Chapter 7 - Invitation

"Chloe, Chloe, Chloe, tell me who your husband is?" she beamed as she flung an envelope in front of me.

"Laura, what happened?" I asked her trying to grab the envelope from her but failed.

"Guess who invited you to be their brand ambassador?" she wiggled her brows making me impatient.

"How can I guess if you don't intend to tell me," I retorted and slumped on my bed.

"Lux Gardenia! Can you imagine that you got invited to be the brand ambassador of the Lux Gardenia! This is the biggest fashion house of the country and owned by the Preston Group," she exclaimed with joy and slumped on the bed beside me.

"Don't play with me Laura. I am already frustrated that I got turned down from several fashion show. I can't play with your jokes now," I grumpily said to her looking at the ceiling of my room.

"I am not joking you dumbo. Read this invitation," she handed me the envelope she was running around with in her hand.

I took the invitation from her and opened it only to be bewildered by the content inside. It was indeed an invitation to be the brand ambassador of the Lux Gardenia and attend their banquet this Sunday.

"Laura, tell me I am dreaming," I said as I couldn't believe my eyes but I realized it was reality when I was pinched hard by my best friend.

"Ouch! That hurt," I yelped rubbing my arm.

"So now you are certain that you're not dreaming. You're actually being invited by Lux Gardenia. I am so happy for you," she hugged me as we both burst into series of laughter.

"Laura, isn't it a bit suspicious to you that I got the offer out of no where? I mean Lux Gardenia never appointed any brand ambassador before. They only hire one time models from the top agencies," I said as I rummaged through my wardrobe to find the best outfit for the banquet.

" I was surprised as well. That's why I asked you about your husband. Do you think he has anything to do with this?" she asked raising her brows.

I think back about the last time I talked with my mysterious husband who demanded me to call him for any problem I face. After that we didn't have any other contact. I felt an urge to call him when my enemies got punished but then I ignored the urge.

"Do you think I should give him a call and ask?" I asked Laura though in my heart, I already knew the answer.

"Of course you do. And don't forget to ask him to meet with you. He should at least show his face to you so you can recognize him in case you bump into each other," she reminded me before leaving me alone in my room.

I scrolled through my phone and finally found his number. After hesitating for a while, I finally pressed on the call button. It rang for a few times before someone received the call.

"Hello," came the familiar husky voice from the other end of the call.

"Hey, it's me, Chloe," I said not finding the right words to start a conversation.

"I know it's you," he replied with a chuckle.

"Are you busy?" I asked after a pause.

"Do you need anything?" he asked without replying to my question. I frown at first then decided to ask him what was running inside my head.

"I wanted to ask you if you are familiar with the fashion brand Lux Gardenia?" I asked and waited patiently to get an answer from him. He took a long while before replying.

"Yes, I am. Have you received the invitation already?" he said as if he knew I was going to get the invitation. So I was right all along, he was behind all of this. How influential was he?

"Hmm, but I asked you to not to meddle with my affairs," I suppressed all of my thoughts inside my head before trailing a response to him.

"I just can't see my wife being blacklisted because of her ex and so called fiancee," he replied back immediately. I could feel the anger in his voice. I didn't know I was blacklisted by Dave.

"C-can we meet? I want to thank you in person," I finally asked him to meet me. I hope he won't deny then it would be very very awkward.

"We will meet on the banquet, wifey," he said in a low husky tone that my heart skipped few beats. What was that? Was he flirting with me?

"But how would I recognize you?" I asked when it popped in my head that I didn't saw his face clearly.

"I will be wearing matching clothes with you. So you can easily find me among the guests," he said continued to keep his voice dangerously low and that made something inside me.

"But I haven't decided any dress yet. How can you wear matching clothes with me?" I looked at my now messy wardrobe. I couldn't find any suitable dress yet.

"Let me take care of this matters for you. Now if you don't mind I have to go back to my work. See you soon," he said and then ended call. I suddenly felt my face burning. Was I blushing now?

While I was engrossed in my thoughts, Laura pushed open my bedroom door with a big package in her both hands.

"What is that?" I asked her being surprised. The box was way too big for her to carry all the way to my bedroom.

"I have no idea what is it. This was delivered a few seconds ago under your name," she said panting. I went closer to the box and opened it.

As soon as I opened the box I heard Laura's happy scream. I picked up the card with a small note.

"Wear this dress to the banquet to find me."

I looked at the stunning evening gown inside, it was a midnight blue gown with a lots of layers. There were diamonds on the chest and waistline of the dress. The dress came with matching silhouettes and a mask. So he wanted me to wear this dress in the banquet? But how did he know my sizes? Who was he? How rich was he?