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SAPPHIRE
“Miss, hurry, you need to get ready!” a sudden voice pauses my lap across the indoor pool, the gentle water splashing against my face. I discovered this room this afternoon and decided to work off some of my nerves, but maybe I’ve been mistaken to assume I can use the pool.
I glance up to find the maid, Claire, at the edge of the swimming pool, hands waving for me to get out, her face flush.
“Ready for what?” I ask, squinting and making my way toward her, my stomach turning that I’ve done something wrong.
“Mr. Kline has requested you be prepared for a business dinner tonight. You have two hours before you leave.”
“Two hours? That’s plenty of time.” I blink, processing the information. I haven’t seen Hawk since yesterday morning in his office, but suddenly, I’m going to a business dinner tonight?
I climb up the stairs, water rolling down my body and the bikini I found in my wardrobe, before grabbing the towel Claire hands me.
“Two hours is not enough time to get you prepared and looking perfect.” She’s fake laughing at me, and I see the strain on her cute, round face. “He informed us at the last minute, but thankfully, he’s arranged for a dress for you.”
I follow her brisk steps as we head upstairs to my room. My mind’s racing, my nerves starting to twitch.
“So, this dinner, what’s it about? Is there anything I should know?”
She cuts me a side glance briefly, slightly sympathetic.
“Mr. Kline has a busy schedule, and he sometimes forgets to tell his own team what’s going on, but we still have to be ready on time. But you should be fine. All I know is the function is being held in the city, and only you and Mr. Kline will represent Kline Enterprises.”
My heart beats faster, louder in my ears. Just us two? I’ve been enjoying the solitary exploration of the mansion since yesterday, using the chance to catch my breath and not feel like a complete stranger. But aside from our first two encounters, which were both awkward, how was I meant to spend an entire night with him over dinner? Let alone at some business meeting. I suppose I could take with me a notepad and make notes for him, if that’s what he needs.
Claire pushes open the door to my room to reveal a crisp, brand-new garment bag draped over the bed, which itself looks expensive, let alone what the dress inside is like. The price tag peeking out displays the Armani logo. I almost trip over my own feet. Never have I worn brand-new clothes, let alone something so extravagant. Before I can go and investigate, Claire ushers me into the bathroom.
“Shower and fast.”
Feeling the urgency and not wanting to disappoint her, I soon re-emerge with a towel wrapped around me since all my clothes are in the bedroom. Now, instead of just greeting Claire, there’s a small army of women in my room, all with eyes on me. I struggle to breathe.
“Wh-What’s going on?” My feet are rooted to the lush rug, and I can’t move.
“It’s okay,” Claire insists, coming over to me and dragging me by an arm to sit on a chair at the end of the bed. “We have to start on your hair since that will take the longest, then makeup.”
The weight of the speed with which everything is happening is too much for me, too overwhelming. I’m panicking on the inside about tonight, and all this pampering is completely out of my comfort zone.
Someone hands me a glass of water, and I gulp it down feverishly.
The flurry of activity around me is like a whirlwind. Hairdryers, hairpins, brushes, and sprays come and go, while having my hair pulled, tugged, and set is a strange sensation. It feels like hours have passed, then they begin with makeup.
“We need to hurry up.” Claire is nearby, watching closely, pacing. “Time’s almost up.”
Then things get really wild, and I’m not giving it any thought but just coming out the other end.
Finally, everyone backs away, and someone brings in a full-body mirror.
The reflection of the girl in a chair, wrapped in a towel, is unrecognizable. Blonde hair tumbles in loose curls gracefully to my chest. My eyes stand out with the smoky eyeshadow and long lashes. My lips are bright red, and somehow, I look stunning.
Claire steps in front of me, shock on her face. “You are absolutely gorgeous,” she murmurs. “It’s like you’ve been hiding this dazzling gem beneath the surface all this time. He’s going to be utterly floored when he sees you.”
She’s talking about Hawk, but it shouldn’t matter what he thinks, seeing as it’s only a business dinner. Except the butterflies in my stomach flutter at the possibility of his reaction as well.
“Isn’t all of this a bit… much for just dinner?”
One of the stylists laughs, her eyes gleaming. “Sweetie, it’s not just the outside that shines. All of you is shining, which is what you want when you accompany Mr. Kline. You are so beautiful.”
My cheeks blush at her words. No one’s ever said anything like that to me. My stepmother would constantly tell me I was still in that ugly growing-up stage, and when my dad told me I was beautiful, I took that as him needing to say that as my father. So, hearing this from strangers is surprising and a bit confusing.
