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“Coming,” I answer, wrapping my fingers around the dress skirt so I can walk out. When I step out in front of her, I watch my sister’s eyes get huge.
“That dress is beautiful on you. I knew you could pull it off.” She twists her finger in a circle in a spinning motion. “Spin for me.”
Doing as she asks, I make a small circle so she can see every inch of the dress.
“Good.” She hmphs. “We’ll get that to use as a dress for another night. It’s not flashy enough for you to stand out tonight since it’s a black-and-white affair. Go put on the next one.”
Flashy enough? Black-and-White affair? This is going to be never-ending.
For the next two hours, I went through almost all the dresses she had picked out for me. We managed to find a second dress in the first store that she wanted to save for a different night of the event. It was a black and nude dress that made me feel a bit more exposed since it had a front that plunged pretty deep. I was somewhat uncomfortable with it, but I tried my best to hide it. I knew my typical style wasn’t what we were going with for this event.
Using the black credit card my father gave me for events like this, I purchased the two dresses and pretended I didn’t notice the price tag. I knew they were less than I had originally expected but still a lot more than I would have been comfortable with if I had paid for them myself.
Nora placed both dresses in the back of her car for me before leading us down the street to the next shop. I can only assume she called them ahead of time with some specific requirements as well. The second we walked through the door, I knew I was right. We once again were greeted by an overly chipper female who knew she could make a great commission off of us if we bought even just one dress here.
She led us back to a smaller dressing room than the first store, but there were still almost just as many dresses. These ones appeared to be a little more flashy than the others I tried on. Just from the hangers, I could tell these would also expose me a bit more, making me more uncomfortable.
The only person that ever saw me naked was Trevor. After he left, I never wanted to be with anyone else and expose myself in that manner ever again, especially not after having my daughter. It felt wrong letting others see me that way. Even if I did get most of my body back in shape. My breasts were a lot fuller, though, since I breastfed. They never did go back down to their B cups. Depending on the bra, I’m either a C or D. Some of these dresses will definitely help show my goods off more. Especially the ones that I won’t be able to wear a bra with. Thank god someone created those stick-on bras so I can go braless; I think they are called pasties.
Before my sister can even comment about me getting my ass in gear trying on dresses, I move behind the curtain to start. The first couple in the room are bright with sequins and glitter. I can’t help but think they are a little too bold for this event, but I know it’s better to trust Nora on this. Each one I try on for the next twenty minutes she immediately nixes and has me move on. It isn’t until I get to about my twentieth dress that she finally gasps in shock when I open the curtain.
“That one, Emmy,” she smiled brightly and clapped. “That is the dress you must wear for tonight’s opening ceremony. It’s perfect.”
“Are you sure?” I hesitate, looking down at the evening gown. It’s bright red and doesn’t follow the black-and-white theme at all. The front of the dress plunges deep between my breasts. The shoulder straps are more of a halter style and combine at the back of my neck into one strand that goes down the center of my back until it hits my low back, leaving everything exposed. Two more skinny strings connect the single strand down my back to the sides of the front ensuring it stays in place and doesn’t move to expose any part of me.
I will definitely stand out in a crowd in this dress and have all eyes on me, which is exactly what I suspect my father wants. He wants all eyes on me and the fighters to be in awe when they are introduced. I won’t be surprised if he even has a pedestal for me when he does the introductions.
“Take it off and let’s get back to the house. We have to get you ready.” With a wave of her hand dismissing me, Nora turns to find the girl assisting us to let her know we have what we need and to have the dress packed up. Within ten minutes she has us all packed up and heading back to the house. The event is still hours away, but I know in Nora’s mind we only have an hour or two before I need to be there.
* * *
The event isin an hour and a half, and I feel like hyperventilating. Everyone had been moving around me for the past couple of hours, getting ready. Alexis came in to watch for a little while they worked on my hair and makeup before I convinced her to go downstairs and play with her little cousins. She enjoyed watching me get dolled up and did what little kids do, asking a million questions and even wanting her own hair and makeup done. At that, my sister tried to get her out of the room. Still, one of the younger makeup girls saw the look I was giving my daughter at her joy and jumped in to do her hair and makeup quickly promising she would look just as pretty as her mom.
It was one of the sweetest things I’ve witnessed in a while. Most of the workers who are brought in for events like this just ignore my daughter. This young woman took the time to make her feel included which is more than even some of my family members do most days.
“Mommy, are you okay?” my sweet daughter calls out, pulling me from my thoughts and back to everything around me.
“Yeah, Sweetheart,” I smile and look down at her. “Mommy just doesn’t like going to events like this.” I run my hand down the side of her face and cup her cheek. “You look beautiful, my sweet girl. Make sure you behave for your Auntie Nora tonight. I’ll be back super late, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.” Her bright smile is wide before she takes off running out of the room.
Now it’s time for me to face my maker and get this night over with. Tonight will be the start of the future for Alexis and me. I can only hope that whatever man wins this fight and my hand in marriage is a good man who won’t hurt my daughter. They can do whatever they want to me, but the second something happens to Alexis, I don’t care about what my father will do to us. I will keep her safe.
FOUR
TREVOR
Robert spared no expense for the opening ceremony tonight. It was being held in a large indoor auditorium that I suspect had been built precisely for events like this. Everyone was dressed in black tie, looking their best as they entered. As the guys pulled up to drop me off around the back, I caught all the limos dropping guests off at the entrance. It looked like this would be a full house tonight.
Steel stopped the truck at the back entrance where the fighters would enter. I saw one familiar face. Jax Sutton. The man has been known as one of the top MMA fighters in the country. I’m not all that surprised to see him here. There have been rumors the man is tied to some mafia rings, but there was never enough proof to back them up. He is going to be one tough opponent in this fight. I only hope someone else faces him first and can knock him down a peg or two.
“Is that Aiden?” Knox questions, leaning forward in his seat up front to get a better look around Steel.
“He wouldn’t have the guts to show his face here. It’s too close to all of us,” Steel growls.
Turning to see for myself, it’s true. The slimy bastard had the balls to show up at this fight thinking he would stand a chance. Oh, I so hope I get to face him. He has some crimes to pay for, and I’ll make sure he gets the beating he deserves.
“If he recognizes you…” Knox trails off, leaving the rest of his thought to interpret.
