FIFTY - TWO

FIFTY - TWO
CELESTIA

Two days later.

My life fell into a beautiful routine. It was surrounded by people that I never thought would get so close to my heart that it almost ached with happiness every single day.
Lila and I would gossip and giggle about things that only made sense to us. Her growing affection for Cesar had no bounds, and given the way he looks at her at times, it convinced me of his intention as well.
She would cook, bake, and clean, and he would prefer brooding looks. There was something about the way they were content in doing their own things, yet together in silence.
That evening, after Lila went to the kitchen, I buried myself in a new book by Cecelia Ahern when there was a small tap on the door. That was odd since I was not exactly expecting anyone. Raffaele told me that he would not make it home before nine, so it wasn’t definitely him.
It became all the more apparent when I opened the door and found a woman I have never seen before. She wasn’t a staff member either, given the formal attire she donned.
“Miss Celestia? My name is Paulina,” she smiled as I tore my clueless gaze from her to the giant rack of clothes beside her. “…Miss Celestia?”
“Yes, uh…”
“Mr. Roselli sent me,” she cleared the air, only a bit. “Do you mind if I come in?”
“Of course, please.” I stepped aside as she rolled in the garment rack and breezed into the room with a grace I could never match in a million years. And those heels, I saw as I turned around—freaking four-inch or so! How does one even walk with it?
“I have got every one of the colours would like, just in case. We just need to figure out the dress and makeup once the dress is decided.” She clapped her hands and gave a pinched smile. “Do you prefer high slits, backless, or something short?”
Dumbfounded, I again looked between her and the garment rack. “I am going to need more information than that.”
“Don’t you know?”
“Know what?”
Now she seemed clueless. “About the evening plans?”
I sighed. The counter-question game was getting annoying now. “Listen, all I know is that Raffaele has sent you. However, rest of it,”—I waved at the clothes—“I don’t know.”
She flashed me another smile. “I see. Mr. Roselli must have omitted on purpose. I have been given the responsibility to assist with the dress and makeup and have you delivered downstairs sharp at 7:30. Shall we begin?”
I gaped incredulously. “Have me delivered?”
“Not in those exact words,” she amended. “But he insisted on being punctual, which is why I arrive ahead of time.”
I looked at the clock that read five p.m. Why on earth do I need two and a half hours to dress? I could have done it in thirty minutes max. Besides, it’s not like I could go anywhere outside the villa anyway, even if it was with Raffaele.
“Um. Do you mind if I have a chat with him?” I could ask any of the guards to have me connected to him if he was not available anywhere. “I need to know what’s going on.”
“How about I help you get ready first and then you can go ahead?” She seemed a little bit hurried. “Mr. Roselli insisted that—”
I quickly cut her off. “I get it.” It was my turn to flash a brilliant smile, only I did it sarcastically. “And Mr. Roselli’s wish is your command. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, something like that.” She either ignored the remark or did not register. Either way, I have to go through his stipulated plan. I could take it up with Raffaele later, but first I needed to get rid of her. Or else, every sentence would start and end with Mr. Roselli.
Um. Was this jealousy?
I shook my head and stepped near the rack, caressing the luxurious materials lightly with my fingers. “What do I have to do?” I asked, still eyeing the dress of different lengths, colors, and textures.
“I am going to pull out some dresses, just let me know if anything catches your eyes and then you are going to try it out.” She reached out for a long maroon evening piece and held out for an inspection. And like a child in a museum, I could only stare at it.
“How do I pick up a dress if I don’t know the event?” I asked.
Again with the smile. Doesn’t she get tired of it? “Think of anything special. Something you would like to wear in a special event?”
The kind of life I led, a special event meant going for a morning walk or a shopping trip (along with a bodyguard). And then one day I was abducted, and so far that was the adventure of my life. Surely, there was no need to scare the smiling-girl with gory details of my life.
With a sigh, I crossed my arms. “Fine, you win. Surprise me.”
“Let’s see,” she murmured, moving from one dress to the other and plucked off one. “The first is a black and silver sequin from Chanel.”
I looked over it and frowned a bit. It was undoubtedly beautiful, but too much cleavage. Left nothing to the imagination and I wondered if I have the guts to pull it off.
She must have read my expression as the girl quickly pulled it away. “Let’s see another one.”
“How do you even know that these bespoke dresses would fit me? I mean, don’t they need to customize and all?” I inquired.
“You have the most perfect curves for these dresses,” she gushed. “Besides, I have been told that you mostly wear a medium and its 34DD, right?”
A blush painted me crimson from head to toe as I gawked open-mouthed. “Yes…how…never mind. Show me the next dress.” Argh. I am going to kill Raffaele the next time.
“Right. This one is a red Alexander McQueen.”
I blinked at the gorgeousness of the piece. It was just not any red but a deep carnelian red one-sleeve satin evening dress from the house of Alexander McQueen. And even though I was not exactly a girl who fussed over brands, designers, or labels, the dress took my heart away.
“This one,” I said in a daze as I perused over the intricately pleated sleeve and slash detail. As I touched the fabric, the silk seemed to be the softest and smoothest. If Cinderella had to pick a dress, between her regal ball gown and this one—I am sure she would have picked it up as well.
“Don’t you want to see the other ones?”
“No. This is the one.”
The next hour went by, glossing over the dress and makeup that were invariably new to me. I had to admit, Paulina did an excellent job on me, and by the end of the stipulated two and a half hours, I could hardly recognize myself.
The dress was a dream, and the way she created the waves and bunch my hair to one side, it was brilliant. Excited, I first went to Lila who could not stop gushing about the whole.
“Do you have any idea what is going on?” I asked.
“I don’t. But please don’t tell me that you are completely clueless,” Lila quipped.
I was not, but then again, I didn’t want to get my hopes high. “I will come back and tell you in detail. Okay?”
“You better,” she glared and then dazzled a grin. “And all the minute details.”
Laughing, I bid her goodbye and went to look for Raffaele.
I have seen him so many times and in different lights, but never did he look so breathtaking in sight. The cool, intimidating grey eyes were twinkling under the evening lights, and the subtle smile he flashed reflected a certain gentleness that I only encountered a few times. Donned in crisp formal attire, he could have the entire woman clan swoon and gush over him.
“You are up to something, as always.” A smile carved up my ruby lips as I made my way over to him. “So why am I dressed up in Alexander McQueen?”
“You look beyond fabulous. Red suits you.” He held me closer by the waist, right below where the belt clinched around. And I inhaled a lungful of his masculine, spicy cologne. “Do you like it?”
“I do, and I would like it more if you’d tell me the occasion for dressing me up.”
Raffaele gave me one of his signature smirks. “It’s a surprise. Come with me.” Letting go of my waist, he took my hand and looped into the crook of his elbow, leading me towards the gate.
My heart throbbed in anticipation. Was he going to take me outside the villa? The superficial freedom I have been hankering for suddenly seemed…dull.
Was he going to send me home?
As we advanced, a shiny black limousine came into my view. “Woah,” I whispered. A man bowed to us and held open the door.
Like a gentleman, Raffaele held the side of my dress as I climbed and then took place beside mine. For a second there, I sat dazzled and speechless inside the ridiculously long and narrow compartment. A limousine, from inside, would feel like a car. With the facing beige leather seats, a fully stocked bar, and a TV screen
I touched the seats, feeling the plush leather and breathed, “This is…a bit surreal.”
He drew himself closer and planted a chaste kiss on my painted cheeks. “I haven’t even begun, Ms. Donovan. Brace yourself; you are in for one hell of an evening.”


Thank you so much readers for your feedbacks. It truly makes me elated. As requested, here’s the back-to-back chapter for one day! Hope you enjoyed reading it. Let me know please!