Chapter Nineteen

Drake hadn't said much after opening up the letter. He'd looked shocked, but when Lydia had asked if he was okay, he'd just brushed it off, and said he'd changed his mind about going downstairs after all. So now, here she was, getting ready to put on the dress she'd tried on at the seamstress, the dress that had made her feel like a fairytale princess. Except now, she was starting to realize that being a princess wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. She'd been truly pretending for less than a day, and she was already over it. Her feet ached, her head was pounding, and her cheeks felt swollen from all the fake smiling.

Glancing down at her phone and squinting in the dim light, she realized with a pang of panic that time was slipping away from her. She couldn't afford to waste any more of it wallowing in self-pity. With a determined sigh, she shed her remaining lingerie and instead donned a strappy blue set that Drake had packed for her, before they left his house. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly and gave her a boost of confidence. Forgoing the dress for now, she strode into the luxurious bathroom to fix her disheveled appearance. Her early shenanigans with Drake had surely left her hair messy and makeup smudged. This time, she carefully crafted a sleek side bun, and grabbed two strands pulling them down to frame her face. For her make-up she opted for a nude barely there look. Satisfied with her appearance, she left the bathroom and was startled upon seeing Drake lying in his childhood bed. She hadn't even heard the bed creak.

After telling Lydia that they would be heading to dinner, Drake quickly exited the room. He used the excuse of needing to talk to Kevin, but in reality, he just needed some time alone to process everything. The letter from Amelia had stirred up strong emotions within him, and he didn't want anyone seeing him in that vulnerable state. He wasn't ready to discuss it with Lydia, or even fully understand it himself. Then there was also the strange memory that followed, if he could even call it a memory, and not something his over active imagination as a child had construed. There was no way his father had actually killed Am...Someone. He absolutely refused to even think that that someone could be Amelia, let alone that his father was a murderer. Sure he was a cruel man, but murder, that just seemed too messy for his father.

After pacing back and forth in the hallway, his mind racing with anxious thoughts, Drake realized that he would rather be scrutinized by Lydia, then without her presence. Something about her grounded him, and he didn't want to go another second without her by his side. So with his final stroll back up the hallway, he entered his room, only to find it empty. At least he'd assumed it was empty, until he heard the water running in the bathroom sink. Drake released a sigh of relief, grateful that she was still present in the room. He settled onto the bed, resting his back against the wall and crossing his legs in front of him.

When Lydia walked out on the bathroom, he studied her, taking a moment to admire her beauty and her feminity that was on display. When he'd packed that particular lingerie set, he'd known she'd look gorgeous in it, he hadn't expected her to look that breathtaking. The real deal was a thousand times better than the image that he'd conjured in his mind.

"Mmm... I'm hoping you're wearing that for dinner." Drake stated, smoking his lips together, "We could serve you up as the main course."

Lydia flushed red from head to toe at his compliment. "So you like a girl in lingerie and pearls?"

"Only if it's you." He whispered softly, rising from the bed and reaching for her hand. He drew her close to him, pressing a tender kiss against her lips.

Lydia's heart thudded against her chest. "He's only keeping on the facade." She mentally chastised herself as she tried to keep herself from swooning and overanalyzing what he meant by only if its her.

"Help me dress?" Lydia asked pulling from his embrace and walking into the closet to grab her dress for the evening.

"I don't think I can recall ever being asked to help someone into their clothes," Drake frowned, "Normally it's the other way around. Maybe I'm losing my charm."

"Get used to it buddy," Lydia laughed, walking out half dressed, giving Drake her back so he could help zip her up, "This is partnered life."

Drake leaned in and kissed the back of her neck, as he zipped up the dress. Smiling to himself when she let out a quiet hiss of want. "There you go."

He took a step back, his eyes roaming over Lydia's figure in the sleek midnight blue gown. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, and the intricate beading sparkled in the dim lighting. He couldn't help but notice how the dress brought out the deep blue hue of her eyes, making them shine even brighter. She was a vision, just as stunning as she had been during her fitting with the seamstress. "Wow, Darling. You are stunning."

"I won't be underdressed?" She asked, nervously, biting her bottom lip.

"No,"Drake replied taking her hand to escort her downstairs, "You look absolutely perfect. The dress, the hair, the makeup, the jewelry. It's like you were made for this life, Darling. You have an impeccable sense of taste."

"Well only the hair and makeup were me." Lydia laughed nervously. She was always so horrible at taking compliments and Drake, well he loved to compliment.

"Remember, Cinderella" Lydia chastised herself again, perhaps for the billionth time already, "When the clock strikes midnight, this will all be over. Don't let yourself fall for Prince Charming."

It was hard not falling for Drake though. He was like the real deal. The entire package that every girl wanted when looking for a boyfriend. He was kind. He was attentive. He was fantastic in bed. And he was rich. Okay the rich part was an added bonus, but it was one hell of a bonus. Whoever said money couldn't make a girl happy was either broke or just a freakin' liar.

As they made their way down the stairs, they spotted a journalist waiting at the bottom. Camera flashes were going off, capturing their every move.

"OH EM GEE!" Madilyn squealed as they rounded the corner and all eyes were drawn to the woman in the stunning emerald green gown. The floor-length dress hugged her curves perfectly and sparkled under the chandeliers. Her long red hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, accented by a pair of dazzling emerald earrings. Her makeup was impeccable, with a precise line of kohl framing her piercing green eyes and a bold rose red lipstick adding a touch of glamour to her look. "YOU LOOK FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC LYDIA!" She gushed, grabbing Lydia and pulling her into a giant hug, the photographs greedily capturing up the enthusiastic greeting.

"Oh Diane's going to love that language." Drake snorted, as Lydia stepped away from the overly enthusiastic red head.

"Ummm, thanks." Lydia replied bashfully, "You look beautiful, Madilyn."

"Oh you just have to say that because I'm the star of the show, tonight." Madilyn joked, waiving off Lydia's compliment and grabbing her hand, lurching her towards her, "Follow me, Lydia. I want you to meet the rest of the bridesmaids."

"Rest of the bridesmaids?" Lydia gulped, looking warily over at Drake.

"Yeah, Silly goose. You do know you're in my wedding party right? I couldn't just leave Drake's boo out." Madilyn stated, as she dragged Lydia away from Drake and into a separate room, where about four other ladies waited. "Lydia, this is Megan, Genevieve, Beatrice, and Jessica. Ladies, this is Drake's girlfriend, Lydia."