Chapter 31:

"How about this one?"

"What?" I ask, snapping my head up from almost falling asleep.

"Embre." She whined, placing her glasses in her purse. "Which one?" She pointed to a sliver and red dress.

"Uh..." My eyes flickered between the two, but I didn't quite see myself wearing them. "What about that one?" I asked her, pointing behind her.

"What?" She asked as she was turning. "Oh this." She picked up the dress I had my eye on.

"Yeah.. do you like it?" I was afraid that she would tell me no and that I have horrible taste.

"If you like it, I love it." She shrugged. "But it's going to need a little bit of pop."

"Like accessories and stuff?"

"Exactly." She held out her hand that was holding the dress. "Here, go try it on."

And that's when I noticed how much clothing I was wearing, and it made me not want to. But I knew we didn't have much time so I went to find the dressing room.. but it was right across from me.

Three slips of clothes, heels and a watch later, I fitted inside the dress. My hands automatically went to my arms feeling how bare they were. "Are you done?!" I heard Lilly call out to me.

"Yeah!" I called back out to her. "Just give me a sec."

Going back to looking at myself, I turned to the side to eye my curves that I didn't know quite existed. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the dressing room for Lilly to take a look.

Her eyes engulfed and they startled all in one but there was a hint of smile lingering on her face. "Well that doesn't tell me anything." I nervously laughed. "Is there something on it?"

"No, you look great!" Her smile expanded even more.

"Thanks." I shifted from hip to hip. "I feel like there's something you're not telling me." She still had a smile on her face.

"Wait until Landon sees you." She spoke what was lingering in her mind.

I froze.

"He's going to be delighted to say the least. Go change so we can pay for the dress."

I just picked up a trait that they both have. They're both demanding.

"It's three o'clock so we have to put a little hustle in to get to the house."

"We're going back to the house?"

"That's where all your makeup stuff is, we can stop in a few stores to pick up some things that I can add if you want." She talked to me as I changed back into my work clothes.

A few moments later, we approached the check out. "Would you like bag?"

"Yes please." Lilly was digging in her purse for her wallet I'm assuming.

"Lilly, you don't have to do that-"

"It's already done." She handed her card to the cashier and she didn't hesitate to swipe the card.

My eyes widen. "5,000 dollars?" I knew I looked ridiculous with my mouth opening and closing but I was in a state of shock.

"We still have to get shoes." Lilly told me as she watched carefully when the lady placed the dress in the dress bag.

"Oh god.."

"What?"

"How will I pay you back?"

"It's my treat Embre." Lilly took the bag from the cashier after thanking her. "Now lets go." Handing the dress for me to hold, she turned on her heel to walk out of the expensive store.

"Does Ulta and Sephora sound okay?" She asked me.

Now she's talking my language.

•••

"Alright when we get out, I need you to sprint upstairs. No questions, if he tries to speak yell no and keep running okay?"

"Alright.."

"Good." She grinned before stepping out of the car with her two bags and I stepped out with one.

Shifting one of the bags to her other hand, she pulled out his house key. "Take a deep breath." She warned as she turned the knob. "Ready?" Opening the door we both stepped in. "Go!"

"Whoa!" We heard Landon call out startled. "Hey what's going-"

"No!" We both yelled, bolting up the stairs and into her my- her- room.

We both bent over to catch our breaths and still slouched over, I looked at her. "That wasn't such a good idea."

"Tell me about it." She breathes out. "My treadmill at home would be so proud of me."

After a few more coughs, we stood back up. "Go.. go take a shower." She pointed to the bathroom. "We.. only have an hour and thirty before I have to leave."

I tried to take my time showering, but after twenty five minutes she was knocking on the door telling me to get out.

Another characteristic... both impatient.

Stepping out of the shower, I secured my towel around myself before walking out. "Okay I was thinking that maybe since it's that dress we could pin your bangs and put the rest of your hair up into a bun." Lilly was already talking before I could wipe the residue water off my face. "Landon said you did something to your hair that he liked and I had him describe so hopefully you know what I'm talking about."

"That's fine." I trusted her in knowing that she wouldn't make me look bad... "And yeah I remember."

"Okay, I'll set up the makeup and just come out here when you're done."

Realizing I was still in my towel, I grabbed a matching set- not on purpose- of a tank top and shorts. She wouldn't want to see my flops of meat sticking out if I was just in my undergarments.

"Should we put the dress on before you do my face. Just in case?"

"Embre... how did you put on this dress?" She asked me, she crossed her arms with an arched eyebrow.

"I just slipped it on..." She removed the bag from around the dress and I saw a zipper running down the back until it reached the hips. "I'm not having this conversation." I slipped back into the bathroom, that was embarrassing.

Seven bobby pins and a enormous amount of gel later I was done with my hair. Slicking my edges down was the last step.

"Alright done..."

Oh my...

She had the desk covered in makeup and she only looked up once she saw me but she was brushing out of the brushes with her. "Well that was quick but I like it."

She's the one talking about quick?

"You ready?"

"To be honest." I slowly approached her. "Not really."

"You'll look gorgeous when I'm through." She patted the seat. "Now let's get to work."

"Done." I felt her add in her last touches to my lip color before she stepped back sealing it back up.

Turning in my chair to face the mirror, I flinched, startled by my appearance. "Whoa."

"You don't like it?" She asked and by her facial expression I knew she was hurt but it was the exact opposite.

"No!" I shook my head. "No, it's just hard to believe that's me." Moving my head, the girl in the mirror followed my exact movement.

"Alright now for the dress." She placed the lipsticks on the dresser before walking over to the dress that I would be wearing.

"Let me put on some undergarments." I got up to dig in the drawer but she stopped me.

"This dress will require a thong.. do you have any?"

My face heated up.

"Why do I need to wear it?"

Leave it to Regina to take me shopping back when was here.. but I never really thought I would have to put one on.

"So that no one will see your granny panties, believe me we all have some, but you'll be with Landon and that means pictures possible and that means-"

"Yeah I got it."

"Good."

Digging throw my drawer, I picked up the matching black set and I grimaced at the sight of it.

"You'll be fine." She waved me off. "There uncomfortable for the first hour then it gets some what better."

"Some what better?"

"We're all different so maybe even longer." She shrugged. "Now chop chop." She already had the back unzip so all I had to do was step in it and she zipped me up.

"Thank god your toes are done already." She eyed my toes and I scrunched them into a ball. "It's okay I already saw the little minions."

"Hey!"

"I'm kidding." She snickered at her joke. Reaching for the bag that was on the bed, she pulled out the shoes.

"I can't believe you bought me those." I reminded her, looking at the Louboutin shoes.

"You're my soon to be sister in law." She shrugged like what she said didn't matter. "So put them on."

Sitting down on the bed, I carefully slipped them on. "Okay now stand up."

"I might die." I warned her.

"Let me help you." She held out her hand to help me up.

"So this is what tall people see." The difference in being short and tall really did matter.

"Put on this." She handed me a watch. "And this." She handed me earrings. "And finally this."

"I still feel bad for what you are doing." I took the necklace from her carefully to attach the hooks behind my neck. "At least let me pay you something back."

"No." She was already packing up ready to leave. "Doing you're makeup, nails and buying you something is nothing for me and what I mean is this." She gestured around. "Is normal girl things, just think of it as a girls day out."

"Okay..." It still felt unsettling.

"Okay don't leave this room until 5:45." She warned me. "You can add any finishing touches before leaving but I want Landon to wait, keeps him suspicious."

"Yes mom."

"Don't call me that." She looked unsatisfied with the name I called her. "I'll see you later." Giving me a hug, she departed out of the room, and it felt like she didn't come at all. I guess being a busy women does that; always moving and never in one spot for too long.

For the next fifteen minutes, after putting on deodorant and perfume I practiced walking from the bathroom to the door and back.. I only stumbled a few times..

"Alright time to go." Looking in the mirror, I fixed a few misplaced hairs and grabbed the little mini purse that Lilly left for me, I placed the lipstick and my phone in it before exiting the room.

The atmosphere felt stressed and I knew it was because of me. I wondered how Landon would look at me and if he would like the outfit.

But I had to remember he liked everything on me up to this point so hopefully this will fit into that category.

Walking down the stairs my heart began to beat faster once seeing him at the bottom, waiting on me. But he wasn't looking at me, he was busy fixing his sleeve and I couldn't help but notice him struggle a little.. was he nervous?

Tucking my purse into the curve of my armpit, I reached out for his arm to help him. I didn't think he heard me coming down the stairs- since it's carpet- and he flinched back from my touch looking at me.

The confusion in his eyes disappeared once he saw me, the corner of his mouth lifted up as his eyes softened. "You need help?" I asked him and he continued to stare as I helped him with his little problem.

"You look beautiful." He finally responded after a few moments passed and I averted my eyes from his.

"You do too." I complimented him back. "I mean... handsome, you look handsome."

"Thank you." This time his lips curled into a smile, showing off his perfect white crystal clear teeth. Even him wearing a simple black suit made me want to faint.

"Nothing witty today?" I asked, arching my right eyebrow at him.

"No." He took a step back from me to eye what I was wearing. "Damn." I heard him mutter and I tried not to laugh. "You really do look beautiful."

"You already said that."

"Well, it's true." He held out his hand, and my small hand fitted around his big one. "You ready Miss Daniels?"

"Yes Mr Hale."

Walking outside, he let me out first and I stopped in my tracks to see a limo parked right outside. "Really?"

"Yes really." He touched my lower back the material of the dress making even more contact with my skin. "Saves me time to look at you."

"We have all night for that."

"That we do." He leads me to the limo and the driver -already holding the door open for us- was standing in place. "Ladies first."

Thanking him for his kind gesture, I heard him direct the driver as he closed my door and not to soon later he was sitting right next to me.

Resting my hands on my lap, I could see from the corner of my eye Landon sliding closer to me.

Turning my head to look at him, I eyed him. "What are you doing?"

"What do you want me to do?" He threw the question back out to me. His left hand seemed to have a mind of its own as it slide across the seat and onto my thigh.

"In case you didn't know, we are not alone. We have a gentleman present." I directed my finger to the driver. Rolling his eyes, Landon reached forward clicking a button and a divider separated us.

"You were saying?" His eyes held everything but amusement and it made me grow hot on the outside and inside.

"Uh.." I was lost for words. He took my silence as an answer, moving closer to me.

"Landon." All I could say was his name, I mean want could I possibly say to a good looking man that looks at me like I was his prey, caging me in slowly.

"Yes?" His hand drew circles in the middle of my bare thigh and I was trying to keep my cool.

"You seem different." I tried to direct the attention away from me. "Did you do something with your hair?"

"No." We both knew it looked the same. "Anything else?"

"No." We both knew I had been defeated.

"Good." Licking his lips, he didn't hesitate to kiss me. My back was already pressed against the seat so I didn't have anywhere to run. This felt almost different, almost as if he hasn't seen me in over a week and was carving my touch.

His right hand went behind me and around to my other side as he slightly picked me up so he didn't have to strain himself so far. My brain disconnected from my bottom in the exact moment, all I wanted to feel was Landon around me and I knew he felt the same.

He knew my limits but tonight he seemed as if he wanted to break them and.. I wanted him to.

Pulling away from the kiss, his lips traveled down to my neck before leaving wet kisses there. "I want you.." He broke three words down with each kiss.

He pressed my body closer to him and if I wanted to I could have sat on his lap to make this easier.

Touching his cheek, I lifted his head for him to look at me but he doesn't give me a chance as his lips come crashing down on mine for the second time.

For some reason it felt like he needed this so I gave it to him, because there was nothing for me to complain about.

"Be mine." He groaned against my lips, the limousine must have hit a speed bump and his hand quickly secured itself around the seat, capturing me in between.

Once we settled down I gave him my answer "I'm yours." I thought we already went over this.

"No." He sighed. "I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Like a girl as a friend or girlfriend girlfriend." I knew what he meant I just wanted to make a joke out of it.

"The second one." He smiled at my wit and I returned it. Kissing him one last time, I patted his arm for him to release me so I could fix myself back up for this gathering.

Thanking the driver for opening the door for me after what seemed like an hour drive, my eyes automatically shut close seeing the flashing lights of cameras.

"Mr Hale!"

"Can we get a picture?!"

Sentences were being thrown around like a merry go round, I couldn't even think for two seconds. Feeling the familiar warmth of his hand wrapping around mine, I felt my body relax before I was pulled in front of him to walk.

The more we gained on the paparazzi, the more Landon pulled me closer to him and I was thankful for that. I kept my head down, trying to regain my vision but it felt almost next to impossible. When we approached it's like their voices turned into loud speakers.

"Landon how's your business going?"

"Is that your girlfriend?"

"Is she pregnant?!"

I gasped out loud at that one, I was perplexed. I'm still a virgin for Christ sake.

"Let's get you inside." He ignored their questions, walking into the building that looked like it was ready to swallow anybody whole.

"Wait.. you said you do this every year?" I asked, looking up at him and I was glad my vision came back.

"Sadly yes, it's really pointless really, mingling with people is not my thing."

"Your thing? So mingling with me must be hard." I joked and narrowed his eyes at me playfully before pressing his hand to my lower back.

"I never got a proper answer." He reminded me as we continued to walk.

Looking up at him for a spilt second, I directed my attention back. "I don't know.." I wanted to play with him a little, but he didn't like that at all. He stopped walking and I came to a halt as well, his body stiffened at my words. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, you're not ready and I understand but-"

I stopped him, holding my polished finger to his lips. "I was kidding, yes I'll be your girlfriend idiot."

"Oh thank god." I could feel his breath against my finger and I pulled it away to watch him smile, he looked relieved. Who knew I could make a millionaire sweat?

"Come on, let's go see if I can find my parents." While we walked I took in the place, it was elegant of course, a bunch of tables were spread around with names of important people, what seemed to have been just appetizers were on a table. I looked for the restroom just in case if I had a nervous breakdown. There was a stage set up with a mic and there was a- jazz- band playing soft majestic music.

"Where could they be?" I zoned back in once I heard him talking.

Looking at the table, I saw two pictures of what his parents looked like and it made me tense. His mother sure did have sharp eyes.

"There you are!" I heard a cheerful soft spoken voice come from behind us and Landon turned around engulfing his mother into a hug.

"I was just looking for you." He informed her once pulling away from each other.

"It's good to see you."

"Mom, you saw me one week ago."

"I miss you all the time, it's never the same without hearing my kids bicker.."

"Mom, there's someone I would like for you to meet-"

"Oh Lilly already beat you to it, but go ahead continue continue."

His face held so many emotions at once. "I can never tell her anything." I heard him mumble before fixing his face to talk.

"Well." He cleared his throat before turning to face me with a smile forming on his face. "This is Embre." He stepped to the side for me to come into view for his mother. "My girlfriend."

My heart bounced outer space and came back into orbit all at once. Taking the step needed to be closer to her, I held out of my hand. "It's nice to meet you Mrs Hale."

"What is that?" She stared at my hand in distaste, like I offended her. "Hugs are better." My heart was literally pounding against my chest at 100 miles per hour.

"Oh, sorry Mrs Hale." She pulled me into a hug and I tried my best to successfully pull away without capturing our jewelry together.

"Call me Ruby, Mrs Hale sounds like I'm in a business meeting."

"Ruby." I smiled at her gesture, at least she seemed nice in person.

"So.. you're the woman my son as been talking about." She stepped back to look at me with my hands still intertwined with hers.