Page 37 of Taken By My Grumpy Pakhan

I glanced at my watch and, true to her words, I had exactly six hours till it was time for the gala.

A long string of unladylike words floated underneath my breath.

If it were left up to me, I would be hacking a chainsaw through Kazimir’s head.

Who informed a girl they were to attend a themed party a few hours before said party? I was on the verge of losing my shit.

“You have to make up your mind so I can snag you an appointment with my stylist within the hour.”

How did she know I was contemplating walking into the nearest salon and hoping for the best?

“What would I do without you?”

“Wear boring clothes,” she deadpanned. “Now get going before her tab fills up.”

A perk of befriending the office fashionista was access to quick beauty services. Rose knew everyone who was important in the beauty industry, which was why I’d snagged her from her office the moment Kazimir dumped the bombshell on me.

“Rose.” I turned on my way out. “Please keep it simple and semi-decent.”

She flashed me a blinding smile. “You’ll love it.”

For some reason, the statement terrified me more than it comforted me.

Hair and makeup were done in four hours, giving me an hour to get ready before Kazimir’s driver arrived.

Rose had made herself comfortable with a glass of wine in the new apartment Anna and I recently got, while Anna was yapping about God-knows-what when I entered the house.

“Wow,” Rose gasped when she saw me. “You look like a dream.”

“Kazimir won’t know what hit him.” Anna whistled and I almost forced a gag into her mouth.

If Rose heard her comment, she didn’t give it away.

We were cool and had gotten remarkably closer over time, but I was yet to tell her about Kazimir and me.

There was something about the man that made me feel I should keep my mouth shut, and after the encounter a week ago, I was less likely to talk about him without confronting what happened, how I reacted, and what followed.

I wasn’t ready to face that yet.

“Can I see the dress?”

“Of course you can,” Rose beamed.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Anna concurred.

I eyed the duo suspiciously. “I don’t feel too good about this.”

“You better, because I put a lot of work into it.”

Rose headed for my bedroom and I followed behind.

My jaw nearly hit the floor the moment I saw the black dress on my bed. It was the perfect cut, cinched at the waist and the curve of the hips before continuing down without flaring too much.

The neck was low-cut and the slit was high enough to be noticed without seeming scandalous.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Of course it is, I picked it. Now start dressing before you’re late.”