After returning from the mall, the only thing on Emma's mind was her meeting with her friend and how her life would've gone if she had remained friends with Ivy.
She didn't know how long she sat on her bed, thinking until a knock on the door brought her back to reality.
She frowned, wondering who could be at the door and why since Alex was still at work and it wasn't his closing hours.
"Ma'am, your dresses are here." she heard the maid say, and she frowned.
"Dresses? What dresses? I didn't order any dress," Emma said the moment she opened the door.
"Mr Sterling ordered them," the maid said, and Emma's frown deepened.
"Why?" She asked, but when the maid didn't say anything, she realized she was asking the wrong person.
"Where are the dresses?" She asked and her eyes widened in shock when she saw the other maids rolling the cloth rack up to her room.
Just as they rolled it in, two maids appeared with bags full of shoes and bags, shocking her even more.
Why was he getting her all these when she hadn't worn them? Most of the things he got her previously? Was he taking the dinner as a date? Didn't he say it was just for them to eat out? She thought, deciding to call him.
"I'm guessing you just got the dresses," Alex said, a knowing smile playing on his lips when he received the call.
"Why?" Emma asked, her voice choked with emotion.
"Why what, Em?" He asked, and Emma sighed.
"You know what I'm asking about. You're doing too much, Alex. I don't want you saying I'm a gold digger or something when all this is over," Emma said, and Alex chuckled, amused by her.
"You know, a thank you would've been better and easier...."
"I appreciate it, but you really don't have to do all this," she said, and Alex sighed.
"I have to. You're my wife, even if it's just in the paper. I promised to care for you during this time, so please let me do my job. Is that okay? Besides, you deserve this and more," he said, and Emma sighed, not knowing what to think or do again.
"Alright, wifey. I have to go. I have some work to do before dinner. See you by 6 p.m. I'll send the driver," Alex said before hanging up.
Emma sighed as she dropped the phone, her eyes scanning the clothes he had gotten her.
Each looked nicer than the other, and if she were asked to choose, she probably wouldn't want to drop anyone. A smile appeared on her lips when she saw that trousers and tops were there, too.
Although she was feeling a bit overwhelmed, she decided to let him spoil her as he wanted. After all, she would need all of this a year later, and since he was doing all this for her, maybe it was her turn to put in a little effort.
She was going to dress up and apply a little makeup just in case reporters ran into her and started taking pictures of her.
At least she would look nice. She thought and then narrowed her eyes when something else came to mind.
That day she left the hospital, a lot of reporters had taken her pictures so how come no magazine company had posted them and calling her all sort of names?
Thinking about it, too, no reporter had approached her today. It was almost like what Jake did on TV, but it didn't have the slightest effect on her, except for the episode at the hospital.
Something wasn't right.
Could Alex have done something? She mused and then decided that she'd ask him about it when they met.
When it was time, Emma got dressed in a red sleeveless gown that had a slit at the back with a black opened-toe heel that had glitters at the top; she carried a matching purse.
Emma decided to let down her curly hair and let it flow to her back. Her face was made up with minimal makeup, her beauty radiating like the sun.
She went down the stairs to the door and then the driveway. The driver, who had been waiting outside since the clock struck 6 p.m., opened the car door and waited for Emma to enter before he closed it and drove off.
Emma took the liberty of the drive to really think about the whole thing again.
Was this right? Should she really be seen with Alex? Wouldn't people talk? If she let herself get so close to him, how would it be when the arrangement finally comes to an end?
She thought, then later reminded herself that Alex was only doing all these things to make sure that she moved on. She wouldn't think about the end but would just live in the moment and let herself heal.
She told herself as she watched the driver pull up at the parking lot of the restaurant and came down to open the door for her and she stepped out.
When Emma stepped inside, she paused in surprise. The restaurant was empty except for Alex, who was seated at a table and waiting for her.
The soft flicker of candlelight and the glimmer of chandeliers cast a warm, intimate glow over the entire space.
She glanced around in amazement, marveling at the luxurious decor — elegant floral arrangements, pristine white tablecloths, and the soft strains of classical music playing in the background.
The entire atmosphere screamed exclusivity, as if it had been reserved for royalty. But then, her surprise turned into confusion when she saw that they were the only ones there.