The Sterling Group lobby was busy as their staff clocked out for the day.
Emily, exhausted and worn out, leaned on the pillar, her fists tightly clutched the little bag she had packed up that morning.
Thinking back now, she patted herself for making the best decision of crashing with Melissa.
She couldn’t imagine how she might have felt returning to her parents’ home or probably going home to the unknown man.
Melissa came out of her office, her gaze sweeping around the familiar faces until it settled on Emily, who was lost in thought.
Melissa padded over to her, her curious eyes already urging her to speak.
Emily didn’t need to think to know Melissa’s ears were already itching for her story.
Melissa’s brow furrowed.
“You look stressed.
What’s going on?”
Emily groaned, pushing herself up from the wall.
“Let’s be heading out already.”
From her words, she was certain the day must have been terrible.
Quietly, they joined others at the roadside and hailed a cab headed toward Melissa’s home.
“So, why do you look as though you have spent half of your lifespan in one day?” Melissa asked softly.
Emily sighed, leaned her head on the headrest, her eyes closed.
“I’m attending a dinner party with him in a few hours.” She smirked.
Melissa’s head snapped towards her, her brow furrowed tightly.
“Wha…what?
Dinner party?” Confusion was clearly scribbled over her face.
Emily chuckled.
“He is sending the driver over and more ridiculous, he said be ready on time.” She exhaled slowly.
“I don’t…even know…what to expect.”
Melissa’s eyes widened.
“Wait…you’re actually going?
With him?”
Emily shrugged.
“Do I have a choice?”
Melissa whistled.
“Girl, you better look stunning tonight.”
Emily was stumped.
She had expected she would understand her pain and possibly give suggestions on how to minimize the damage.
But with the sweet smile on her face, Emily knew she had lost her friend to the glory of wealth.
“Melissa, do you really understand the situation?”
Melissa nodded seriously.
“I understand it very well.
Who knows?
This might be your chance to impress the big boss.”
Emily’s heart stopped.
“Melissa,” she shrieked, forgetting she was in a cab.
“Emily, think about…”
Emily rolled her eyes.
“I just want to get through the night without embarrassing myself.”
“You aren’t dumb, of course you’ll rock it well tonight,” Melissa said.
Emily and Melissa stepped out of the cab, Emily’s gaze sweeping around the community.
Emily lowered her exhausted frame onto the couch while Melissa quickly fixed dinner for them in hope Emily wouldn’t leave without a meal.
In between their meals, Emily narrated her ordeal on her first day as the President’s assistant while Melissa had a good time laughing at her.
Grrrrrrrrn.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrn…The doorbell tore through the room.
Emily’s head throbbed.
“They are here.” She murmured, her voice tinged with frustration.
Melissa looked at her with confusion.
“Who?”
“The stylist.” She chimed.
“Stylist?
To prepare you for the party?” Melissa asked, her voice several decibels high that Emily had to cover her ears to save her eardrum.
Before Emily could respond, Melissa was already on her feet, bolting toward the door.
Emily stared wide-eyed as Melissa respectfully…no, adoratively welcomed them into the house.
Melissa couldn’t stop smiling as she watched them arrange their items one after another.
“Miss Emily, we are ready.
You can come over here.
I was called over to come and help you prepare for a dinner banquet” the lady said lightly.
Melissa glanced back, seeing Emily rooted to a spot, quickly went to her and pulled her from the dining table to the position the stylist had chosen to stay and work.
She knew Emily had never been a fan of fashion and with a stylist waiting to make her beautiful, she wouldn’t want to miss such a golden opportunity.
Moreover, she still hoped she would make the unfeeling president fall at her feet.
Slowly, she pushed her into the chair.
The stylist looked at her face and couldn’t help but marvel at how soft, silky, and smooth her face was.
“Miss Emily,” the woman greeted with a polite smile.
“I’m Lillian Young, your stylist for the evening.
Mr.
Lucian has arranged for a suitable dress and look for you.”
“Alright, let’s get this over with,” Emily muttered helplessly.
Lillian smiled knowingly and nodded.
“Then let’s not waste any time, Miss Emily.”
The shrill ring of Emily’s phone made the stylist pause as she waited for her to take her call.
Emily glanced at the phone in her hand.
With a swipe, the call was answered, Bryan’s serious voice filtering over.
“Has the stylist arrived?”
“Yes, they have.
About the stylist?” she asked with trepidation.
Her nerves were already fraying.
Bryan knew exactly what she meant.
“Your husband sent her over after I passed your message across to him,” Bryan replied.
He prayed silently that he wouldn’t be held responsible the day she would discover the truth, which might not be far from now.
“But it is expected, you return home after the party?” he said.
“No need, I will finish this official assignment then after work tomorrow I will go back.
Just hope you can explain to him,” she responded.
Bryan paused briefly.
“I will inform him,” he finally said.
“Alright, thanks a lot,” she said.
With the call ended, Emily sighed with relief. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
She was aware she was already pushing his button, but she needed to set things straight…she didn’t plan to start grappling on it.
Melissa stared at her incredulously, with confusion written all over her face.
“Emily, how come I don’t understand whatever you are saying on that call?” Melissa asked.
Emily sighed deeply.
There was no way she would begin narrating her situation, especially now they were having a guest.
“Mel, it’s a bit complicated, but I will tell you later when I am back from the dinner party,” she said, her voice pleading.
Melissa raised a brow, curiosity evident in her eyes, but she nodded anyway.
“Fine, but you owe me a full explanation later.”
Just then, there was a tap on the door.
Melissa’s gaze shot to Emily inquisitively, but she shrugged her shoulders in denial.
Certainly, she wasn’t expecting anyone, aside from the president’s driver coming by 7:30.
Melissa spun on her heels and opened the door.
After a while, she stepped back and let in a young girl, definitely a mall attendant.
“Please, I was asked to deliver this to Miss Emily Winters,” her voice was professional, and her gaze trained on Emily.
The stylist stepped back, recognition flickering across her face.
“Nuela, you are here?”
The young girl nodded.
“Good evening, Miss Young.”
“Is this a dress for her?” the stylist asked, her gaze darting between the package and Emily.
The young girl nodded.
“Yes.” She clipped as she stepped forward, holding out an elegant black box with a golden emblem on top.
“Miss Emily, this is your gown for the evening.”
Emily hesitated before taking the box.
As soon as she opened it, her breath caught.
Inside the box was a stunning evening gown.
Its deep sapphire blue with delicate embroidery shimmered under the light.
Her fingers ran across the fabric; it felt luxurious beneath her fingertips.
Emily didn’t doubt the dress would have cost a fortune.
Her heart raced.
She prayed silently that nothing should go wrong with the dress so she could return it after the banquet.
As she made to lift the dress out of the box, a note fell off.
She bent down and picked it, her hand fluttered.
“Wear this tonight.
No arguments.” —L.S.
Emily’s hands trembled slightly as she stared at the initials, drawing her into contemplation.
“L.
S?”
“Lucian Sterling?
“Isn’t that the president of the group?”
“Did he personally pick the dress?”
Her gaze snapped to the young girl.
“Who selected this from your mall?” Emily asked.
Nuela’s head lowered lightly.
“I’m sorry, I can’t answer that,” she said.
Her disposition was the answer Emily sought.
The dress had been personally picked by him.
“Alright, thanks for your hard work,” Emily said, a small appreciative smile dancing on her lips.