry towards them, excited to show off our dolled up selves.

Upon entering, our combined hotness halts all conversation. "Wow," Dean breathes, being the first one to break the silence.

Shawn grins and does a little twirl, causing Dean's face to light up.

Bryan admires Jesse, grinning from ear to ear and fussing over how stunning he looks.

"Your hair is so fluffy!" Dean exclaims, frowning when Shawn moves his head out of his reach.

"You can touch it afterwards, not before, or you'll mess it up," Shawn says gently, joining their lips in a soft kiss.

"You look amazing," Diego whispers, running his eyes up and down my body like he's trying to memorize every detail.

I giggle and press my lips to his. "You should see yourself!" I exclaim a little too loudly before ducking my head. Diego chuckles, raising my head to place a chaste kiss on my lips.

His hand travels down the front of my navy blue suit, adjusting my light blue pocket square before wrapping around me. "You really do look incredible," he whispers, seconds before connecting our lips.

We decided to wear matching suits but with the exception of the ties; I'm wearing a plain, red tie while he's wearing a red bow tie. Diego got our suits tailored so we're both looking incredibly dashing. A part of me wants to just stay in and rid Diego of these clothes but he's moderating the event, and after I told him that I definitely wanted to go, he decided not to transfer his duties to someone else.

When we break our kiss, we're both grinning. "I know you said you wanted to stay for the entire event, but if at any time, you want to leave, we can leave," Diego murmurs before pecking my lips.

"Don't you have to stay until it ends?" I inquire.

He shakes his head. "Nope. There will be some socialising and a few speeches at the beginning, to update the investors, followed by dinner, then it just morphs into a party. Once the speeches are done, I'm free."

I grin in response, and we all head out to the waiting SUV limousine. It sparkles under the bright glow of the full moon, flaunting its snow white colour with accents of silver.

A little man dressed in a black suit smiles and opens the door, and we all pile into the limousine. Shawn, Jesse and I are gushing in hushed tones about the fancy ride, as we try to subtly examine the inside.

Long, connected, cream coloured seats curve along one side of the limousine, opposite the drinks section, hosting anything from juice to hard liquor. The three of us sit next to each other, on the comfortable seats, stretching our feet out and giggling at the extra leg room.

The only time we've been in a limousine was for our prom, so this is a rare treat for us. We watch the city blurring past us through the tinted windows, talking about the upcoming event, while our boyfriends spend the drive having their own conversation and stealing glances at us.

"Wow," I whisper, my mouth slightly agape as we enter the room in which the benefit is being held.

Extravagant, crystal chandeliers cast a warm golden glow on the crowd of people dressed in their Sunday best. High ceilings and a simple, patterned carpet complement the champagne coloured table cloths and off white chairs, while beautiful bouquets of white flowers, sprinkled with burgundy flowers, lord over the China plates and silverware. People are huddled in various groups, smiling and laughing as dashingly dressed servers flutter around them, offering alcohol and appetisers, while the live quartet strums away on their instruments, filling the air with their perfect harmonies.

"Quiche, fine Sir?" The server holds out a tray of golden brown, mini quiches to me and I peek at Diego, who hasn't left my side since we entered. He smiles and I giggle before taking the appetiser offered to me.

"Thank you," I say just loud enough for the server to hear and he smiles before leaving to find his next targets. I eat my quiche and offer the second one I grabbed to Diego, who opens his mouth for me to pop it in.

As soon as we arrived, Bryan was swallowed by a sea of people who came to greet him, sweeping Jesse away with the current. I search the crowd for them, well Bryan, since his height and suit stand out, and find him and Jesse talking to a few older couples, while Shawn and Dean are talking to an energetic younger couple.

My gaze returns to Diego and he grins. "We still have some time before the event officially starts, would-"

"As I live and breathe, Mr. Santiago," a bubbly, salt and pepper haired man greets Diego.

"Dr. Bentley, how have you been," Diego responds, embracing the tall, slim man in a quick hug before wrapping one of his arms around my waist. "This my boyfriend, Chase Lambert."

He smiles and sticks out his hand for me to shake and I hesitate for a split second before returning his smile and shaking his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lambert," he turns to address Diego, "he must be special, you never bring dates to these things."

Diego chuckles and agrees. They talk about business for a few minutes, and I chime in occasionally with my input. Once Dr. Bentley leaves, Diego turns to me, giving me an incredulous look. "Little lamb, how do you know so much about business, and you shook his hand!"

I duck my head and giggle, before peeking up at him. "You talk about work a lot, I picked up a few things."

A guilty look flashes across Diego's face, followed by an apologetic look. I giggle again before getting on my tiptoes and pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. "You let me talk about whatever I want to talk about, so I have no problem doing the same for you."

That seems to reassure him and he grins and strokes my cheek.

"I've also been practicing shaking hands with strangers. I would still prefer not to do it because there is still a little fear in my mind, but it's not physically uncomfortable anymore," I say in response to his earlier comment.

"I agree with Dr. Bentley, I really do have quite an impressive boyfriend," he says, placing a soft kiss on my nose. "I have some other people to talk to before we officially start, would you accompany me?"

I giggle and nod, and Diego gives me one more quick kiss before we enter the raging sea of chirpy people.

The next half an hour is spent moving from person to person and group to group, passing pleasantries and in some instances talking about family or business before Diego goes up onto the little platform and calls for everyone's attention. People quickly find their seats and Diego welcomes them to the third annual appreciation event for the company.

I am awed and captivated by the ease in which he warms up the crowd, eliciting smiles and laughs from the onlookers with his words. He introduces a few other speakers before he welcomes Bryan to the stage. Jesse looks like a proud momma duck as he watches Bryan's short, detailed presentation on the company's future goals as well as its profits and achievements over the past year.

Once all the speeches are finished, the appetisers stop and the servers bring out the first course. I'm seated at the table with Shawn, Jesse and our boyfriends, talking and laughing about the most random things, while we enjoy our five course meal.  

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