America 1982-Chapter 520 - 101: Bill’s Cocktail Party_2
Fortunately, this situation wasn’t to last long, as Stephen soon arrived. The only thing that surprised Tommy was that the guy had brought Jeff’s niece, Gina, to the party. Tommy had thought this guy would find a woman with a seemingly more noble identity to accompany him.
Leaving Odelia, who was already accustomed to such events, chatting with a few people about the recent plans of the New Century Foundation, Tommy and Stephen retired to the cigar area. They watched as Gina, a country girl new to such affairs, curiously scoped out the entire party venue while sampling various drinks and foods at the server’s recommendation.
"Why did you bring Gina along? Your romantic role ended when you got that boy," Tommy said as he took a sip of mead. "Understand?"
As Stephen was selecting a cigar based on the server’s recommendation, he replied, "It doesn’t matter. After all, Bill and Diane don’t need to maintain a relationship through my female companion, my wife’s identity is not important, what they need is the Baine Family’s support."
"I’m not worried you’ll be impolite, buddy. I’m worried that Gina is an outspoken and naive girl. Don’t let this hypocritical high-class party ruin her," Tommy said. "Jeff and his family are genuinely nice people; they don’t belong in a place like this." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Before they could continue, Hillary’s brother Hugh appeared. He was more familiar with Stephen and came over to greet him. Tommy exchanged a few words with him before standing up, stealing a glance at Odelia—still surrounded by people in conversation, not even getting a chance to ask her for a dance—and eventually, he headed toward the bar.
He put his glass on the bar, leaned his back against it, and listlessly surveyed the evening’s guests. The Bill Couple had arrived and were congenially chatting with some people. Tommy knew it wouldn’t be long until Bill would show up in front of him to chat about the Rosario Kennedy issue.
As he was figuring out how to broach the subject with Bill, he subconsciously reached for the glass on the bar, only to find it missing. Turning his head, he noticed a woman in a simple evening dress, her brown hair striking, holding his half-empty glass and watching him with a smirk.
"If I remember correctly, that was my drink," Tommy said with a smile.
The woman nodded. "I know."
Then she lifted the half-drunk glass to her lips and downed it in one go, her eyes still fixed on Tommy, full of teasing intent.
"Louise DuVille, from..."
"From Illinois, graduated from the State University of New York, majoring in Political Science, currently the external affairs secretary of Rosario Kennedy’s campaign team," Tommy finished her introduction. "I know, I know," he said in one breath.
The playful look on the woman’s face turned slightly awkward.
"Before you even knew who Jeff Raven was, his campaign manager had already figured out the basics of all the capable candidates’ campaign teams in the Eighteenth District," Tommy turned towards the bartender and snapped his fingers, signaling for another drink, before continuing.
Louise DuVille quickly regained her cheerful demeanor, and with a mischievous look in her eyes, she said to Tommy, "I only got information about you yesterday, Tommy Hawk, Vox Television Network, BT Television Network, EFF Foundation, Actor Corporation, Seacoast..."
"If you’re trying to remind me of how many shares I hold, it’s unnecessary. I have companies managing my investments, and my accounting is handled by KPMG. If they were talking, they could give you clearer details than you’re providing," Tommy said as he took the glass from the bartender. "Let’s cut to the chase. And to introduce, see that lady surrounded by four women but still drawing a lot of men’s glances? My girlfriend. No other woman makes my heart flutter in places she accompanies me to."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely sure," Tommy replied as he took a sip. "Even if a more beautiful woman did appear, I wouldn’t be moved, because in the hours before coming here, I was in bed with her, just to ensure there’d be no distractions."
"A cautious gentleman."
"Or you could say I’ve been drained dry," Tommy said. "Not even you, the beautiful Miss Louise DuVille, could sway me tonight, even if Miss America showed up at this party."
"Tommy, wow, I think you’ve already met Louise?" said Bill, coming over with a drink to join their conversation. "Louise and Rona are good friends of Maria. You know Maria, Hugh’s wife, right?"
As he casually spoke to Tommy, Hillary’s brother, Hugh Rodham, hand in hand with his wife Maria, a Cuban-American lawyer, took the opportunity to approach. She extended her hand to Tommy, "Mr. Hawk, it’s a pleasure to meet you."
Tommy shook hands with her and smiled at Bill, "What should I say?"
Bill was an utterly charismatic guy, tall, handsome, loved to be in the spotlight. Whether you needed a guy to hang out with or a woman needed a man for an affair, he was the prime choice.
When this guy ran for Governor of Arkansas, his campaign platform wasn’t very woman-friendly, allowing opponents to attack and turn female voters against him. Bill couldn’t deny the accusations because he had to stick by them for the sake of his financial backers, but to restore his image, he staged a publicity stunt. Dining out with his wife, a chandelier unexpectedly fell, and his first reaction was to shield her with his body, the chandelier shattering on his back.
