Chapter 20

I was still waiting patiently for Lucas to finish 'thinking' about my job request. It has been a couple days now and since then; I haven't heard anything from him about him planning to offer me a job. I just think that maybe Lucas only told me he'd think about it just to get me off his back that day. I guess that if he wasn’t going to offer me a job then I’d be stuck here at his place and be dependent on him to provide anything I may need.

I also couldn't stop wondering about Nora and Katie. They had been put into a rehabilitation center and I couldn't even go see them. I just kept wondering if they were okay, or when will they be able to get out. How did we all ended up in this situation? Life could be so unfair to some of us sometimes. The one good thing or progress in my life now was the fact that I still had a phone and could still keep in touch with my mom. I don't know what I'd do if I was stuck here and not only not allowed to see her but also had no way to keep in touch with her.

I was talking with my mom on the phone and she had break some really surprising yet confusing news to me. It was good news but I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

"Mom, I don't understand what does your doctor mean by the medical expenses had been paid for? Who could have paid for it?" I asked confused.

" I was just as surprise as you sweetie when Dr.Nelson told me that I could get the procedure done anytime now whenever I want because the medical expenses for the procedure had been paid for." Mom replied over the phone. "I had to ask him if he was sure and he said he was positive and even showed me the bill. I was thinking how is that possible?"

"Did he happen to know who paid it?" I asked.

"That's the thing, the person who paid it did it anonymously." Mom replied. "I just don't know who would do that."

"Wow, it’s really just like some mystery." I agreed. "But if someone already paid for the procedure does this mean that you're going to be doing it soon?"

"I'm not even sure. I want to do the procedure but I'm not sure how I feel not knowing who had paid the medical expenses." mom replied.

"I know. I don't like the idea of not knowing either but if someone paid for it in full already, I think you should go for it. I mean the person obviously wants you to do it so you should go do it. Get your issues sort out. Maybe eventually we will know who was kind enough to pay for your medical procedure." I said to her.

"I guess you're right Ames. I just had to give Dr.Nelson my answer and then we'll move on from there." mom replied.

"Yeah. It is actually more fortunate that it was paid for. That way you have a possibility of correcting your heart problem early." I said to her as I heard my door being knocked "Look, mom I have to go but please keep me updated on everything that's is happening okay? I love you."

"Love you too sweetheart, we'll talk tomorrow." Mom replied.

"Yeah, okay." I said before hanging up and answer whoever at the door. "It’s open, come in!"

"Amy, sir Lucas would like to speak with you." Greta said to me as she opened the door.

"Oh, he does? Where is he?" I asked sitting up. "I thought he had left long time before."

"Well I think he's about to leave soon so you better hurry and see what he wants before he gets mad. He's waiting in the living room." Greta said to me.

"Oh okay, thanks for letting me know Greta." I said as I got up and headed swiftly to the living room to see what Lucas wanted.

I really hope he has considered giving me that job.

Lucas was standing there in the living room dressed in his suit. I have to admit that he really does look good in a jacket suit. Not many guys can pull that look off.

"Uh, hey Greta said you wanted to see me?" I said drawing his attention.

"Yes, I need you to listen to me and listen well." Lucas started. "There is this business event which takes place every year for Executive business owners and partners going on this Saturday. It’s also combined as a charity event. You're going to be attending with me. There's going to be a lot of important people there and so I need you looking your best."

"Okay," I nodded "But..."

"I told you to listen. You're going to take this credit card, it’s somewhat unlimited." Lucas said stretching a black card to me which I took from him unsurely and nervously. "Carter is going to be escorting you out today. He'll be here soon, therefore as soon as I'm finished talking to you, you're going to go get ready to leave. I want you to go and get a suitable dress for this black tie event- make sure it is something appropriate. You should get yourself shoes, purse, makeup or whatever else you need to make yourself more than presentable do you hear me?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "But should I get a uhm...a specific color dress or something?"

"The color doesn't matter, just get something that look good and appropriate." Lucas replied "Just make sure whatever you decide to purchase makes you look like one of us upper class citizens. And don't go buying anything cheap or trashy- I gave you that card for a reason."

That was somewhat insulting to me. What was he saying? Was he calling me trashy?  Is he saying that I don't look good enough like this? That I needed to dress like those rich snobs? His comment was rude.

"Okay, I understand." I nodded.

"Good," Lucas said before looking at his watch which I'm sure cost more than everything I've ever owned. "I'll be heading out now. Carter will be here any second now so go."

"Alright." I nodded.

I had already showered in the morning so I simply went ahead and changed my outfit to go out.

I quickly drew on a blue and black striped blouse with a black knee length leggings and some sandals.

I grabbed a bag and put the card Lucas gave me, my phone and other things I may need in it. I then headed to the kitchen to grab a quick bite. Not long after, Carter showed up asking if I was ready. I was, so I left with him.

"Remember that warning I gave you the last time I had drove you somewhere?" Carter said after us driving in silence for minutes.

"You said quite an amount of things to me that day." I muttered out.

"And apparently you did not take any of those warnings seriously because here you are again." He replied.

"I know. I screwed up unknowingly and now I'm paying for it." I said to him.

"All you had to do was stay away from the temptations and keep quiet. You'd still be a free woman." Carter said to me.

"I didn't know what I was getting myself into again. I had no idea about the whole drugs involvement until late." I said to him. "But could we not talk about this please. I'm still trying to forget certain things. I know I messed up so please, there is no need to rub it in anymore."

"And now I'm stuck babysitting you and taking you dress shopping." Carter scowled.

"That isn't my fault is it? You could have told Lucas you don't feel like doing that." I said to him.

"You obviously don’t understand how this thing works." Carter said to me. "Anyway, I'm only here to make sure you don’t try to make a run for it or do anything else stupid."

"It’s not like I have anywhere to go or anything to run with." I muttered as I turned away my face from him to look outside the window.

We travelled in relative silence after that until we were actually at a mall.

"I think there may be some good stores here where you can get what you need." Carter said to me after killing the engine.

"Okay." I nodded as I took off the seatbelt and went to open the car door.

"Just know you are to stay in my sight for the rest of the time. If you ever try to escape me or anything, don't think there won't be consequences." Carter warned.

"Noted. I won't be trying anything okay. I got it, if I run I die." I said before opening the door and getting out.

Carter came out as well and we walked inside. I honestly liked that I got the opportunity to get out of the house but this was not a good circumstance. I had a mafia guy who was clearly threatening me, tagging behind and following my every move. I think it would be better if they had sent a female with me, even if Lexi could be the one escorting me I'd be more at ease. I seriously just wanted to find a dress and everything one place as soon as possible so that Carter could take me home and I could lock myself back inside the room. That felt more relaxing.

I saw an exclusively dress store at one corner of the mall and that's just where I headed. I didn't care if Lucas thought those dresses were a bit cheap, I was determined to find a classy and nice dress in this particular store with Carter walking behind me.

I saw many different types of dresses; from casual, professional, formal, semiformal and sexy. I didn't waste time at the other sections I just went straight to the section which had the type of gowns and dresses for such occasion. I had started looking at some dresses when a store attendant came over to assist me.

"Hi there, are you seeing anything you like so far?" She asked smiling at me sweetly and then at Carter.

"I'm not so sure as yet." I replied honestly.

"Well maybe I can assist you. What exactly are you looking for? Like what kind of dress are you searching for?" She asked me.

"Well I'm looking for something to wear to a black tie business event." I told her "I want something that's appropriate, you know not too revealing but something that looks really good at the same time."

"Oh well come on, I think we may have just the dresses for you over here." She said taking my hand and leading me over to a section with some other dresses. "I think it’s so sweet of your brother taking you shopping."

"What!?" I said confused. "Wait, no he isn't my brother."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I just thought he was your brother. You guys have a slight resemblance to me.;" she responded. "I'm sorry I just assumed. He's your boyfriend?"

"No, he isn't my boyfriend either he's just a ... friend." I said to her.

"Friend, I see." she nodded with a smile as she let go off my hand and gesture to the dresses in front of me. "It’s nice of your friend. Maybe he can give you his input when you try on these dresses."

I turned to look at Carter and saw he probably heard the whole thing. I just wanted to get out of there as quick as possible.

"So what do you think of this one?" She asked picking up an ugly floor length green dress.

"Hell no." "Not in this lifetime." Carter and I said at the same time.

"Okay okay. Maybe that one is a bit...not so impressive." She said putting back the ugly dress and picking up a pink one. "How about this?"

"Definitely not," I said shaking my head. "Don't you guys have anything.... I don't know, on a bit of a sexy side?"

"We do but they may be a bit showy. You said you wanted something less revealing."

"Yes but don’t you think you can find something that is little less revealing but still sexy?" I asked looking over some dresses for myself.

"Alright, let me see what I can do then." She said to me before signaling me over to another section.

"I want something that isn't going to make me look like I've just stepped out of a 1918 film." I said to her.

"Okay, any of these cut it?" She asked holding up two black dresses.

"Mhm... Not bad but I'd still like to see other options." I said to her leaning my head sideways to look at the dresses properly.

"Alright I'll just put these aside." She said while putting those dresses aside. "Do you have a preference; like a specific color you'd like? Or do you want a short dress or long one?"

"I don't really think I have a specific color in mind just as long as it isn't green, yellow or brown." I told her.

"I guess this one is out then." She said putting back a brown dress.

"Well the dress itself isn't so bad. I'd actually wear something like that but in a totally different color." I said to her.

"Oh? Well why don't you try this one on and maybe I can see if I can find another one in a different color and your size?" She asked smiling as she picked up the dress again.

"Yeah I guess that'll work but I think I want at least four dress available as options before I go to the dressing room." I said to her.

"That makes total sense." She began looking through some dresses as I did the same.

She showed me a few more which I turned down and then two others which I liked and actually considered trying. One was a black one with the back a bit open with silver sequins on the bodice and waist areas as well as the straps. The other was an all over silver sequin dress with a thigh split. I also saw two blue strapless dresses that was decent as well as a red one.

I still felt as if I needed at least two more options before heading to that changing room. I was totally determined to buy one of the dresses that I try on today. I wasn't in the mood to refuse everything and head into another store today so I was hoping to find something at that location. I was scoping out more dresses when my eyes caught one that had my attention. It was another strapless dress, blue with diamond bodice. It was really pretty.

"Wow, that one would look gorgeous on her don’t you think?" The store attendant asked Carter who was just standing by looking bored. "It'd bring out her eyes, wouldn't it?"

"Uh, I guess so. I guess it’s...cute. Maybe you should just get it Amy." Carter responded obviously tired of the whole situation.

"I think I will." I said to him as I admired the dress some more. "I think I just need another one though before I go try them on."

Carter sighed heavily and began rampaging throw the rocks of dresses.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"Finding you another one. Why don't you try this one?" Carter asked as he pulled out a strapless maroon almost burgundy colored dress and holding it out to me. "I just really want to get the hell out of here already."

"Okay. It’s really not bad." I said as I admired the dress Carter just gave to me.

I wasn't a huge fan of the color but I have to admit that the dress looked really good.

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Now just go try on the dresses and pick one already." Carter rushed me.

"I'm going okay." I said before turning to the girl.

"Wow, he's getting a bit impatient now." She chuckled. "The dressing room is this way."

I tried all the dresses and ruled out that the black dress wasn't exactly me. The red one was too plain, I didn't like the two first blue ones much after trying them on. The pretty one with the diamond bodice had a kind of chiffon train and although it had fitted me well and was really pretty maybe it wasn’t going to be much of a practical choice for me at such an event. I tried every one of the dresses while stepping out each time to get the sales girl input on how I looked –since carter wasn't into this.

The last dress I tried on was the one Carter had pushed into my hands and I wasn't sure what happened but it felt really comfortable on me. I thought it was simple, decent but also sexy. The minute I had stepped out of the dressing room and see the looks on the girl and Carter's face after seeing me in that dress, made me positive that this was my dress. I just hope that Lucas will think so too and approve of it. It wasn't the Queen's ball gown but it was super cute.

"So? What do you think?" I asked.

"Well it's..." Carter was speechless which gave me my answer.

"I think this is the one."