Chapter 224 Getting Ready For A Ball
2196words
After an hour of grooming, the woman brings me to a place where a makeup artist was waiting for me. I thought it was a formal function but the way they are making me prepare it seems like a huge function, a big affair.
The woman mentions it's a ball. What kind of ball?
Is it the ball that I had only seen in the movies and read about it in the novels?
I am hell nervous now and looking forward to seeing Aiden so I could lash my anger at him. This man has put me in a difficult situation, he knows I am not used to social gatherings, and yet he has invited me to a ball.
I don't know how many high-end people are going to attend this function and thankfully, Andrew isn't here in the city so I could attend that function with Aiden with ease.
I gasp, stunned when I look at the dress the two women have brought for me to wear. Oh my Lord, I haven't worn such a beautiful and expensive dress, my wedding gown was something like this but this…
This looks quite royal and regal.
The dress is all golden, long evening gown, sleeveless, the front is a little revealing, and the waist has three beautiful golden stripes like a belt over it. The net applique is complimenting the whole dress and I couldn't help but keep gaping at the dress in admiration.
As expected when I wear the dress and look at myself in the mirror I couldn't help but blink in complete disbelief. I never knew I am still so beautiful and good looking or maybe it's the talent of the makeup artist who has turned a mother of twins into a young graceful lady.
The dress exposes my arms and a bit of my cleavage that I desperately request the woman to hide, and she offers a beautiful fur coat over it as I thank her politely.
My hair stays open and the woman gives them a refreshing cut to bring back the volume in them.
Oh God, I couldn't take my eyes off myself. I know I am going to kill this event and going to get too much unnecessary attention I am afraid.
Suddenly all my happiness and admiration turn into anxiousness and worries, I don't want any attention on me, none.
It's terrifying to become the center of attention anywhere.
The same woman who had received me at the door brings me a pair of gold dangling earrings to wear that add to my beauty. I thank her politely and then look at the clock that has just struck 8, when are we going to attend the ball?
I look anxiously at the woman and sensing my worry, she informs me, "Sir Maverick is arriving here soon."
Thankfully.
The seconds feel like hours as I sit all ready and glam up waiting for Aiden to show up so I would lash out my anger at him that will make me less anxious.
TICK TOCK
TICK TOCK
"He is here." The woman informs me and my heart drops several degrees, come on, Tess, don't be nervous.
I give myself little courage and then holding my dress I walk out of the place just to find an exquisite car waiting for me outside a man wearing all black opens the car door for me respectfully as I get inside the car slowly yet elegantly.
After all, I don't want to ruin such a beautiful dress.
"You…" Aiden looks at me with glittering eyes but before he would speak another word, I snap at him furiously.
"This isn't the way to attend a social function, you told me it's formal, is this formal?"
He blinks his eyes in surprise and then curls his lips, "You look beautiful." and I angrily slap his hand. "Stop the nonsense, I am tense, Aiden. I told you I am not good with social gatherings. I have never attended any ball and this… look at me you have made me a golden goddess." I complain anxiously.
"This is not you." Aiden looks at me deeply and then states firmly.
"What do you mean?" I question with a blank mind.
"Tessa Will, I knew, never showed her fear no matter how difficult the circumstance would be. She is never cowardly, not for once." He replies and I turn to him, feeling offended.
"You mean, I am acting cowardly?" I ask in disbelief.
"Yes, you are." His reply is immediate making me dumb for a whole minute.
The anxiousness in my heart starts to change with immense fury. How dare he insult me like this, calling me a coward that too on my face !!!
MF Aiden.
I curse him in my mind and feel good, he looks at me suspiciously and his lips quirk into a mocking smirk, "Are you cursing me, Tessa Will?"
"How did you know?" I ask back with a teaseful smile hoping that will offend him.
"I just know this look." He states and then chuckles softly.
His laugh is pleasing to the ear and soft. I never had any idea that one day I would be liking the sound of his laugh. His change of personality is amusing and thrilling.
I take a deep few breaths to calm all the worries that have been circulating in my mind.
"How's Cyrus?" Aiden asks and I snap open my eyes, "Good."
"He could come to the office with you if you want to bring him with you." He offers politely and I give him a polite nod, "It's so great of you, Aiden, but I want my son to stay away from the public eyes. You know his revelation can harm us in an unexpected way."
"Because of his father, you're afraid?" He asks and I nod my head in response.
"You can talk to me, Tessa. Maybe I can help." He holds my hand with a pure helping intention and I squeeze out a small tense smile.
"I will definitely ask for your help if there is anything." He gives me a gracious nod and then pulls his hand back to his lap.
That is very unlikely of him.
I still remember the way he would pounce on me, force me on things, and bicker with me, but now he is so much different, completely opposite to who he was 4 years ago.
The last time I saw him on the train, he was still the same so then what happened that hanged him so much?
My swirling thoughts stop abruptly when Aiden's voice sounds in the air, "We are here." He peeks at the huge building while I also sit up to see the event and as I had assumed before it is a huge function.
I turn to Aiden nervously and he gives me a warm smile, "Don't worry, I'm here."
The door opens to his side and he gets out of the car. A few seconds later my door opened and Aiden stretched his hand to me to take it. I take it hesitantly as I step out of the car and there the flashes of the camera start.
"Aiden, please hurry." I urge him to get inside and he does, thankfully.
I hear the noises of the reporters asking various questions while I keep my eyes lower to the ground not meeting anyone's eyes.
I am hell terrified and overwhelmed by such attention on me.
"Nervous?" Aiden asks and finally my gaze shifts from the ground to Aiden's face. "I told you." I begin with a grumpy face when he skillfully cuts me off, "You are brave." He holds my shoulder as though encouraging me and making me believe that I am still strong, old brave Tessa Will.
"I'm no…" I am supposed to disapprove when some people approach us or Aiden, I guess.
"Mr. Maverick… What a pleasant surprise, you're here… How's your father's health now?"
A mature couple comes over and exchanges a few greetings with Aiden while I hide behind him nervously. Thanks to his bulgy body, I am able to hide nicely.
And only now, I am able to look at him, he is wearing a deep black color suit that shines perfectly on him. The cuffs on his suit shine brightly yelling to the world "We are Diamonds."
His aura marks novelty and prosperity.
All the young women around seem to be struck by his charming personality and for a moment I too stare at him with admirable eyes until he turns to me and gives me a look of worry.
I blink my eyes softly silently telling him that I am fine now.
After the couple walks away, Aiden and I head towards a bar set with beautiful mirror decorations.
And those mirrors reflect the gold in my dress more violently.
Great.
"Should I take it off?" Aiden asks politely, eyeing my fur coat and looking around I realize that I am looking outnumbered as everyone has taken their coats off and walking around in their exquisite dresses on display.
The place is warm even though the weather outside is freezing cold.
Hesitantly, I nod and taking a step forward. Aiden takes off my fur coat and a blow of cold wind touches my skin as I shiver slightly from the coldness.
"Drink something to warm up," Aiden suggests as he hands me a tonic that he has ordered, and nodding politely to him I take a sip.
It's sour yet sweet.
The word combination that he had introduced to me for lunch before.
"Whose party is this?" I ask Aiden curiously.
"Lady Steffani, she is the oldest and most respectable woman in the business circle. Every year she throws a ball party to celebrate the new year, but this year she got terribly sick so she had to postpone the ball." Aiden explains calmly.
"Oh."
I reply as I take another sip of my gin, it's making me warm now. Thankfully.
"So, what happens to your protein shakes?" I eye his glass humorously and he spits in his drink as he laughs out loud and I join him too.
He grabs a tissue as he wipes his face and then asks for another drink while his eyes smirk at me.
"I didn't expect you to bring a protein shake in this way." He looks amused.
"Hah, I still remember the way you keep a bottle with you all the time, and one time when I had emptied your bottle and you came after me like a mad bull." I laugh reminiscing about the past as he too joins me and we get lost in our little world of the past.
"Mr. Maverick…" I hear a familiar voice behind us and my smile froze, I stare at the mirror decoration and there I meet the cold familiar eyes that hitch my breath in an instant.
What the f**k…
"Mr. Jack," Aiden responds to the man coldly while I stay still in my place not wanting to turn to face him, I know his eyes are burning the back of my head.
"How's your father, I have heard he's been in bad health for quite a time." The voice sounds sincere yet cold and Aiden's reply also comes cold and curt.
"He is getting better."
"So, who's the lady beside you?" He questions and my heart rate quicken, F**k, No.
"Oh, this is my old friend, you must have known her, Tessa Will." Aiden holds the stool at which I am sitting and swiftly turns it towards the person who is eagerly waiting to meet my hesitant gaze.
"Uhmm… Hello, Mr. Jack." I greet Andrew politely, and with a sarcastic smile, he holds my hand and then leans down to kiss the back of my hand.
"Miss Will." The irony in his voice is visible and I gasp from his wet kiss on my hand.
Was that intentional?
We look at each other in complete silence, my hand still in his hold, and the tension starts to envelop between us when suddenly the light dims and a woman's soft voice takes everyone's attention.
I quickly pull my hand out of Andrew's grip and I hear him groaning in displeasure. I ignore him as the woman starts thanking everyone and then says a few sweet words to the guest about the postponement of her party.
She must be Lady Steffani.
A huge round of applause could be heard as she finished her speech and then the music started and I see the men taking the women to the center of the hall as they all start to dance gracefully just like I have read in novels.
Wow.
I was busy watching them in astonishment when Aiden takes my hand pull me towards the dancing couples.
"Aiden, what are you doing?" I question nervously.
"Can you honor me with a dance, Tessa Will?" Aiden asks with his gentlemanly tone, his head bowing respectfully towards me. I look around hesitantly while he waits patiently for my approval and finally surrendering I give my hand to him.
"Sure."
