"Only for that bitch to break his heart and almost throw him into darkness again."
Silence fell between us.
"How co you are this young if you are his mother’s friend?" I asked, voicing the most troubling question in my mind.
She burst into laughter.
"Now I see why Raymond likes you. You wear your thoughts on your sleeve. I’m fifty-one this year."
My eyes widened dramatically, nearly popping out of their sockets.
"I know," she laughed again, clearly pleased with my reaction. "Please, let’s hurry and get you ready before Raymond cos."
New girls entered the room, and they imdiately began working on my hair. My clothes had already been carefully brought out and placed neatly on a clothing rack nearby. The efficiency of the entire process amazed .
When they finished styling my hair, Mama took the liberty of doing my makeup herself.
"I don’t trust anyone else with this face tonight," she said playfully.
She was chatty and fun, effortlessly pulling into light conversation. Sowhere between foundation and eyeliner, I realized I genuinely liked her. We were so engrossed in our discussion that we almost forgot about ti.
Suddenly, a knock ca at the door.
"Mama, Cynthia is here. She is requesting that you be the one to do her makeup."
The air shifted instantly.
"Did you tell her I’m busy?" Mama asked calmly.
"Yes, ma. But she is making a scene. She says she only wants you to do her makeup."
Mama scoffed.
"Who does she think she is? Tell her that if she won’t allow one of my makeup artists to help her, then she can leave."
"Yes, ma.".The assistant hurried out.
I hesitated before speaking.
"Hope you are not going to run into trouble for refusing her?" I asked carefully. I knew how high society worked. The powerful always bullied the weak.
Mama chuckled, completely unbothered.
"No need to worry. She can’t touch or make trouble for ." Then she looked at more seriously. "Just help and take care of Raymond. He might appear tough, but he has no one. The walls he builds are to protect himself. He doesn’t really an so of the things he does."
I nodded slowly. "Okay."
"Good. Now let’s try your gown."
First of all, my underwear was changed into delicate lace and a garter set. Mama claid it was Raymond’s idea.
Of course it was. I muttered
She helped into the erald rmaid gown adorned with delicate deep red beadwork. The straps rested gracefully on my shoulders, leaving my neck bare and exposing the elegant curve down to the upper part of my back. The beads shimred under the soft lighting, reflecting tiny sparks of red and green.
My skin glowed radiantly.
My hair was styled in an elegant updo, with soft curls falling gently along the sides of my face. They fastened a diamond necklace around my neck—its intricate red designs matching the beadwork of the gown perfectly. Diamond earrings with deep red accents completed the look.
My heels were deep red, strappy and dangerously elegant.
I paired everything with a matching clutch purse.
When I looked at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back at .
I was nothing like my usual self.
My eyes seed to glow tonight, shifting from their natural green to sothing deeper, almost red under the reflection of the lights. My skin radiated flawlessly, and the gown accentuated every curve of my body perfectly. The faint fragrance on my skin was intoxicating—subtle and feminine.
"How do I look?" I turned and asked Mama.
She stared at for a mont before answering.
"Like an angel that needs to be worshipped. And trust , Raymond will worship you tonight."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I lowered my gaze shyly.
She gently held my chin and lifted my face.
"When you walk out of here, walk with your head held high. Trust in Raymond. Do not care about what others will say. Fight back if necessary. Don’t fear anyone. Raymond owns the entire city, and you are his woman. So when you walk beside him, carry yourself with pride."
Her words settled deeply inside . I nodded.
"Let’s go. Raymond is outside waiting for you."
"He is already here?" I asked, surprised.
Mama simply smiled.
"Why didn’t you tell so we could hurry up?" I complained lightly.
"You are a woman," she said with a mischievous grin. "You should always be fashionably late."
She adjusted the final detail of my gown and stepped back, admiring her work.
"And I believe he won’t mind waiting," she added knowingly. "Not when he sees you."
*******
I had arrived earlier, but I was inford that Lena was almost done with her makeup. Not long after I settled in, Cynthia ca in. She walked straight to to greet , and since I did not want to destroy my carefully curated plan, I responded, playing along smoothly. I noticed the surprise on her face, followed by the unmistakable joy that lit up her eyes when she realized I was making an effort to speak to her.
If only she knew.
Then she requested that Mama do her makeup too, which Mama flatly refused. Cynthia’s expression shifted instantly. She looked at with expectation written all over her face, silently hoping I would intervene on her behalf. I pretended not to notice. She eventually ca closer, acting coy, lowering her lashes and softening her tone as though that would magically sway to her side. I almost laughed out loud.
What gave her the impression that acting coy would soften my heart? Did she truly believe I was that easily manipulated? I simply waved my hand dismissively, the disgust barely concealed. I finally managed to discharge her when I told her to try sowhere else, sowhere "better" than Mama. She surprisingly agreed, perhaps thinking I was doing her a favor. As she made her way out, she blew exaggerated kisses at . Annoying.
Soon, the peace that had been robbed from was finally restored. I took out my phone and began going through so important docunts. My mind drifted completely into work mode, oblivious to my surroundings, until the sharp sound of heels clicking against the floor reached my ears.
For a second, I thought Cynthia had returned.
I raised my head quickly—only to see Lena walking toward .
She looked ethereal.
For a mont, I forgot how to breathe. I was srized by her beauty. The gown fitted her perfectly, hugging her in all the right places without being excessive. It was elegant, classy, and dangerously captivating. Her choice of heels complented her height beautifully, and the makeup was flawless, subtle yet powerful, enhancing her natural glow rather than overshadowing it.
She looked unreal.
I rose to my feet and gently took her hand from Mama, lifting it to my lips and pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles. Her smile was radiant, warm, and breathtaking.
"You look beautiful, kitten. I almost didn’t recognize you," I told her honestly.
"You look handso too," she replied, her eyes dazzling as she smiled up at .
"Shall we?" She nodded gracefully.
"Thank you, Mama, for putting this together," I added.
"I’m always willing to help anyti," Mama said warmly. "All I ask from both of you is to have a healthy relationship and take care of each other."
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Lena’s nails digging slightly into her skin. I imdiately took her hands and smoothed my thumb gently over them in reassurance.
"We will do our best," I responded firmly.
With that, Lena and I turned and left.
I couldn’t stop glancing at her on our way to the car. Every step she took was poised, confident, and breathtaking. When we reached the car, I opened the door and helped her in before walking around to the other side to join her. Soon, the car roared to life and sped toward our destination.
When we arrived, I stepped out first and helped Lena out of the car.
The reaction was instant. The crowd went wild.
Paparazzi flashes lit up the night like fireworks. Caras clicked relentlessly as they captured every angle of us. This was exactly what I wanted, to pull my father into action. He would not be able to ignore this.
Questions started flying almost imdiately, voices overlapping one another. I chose to honor them. I turned slightly to my side and saw Lena smiling confidently, her hand perched on my arm like we were the number one couple in Vegas City. Her head was held high, elegant and proud. My own smile brightened for the caras.
"Mr. Black, would you tell us who this woman you have here with you today is?" one paparazzo asked.
"You must be new to entertainnt news," I replied coolly. "Because I already introduced Lena a few weeks back as my woman. Learn to do your assignnt before asking irrelevant questions."
I noticed the shock on his face as he stepped back, giving room for another reporter.
"Mr. Black, what about Cynthia? Are you breaking off the engagent with her?"
"Was there ever an engagent?" I countered calmly. "If I rember correctly, I was never present at any engagent. Do the math."
The silence that followed was louder than the flashing caras.
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