Unexpected Friendships

Scarlett's POV

I slept a lot. The exhaustion took over as soon as I got home. I almost fell asleep in the living room, but did, at least, manage to get to my room. When I woke up, it was already lunchtime.

It took me another two hours to eat and get ready to go back to the studio. Klaus and Liam had already arranged the limousine to take us to the event, so when I arrived, they were already waiting for me.

I had given strict orders that Liam and Klaus were not to enter unless I was with them. There were a few girls from the studio as well as they needed to help me dress and ensure that Klaus and Liam were presentable too. Many adjustments would be required as we got dressed. Everyone was waiting outside and there were securities stationed at the doors.

As soon as I got out of the car, everyone looked at me and smiled.

"Sorry for the delay, I overslept. A lot!" I said excitedly. Everyone who had worked with me looked tired, but they would soon have a decent break.

"What's all the secrecy about? We are told that no one could enter the studio?" Liam asked as I approached to hugged him, giving him a quick kiss.

"You'll understand once we are inside." I replied and moved away. Klaus gave me a soft kiss on the forehead. "Let's go in then."

I took the key and opened the door, and as soon as we all entered and went to the area where the clothes were, Klaus and Liam stopped dead in their tracks, not knowing what to say or how to act.

"Do you like it?" I asked, suddenly feeling anxious. There was no time to change anything if they didn’t like it.

Liam was the first to react, walking up to his suit, circling it as if he was afraid to touch it. As if everything would fall apart and fall to ruins.

"This… I don't even have words!" Liam stopped in front of me, his eyes full of admiration. "When I realized that you weren’t finding the inspiration you were looking for and became more and more stressed, I became worried… But this?! This is absolutely perfect!" Liam's voice was full of excitement.

"It's definitely a very powerful message." Klaus said and approached his attire. "I think everyone will know and understand." He said.

"Don't mess with us… I'm the Queen and I have two Kings at my side." I approached and put my arm around Klaus' waist.

"Oliver will be jealous." Klaus commented, but laughed softly. "But he was the one who didn't want to go to the event."

I laughed loudly. "But we need to get ready to change. Despite being beautiful, it's also heavy, so I won't be wearing heels." I said and moved away, showing them to where they could take their clothes off and return.

It took a few hours to get dressed and ready as some parts needed adjusting and some LEDs needed to be replaced, but in the end, we all came out wearing black capes covering our entire outfits. It would be a surprising revelation when we arrived at the photo area.

With the help of Roman and Keenan, the two security teams worked to ensure that no photos leaked of us or were taken while we entered the limousine. My makeup matched my outfit, and my hair also had a few bright spots from the black, red, and gold LEDs we managed to put into the hairdo.

The place was full and the limousines stood in line waiting for their passengers to disembark. I had to confess that I got more nervous as the time for us to get off as well, came closer. Liam held my hand and squeezed it in reassurance.

"Everything will be fine." Liam said as our Limousine approached the red carpet, giving me a soft kiss, which helped to calm my nerves.

As soon as Liam released my lips, Klaus turned my face toward him and also gave me a kiss. I took a deep breath; with these two men by my side, I should have nothing to fear.

We finally parked. Keenan and Roman got out to open our doors for us. Klaus and Liam were the first to get out, and as soon as Klaus reached Liam's side, they both extended their hands and helped me out, taking care to ensure that our capes kept covering our clothes.

The cameras started flashing the moment our feet hit the red carpet and I could hear murmurs about why the three of us were hiding our clothes. Liam extended his arm to me, and I accepted it. Klaus walked on my right, while Liam was on my left.

It required calm walking, and it took some time to reach the area where the wall, behind us, was covered in logos and where several photographers and journalists crowded the space for asking questions and for interviews.

As soon as we stopped in full view of the crowd, people held their breath as all three of us, simultaneously removed our cloaks to reveal our outfits. People's reactions were varied, but surprise and awe were above all the others. I took the opportunity to turn on the golden LEDs in the center of my bodice, as well as those on the skirt part.

Klaus and Liam did the same. It was then that the cameras became almost blinding and all the questions began.

"Does this mean the three of you are together?" A bolder journalist decided to ask the million-dollar question.

"Scarlett and I are a couple." Liam replied. "We are dating, but Klaus is my friend and family."

"I got him on sale." I responded on a lighter note and winked. "Buy one and take home two."

Many laughed, while others were obviously envious.

"But seriously." I looked at Klaus. "Klaus and Liam are childhood friends, people I admire a lot." I looked back at the cameras. "And if I am here today, it is because they helped me to get here. I will never separate a friendship or partnership as strong as theirs."

"Yes. You will be seeing the three of us together more often from now on." Klaus answered a question that hadn't even been asked yet, but that everyone wanted to know.

"Scarlett is my Queen, and Klaus is her royal knight." Liam said, giving more meaning to our outfits.

I wanted to say two Kings, but in the eyes of society, it is not good to announce something like that. Especially because I am Klaus' possession and not his girlfriend, but Liam's statement was strong and concise. Now, whoever messes with me will also mess with them and vice versa.

We answered a few more questions and ended the interview. I had to pay close attention to where I stepped while walking, and while doing so, people could see the design on the back of my dress, which had even more bright lines of light glowing.

As we entered the main hall it became abundantly clear that we were definitely the center of attraction for the night. Despite their being many very rich people, wearing very expensive dresses, even they realised that none of them surpassed our style, and my studio’s reputation would receive the greatest boost for this.

During the course of the evening I had already received much criticism saying that I was trying to show off, that our outfits weren’t that big of a deal, and that I just seeking attention. My typical response to those were that I WAS seeking attention!

We were greeted by some people, Klaus and Liam introduced me to other businessmen while their companions couldn't stop trying to see the details in my dress or the lights in my hair.

I made use of every opportunity I possibly could to promote my store at the mall, showed them the social networks, and knew that several of them would be visiting to make purchases. Some even wanted to order dresses for their next events. I would have to consider expanding again to keep the store open and cope with all the extra orders. Not to mention that I will need a bigger workforce.

After a few hours of parading and socialising, I became tired as my dress was heavy, and although there were places to sit and eat, it was still difficult to continue with the night. IF there was one thing that I did notice throughout the night, it was that many women stopped looking at me with envy-filled glares and just accepted the fact that I am Liam's girlfriend.

While Klaus and Liam stood a short distance from me, speaking  to the mayor and the governor, I sat waiting for the natural juice I ordered, so, having nothing else to do,I took my phone and took a few selfies and posted them to my platforms.

Shortly after, a shadow appeared. It was a man with shoulder-length hair and intense black eyes. He had a rounder chin with a dimple in the middle and was wearing an Armani suit.

"Miss Collins." He said by way of greeting in a deep voice. I perceived a very cold aura about him.

"Mr. Harvey." I gave him a very slight smile. This man’s Alicia's older brother, Jonah Harvey.

"May I?" He asked as he gestured toward the chair nearby, to which I gave him a curt nod. "You never cease to amaze." He commented.

My smile became more ironic.

"Thank you, I don't even need to try." I commented bluntly, acting as if all of this was nothing for someone like me.

I saw him become a little irritated, but at the same time, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

"I wanted to offer you my friendship." Jonah said and looked at Klaus and Liam. "My sister has crossed the line in many aspects." He said as he turned back to me.

"I understand." The waiter arrived with my juice, but I didn't drink it. I don't trust what might have been put in it, so I opted for one of the sealed bottles of water, which were availbale everywhere and opened it instead. "I see no problem with being friends." I told him as I took a sip of water. "As long as, of course, your sister becomes a civilized person. You know, they say if someone wasn't educated at home, others will do the job."

Jonah understood exactly what I meant and I saw a slight smile form on face.

"Don't worry about that. My sister is being very well educated." Jonah said. Not long after, I Klaus and Liam approached, not looking pleased at all.

"Jonah." Klaus said, and Jonah stood up.

"Klaus." Jonah then turned back to me. "I hope we can talk more often."

"I'm sure we'll bump into each other." I said in a disinterested tone, but it showed that I knew that he was keeping an eye on me.

Jonah bowed briefly and left.

"What did he want?" Liam asked, moving the chair Jonah had sat in and pulling another one closer.

"Just to offer his friendship." I replied and looked at them seriously. They must have done something.

"And what did you say?" Klaus asked, somewhat agitated.

"That I have no qualms with that. We are all civilised after all." I replied. I didn’t want to say more about it as we were in a public place.

Klaus and Liam clearly understood.

"I'm tired." I took a deep breath. "I would like to go home, take off this dress, and rest."

They both agreed and helped me up.