"A fake reception now, I dunno what else we will have to do for this marriage", said Adrian, gloomingly.
Lucy's heart sank. She did not knew the reason but the words seemed to go straight inside her and pierce her heart.
"So, you really think that all this is fake", said Lucy, before she could stop herself.
"Of course, it is. Didn't we discuss it when we met that day?", asked Adrian.
"Yeah, I was just checking", said Lucy .
"At least you are not like Hailey. She's a nightmare honestly ", said Adrian.
"Why? Was she your girlfriend or something?", asked Lucy.
"Nah, she's not my type . And I told you that I am not into girls. Nobody likes her in my family. Mom puts up with her because of George but she's itching to throw her out", said Adrian.
"That's strange. Your mom is perfectly friendly with me", said Lucy.
"I also wonder about that. Mom is quite hostile to those ladies who are clingy around me", said Adrian.
"I am not clingy ", said Lucy, flabbergasted.
"You just called me handsome ", reminded Adrian, sweetly.
"That does not mean that I am clingy. If I would be clingy, I would flirt with you or something, keep smiling at you, try to kiss..", she broke off suddenly remembering their previous night which each other
"Did you try to kiss me?", asked Adrian, surveying Lucy.
Lucy was saved once again, this time by Achilles who had chosen that moment to enter.
"Boss, I am sorry but we will have to go to the office, right now.... something urgent is there and then we also have a meeting", said Achilles.
"What are you doing here?", asked Adrian, dumbfounded .
"I tracked you. You shouldn't disappear so suddenly, you know, you nearly gave me a heart attack . I ve been here from about an hour", said Achilles.
"Oh, right", said Adrian," I will come. What were you doing till now?".
"Talking to a lovely young lady here. Her name's Athena ", said Achilles.
"Since when have you started talking to girls? I thought you found them boring and clingy, Achilles ", demanded Adrian.
"I still don't like girls. But this one's different, she's quite nice.....I don't like her or anything ", said Achilles.
"That's a surprise. Athena is as famous among boys as me", said Lucy, entering the conversation
"Good afternoon to you, Mrs Smith", said Achilles, bowing.
"I will prefer Anderson, Mr Achilles", said Lucy.
"Anyways, time for us to go. It is quite a pleasure to meet you ", said Achilles, going out.
"You won't be able to ignore my question for long, Lucy", said Adrian, and he too went away, leaving Lucy cursing him badly in her mind.
The meeting was a success. The investors quite liked Lucy's, Athena's (and Achilles' ) idea, and invested a huge amount of money in Lucy's company.
When the meeting stopped, one of the investors stopped her.
"Yes?", asked Lucy, halting and turning around.
"I liked your designs quite a lot, Miss Anderson. We have a ball in the occasion of my sister's wedding in a few days, and we're still left with the bridal gownđź‘— Would you like to make it?", he proposed," The amount will be decided by you".
"I would love to. Do you have a special theme, or it should be free style?", asked Lucy, gladly.
"Free style ",said the investor, and he took out a card from his bag.
"It's a masquerade ball which we're having. I would love it if you would like to join us on the occasion and celebrate with us",he continued.
"Is this necessary?", asked Lucy, smiling.
"No, not necessary. But it would be a honor to have the CEO of Coco Styles and one of the most beautiful models of the country at the event. My sister is also a very big fan of you", said he.
"Alright ", she said, accepting the card ♦️," I will try to come ".
_____....._____....._____..._____... _____...._____..
She was sitting in front of the mirror watching herself in her full glory. Although she was already breathtakingly beautiful but she did not usually wear jewels or makeup, nor gowns were a part of her wardrobe.
Today, she had worn something different from her usual buisness suits and casuals. She was carrying a long off-shoulder maroon satin
gown which had a thigh high slit and flowers embroidered at the edges and the top. It also possessed a silver leaf belt which added to the grandeur of the gown. Around her neck, was a diamond necklace, which adorned her neck. She had her hair tied up in a bun and she had also applied light make-up, making her look like an angel from heaven.
Although Lucy had did it for the pleasure of the family members, and because of her gratefulness for her mother-in-law but a tiny bit of her wanted to impress Adrian too, and to have him compliment her and tell her that she was looking gorgeous.
She found Lia and Athena waiting for her outside the door, and they were both struck with awe and were admiring her from head to toe.
"I thought I was used of being with the most beautiful girl in the world...but I must say, that you are looking deadly tonight. I really didn't appreciate that you were this beautiful", said Athena , sho was looking equally beautiful in a strapless snow colored gown with frills and flowers all over
"You don't need to, you are my best friend. And you are looking gorgeous", added Lucy.
"Adrian 's going to go head over heels for you tonight", said Lia, who had chosen a pastel pink gown for the occasion.
Lucy smiled a little, and the three reached the top of the stairs where the hall ( now the ballroom) was in full view.
There was a sudden silence as everyone turned to the three pretty ladies at the top of the stairs. Everyone was staring at Lucy, and it seemed as if everyone had stopped breathing as well.
Adrian, who was looking like a prince, looked even more handsome and manly than usual in a maroon suit and tie. His hair was adorned with a silver crown, and every lady in the party was looking at him vying for his attention but he had eyes only for his wife, who was also looking at him fondly.
"She is so beautiful", exclaimed Adrian, in a whisper so that only Achilles, who was standing right next to him could hear him .