✿ Aileen's POV

“Alright. I checked and not a hair is out of place.”

I arch a brow.

“You know I'm just kidding” she chuckles and throws her arms around me.

I hug her back.

“Thank you, Lee.”

“For what? Taking care of Cami so you and Papi can get some?” I tease.

She playfully punches me and smiles.

“It was no problem. You know taking care of Cami has never been a problem for me. And Reid doesn't mind either.”

“Probably his way of telling you he's ready for his own kid” She pumps her eyebrows.

“Woah, woah there, Bon.”

She laughs and waves me off.

“Yeah, yeah. But you're not getting any younger so hop to it” Bonita pats my bum.

“Hey!” I miss swatting her arm away.

She smiles.

“Well we're gonna get going now, okay?”

I nod.

“Kiss Papi for me.”

“I will” she smiles as she gets behind the wheel.

“Bye Lee!” Camari sticks her arm out of the window and waves vigorously.

I smile.

“Bye, sweetheart. I'll see you at dinner next week!”

Bonita honks as she drives off and I wave till their car is out of sight. Then I turn back into the bakery. It's not until Lyra comes to my office carrying a box tied with a big pink ribbon that I'm forced to take a break. She set it on my desk.

“This came in for you, Miss Lee.”

“Thanks,” I say weakly, staring at the box.

Without looking at the note, I know it's from him.

What's in this box that he can't wait for me to open at home?

“Miss Lee?” Lyra calls, “Do you have any spare candles I could borrow?”

“Yeah. There's a box in the back. Choose your pick.”

She smiles at me.

“Thanks, Miss Lee.”

I turn my attention back to the box and chew on my lip.

What's in it?

Staring at the box isn’t doing me any good, so I take a deep breath. The ribbon slides off easily and I remove the lid. Tissue paper crinkles as I unwrap it and my eyes widen when I realize what it is.

A lacy black bra and panties set.

With a surprised squeak, I smash down the tissue paper, trying to cover the lace. I lift my eyes and meet Lyra’s gaze from across the room. Her mouth is open and her eyebrows are lifted.

Yep, she’s seen it.

“It’s for Tracy,” I feel the need to explain. “I don’t know why she'd get her package delivered here instead of the house.”

Lyra adjusts her glasses.

“Yeah, yeah, of course, of course.”

She totally didn’t believe me.

God, why would Armani send me underwear?

“I'll get going now, Miss Lee. Thanks for the candles.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. The minute she's out, I get up and walk over to lock the door before returning to the package. I peek beneath the tissue paper again and there's a little envelope tucked inside. I take out the note and read it.

Hey Angel,
These made me think of you. Just promise me one thing. No wearing them in the ring at an MMA fight. These are for my eyes only.
Your soon-to-be husband

Soon to be husband?

Oh my God.

He was kidding, right? He had to be kidding.

This must be his idea of a joke.

Fine. I could take a joke. But this also meant I had to call him. With my heart beating uncomfortably hard, I call his phone. When he doesn't answer three times, I call his office.

“Reid Dalton’s office. This is Sloane.”

“Hi, Sloane. This is Lee.”

“Well hello there, ma'am. I was expecting your call.”

I arch a brow.

“You were?”

“Certainly. What works better for you, lunch or dinner?”

“I'm sorry?”

“I assume you’re calling to set up a... date with your fiancée?”

A date?

“Oh, no, not a date.”

She chuckles.

“Yeah try telling him that.”

What was that supposed to mean?

“I don’t think you understand me, Sloane. I've been trying to call your boss but he's not answering. I called because I want to speak with him.”

“Oh. Well, Mr. Dalton isn't available right now. But he did tell me to expect your call and to ask whether you’d like to have lunch or dinner with him.”

Armani...

I sigh.

“I don’t think I can get away for lunch today.”

“So, dinner then?”

“Yeah, that works.”

“Great. Do you have any place in mind? I'll go ahead and book you two.”

“Home, Sloane. Please and thank you.”

“Oh. Okay. I'll let Mr. Dalton know as soon as he comes back.”

Back from where?

I simply nod.

“Hey but could you tell him to call me back when he—”

“Enjoy your day!”

And that is that.

With another deep breath, I hung up the phone, and then put the lid back on the box. I attempt to tuck it under my desk but I conclude on getting it out of the bakery completely. I didn’t want to accidentally knock it over and have the contents spill out.

So I finish up my work for the day and take an early leave.

Someone has to get an early start on dinner.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

I turn down the volume for The Voice when I hear a car pull up in front of the house.

“Honey, I’m home,” I hear him shout as he enters the house.

“Finally, you’re home. I was about to file a missing person’s report,” I fold my arms.

When he appears in my line of sight, the smile that steals across his face makes my tummy flutter.

It’s okay, Aileen. He’s just a man who also happens to be your fake fiancé. It is no big deal. We've been over this.

“Hey. Sorry, I'm late. And before you try to deny it, I know you were worried about me, and for that I'm touched.”

I narrow my eyes.

“Of course I was worried about you, Armani” I scold.

“You like me” he winks and walks into the kitchen to wash his hands.

I frown.

“No... no I do not” I deny, walking after him.

“Yet you were worried about me?” he smirks and then sniffs the air, “Do I smell pot roast?”

“Yes.”

His smile grows even wider.

“And again, I do not like you,” I say in an attempt to pop his inflating head. “I do not, okay? I was only worried about you because if something did happen to you, I wouldn't get the chance to ask you about the package you had sent to the bakery” I frown.

He pauses on the whiskey he's drinking.

“The thoughtful gift you mean” he sets his glass down.

I fold my arms.

“That wasn't a gift, Armani. Neither was it close to being thoughtful.”

“Yes, it was. Did you not read my note?” the corner of his lips twitch. “I wrote it myself.”

Yes, the note.

I exhale.

“Why would you send me that, Armani?”

“I thought it was fitting,” he replies with a grin.

My forehead creases with a frown.

“And before you give me a lecture, you agreed it's okay for me to pick you outfits I deem fitting.”

“Outfits, Armani. Not... that” I fold my arms.

He tips his glass at me.

“You'll thank me later.”

God, this man.

“Now c'mon. Let's get this dinner going. Plus, there's something I need to talk to you about.”

I already ate.

What?

I thought he wasn't going to come home and I was starving.

But I remember the last time I ate without him and his tone wasn't exactly friendly. So I don't say anything and just help him bring dinner to the dining table where we sit and dish up.

“God, this smells amazing Lee” he smiles at me. “I can see myself coming home to great food every day.”

Great food and not me.

“What do you have to talk to me about?” I clear my throat and avert my eyes to hide my frown.

“Mm right, yes” he swallows his food as I bring my glass of water to my mouth. “I'm going to travel for a bit.”

The water goes down my windpipe and a coughing fit begins. I manage to get it under control and when I look up, he's passing me a tissue.

“Thanks” I croak out, drying my tears, “And what?”

The corner of his lips twitch.

“You really like me huh?”

I frown.

“Armnai.”

He sighs and nods.

“Yeah, you heard me right.”

He's going away?

“But it's only going to be for a couple of days. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone.”

Right.

I force myself to simply nod.

“That's it?” he asks and I look up from the beef I'm poking my fork with. “You're not going to drill me about where I'm going and why I'm going to leave you all alone?”

“No. You suffocate me” I lie.

His chest shakes with silent laughter and he forks another portion of beef into his mouth.

A couple of days.

“Oh, and there's going to be a charity gala right when I come back. And you're coming with me.”

I swallow my food.

“Charity gala? What for?”

He chuckles.

“Oh that you ask follow-up questions?”

I roll my eyes.

“It's something my parents do every year... specifically the week before my birthday.”

Every year?

“Why?”

For charity duh, my conscience quips.

“For charity” Armani replies. “And I'm going with you.”

I shake my head.

“I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

“And why do you think that?”

I shrug.

“Well for starters, I’ve never attended anything like that...”

Only those from the upper echelons of society attended galas. And to be the only sheep amongst wolves and not be allowed to punch the many people who'd undoubtedly provoke me, I wasn't going.

“Lee,” Reid meets my gaze solemnly. His commanding voice is completely overwhelming, “You’re my fiancée. Reid Dalton’s future wife...”

He said it again!

“Why is it inappropriate? My fiancée has the right to attend any gala she wants.”

“Fake fiancée” I let out before I can help it.

Reid snort-laughs.

“To the world, it's real, Lee. You're coming with me.”

An uncomfortable bolt of panic hits me.

“Armani, I know nothing about the upper-class society’s events. To be honest, I’m not even interested. And what if I embarrass you, huh? Have you thought of that? These events are meant for wealthy ladies to flaunt their wealth and connections so I would pale in comparison. And your mother might be over dramatic but she's right about one thing.”

“Which is?” he frowns a bit.

“You're a prominent figure, Armani. You have an image to uphold... a family name to protect. And I am going embarrass you with my bad social skills.”

His frown drowns behind a smile.

“No, you're not, Freshie. And about the family name, I haven't done a good job protecting it... till you came into my life.”

“Oh God,” I groan out loud and roll my eyes, ignoring the flutter in my chest.

He laughs and gives me a reassuring smile.

“I'm not changing my mind about you coming with me.”

“Great. Now I have to brush up on my etiquette and Google how to be a snob.”

He laughs again.

“Stop. You don't have to Google anything. Just be yourself.”

“Yeah. And how exactly has that gotten me anywhere with your kind?”

“My kind doesn't matter, Lee. You should be concerned with what I think of you.”

I mentally give him the finger.

“I don't care what you think of me.”

Liar! My conscience mocks.

He arches a brow at me as if catching on.

“Right, right. Of course. I suffocate you.”

I mentally flip him the finger again.

“But hey... don't worry too much. It's going to be just fine.”

Yeah because it's always been fine.

“Lee...” he calls out as if he heard my sarcastic quip.

I meet his eyes.

“I promise you. It's going to be fine.”

And I could do nothing but hope he was right.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

“Oui. Et la déco est tout simplement divine (Yes. And the decor is simply divine) Ah non, non, non. Merci. Je viens de manger— (Oh, no, no, no. Thank you. I just ate—)”

“Um, Miss Lee? Are you okay?”

I glance up from my flashcards, stopping in my tracks in the doorway of the eatery.

“You good, boss?” Bernadettee’s baby blue eyes are filled with concern as she gives me a small smile.

I sigh.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just... I'm fine, Bernie.”

“Is Mr. Dalton coming back today?” She grins knowingly.

I chuckle.

“Yeah, he is.”

“You must be really excited then. I hear there's a charity gala tonight” she continues, finishing cleaning the first counter and moving on to the next.

Stupid gossip blogs.

“Yeah. How did closing go last night?” I slide behind the counter, logging on to the computer to check up on things.

“Great. We completely sold out.”

Pride zings through me.

“Good. That’s good. Now we need to get a head start in things so we don't fall behind.”

“Relax, Miss Lee. You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders” She stops me. “We’re doing great. And we're not going to fall behind. So you can relax a little, you know.”

I throw a glance her way over the top of the computer screen.

“You sound like Jaime.”

“Don’t tell her I said this because she’d never stop gabbing about it, but she’s right.”

I grab my phone and hold it up.

“Could you repeat that? I need to get it on record for blackmail later.”

“I’ll take it to my grave, thank you” She pushes my hand away. “But I’m serious, boss.”

“I heard you,” I mutter. “And that’s a cute top. One of yours?” I ask to distract her, and because it is a cute top.

In fact, her whole outfit is pretty. Her long legs look amazing in a pair of simple skinny jeans that are fringed at the bottom, leading to a pair of plain white shoes. The real star of the show is her oversized pattern-blocked top that hangs off one of her shoulders. It’s trendy and fun.

Bernadette’s cheeks redden at the subject change. She revealed her secret talent for designing clothes about six months ago. I’ve been begging her to make a few pieces to display, but she’s painfully shy about it. She tucks away one of the tendrils hanging free from the long dark blonde hair that’s piled in a messy bun on the top of her head.

“It is.”

“You know... it would—”

“Look lovely in the front window?” She smirks. “I know, Miss Lee. And I love you for saying that but I’m just not ready.”

I laugh.

“Am I that predictable?”

“Yes, just like I know you’re about to say When you are ready, you know I’m here. Like you always do.”

“But—”

“Miss Lee...”

“Okay, okay” I hold my hands up. “I won’t say anything else.”

“Good. Now, what are you doing here?” she checks the watch on her wrist, then pushes off the counter, heading toward the front door. “Today is your day off.”

“Just checking in on things.”

I didn’t mention to her that I was also here earlier this morning working on inventory when I was unable to sleep and dying from loneliness at the house.

“Do you not trust us?”

“Of course I trust you. I—”

“Did some big order come up?”

“No. I—”

“Did you need to come in?”

“Well, no. But—”

“Then go home, Miss Lee” She flips the open sign on and straightens her top before making her way back over to the counter. “There’s no reason for you to be here. We've got everything under control. You’re here so much I’m starting to think you have a cot in the back office. I mean, you do look like you might have slept here...”

I let out a long, tired groan, rubbing at my eyes.

“Gee, thanks, Bernie.”

She smiles.

“I'm serious Miss Lee. You need a break from this place. Take at least one week off. It won’t kill you.”

“How do you know? It could. I’ve never tried, and I’m still alive. Why risk it now?”

“That is the exact problem, Miss Lee. You’ve never tried. Everything is fine here. You have very capable employees... well except Gelo of course. But he's getting there.”

I chuckle.

“So go home.”

I groan.

“All right. I’ll leave.”

“And go home, where you’ll stay and get some rest,” she instructs.

When I open my mouth, she shakes her head and points a finger at me.

“Nope. I don’t want to hear it. No calling either.”

I smash my lips together, nodding, accepting my fate. I grab my purse, rounding the counter.

“Home and no calling,” I promise.

“Good” She grabs me by the shoulders, ushering me toward the shop door. “Now remember to smile when you're ambushed by the paparazzi tonight. I do not doubt that you'll look amazing!”

Ugh, tonight.

I can only hope.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

Charity Gala.

A black-tie event where the men would be in tuxes and the women in formal evening gowns.

“I'm doomed, Sirius” I sigh and glance at the back seat at the Rottweiler.

I didn’t even know if I had a dress that would get me in the door, let alone one that was sexy.

I close my Google search and lean back in my seat.

This is an emergency.

So I do the only thing I can. I call Tracy.

“Hey, fake fiancée” she giggles.

“Oh, God. Tracy. Are you busy? I have an emergency, and am literally about to die.”

“Talk to me, mama.”

“There's a black-tie event I'm supposed to go to with Reid and he says to dress sexy.”

“Where are you?”

“In the car... across the street from your place.”

“I’ll be right down.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief and hang up. Then throw the car in reverse before crossing the street to park right in front of her apartment.

“Thank you so much for doing this, Tray,” I say just as she's getting in. “I’m so lost right now. Were you busy?”

“I had a date, but I canceled.”

“Oh God, I’m so sorry, Tray.”

She waves a hand.

“Don’t be, it’s fine. You saved me if we're being honest here. I hated his profile picture. I mean a guy in plaid? No, thank you.”

I chuckle.

“So where to? The mall? Your house?”

“No malls. I might get roped into a makeover or attacked by paparazzi earlier than planned. And I don't have anything gala-worthy at my place.”

“So the house then?”

“Yeah. Hopefully, I have something that'll work?”

“And if not, I can go into the attic and bring out some of your mom's old stuff.”

I nod.

“Yeah, yeah. She might have something I can wear.”

“Or I can lend you a gaga-worthy dress” she winks.

“Absolutely not, Tray” I throw the car into drive and head to the house.

When we arrive, I turn off the engine and practically ran out with Sirius and Tracy. But when I step through the door, I have to blink a few times to make sure I’m not imagining things.

I see a rolling rack with a dozen dresses in the middle of the living room in varying shades of pink, from pastel pink to mulberry pink. There is a tall stack of shoeboxes to the left of the rack, all brand names like Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin.

Releasing Sirius' leash, I slowly walk over to the rack and stroke my fingers down a silk dress.

“What in the world?”

“Did we just miss Malibu Barbie?” Tracy asks and lets out a low whistle at a pair of black rhinestoned stilettos.

“It all came in an hour ago. A shopper from an exclusive boutique on the Upper East Side brought everything over.” Natalie shoots up from the couch to hug me. “She was very disappointed that she didn’t get to meet you.”

New York?

“I didn't order anything” I shake her off me.

“Yes. She mentioned that.”

I frown.

“Wait, what are you doing here? Don't you have clarinet practice or something? And where's Bonnie?”

“Out with her family. And the woman would be stuck outside if I hadn't come in and let her in” She folds her arms.

“And how did you get in? I doubt Bon would forget to lock the doors before leaving.”

“She crawled out of her bedroom window into your balcony” Tracy answers and then claps, “We don't have time for this. Strip.”

“I don't even know who sent this.”

Tracy gives me a look.

“Everything's pink, Lee. And we both know there's one person who's obsessed with seeing you in pink.”

“Armani” I sigh and close my eyes.

“Wow. Showing up on the arm of Reid Dalton. You're so lucky Lee” Natalie rubs her palms together with a grin. “It's going to do wonders for your career. I bet your photo will be in the Post. You should give your employees a heads-up because Sweets by Lee is going to be busier than ever after tonight.”

“Nat? Out” Tracy snaps her finger and points to the door.

“Tray” I sigh.

“Fine. But she distracts me from working my magic on you, it's on you, Lee.”

Natalie curls in the couch excitedly and I sigh.

“He didn't have to go overboard. It's just one night.”

Shaking her head, Tracy quirks a brow and plants a hand on her hip.

“There is no such thing as going overboard when it comes to fashion” she and Natalie at the same time. “Jinx!”

“Not to anyone who’s as obsessed as you two are” I chuckle. “But I definitely didn’t need this many gowns to choose from” I gesture toward the rack of dresses. “Although at least I’m guaranteed to find something that will work for the event. It would have been awful if I needed to go shopping tonight.”

“You definitely won’t need to go looking for a different gown,” Natalie assures me as she jerks her chin toward the row of dresses. “I couldn’t resist looking through what he sent over, and most of them will work.”

I laugh softly as I turn to look at the rack.

“I already assumed that you examined each of the gowns from neckline to hem and every stitch in between.”

“Well duh?” Tracy chuckles, “There's no way any sane person would have been able to resist the temptation of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of high-end fashion while it sat in your living room.”

“More like a hundred thousand, at least,” Natalie snorts.

I take a step back, my eyes widening. Considering how many dresses Reid had sent over, I shouldn’t have been surprised that the total hit six figures.

But I trusted Natalie’s math since she studied fashion like it was her business.

“I’ll only be wearing one of them, though. I’m sure that personal shopper will come back for the rest once I pick a gown for tomorrow.”

“From what she said when she was here, I don’t think we’ll be seeing her again, but maybe I’m wrong” she shrugs.

“Either way, there’s no need to look far for the perfect dress. With your hourglass shape, this one will look killer on you” Tracy pulls a mulberry pink evening gown from the rack.

It's floor length with off-the-shoulder short sleeves, and a high waist, and would hug my body until the skirt began to flare at my knees.

“It’s exactly your size and will be so flattering” Natalie grins. “Put it on. I'll go grab my camera” she hurries out.

Tracy chuckles.

“Well, what do you know?  Your man definitely has an eye... for you.”

“Don’t make this more than it is, Tray,” I warn and turn up the stairs as she picks out some dresses.

It takes her forever to come into my room. And when she does, she has a bag slung over her shoulder and a heap of dresses in her arms. She heads straight for bed and dumps everything on it.

“Okay, let’s do this. Strip.”

I take off my t-shirt and leggings while she tears through my underwear drawer, grumbling things like practical cotton and doesn’t have anything not decent.

She chooses a strapless bra and black panties. I slip into them while she started holding up dresses.

“No,” she says, tossing one aside. “No. Also no. No.” She throws another down and picks up a long red gown.

It shimmers in the light.

“Oh, this is the one.”

I make a face.

“Red?”

“Are you doubting my knack for finding the perfect dress for this?”

“Of course not” I shake my head. “It’s just that it's not...”

“Pink?” she grins at me.

“Well... yeah?”

“Lee, this was with the other gorgeous dresses on the rack in the living room. It's the only dress that stands out. And yes your man loves to see you in pink. But I don't think that's the point he wants you to make tonight. Lee, he doesn't you to fit in... he wants his girl to fucking stand out.”

I rub my arm.

“I don’t know.”

“Are you kidding me? You can rock this. Put it on.”

She helps me into the dress and zips it up the back. I stand in front of my full-length mirror and cringe. It's strapless and so form-fitting I feel naked. The bottom of the skirt widens just enough for a hint of a mermaid silhouette, and the slit up the leg is the only way I will be able to walk in this thing. I smoothen it down, running my hands from my waist to my hips.

“Don’t you dare utter a single word” Tracy sounds a little breathless. “I’ve never seen anything so magnificent say this dress on you. God, you look so beautiful, Lee. But the panties have to go.”

I frown.

“Excuse me?”

“You’ll have to go commando. You don’t want a line.”

“But—”

“Nope, no time.”

She hikes the dress up and yanks my panties down before I can get out another word.

I fix the dress, smoothing it down over my backside, but I feel even more naked than before. She throws a towel around my shoulders, pushes me onto the edge of the bed, and attacks my face with makeup.

Ten minutes later, I stand staring at a stranger in the mirror. The dress is... well, it's incredible. The red is deep and rich, and the fabric has something that sparkles. Nothing bold like sequins. It's subtle. And just shimmers whenever I move.

Tracy does my makeup flawlessly, especially for how fast she works. It looks like me, just formal me. Soft eyes and bright red lips to match the dress. My hair is one side held back by a sparkly clip. And Tracy swears with the strapless dress, it's perfect.

“Aww you got a manicure and everything” she grins, “Your nails look amazing,” she dabs at the imaginary tears in her eyes.

I roll my eyes with a smile.

“Let's get you into some shoes.”

Five minutes later, Natalie who is finally back with her camera stares up at me from where she was sitting on our couch. Turning her foot from side to side, she shows off the red-bottomed heel she’s fallen in love with.

“If your fiancé insists on you keeping all of this stuff, Lee, I’m calling dibs on this pair.”

“And it’s a miracle that we’re the same dress and shoe size.  So I can try on all of these while you're away playing Cinderella” Tracy adds.

“Ohh I gotta go film this coming down the stairs!” Natalie shrieks, hurrying up the stairs.

When she's out of earshot, I can't help but let my panic ripple to the surface.

“Hey, what's wrong?” Tracy grips my shoulder, concern taking over her face.

“Do you think I’ll fit in with everyone there?”

“In that dress? No,” she says, shaking her head with a smile. “You’re not going to fit in, Aileen. You’re going to blow everyone away.”

A rush of nerves makes my stomach feel queasy and I shake my head.

“This is crazy.”

She tucks my phone and the red lipstick into a little black clutch and hands it to me.

“Tray...”

“No, no. It's going to be fine. And if I'm being correct, your man isn't going to let anyone disrespect you, okay? Now what time is he picking you up?”

I don't even know if he's back yet.

“First of all, he's not my man. And second, he's picking me up at six-thirty. And third, if I can't take the pressure, I'll have no choice but to deliver my best runway walk in this fabulous gown.”

“While wearing the most amazing heels money can buy” She smiles at me. “Knock ’em dead, tiger.”

“Thank you, Tray. You’re the best when you're not being drunk and stupid.”

“Aww Lee” she touches a hand to her chest, “And you're going to die a virgin.”

I laugh and give her a hug which doesn't last long because I hear the doorbell.

“That's him” I gasp. “I gotta go” I kiss her cheek before rushing for the front door. “Love you!”

“Love you, too,” she calls as I hurry out to meet 'my man'.

Thank you for reading!
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Ciao
~the_atticwriter