Chapter 26

JAKE’S POV

I hated coming to these galas. I hated even more that I had lied to Amalia about coming home tonight, knowing that I had to come to this event. It was only once a year and raised a lot of money for research, as well as brought in new investors. Dad insisted that Anna, Jonathan, and I go. He said that since he was retired, he would no longer be attending all company related events. That was understandable, but he was a big talker. He could coax money out of anyone, well except Mrs. Turner.

Apparently, my dad had called Sophia a few days ago and asked her to come with me to the gala. She had agreed, although when she questioned me about having a girlfriend and not bringing her to the event when we spoke last night, I froze. I didn’t know what to say. My dad expected to me to bring arm candy. Amalia was beyond beautiful, but after the disastrous evening with my aunt, I didn’t want to subject Amalia to any other issues or judgement.  While