Chereads / Veil Of Ruse / Chapter 23 - Unveiled Allure

Chapter 23 - Unveiled Allure

As soon as Lucia left, Diego waited just long enough to be sure she was far down the road before he quickly slipped into his car, glancing back at the empty driveway with a smirk. This was a rare impulse for him—he wasn't one to rush, but today was different. Today, he had something special in mind. He sped out of the compound, making his way to one of the most exclusive boutiques in the city, his mind racing with ideas.

He entered the boutique, barely giving the sales associate a chance to greet him before he began scanning the racks with purpose. He went straight to the dresses, eyeing a collection of elegant, sophisticated gowns. His fingers brushed over a deep red dress with a daring neckline, then shifted to a sleek, midnight blue one that was both bold and refined. It struck him as something Emily would look stunning in.

"Sir, can I help you find something specific?" a sales assistant asked, noting his intensity.

"I'm looking for something… striking," he replied, barely glancing her way. "She should feel… irresistible."

The assistant's face lit up, and she quickly began to pull out accessories to match. Diego's gaze drifted to a set of necklaces, elegant but understated. He selected one with a delicate pendant, envisioning how it would catch the light as she moved. He added a sleek designer handbag and a pair of high heels that would complement the look. By the time he was finished, he had chosen not just one gown but several, each piece carefully curated.

Satisfied, Diego rushed through the checkout, glancing at his watch. He didn't want to waste a minute longer—he had to be back before Lucia returned. Once everything was packed and loaded into his car, he made his way home, a sense of anticipation bubbling up within him.

Minutes later, Diego was back at the house. He placed the elegantly wrapped boxes on the coffee table and settled onto the couch, his eyes occasionally flickering to the door, waiting. When he finally heard footsteps approaching, a thrill shot through him.

Lucia walked in, her expression turning from neutral to wide-eyed as she took in the display before her. The gifts were arranged on the table, wrapped in sleek, tasteful packaging. Diego rose from the couch, watching her with a knowing smile.

"Welcome, Emily," he said, his voice smooth, his gaze warm.

Lucia's surprise quickly gave way to politeness, though he could tell she was flustered. "Thank you, sir."

Without another word, Diego gestured toward the gifts, picking up a few and holding them out to her. "Here," he said, smiling as he handed the items to her. "These are yours."

Lucia's eyes widened, her gaze darting between him and the packages in disbelief. "What… all these for me?"

Diego chuckled, pleased with her reaction. "Yes, Emily. I want you to have them."

She blinked, her expression shifting from shock to wonder. "But… why? This must have cost a fortune…"

He shrugged, brushing off her concerns. "You deserve something beautiful. And I have plans for us Tonight, so…" He gestured toward the boxes with a slight grin. "I'd like you to wear one of these. We have a date to be."

"A… a date?" Lucia stammered, her cheeks coloring slightly.

"Yes, a date," Diego replied, a teasing glint in his eye as he watched her try to process this unexpected turn of events.

"Now, go and keep it in the guest room," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But, sir…" she started, still clearly overwhelmed, but Diego shook his head and raised a hand, gently hushing her.

"Just go, Emily," he said, a hint of warmth softening his firm tone.

With a last, lingering glance at him, Lucia nodded, gathering the boxes into her arms and making her way to her room. Diego watched her disappear down the hallway, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. Tonight would be different, he was sure of it.

As Lucia began to walk toward her room, Diego stopped her with a gentle, "Wait, Emily."

She turned, still clutching the packages, her eyes questioning. He took a step closer, unable to hide his eagerness. "I'd like to see how it looks on you first. Could you try it on?"

Lucia hesitated, glancing down at the boxes in her arms. She'd never imagined Diego would go this far. But she could see a spark in his eyes that hinted at excitement, an almost boyish anticipation that was hard to resist. Slowly, she nodded.

Diego's smile grew, and he motioned toward the hall with a slight, encouraging nod. "There's something else in the bag," he said, his tone softer. "Take a look."

Curious, Lucia set the packages on the guest room bed, carefully unwrapping each one. She found not only the luxurious dresses, heels, and accessories, but also a small box that held a collection of wigs in various shades and styles. Her fingers lingered over a sleek, dark wig with loose waves, realizing he'd thought of everything to complete her look. A pang of mixed emotions struck her—she'd come here on a mission, but Diego's attentiveness was making it difficult to stay detached.

After selecting a rich, midnight blue gown and a dark, wavy wig, Lucia took a steadying breath as she slipped into the dress, adjusting the wig over her natural hair. She paused before the mirror, surprised by the elegance staring back at her. The gown fit like it was made for her, its fabric hugging her curves and giving her an unfamiliar sense of grace. The wig cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, framing her face with a softness she rarely saw in herself.

Diego was waiting patiently in the sitting room, unaware of the transformation happening just beyond the door.

while Lucia took a deep breath, steadying herself as she whispered, "It's time." She felt a wave of anticipation surge through her, yet she remained calm and composed. Slowly, she reached for the door, her fingers grazing the handle before turning it. The door creaked slightly as it opened, and she stepped out, her movements as graceful as a dancer gliding onto the stage. Each step down the stairs was purposeful, her posture poised, her head held high.

From his seat on the couch, Diego sat unaware, absorbed in his thoughts, oblivious to the gentle sound of her footsteps drawing closer. His gaze was fixed elsewhere, completely unprepared for her approach. Lucia's eyes fixed on him, her heart beat steady, as she descended, her presence commanding and serene.