Hours after their press tour and Daphne was in her room with Lucy. She sat on the bed, her hands placed delicately under her chin as she tried not to ruin her makeup. "What the hell is wrong with me?" she groaned out loud. She moved her hands up to her hair, scratching wildly.
"What happened?" Lucy asked. "The interviews went well, right?"
"Yeah, yeah....." Daphne trailed off. If going well meant, Adrian ignoring her behind the scenes and then acting all loving and charming with her on set, then, yes, yes, it went well. "I'm just really nervous," she said. Nervous and scared.
"Why? You arranged this date, why are you nervous?"
"I don't know," Daphne lied. She couldn't tell Lucy. She just couldn't tell Lucy that Adrian had told her to his face that he didn't like her. She couldn't tell Lucy that Adrian was reluctant to get married to her. Reluctant in the sense that he didn't want to. All Lucy would say was 'I told you so' and Daphne wasn't in the mood for any gloating. "It's normal to be nervous on a first date."
"Hmm. So, this is your first date with your fianceé?" Lucy asked sarcastically, causing Daphne to raise her head and glare at her. "Sorry, sorry, sorry. Okay, look, don't be nervous. You arranged the date and everything will be fine. You will go to a nice restaurant, have a nice meal, chat and maybe kiss at the end of the date."
Daphne smiled wistfully. How she wished that was the case. Adrian didn't even like touching her except it was necessary. Kissing him was too big a dream. She sighed. "Okay, okay. Where is the dress?" she questioned.
"Here," Lucy grabbed the package Adrian had sent to her the previous day and dumped it on Daphne's legs. "There. You should hurry up. It's almost time and I don't think Adrian will take kindly to you arriving late for the date."
That is if he didn't arrive late himself. Daphne sighed again as she opened the package and pulled the dress out. "For what it's worth," she said, "he sure has good taste in clothes."
"Yeah," Lucy answered, staring at the cloth. "He might be excited to see you in the dress," she said with a smile.
Daphne's eyes gleamed with hope. Maybe, just maybe. "You think so?" she asked.
"Of course," Lucy answered. "I think the dress will fit you so perfectly," she said.
Daphne hurriedly climbed out of the bed. She pulled the dress with her. Then, started to pull of her own clothes as Lucy watched her.
"So, you think Adrian is excited for the date?" Lucy asked.
Without pausing, Daphne picked up the dress and began to wear it. "Oh, very excited," she lied, her voice coming out muffled from under the dress as she pulled it down her head. "He can't wait."
"So, he's coming to pick you up?"
"Yup."
"Great. I can make a video for my Instagram story," Lucy said. "Do you need help with the zip?" she asked as she watched her friend pull the dress all the way down.
"Yes, please."
Lucy rose to her feet and moved closer to Daphne. She helped Daphne zip up the dress and a smile appeared on her face as Daphne turned to face her. "You look gorgeous," she said.
Daphne turned to the mirror and smiled. "Yeah. The dress is lovely," she said. The dress was a blue, long diamond one without sleeves and a long slit. She walked over to her closet and pulled it open to look for a shoe.
"Your interview is currently being aired," Lucy told her. "Do you want to watch it?"
"No," Daphne answered instantly. "I don't want to," she said, grabbing a pair of stilettos and slipping it on. She grabbed her purse on the table and turned to Lucy. "Do you think I should call him to ask if he is on his way?"
"No, don't do that. It seems really desperate."
Daphne frowned but said nothing. She sunk into her chair and sighed.
"Are you okay, Daph?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"I don't know," Lucy shrugged, as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I was just wondering. You know you can talk to me about anything."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous that's all."
Lucy opened her mouth to talk but the knock on the door cut her off. Before Daphne could ask who was there, the door opened her her mother, Karen, walked in.
"I hope you are ready, Daph," she said, closing the door behind her.
"Yes, yes, I am," Daphne rose to her feet, smoothening imaginary creases on her dress. "Is he here already?"
"No, but I wanted to tell you that someone tipped the press that Adrian would be talking you on a date," Karen said.
"By someone you mean my dad, right?"
Karen smiled. "Yes, dear."
Daphne let out a small sigh and slumped back into her seat. "Whatever, mum."
"Awwn, sweetie, don't be like that," Her mother said, walking over to her and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Remember, it's good publicity. We need people to know that you and Adrian are a happy couple."
Daphne smiled. "Of course mum." She would never tell her parents that Adrian explicitly told her that he didn't like her and would never like her. She couldn't tell them that.
Across them, Lucy bit her lower lips to stop herself from talking. Why was Daphne's mother so blind? Anyone with eyes could see the kind of pressure this was for Daphne. But apparently, anyone except her parents.
Behind the door, someone called out, "Miss Daphne? Mr. King is waiting downstairs for you."
Daphne shot out of the chair with a certain speed that scared Lucy. "Oh, he's here He's here. What am I going to do? How do I look? Lucy, is my make up okay?" she rambled.
Her mother shot her hands out and gripped Daphne firmly by her shoulders, turning her around to look at her. "Look at me," she demanded, as Daphne's eyes wandered about wildly and frantically. "Daphne Carrie Rodriguez look at me," she ordered.
Daphne's eyes darted towards her mother's.
"Good. You are beautiful and confident. Your dress is lovely and your makeup is not ruined. Now, take a deep breath," Karen said and waited as Daphne took in a sharp inhale and exhaled loudly. "Good. You are calm and beautiful and confident, and you can do this. Is that clear?"
Daphne nodded, her mind calm. "Yes mum."
"Good. I'm going downstairs to greet Adrian. Meet us in five," Her mother instructed, letting go of her shoulders and turning towards the door.
As soon as she pulled the door open, walked out and closed the door, Lucy let out a small cackle. "Daphne Carrie Rodriguez," she repeated and chuckled again.
Daphne grabbed a small pillow and chunked it at Lucy. "You are the worst."
"Sorry." She paused. "Are you still nervous?" she asked.
Daphne nodded. "Yeah, a little bit. But I'm pretty and confident and I can do this. It's just a date."
"Want me to come with you?"
Daphne darted her a glance. "To the date?" she questioned.
"No, dummy. Downstairs."
"That will be great," Daphne said and Lucy immediately climbed out of the bed. "Although, I'm not sure my mum would appreciate that."
"Duh, that's why I'm doing it," Lucy answered, walking over to her.
Daphne smiled.
"Come on, let's go," Lucy said.
Daphne opened the door and together, they walked out of the room. The both of them walked down the stairs with Lucy right behind Daphne until the get to the living room where Daphne's mother was seated. Across her, was Adrian who looked really uncomfortable.
"Adrian," Daphne called as she descended the stairs.
Adrian quickly rose to his feet when he saw her. "Daphne. You ready?" He questioned in a deep voice and she nodded.
Behind them, Lucy nudged Daphne.
"Oh, right. This is my friend, Lucy," Daphne introduced. "Lucy, this is Adrian."
Lucy jumped beside Daphne. "Hi, Adrian, I'm Lucy, Daphne's best friend. It's so nice to finally meet you in person."
Without looking at her, Adrian murmured, "Nice to meet you." Still keeping his gaze on Daphne, he asked, "Are you ready?" Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed her by her hand, said, "Goodbye," to Karen and Lucy and began to walk towards the door.
"Bye mum! Bye, Lucy!" Daphne called out as Adrian held her hands firmly in his.
They pulled the door open and Adrian's bodyguards who were standing outside immediately straightened up and led them to the car. Once they were both settled in, the driver drove out of the mighty gates.
Outside the gates, reporters flanked them, raising hope their cameras, shouting questions at them and nearly blinding them with the flashes of light from the camera.
Daphne poked her head out of the window, a bright and wide smile on her face as she waved at them. This was the part of her life she loved. The admiration from people, the pictures.
"Roll the damn window up," Adrian snapped at her.
"Right, sorry, sorry." She quickly rolled the window up. "Sorry," she said again.
He grumbled under his breath.