FORTY-SIX
TRINITY
Have I ever confessed how I hate dressing fancy? I hate the expectations of looking perfect. I’m not perfect, and the way my stomach feels nauseous right now proves that.
Growing up in a family that made minimum wage, I never got to eat at fancy restaurants. Ordering in food and lounging on the couch while stuffing my face sounds better than wearing a tight dress to just eat.
I begged Leonidas to chill with the fancy stuff. Cuddling up with him on the couch would be the best date to me. No matter how hard I begged, he refused. He can be pretty stubborn when he wants to be, but I love him regardless.
It’s the day of the dinner, if you couldn’t already tell by my freaking out.
I have no idea what to wear and how I should style my hair. You know those cliché movies where it shows girls stressing out before a date in the middle of their rooms? That’s exactly me right now. Everything I look at, I hate. I criticize every detail of myself when I try on every single damn piece of clothing in my closet. Now, here I sit, on my bedroom floor, out of breath.
Is it too late to cancel on Leonidas?
Yes. Yes, it is. I know he won’t take no for an answer.
Letting out the most dramatic, loudest sigh I’ve ever mustered, I lie on the floor. Grabbing my phone, I flinch when it immediately rings. Am I a witch? I hate when that happens.
I raise an eyebrow when I realize it’s the man of the hour. I wonder what he wants. Swiping to accept the call, I see his handsome face pop onto the screen.
“Hey, rock star,” he says with amusement. “Should I even ask why you’re lying on the floor?”
“I’m having a dilemma because of you,” I snark back, which he scrunches his face at.
“What did I do to you?”
I throw my hand up in the air and sigh. “I have no idea what to wear, and it’s all your fault.”
I watch with squinted eyes as he laughs. He places his fist against his mouth to mute himself. If I wasn’t pretending to be mad at him, I would tell him how breathtaking he looks, lying on his bed with no shirt on, talking to me.
“I knew this would happen,” he points out after he settles down.
I scoff. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“That you overthink everything, and I knew you would never make it out of your room tonight.” He pauses and smirks. “That’s why I took styling you for the night in my hands. You’ll find a box at your front door. In there is an outfit I picked out for you.”
Okay, sir.
Leonidas is always one step ahead. It doesn’t surprise me he bought something for me tonight. People spending money on me makes me slightly uncomfortable, which he doesn’t care about, but deep down, it feels good to be cared for.
“See you tonight at six.” He hangs up the phone before I’m able to say anything.
God help me.
I rise from the floor and practically run to the front door. Swinging the door open, I eye the black box that lies on the ground. It has a dark purple bow on the top. I run my fingers over it and look toward his house. I know he’s watching me, so when I lift my middle finger in the air to him, a giggle escapes my mouth.
Slamming the door behind me, I look at the box in my hands. It’s big. I shake it but hear nothing. Shrugging my shoulders, I walk back upstairs. Once I’m back up in my room, I lock my door. My hands fiddle with the ribbon. I untie it, and I open the lid. I stare at white tissue paper. Gripping it, I fling it behind my back, eager to see Leonidas’s taste in clothing.
My eyes land on a dress. It’s tight and black with a sweetheart neckline. Elegant, long sleeves stand out while I inspect the dress. I love how simple it is, and knowing he picked this out for me makes it even better.
I look at the clock that’s perched on my bedside table. Reading that it’s four forty has me rushing in a panic. I thought I had more time to get ready.Shoot.
I race toward my bathroom. I take the fastest shower I’ve ever taken in my life. After I moisturize my skin, blow-dry and straighten my hair, I slip on my dress. It fits like a second skin. I spin around and eye myself in my floor-length mirror while dragging a hand down the length of my body.
Leonidas has amazing taste.
After looking at myself for a couple more seconds, I apply my makeup for the night. I add a very light layer of everything on me. To end off my outfit, I wear some jewelry, not a lot, but something to add more sexiness and bling.
