^^^EVIE'S DRESS ❤️
           
"Come on Evie! Just one more and you're free," she said.

"That's what you said the last ten times," I complained as I jumped up.

"And this time I really mean it," she replied.

After one last burpee, I collapsed to the floor, exhausted. I wanted nothing to do with anything, and quite frankly, I'd be ok with dying right now; anything to not have to feel the pain I was in. This woman is a slave driver.

"You've done really well," she said.

"Max, I really hate you right now, so I'd stop talking if I were you," I told her.

The truth is that I already knew that I'd done well. Besides looking it, I felt it too. My body may have been in pain, but it was pain that I was used to. After seven months, there was no way I wasn't used to it.

It had been seven months of major changes for me. Max and Gigi really helped me to change into someone that I could be proud of being. Gigi worked on my hair and skin when she was around, while Max, who I spent the most time with, helped me to workout.

It had also been seven months without Aramis.

The night when we kissed, we had dinner with his family after that, and I haven't seen him since. Well, I haven't seen him in person, but I have seen him in the tabloids alright. I've seen about his 'whirlwind romance' with Emily Brunt, the very woman who he had called 'crazy and clingy'.

It's not like I'm mad or anything.

I mean, I guess I was for the first week, but that's when I decided that I was tired of it all. I'm tired of having to depend on anyone. I've been alone for so long, so why not make sure that I look good while I'm alone.

That trail of thought just led to me wanting to change my whole life completely. I quit my job at Altor Corp, with Vivienne returning a very colourful email my way, and that was the last time I communicated with anyone from the States.

I know for a fact that my 'family' is still looking for me, but apparently they will never find me. Garrett informed me that try as they may, they will never find me because he has every experienced P.I on his payroll, which means he pays them to report that I have not been found.

The power of the Van de Woodsens just amazes me beyond.

"Are you done?" one of my new favourite voices popped in.

"I would be excited enough to come and hug you if I could move," I told her.

"That's ok! I'll just come and hug your sweaty self on the floor," she said before jumping onto me.

I groaned while she giggled. "Why do you hate me?"

"I could never hate you Evie. You're my best friend!" she reminded.

Zena Van de Woodsen is the crazy child currently on top of me. When she found out that Gigi and Max were staying here, she wanted in. We clicked from the moment we met, and I learnt that while she's an internationally famous model, she doesn't have friends because people just don't really get her.

That was the basis of our bond.

Ever since then, she's placed her career on hold to give herself a much deserved break. She's been modelling since she was fourteen, and has never taken a break in the last ten years. Plus, she missed being with Gigi and Max, who I learnt rarely settle down as long as they have here in Greece.

And it's all for me.

"Why aren't you in Spain?" Max asked her.

"I don't understand what part of 'I'm on a break' you're all failing to understand. Booking me more gigs isn't going to help," she replied.

"But it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," I reminded her.

"I know, but I'm only twenty-four. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have plenty more of those in the future. It's not like I've retired," she argued.

"Your sister will probably kill you, but I get where you're coming from. Let me actually go and find her before she finds out from anyone else," Max said before leaving the room.

Zena got off of me before helping me up. "How much do you weigh now?"

"There's only one way to find out," I said nervously, heading towards the scale.

I'd worked hard in the past seven months, even though I'd taken my time with my weight. I had a target weight in mind, and when I stepped onto the scale, I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd finally done it! I'd gone from two hundred and ninety pounds to one hundred and seventy-eight.

"I did it," I whispered.

The squeal behind me confirmed that the crazy girl had heard me. "We have to celebrate."

"We're doing nothing of the sort," I told her as I turned back to her.

"Come on Evie! I've been there for you through this whole journey. You at least owe it to yourself to get dressed up and let's go out tonight," she pleaded.

"Nope!" I refused.

She looked like a wounded puppy, but I wasn't changing my mind. "Fine."

Not that I'm stupid enough to think that she would let it go.

"I'm so tired, I could sleep for the next ten days and not feel any kind of shame," I said as we walked out of the gym.

"Well, I don't think anyone would blame you. You really went in on your workouts the past two weeks, and clearly the results agree. You look absolutely amazing," she complimented.

"I'm covered in sweat. I highly doubt I look amazing," I joked.

She smacked me. "You know what I mean. My brother won't know what hit him the next time he sees you."

I brushed off her comment about Aramis. I didn't do this for him, so I really couldn't care less what he thinks or says. I opened up to her about the kiss and she's the only one who knows about it. Even though she and Aramis don't have much of a relationship, she wants him to be happy, something she figures he will be with me in his life.

"What about you? When is your next date?" I deflected.

She sighed. "I have no clue. I doubt there'll be another date though. I attract the wrong guy every time, and it bites me in the ass every single time."

"Then stop attracting the wrong guy," I simply said.

"That's easier said than done. I can barely tell the difference. Guys nowadays are so good at acting like good guys, even though they're the biggest assholes," she defended.

Good point.

"Ok, how about you cool off dating for a while? Let the right guy find you," I suggested.

"That could actually work out. Is that what you're doing with my brother?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that your brother is the right guy for me?"

"Well, if he leaves that witch and comes back, then you could find out?" she replied.

"No thanks! I'm not about to fall for yet another guy who doesn't make me a priority," I said as I stripped off my sweaty clothes, knowing full well that she wouldn't leave if I kicked her out in any case.

"Ok, fair point. Speaking of assholes, have you heard anything new from Zayn?" she asked as I headed to the bathroom.

"He sent me another threatening email, but nothing new. They all send me the same recycled nonsense every week. My mother keeps demanding my father's ashes, which I guess is the only thing that confuses me. I mean, what would she be doing with her ex-husband's ashes?" I replied.

"She's cray cray, so who knows? Anyway, let me give you your space to shower while I go and make you a celebratory power shake," she said before leaving the room.

I'd let her have that much.

After my shower, I headed to my closet to change into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. My wardrobe has had to change every month with my weight loss. Zena and Gigi have updated it for me since I didn't want to risk going outside. The furthest I've been is to the pool.

They couldn't understand why I didn't leave the house, even after being assured that I wouldn't be found, but I just honestly didn't want to risk it. I've enjoyed my time away from my life in the States so much, and I didn't want to jeopardise it.

"There she is," Max announced before they started applauding.

I'd received the biggest surprise when Bernard showed up a month ago. I'd forgotten to send him a message, so he tracked me. Eventually Grier and Garrett told him where I was, and he's been here since. We've actually formed a real friendship, and I guess he's my guy best friend.

I couldn't help my blush. "Guys, stop."

"I can't believe you refuse to go out and celebrate. This is big Evie!" Gigi scolded.

"I know it is, but celebrating means going out," I argued.

"You can't possibly want to stay here forever Evie. You have to go out sometime, let alone back home," Bernard countered.

I guess I go by the name Evie now.

"I don't ever want to go back to that place," I said.

"WHAT?" they shouted concurrently.

"Wait, why do you want me to go back?" I asked in confusion.

"You have to go back and show those people that you're not afraid of them. You need to show them the new you," Zena stressed.

I frowned. "The new me has a smaller body, great hair and flawless skin. What's so great about that?"

"What do you want to do with your life Evie? If you had no fear in you right now, what would you choose to do with your life?" Max asked me.

This is a question I've gone around so much in my life. I mean, fashion is my passion, and in the past seven months I've grown my designs and ideas, but I don't know if I could ever be brave enough to do anything with them.

"I'd own a fashion empire," I said shyly.

I think I surprised them all with my answer. "You love fashion?"

"Well yeah. I worked for Vivienne Altor, and not just for the sake of my resume, but because I love fashion and I thought I could learn a thing or two from her. I guess I learnt a little, but more than anything, I learnt that she's dishonest and I don't know how the hell she got so far in the industry," I replied to Gigi's question.

"When you say you'd own a fashion empire, what exactly do you mean?" Max asked.

"I mean I would want to design clothes and have them readily available for the everyday person and not just people with money. I'd invest in other people and help them realize their dreams too. I'd also want to run a fashion magazine," I said thoughtfully.

"Do it," the Van de Woodsen sisters said simultaneously.

"What?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Do it, all of it. I'll help you. We can start by launching you under either my brand or Grier's since I'm sure she'll agree, and then we can see how people feel about your designs. If you're confident after that, we can launch you as a solo brand. You already have the capital, so that shouldn't be a hassle," Max explained.

"Plus, Gigi and I will be your models. You'll officially be the first person to ever feature the Van de Woodsen sisters together in a campaign," Zena added, which Gigi nodded to.

"And I'll obviously be your financial manager and I.T specialist," Bernard added. He's a triple major, having received his Honours Degrees in Financial Management, Commercial Law and I.T.

"I..." I trailed off speechless.

"Do you have your designs here?" Max asked me. How she knew I was designing to begin with is beyond me, but I nodded anyway.

"Well, go and get them," they said, shooing me out of the kitchen.

I dreaded every step towards my room, and once I had the five sketch books in my arms, I dreaded every step back to the kitchen. I didn't want to do this, but I wouldn't lie and say that it wasn't exciting to finally let my designs be seen.

"You could look a little less afraid you know? We're not going to rip you to shreds," Gigi commented.

I wish I believed her though.

They couldn't believe the number of sketch books I had to begin with. For an agonizing fifteen minutes, I sat sipping on my power shake as they exchanged the books in silence. I panicked when a tear from Zena landed on one of the books as she closed it.

"Are you crying?" I panicked.

"I have no words," she said lowly.

"I know exactly what you mean," Bernard added.

"Can someone please explain what's going on to me?" I requested when I realized that they all shared the same look.

Gigi suddenly ambushed me in a hug. "You're going to be big Evie."

"What?" I whispered.

"You were born for this Evie. I have been a fashion designer for only six years, and I have never seen anything like your designs before. Hell most of them are better than anything I've ever come up with. You were born to not only be a fashion designer, but to be a visionary," Max explained.

I was speechless. I've always been shy about my style, and especially sceptical of the way I like to think. I've always thought of my thinking as borderline warped, and to hear that perhaps I was onto something made me feel a little weird.

"Mom has to see these," Zena commented.

"It's a good thing they're flying in today," Gigi agreed.

I frowned, surprised at the news. "They are?"

"They're coming to check up on you again," Max informed.

"Why?" I asked.

"Your father's birthday," Bernard was the one to reply.

My father's birthday.

It would be the first time in my life that my father isn't around for his birthday. I celebrated all of his birthdays of my twenty-six years of existence with him. It's not like I'd forgotten about it or anything. I'd thought about it just days before, but I didn't think any of these people would remember.

I guess I just find it hard to sometimes accept the fact that these people actually love and care about me.

"I didn't think any of you would remember," I admitted.

"We couldn't forget, especially because it's the first time in your life that you won't be with him on the day," Gigi replied.

I stopped asking about how they knew such things a long time ago.

"And before you ask, we know that your birthday is coming up too," Zena added. My birthday is exactly two weeks after my father's.

I nodded. "I'm guessing your parents will want to go out for dinner?"

"Probably," the sisters agreed.

I sighed, knowing I would probably regret this. "I guess we can have that celebratory dinner after all."

They were about to squeal but I shot them a look that suggested that if they dared, the celebration was off the table. "Can we at least go shopping for a dress for you? You don't exactly have a really nice dress for such an occasion."

"Fine! I'll be in the car," I said as I stood up.

I didn't know if we were all heading out together, but I got my response when they all came out of the house minutes later. They'd all needed to do one thing or the other, while I'd just grabbed my sandals on my way out.

We were travelling in Max's SUV since it's the biggest car. I'm the only person who doesn't have a car in that yard, and simply because I didn't see the use of getting one if I had no plans of ever going outside.

See? I saved money as well.

I know you're probably thinking I'm mad for wanting to save money when I already have so much, but the more I save, the more I can give. I'd already signed off on a billion dollars being donated across different organizations, something Bernard gladly handled for me.

Leaving me with seven billion and counting.

Having a lot of money and not really being someone who cares for it can be quite frustrating. I wanted to start my own foundation, but that would obviously lead the people in the States to where I am, and I'm not ready for that yet.

We arrived at the mall and I knew that the sisters already knew where they wanted to take me. Once again, it was a high end store with the most exquisite dresses. They even had dresses for women my size.

I watched as the sisters went wild, and it didn't shock me when Max and Bernard joined in on the frenzy. They all ended up picking their top two dresses, which were then handed over to me to go and try on.

I had explicitly told them that they'd better choose wisely because I wasn't doing this at different stores. I tried on their selections, but we didn't like any of them, until the last pick. We all agreed that it was the perfect one.

We left the store and decided to eat out. It was enjoyable being out, that much I won't lie about. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed being amongst people until then. Plus, I was getting less disgusted looks now that I was smaller.

Not that I needed their validation.

I will always root for and choose to be a bigger girl. I don't see why I have to conform to what society thinks is okay for me, when at the end of the day, I'm the one who has to live with my weight; who has to be happy about the way that my body makes me feel.

Zena nudged me on the way back to the mansion. "You're glowing."

"Today has been a good day," I admitted with a smile.

"Indeed it has, and tonight will only make it better," Max said as she parked the SUV.

"Alright, so everyone needs to be ready by seven. I'll make the booking for eight. Evie, I'll come and do your hair when you're ready for me to," Gigi informed.

We agreed on the plan before heading inside. From the sound of the clanking, we knew that Mr and Mrs Van de Woodsen had arrived. We followed the sound to the kitchen, only to see the last person I thought it would be.

It was not Mr or Mrs Van de Woodsen.

"Mimi?" Gigi said before his head popped out of the cupboard.

I left the kitchen before he could see me. There are a million things that I'm not ready to deal with yet, and seeing Aramis again was one of those things. I heard footsteps follow me and I could only pray that it wasn't him. I was relieved to find that it was only Bernard.

"Do I want to know why you just ran out of there like your ass is on fire?" he asked.

"I, uh, I..." I trailed off, unable to come up with a lie.

He crossed his arms, a knowing smirk adorning his lips. "You're in love with him."

"No I'm not!" I denied.

"You just have strong feelings for him," he taunted.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"To tease you of course," he joked.

"Go away Bernie," I retorted.

"Cool it with the name calling. I just wanted to check that you're ok. You ran out of there faster than I've ever seen you run," he pointed out.

I sighed. "I know. I'm just not ready to face that situation."

"Don't worry, you won't have to. He doesn't know that you're still here," Zena informed as she walked in.

"What do you mean he doesn't know that I'm still here? Where does he think I am?" I asked confusedly.

"Well, I may have told him a little white lie about how you're staying with your new boyfriend," she replied.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Come again? For a moment there I was sure you invented an imaginary boyfriend for me."

"What was I supposed to do? I panicked, especially since he made it seem like finding you is the most important thing on his agenda right now," she defended.

"So where is he now?" Bernard asked her.

"He's gone to look for her," she replied.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Where?"

"Well, since Gigi, Max and I wouldn't reveal your location, something tells me he's going to be searching for you for a while around maybe three or four towns," she responded.

"The three of you are the epitome of evil," I said, shaking my head.

"Oh, we know it! So, by the time he comes back, we should be gone for dinner. He can see you when we come back and be knocked off of his idiot feet," she stated.

"Yes Ma'am!" I mock saluted, making Bernard laugh while she glared at me.

They left me to get ready, and when it was time, I called Gigi in to come and do my hair. She kept it simple, leaving it in waves down my back, and when I stood in the mirror, I couldn't believe the person looking back at me.

I was dressed in a red sequined dress. It ends just above my knees and has short sleeves. I paired it with a pair of gold heels and accessories. I kept my makeup light like Gigi had taught me. In seven months, my skin had cleared up and simultaneously brightened.

I looked and felt amazing.

"He's going to be amazed," Gigi whispered in my ear before going back downstairs.

I grabbed my clutch bag and headed downstairs where I could actually hear Grier making a fuss about something. I guess I'll go by voices now since anyone can cause sounds. When I appeared, she and Garrett both looked my way before looking back at their youngest daughter.

And then they whipped their heads back in my direction so fast, I was sure they would get whiplash.

Unlike Aramis, they hadn't seen me in five months, and only because Grier had a world tour with her brand. They'd call to check in on me though, so I was grateful for that. However, the looks on their faces right now made me feel even higher than I already was.

"Evie? Is that you?" Grier asked lowly.

"It's me," I said, suddenly nervous. I was met by silence as they took me in.

"You look immaculate," Garrett finally spoke.

I blushed. "I wouldn't go so far as to say immaculate, but thank you."

"You look absolutely breath-taking. When did all of this happen?" Grier asked.

"While you were on tour. I'd already started to lose weight the last time you saw me, but it wasn't as visible," I replied.

"I can't believe this is really you. Are you happy? Is this what you wanted?" she asked.

I nodded as I smiled. "It is."

"Well, you look stunning little one," Garrett complimented once more.

"Thank you," I said graciously.

"Evie?"

All heads whipped to the new person in the room. Despite it being seven months since I'd last seen him properly, my heart still sped up as I took him in. He looked panicked and dishevelled, but the longer he stared at me, the more the look changed to shock.

To absolute awe.

"We'll be in the car," Zena saved me before dragging me out of the house.

I couldn't get over the feelings I'd gotten from seeing him again. My body, my mind, reacted the same way they had the night he kissed me. Hell, I'd even forgotten that I was ever mad at him. The damn man clearly has some kind of voodoo hold on me.

"Earth to Evie! For someone who was adamant that they don't feel anything for Aramis, you could drool a little less," Bernard teased. I only noticed then that he'd joined us outside.

"I am not and neither was I drooling," I defended.

"Sure! Well, the three of us are heading out together. I'm guessing Gigi and Max are going to ride with mom and dad," Zena informed me.

I shrugged. "Whatever."

They laughed at me as we got into Bernard's sedan. I was lost in thought the whole way to the restaurant. I wasn't thinking about one specific thing. My thoughts were all over the place, something I was secretly grateful for.

We pulled up to the restaurant with a few minutes to spare. The place is clearly popular judging by the number of people who were waiting to be served or seated. We were led to the bar to wait. I ordered myself a martini in the meantime.

"Good evening," a deep voice said beside me.

"Evening," I replied. He's a very good looking man.

He's just not Aramis.

"Are you here alone?" he asked.

I was about to ask him why he thought that, when I realized that those two buffoons left me alone at the bar. "At the moment I am, but I came here with people."

"Pity. I would've liked to have a moment of your time," he admitted.

"Well, I'm waiting for them right now, so go ahead," I said, giving him the floor.

"I don't want to come off as forward or anything like that. It's just that, well I'm a photographer, and you're the perfect person that I've been looking for," he quickly said.

"Looking for? What for?" I questioned.

"A new project of mine," he replied.

"I don't even know your name," I pointed out.

"Oh, pardon me. My name is Gio Padachi," he introduced.

I on the other hand couldn't believe it.

"You're kidding right?" I asked.

"Uhm, no? I'm pretty sure my parents named me Gio Padachi," he replied.

"And your momma would be real disappointed to know that you forgot all about your juju bear," I said, sending him a mock glare.

His eyes widened. "Mel?"

"Well, I guess I go by the name Evie now, but yeah, it's me," I replied.

He ambushed me in a hug. "What has it been? Fifteen years?"

"Pretty much," I laughed as I hugged him back.

"Uh Evie, who's this?" Zena asked. She and Bernard had returned with everyone else.

Thank goodness Aramis wasn't here.

"Guys, this is my childhood friend Gio Padachi. Gio, this is my family. That's Grier, Garrett and Zena Van de Woodsen, Gigi and Max Smoke and that's Bernard Wellington," I introduced.

"It's lovely to see you all again. Zena and Bernard, it's lovely to meet you," Gio said.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course you know them."

"He's one of the best photographers in the industry Evie. Of course we know him," Max teased.

I waved her off. "Yeah, yeah."

"Gio, would you like to join us?" Grier offered.

"I would love nothing more," he agreed.

We were finally led to our table, and they didn't mind accommodating Gio. We had been an odd number anyway, so with him there, we were even. We placed our orders before conversations at the table took off.

Dinner was lovely as I got to catch up with Gio. We stopped being friends because his parents moved halfway across the world, and I couldn't be more proud of everything that he'd achieved. I could tell that he was truly happy.

When my plans for the future were brought up, as Max had suspected, Mr and Mrs Van de Woodsen were on board. Gio even offered to be my official photographer as an apology for missing out on my life.

It's safe to say that things were looking up.

At the end of the night, Gio gave me his numbers, alerting me that he was staying at his dad's place, which happens to be two streets down from the mansion. We went home and I was in higher spirits, having forgotten that Aramis was back, until I walked into my room to find him on bended knee, a beautiful sparkling diamond ring in his hand.

"Evie Melanie Payton, will you marry me?"

I frowned, and then I slapped him.

Hard.

***

Elo Smurflettes

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