It was a no brainer to host the city of Detroit's first Gala Night at the Ormond Hall. In the heart of Detroit was a chic building that overlooked a beautiful river when you came out to the balcony. Looked even better in the evening when all the lights would come on, its reflection bouncing off the water. Ormond Hall was a fancy and stylish setting. Nikki Osavkovska was lucky to have friends that were involved in hospitality agencies and event management, some of them being in the business for 25 years, others were in it for 2 years. Nonetheless, Nikki had connections. She Styleshad a talk with her hands, Ray and Donnacha, to discuss details. They planned to have around a hundred guests. Apart from inviting all associates and members of DT, Nikki also invited some of the top mob bosses to come to town, celebrity friends and also some of her clients. "I want ceilings that soar... sweeping staircases, fantastic city views, art deco architecture... Oh and I know just who to contact about getting a dance hall." 

She made a business enquiry to Bruce and Lily. They were owners of the Ormond Hall venue. An old couple. Needless to say, they were boody rich having earned a reputation for providing luxury events. The wife was the kindest of souls. They both were. When they heard about Nikki wanting to reserve the space for a gala night, they were ecstatic. So they wrote back to her saying:

Good to hear from you again, Osavkovska. How long has it been since we last spoke? Lily misses your company. Thank you for expressing your interest in using one of our locations to host this gala night. We know just how much this event will mean to you, so we want to ensure that the planning is accurate and the execution is exquisite. We'll have everything set up plus food and drink preparations before the event starts.

Sincerely,

Bruce and Lily

In addition to this, Nikki wanted everyone to enjoy a live jazz concert. She met up and talked with Serpoiller, the general manager of Soul Entertainment and confirmed a date. "Yup. Correct. November 7. So it's settled then. Thank you for doing business with me." She firmly shook his hand and went back to the HQ, asking her right hand if he could inform the other DT leaders plus forward it to their members about the occasion. 

An intricate gold wax seal on a plum-coloured envelope contained an invitation for a very special gala dinner. 

𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 ℭ𝔬𝔫𝔫𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

You are cordially invited to attend a celebration of Gala Night!
We'll enjoy an evening of interaction, dining, dancing and a silent auction.

Nov 7
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Ormond Hall - 3365 Woodbridge Lane

Cocktail Attire

***

Nikki looked at the time on her wrist watch. Almost time. She looked out the window of the black vehicle she was comfortably seated in as well, noticing the blue sky turning darker and darker as the sun started to set. Half of her was excited, too excited that her skin was tingling and her smile never left her dolled up face. She did something new with her hair. The other half of her was nervous. She just... wanted everything to be perfect. She didn't care how much she needed to spend. No amount of money would ever withhold her from giving the people she cared about the best of the best. When she walked past security at the front entrance, her eyes lit up. Everything looked grand. And she felt relieved and happy to be around so many people she could put her trust in. She walked over to the bar, grabbing the attention of the bartender that had an obvious smirk plastered on his face. "Radiant, dear. You look absolutely radiant. What would you like to drink?" Nikki smiled. She appreciated his compliment and opted for a simple screwdriver. Ray would probably be disappointed in her. 

But for others, polite conversation paired with wine was a great start to the evening. As more guests came, the music seemed to get louder. The bass touched Nikki's soul, being filled from head to toe with music. Over the roar of instruments, she caught the familiar face of Sean Callan. "So glad you could make it. But to be honest, you really had no choice but to accept when I invited you," she smiled cheekily. She was grateful for his presence always and she would be there for him whenever he needed her. Once upon a time she had felt some unique feelings towards him, but she wasn't quite sure where it went now. In the midst of being busy, maybe things changed and they were better off just good friends and business partners. She pointed to his outfit and raised her brows. "Bloody oath mate. You're looking dapper tonight!" Laughing wickedly as she spoke, it seemed as though she had picked up some Aussie slang from her last vacay. She saw a lot of places and met a lot of people. But most of all, she learnt that they really like saying the c word over there.

Anyways...

For dinner, the finest steaks were prepared. It went very well with the taters - Donnacha would understand - plus the soft brown rice that almost made Nikki punch her fist in the air. She looked up and saw who else was at the door, and there Sharpe was. Nikki jumped up from her seat and lightly jogged towards him, surprised that she could even do that considering she was in six inch heels. Her face was painted red with joy when she came up to him. "Sharpe, I almost thought you were going to miss out on the delicious food. You look very healthy and handsome. Come, everyone is waiting for you." She guided him to the dinner tables, turning her head left and right to greet other guests. As time progressed, the chatter became louder than the music. Nikki was wondering where Jadon went. She swore she had seen her earlier by the balcony. She decided to check there again and of course she wasn't hard to miss because Jadon's outfit was stunning. "Hey, you. There you are. Why aren't you inside? We're about to start the silent auction soon," a soft smiled appeared on Nikki's lips before gently taking Jadon by the hand going back to the rich timber floors. The bids were starting. On a small table covered by a white cloth, was one of the most famous paintings of the era. Surely, the price for it would be exorbitant. The painting was called The Dream, by Pablo Picasso. A master list was kept of the names of people who made a bid. At the end of the event, the painting would be given to the highest listed bidder. 

While that went on, Nikki decided to check on her family. Not everyone could make it, but was still extremely grateful for the ones who did attend. Some of them busied themselves with drinks and silly banter. Nikki felt left out, wanting to join in too. She searched for Ray and Donnacha, both looked divine by the way, and talked with them. "Motherfucking ray... think you can finish a bottle of vodka faster than me? Let's see you try mate," Nikki cackled as she threw a wink to the bartender. 

Paul came to the gala night. He drove a black car coming to the event.

"I think this is the place." 

He monologued .  He stopped the engine. He wiped out his forehead with his white handkerchief from his left pocket. He was kind of nervous. He, a man with black coat and black bow tie, wearing shiny black shoes and white button-up shirt. He took black homburg and put it on. He stepped out of the car. He walked through the door. The place was really nice. He was ready to find Nikki, His eyes was watching a beautiful lady near a table. 

"That is her!" He monologued again. 

" Hello. Nikki Osavkovska, arent ya?" Paul took Nikki's hand and kissed it. 

Wiping down the front of his green tunic Sharpe pulls at the bottom to straighten the creases. He looks a bag of shit in his eyes but he has always had envious eyes sent his way. Perhaps it's because the other realised he actually does a bit for a living and doesn't just sit in the officers clubs smoking cigars and telling tales that others did for them.

He is not a man that greatly enjoyed officer balls in his time although there were always a good source of a bottle or two for the lads and it saved eating horse meat for tea.

Striding out of the door he reaches for his sword out of instinct. Feeling nothing there he again, for the hundredth time, makes a mental note that times have changed. His heavy calvary sword wouldn't help him anymore.

Reaching the front doors of the hall he can feel eyes upon him. The invite is checked a little more carefully and the door opened with hesitancy. Fuck 'em. It is always like this but this time he is one of the top officers. The acting GF of 12th Street and they will fucking remember the name for actions and not looks.

Seeing @NikkiOsavkovska being congratulated for this fine event by @PaulMe makes him smile. She deserves all the credit in the world and a small nod of respect is met with a wink and a smile. She will go far that one Sharpe thinks.

A glass of champagne is forced into his hand but is just as quickly discarded. None of that French shite shall pass my lips. Heading for the bar, looking for some Scotch, Sharpe begins to wonder what other faces he may see here tonight..

Sean stood at the back of the room, taking things in. Although the event had been his idea initially, he'd been more than happy for Nikki to take the reigns, creativity being one of her strong points. And he had to say, she done a cracking job – the whole thing was “fucking oath” as she was prone to saying. The choice of venue being particularly inspired!

As he looked around the room, Sean couldn't help but see the potential within it! The group of them handed the task of running this city by the likes of @Mikhail, @Aegor, @JohnWalton, and @Viktor were slowly coming into their own. Their various individual organisations were now growing at a healthy pace, and their names becoming known throughout not just the city, but the criminal underbelly of the country.

Sean saw that @Paulme had left @NikkiOsavkovska, and @Sharpe was now speaking with her. He felt satisfied that he wasn't the only one who saw what she was capable of.

Looking around, Sean saw @Jadon standing to the side watching, and ventured over for a chat...

Jadon had dressed in her fanciest frock for the occasion and had promised @SeanCallan that she would spend some time with him once she had got there. Jadon had been taking in the scene, it was a spectacular spectacle and Jadon was thoroughly enjoying the Gala so far, the food was amazing, the steaks were to die for and Jadon promised herself she'd get the name of that chef that Nikki had used for this.

Jadon was pleased to see the city of Detroit coming together and the silent auction had been interesting so far. Sean had ventured over in the middle of it and the pair spoke for a short while of how amazing things were...and the steak of course. Sean and Jadon discussed how Nikki had gone all out to make sure that no expense was spared when it came to the Gala.

Jadon had been excited to see how the silent auction went, she was hoping that her bid would win but then who knew how deep the pockets were of the others involved.

Jadon looked around to see if she could find any of the other Detroit leaders and spotted both @Sharpe and @NikkiOsavkovska, looking around the room, she also spotted some of the other prominent figures in Detroit as well as some of her own crew members that she had invited along.

Paul walked through the hallway. The hall was pretty beautiful. He felt so amazing to be invited. He never thought that he came alone. He had to come alone 'cause his wife, Daisy, gotta take care of his daughter, Maya who was sick.

"Im so sorry, hun. It's business stuff," Paul monologued. He was looking for his table. There must be somewhere near a window. He already told @NikkiOsavkovska a few days before coming to the hall to book his seat. 

"Ah. That's mine!" Paul talked to himself again. He went to his seat. He sat on his chair. It was wooden brown chair. Pretty comfortable. He looked at his plate. 

"Wow, steak! With special sauce! And the brown rice! So yummy!" Paul talked to himself...again.

He started to eat while listening to live jazz band. The jazz band was really good. One of them was 'I'll See You In My Dreams'. He  felt so relieved and relaxed. He finished up his food. He put down his cutlery on the plate. He stood up and went to bar section.

"Sir, please give me a whiskey." Bartender nodded and gave him a glass of whiskey.

"Thank you! My man!" He drank up without being hesitated. He put down his glass. He turned around and he listened to the band, playing a few song. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his lips full of beer. After listening to the band a few song, he thought it's the best time to leave the event. He thought he was not a sober but he was.

"Nikki, I think I should go now. Thanks for the invite. I will see you again next time," Paul kissed her hand and hugged him. He left and stepped into his blue car. He started the engine and drove away to his house while waving at Nikki.

"Yeah. Next time. I hope" Paul monologued. His blue car went so fast and faded away from Nikki's sight.