****Peyton****

A day has passed since I saw Damien. I could barely sleep as our encounter replayed in my mind. His attentiveness was all I could think about.  It was a long morning for as I woke up and he was already gone. Awkwardly, I walked to the kitchen and helped myself to a quick breakfast. For a Rich bachelor, he barely had much. It was as if he didn't live here.  I noticed that he ordered some things and a part of me felt weird that they were overly healthy things like snacks and beverages. Mainly diabetic-friendly snacks and beverages. A part of me was not accustomed to this. I felt out of sorts. I sit at the island table and clack away at my computer as I eat,  trying to hunt down that hacker that took the money. 

My phone suddenly comes to life with a message. I stare at it and its from Damien.

Reminder: Gala tonight @8PM ... Don't forget...

I pull my phone close and stare at the message. I was catapulted into silence as I stared at the message.

Holy Crap!

  I agreed to go with him to a Gala. What the hell was I thinking? 

I can't go with him to a Gala!  

I replay his demeanor on my mind as I contemplate whether I should reply to his message. I know I should. 

"I wasn't given the option to decline your offer," I type.

                                                                                         "No, you  weren't" he responds. 

 "So, is this an invitation?"    

                                                                                                                               "Somewhat.."

 I roll my eyes.

"Can I decline?"

                                                                                                                   "No, you can't"

"So, I'm forced to go?"

                                                                                                                                       "ABSOLUTELY!"

I exhale as I stare at his text. 

                                                                                    "I will be home around 7PM"

"Fine..."

As I toss my phone on the table. His doorbell rings.

I go to answer it. Before I can brace myself for whomever is on the other side when I open it, I am met by a wide smile and a gasp.

"OMG! Damien never said you were petite and so cute." a tall woman stood before me in a flutter of movements with bags and boxes.

Flustered, I stepped aside as she rolled in and placed the boxes and bags on the living room couch then turned to face me. 

Still smiling she approached me. "Hey, I'm Maxine. Damiens PA. He sent me to help you get ready for tonight." she said as she took off her jacket and then began unboxing items on the couch.

I stood in silence and watched her flurry around and lay things out before she finally stopped and then looked at me. 

"Your hair looks divine but we are going to straighten it and make you look stunning," she says as she approaches me. Nervously, I step away as this is all so new to me. 

"Wait! I...." I began as she took my hand and led me toward the bathroom. 

I barely got a word in as I was ushered toward the shower and handed a bag of hair products. I was just going through the motions as I wet my hair and looked at each product. This all looked like high-end things I would never have bought to use. I'm floored as I apply it to my hair and enjoy the rich lathered scent and how amazingly soft my hair felt. 

By the time I was done and I exited the room I was surprised to see items placed on my bed. Intimate items..

A matching pair of lace Panties and a bra. And a beautiful robe.  She taps at the door and asks me to hurry so that she can get started on my hair. Like a robot a move through the motions and pull on the soft satin lace panties and bra, I feel so awkward in them as I am not accustomed to it. If anyone knew me, they would know I was a boxer briefs kind of girl. Haines and fruit of the loom were my go-to garments. 

By the time she sat me down in the chair and began blow-drying my hair, we fell into small talk. She chirped cheerfully about just everything as I listened.  As she glided the flatiron down each section of my hair, the finished pieces were drapped forward over my shoulder before me. In awe, I pulled a strand and let the soft texture of my hair glide through my fingers. It felt good to feel my tresses straight and soft. Don't get me wrong, I love how my natural curly ringlets bounce back when I pull on them. But literally gliding my fingers from my scalp to the end of my hair feels in invigorating.

By the time Maxine was done, she helped me up and ushered me back to my room and laid out everything I was wearing for the evening. The gown I was going to wear was laid out on the bed. I was floored.

It was beautiful.

I stepped close and gently glided my fingers over the soft red fabric.

"Its satin," Maxine said as she pulled out matching shoes from a box and placed them on the floor.

She unzipped it and urged me to step into it. I stood still and gave her short answers as we talked and she pulled the zipper up. Surprisingly it fit me like a glove.

"How does he know my size?" I mumble out loud.

"He has an odor that kind of thing. Besides your a petite thing, your not hard to dress," Maxine said as she stepped before me then placed the heels before me.

I eyed them nervously. High heels!

I've never been one for wearing heels. I was a converse type of girl. I don't do heels. This was a catastrophe. Great! This is all I needed was to wear these and just twist my ankle and fall to my death.
Don't get me wrong, they looked amazing. But let's be real, I can see my luck taking the big fall and biting the bullet in these. My obituary will most definitely read "She clumsily fell to her death."

I nervously slid into them as she waited. And I was severely grateful that she held onto me and walked me slowly to the bathroom, then stood me before the large mirror.

I was floored. I completely forgot about the intimidating heels and fell into a trans-like state staring at myself in the mirror.

"You look amazing," she giddly said as she smiled staring at me in the mirror.

"Thank you," I  reply shyly.

Suddenly her phone chirps.

"It's Damien," she says as she swipes her screen and places the phone to her ear as she walks out of the bathroom, into my room then out the door.

My ears and face suddenly turn warm as I hear her describe how stunning I look as she walks out.

I'm left flustered and nervous standing here in these heels I have no clue how to walk in. I gaze at myself and stare at them and notice how the gown reaches my ankles.

I make up my mind at this point to do and go with what feels best to me. So I take off the heels, pick them up and walk out to the room and slide on my Converse.
If he pitches a fit then I just won't go. I really didn't want to go anyway.

Relieved, I stood back and looked at the time. It was almost 7:35pm, so I made my way out to the living room where he stood talking to Maxine. By the time I got close enough, she smiled at him then shook his hand then turned to leave. I barely got to say goodbye or thank her.

"She will be at the gala, also. She is leaving to get ready." He said pulling my attention away from the front door that closed.

I turned to look at him and awkwardly stood there as he observed me. His gaze on me sent goosebumps up and down my arms. I held on to the heels as his gaze lowered down to the Converse. I braced myself for his disapproval. But, it never came. A small smile formed on his lips as he stepped closer. 

"I like the edgy look but I don't think the patrons of the Gala will like it," he says as he slowly takes my heel from my hands. 

"I can't walk in these," I say, feeling my face go warm with embarrassment.

He lowers to his knees and gently slides my Converse off and places my feet in my heels.

Suddenly, he stands and I reach for his arm for balance. He chuckles and extends his arm for me to hold and we leave. I am overwhelmed and nervous about what tonight holds for me. I am pretty much going to be in a room full of benefactors, important figures, and investors. All who have funds in Damiens company. Funds that I stole by hacking into his accounts. I never asked him if his colleagues knew I was the one who stole from him.  I am suddenly aware at this moment that I am possibly stepping into a wolf's den. I will be face to face with the people I stole money from.

Shit!!!

                                                                                             *********

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