A/N: Hey guys, here is Chapter 21. It's a slow build up to the gala but we're getting there. Anyways like always happy reading. =]

• CHAPTER 21 •

As Matt pulled the door back wide open, an older small figure dressed in an old fashion suit walked in and Jeff's face instantly lit up.

"Dad! How?…what…?" Jeff couldn't even finish his sentence as he was quick to rush over and give his father a warm embrace. It had been quite some time since he last saw his father in the flesh and the phone call he had with him recently, made Jeff realise just how much he missed his father and missed being back at home. This was the greatest surprise and Jeff couldn't believe that he was embracing his father in this moment. Trish and Matt stood smiling as they watched the interaction between Jeff and his father. It had been hard for Matt to keep this a secret but it was all worth it to see how happy his little brother was.

"How are you my boy?" The older gentleman said as he patted his son on the back, smiling from ear to ear.

"I've been good" Jeff said as he released his dad allowing his older brother to say hello.

"You boys have quite a place here" their father said looking around the conference room until his eyes landed on a petite blonde woman standing in a gorgeous red gown. "And…who do we have here?" he asked.

"Uhh, Dad this is our fabulous assistant Trish Stratus. Trish, this is our father, Gilbert Hardy." Jeff said bringing his father towards Trish as he nervously introduced the two to each other. Trish couldn't quite understand why there was a sense of nervousness in Jeff because she, herself was overcome with nerves as she was standing face to face with the head of the Hardy clan.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Hardy" Trish said extending her hand out for a handshake. Being the gentleman that Gilbert Hardy was he took her hand and placed a soft gentle kiss on the back of it.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Stratus. Matt has told me a lot about you. What is a fine young woman doing working for these two young bucks?" Trish smiled as she heard the southern sound from the eldest Hardy. She now knew where Jeff got his southern accent from. She used her smile to mask her nerves and her confusion. She was puzzled as to why Matt had told his father about her. Why hadn't Jeff mentioned her? She made a mental note to question Jeff at a later time. Right now her focus was to make a good impression on the father of the men she worked for.

"Matt and Jeff are amazing to work for. You have done a great job raising such amazing sons" Trish answered. Gilbert smiled before placing his hands on his hips and turned to look at his sons.

"So…how much did y'all pay her to say those nice things about you two? Y'all know you two are as much of a headache as you are a pain in my backside." All three men chuckled. For an older gentleman, he had quite the sense of humour which made Trish smile as she tucked that loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"I hate to make this introduction so brief, but Jeff, your limo is waiting for you and Trish out the front of the building." Matt interrupted. Jeff looked to his brother but didn't say a word, he simply replied with a nod before turning to his father. He adjusted his father's bow tie before patting him on the back and shooting him a smile.

"See you soon Dad" he said before walking over to Trish and extending his hand out to her. Trish smiled before placing her hand into his palm as he wrapped his fingers around hers. Shivers shot through her hand, up her arm and all through her body as he held Jeff's hand. There was that energy again, that overwhelming sensation she got every time she felt his touch. She bunched up her gown a little with her free hand so she wouldn't trip on it and followed Jeff out of the conference room, smiling at Matt and Gilbert as they passed.

"We'll be right behind you" were the last words they heard from Matt before Jeff shut the conference door behind them. Jeff and Trish walked hand in hand towards the elevators with Trish being ever so careful not to step on her dress and trip over. The two didn't say a word to each other as they walked towards the elevator, they just simply enjoyed each other's company in silence, exchanging smiles and glances here and there.

As the elevator doors open, the pair walked in, hearing the faint laughter of Matt and Gilbert from the conference room. Once the elevator doors had shut, all that could be heard was the heavy breathing coming from the pair. Trish hadn't notice her heart racing a million miles per hour until she was in the elevator. The confined space seemed to echo her heartbeat and she tried her best to inhale and exhale subtly to slow it back down. The confined spaces of the elevator had turned the calming silence into an awkward one and neither of the two knew what to say to one another. Suddenly, Jeff broke the silence clearing the giant lump that had formed in his throat before he spoke.

"You look absolutely amazing tonight by the way."

"Thank-you Jeff" she replied with a smile.

Jeff continued to stare and take in the view that was his date for the evening. He couldn't believe how magnificent she made the dress look. The dress didn't make her. She made the dress. The raging animal inside him was now trying to claw his way out the more he looked at her and being in the elevator only brought inappropriate thoughts through his mind. He couldn't contain the beast anymore; he had to act on his feelings now while the moment was there.

"Trish" he said grabbing both her hands in his as he looked deep into the hazel eyes staring back at him. But before he could say what he wanted to, the doors of the elevator opened. Trish looked at him, anticipating what he was going to say next as she searched his eyes for answers. The moment was lost and Jeff had to be quick on his feet to think of something to say.

"Uhh…are you sure you're ready for this?"

Those were not the words that she was expecting to hear. Although, with Jeff she had no idea what he would say because she could never really tell what he was thinking in that crazy mind of his, but she was secretly hoping for something a lot more that asking if she was ready.

"As ready as I'll ever be" she answered.

Jeff placed his hand on her shoulder as he lead her out the door and to the stretch limo that was waiting for them outside the building. He opened the door for her and she tried to be ever so graceful getting into the limo without looking like a complete fool, though it was quite a struggle in a tight figure hugging gown.

The ride to the event wasn't what Jeff had pictured in his head. It was awkward and most of the time, the two sat in silence. If they did talk, it was about what to expect at the gala and the people that Trish would potentially meet. Other than that it was complete and awkward silence.

The limo slowly pulled up behind a big tall building as it came to a stop behind several other limos. Trish took a peek through the tinted window and could see several flashes lighting up the shadows of the night. Photographers had lined up to capture all the glitz and glamour of the red carpet whilst strong black barricades held back several screaming fans. It looked like a movie premier or an academy award event rather than a charity gala but Trish's eyes lit up as her excitement grew.

"Wow. I didn't expect it to be this….uhh…spectacular" Trish said out loud as she continued to stare through the window. Jeff chuckled to himself as he watched the petite blonde's excitement grow.

"Wait till you get inside. If I know Randy, he would have gone above and beyond to make this gala completely over the top" as he too looked at the flashes from the cameras consistently lighting up the shadows. Trish turned her attention to Jeff meeting his captivating eyes.

"I don't know why I'm so excited…but I am" she responded beaming, mirroring her excitement. She placed her hands on Jeff's knee catching him by surprise. She leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for bringing me here Jeff." The kiss she gave still lingered on his cheek and left him somewhat speechless.

"Not a problem" was all he could say.

Trish smiled her captivating smiled before grabbing her clutch. "You ready?" she asked. Jeff simply replied with a nod before turning to open the door. As he grabbed the handle to open the door he paused suddenly before turning back to face Trish.

"Trish wait" he said grabbing both her hands in his. "Before we go in, there's something I need to tell you."

A/N: What is it that the Charismatic Enigma has to say to Trish? Find out in the next Chapter of Live for the Moment.