The purple gown she pointed to was, ironically, the very one Whitney had been admiring just moments before.
“Why should you get it?” Lena shot back, her eyes narrowing as she glared sideways at Emily. “Whit saw it first. Ever heard of first come, first served?”
Emily bit her lip, her doe-like eyes pleading as she turned to Whitney. “Whitney, I noticed this dress the moment I stepped inside, and I just fell in love with it. Would you mind letting me have it?”
Throughout this exchange, Carter’s gaze remained locked on Whitney, oblivious to the brewing storm around him.
In truth, the color purple didn’t suit Emily at all. Her style leaned towards softer, more delicate hues, and she often struggled to pull off anything so bold. Yet, her desire for the dress overshadowed all rational thought-it was all that mattered.
‘If only Whitney would ask me nicely,’ Carter mused internally, ‘I’d convince Emily to let it go.’
But Whitney, with an air of indifference, merely raised an eyebrow and replied, “Lena, I’m not really feeling this dress anymore. If someone else wants it that badly, she can have it.”
She added with a hint of sarcasm, “Some people just can’t resist what’s in someone else’s hands. Once she tries it on, she’ll realize it doesn’t suit her.”
Lena had been poised to argue, but Whitney’s nonchalance disarmed her. “Do some people just love taking what belongs to others?” she muttered under her breath, her frustration palpable.
For a fleeting moment, Emily’s expression faltered, but relief washed over her as Whitney and Lena turned to leave.
The sales associate, observing the interaction between these obviously affluent customers, approached Emily with a polite smile. “Miss, would you like me to wrap this up for you?”
Emily’s face flickered through a series of emotions before she finally nodded, “Yes, please wrap it up.”
Meanwhile, Lena was still simmering with indignation. “Whit, why did you just let her have it like that?” she snapped, unable to contain her irritation.
Whitney chuckled lightly. “That dress was far too bold, and let’s be honest, you can only wear it on a handful of occasions. Plus, that color doesn’t suit Emily at all. If she wants it so badly, she can have it.”
“You’re right about that. She’s so plain and washed out; there’s no way she could pull it off. My brother must be blind to fall for her,” Lena replied, but then a look of realization crossed her face. She quickly added, “Whit, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m calling my brother a jerk, not you.”
Whitney laughed it off, brushing aside the comment. “It’s fine. Come on, let’s check out some other stores. I might need a dress for a dinner party on Saturday, so help me find something fabulous?”
As they ascended to the fifth floor, a boutique with unique decor caught their attention, the custom women’s clothing store exuding a charm that was hard to resist.
“Whoa, Whit, this dress is practically calling your name! It’s so sparkly and stunning,” Lena exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.
The dress was a simple white creation, yet the lace mermaid hem was intricately hand-stitched with countless tiny diamonds, exuding understated luxury.
Without hesitation, Lena flagged down a sales associate. “Hi, could we try this one on?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but this piece is a custom haute couture item for another client. It’s not available for sale,” the associate replied, her smile unwavering.
Lena’s curiosity piqued. “Are those real diamonds on it?”
The associate nodded, still maintaining her polite demeanor. “Yes, the hem is embellished with ten thousand micro-diamonds, all hand-sewn. It took nearly a month to complete.”
Whitney nodded slightly, her mind racing. ‘Just by looking at it, I can tell this dress costs a fortune,’ she thought, feeling a mix of admiration and envy.
She tugged on Lena’s hand. “Thank you, but let’s explore some other styles.”
Lena was still in awe of the exquisite find. “I can’t believe a tiny shop like this has a dress this breathtaking. It’s incredible. If it weren’t already claimed, I’d buy it for you in a heartbeat, Whit. Consider it your birthday present for the year.”
Whitney laughed, the lightness of the moment lifting her spirits. “Thanks, babe. It’s the thought that counts, right?”
A six-figure dress? No way could she accept that, she thought, shaking her head at the very idea.
Ultimately, Whitney settled on a simple black gown-elegant yet understated, a choice that felt safe and conservative. After all, she wasn’t the star of the banquet, so why steal anyone’s spotlight? It was better to blend into the background and maintain a low profile.
On the drive back, an uncomfortable silence enveloped the car. Carter hadn’t uttered a single word.
Emily felt her cheeks puff out slightly, frustration knotting in her chest. Her voice trembled as she broke the silence, “Carter, are you upset with me for taking that dress from Whitney?”
Carter flinched at her question, letting out a soft sigh. “No.”
He said no, but since they left the boutique, he had been distant, his mind seemingly elsewhere.
Emily had attempted to engage him in conversation multiple times, yet his responses always felt disconnected, as if he were miles away.
Panic and desperation twisted within her. He was right there, next to her, yet somehow felt further away than ever. ‘Why won’t you even hold my hand after we went public?’ she thought, her heart aching for connection.
Leaning in closer, her cherry-red lips barely a breath away from the corner of his mouth, she whispered, “Carter.” Her voice was soft, almost pleading. She craved a kiss-a reassurance that he still wanted her, still desired their bond.
But Carter recoiled, pressing himself against the seat, creating an invisible barrier between them and those tempting lips. “Milly, don’t. We’re home,” he murmured quietly.
Emily felt a sharp pang in her chest. “Can’t we?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Carter understood the weight of her question, and although he didn’t know why, he let out a resigned sigh. “Milly, you’re my sister.”
Emily’s fingers trembled, the sting of his words cutting deep. ‘Just a sister?’ she thought, her mind racing. “Then what about all those photos of me he keeps?” she pondered, the confusion swirling within her.
They ended the conversation on that bitter note, silence settling heavily in the car for the remainder of the drive.
*****
At South Orchid Villa, Laura handed Tina an invitation to the exclusive dinner party scheduled for Saturday.
“Tina, Klein will be at this dinner party. I managed to bribe one of the servers, and this is the keycard to room 608 on the second floor. The rest is up to you,” Laura explained, her voice a mix of excitement and urgency.
Tina’s heart raced with exhilaration. “Mom, aren’t you coming with me?”
Laura shook her head firmly. “There’s only one invitation, and you’ll be the one to go. This is a private event, and everyone there will be Klein’s close associates. It took a lot of effort just to secure this invitation.”
She continued, “Hannah Wills will be there too. Stick close to her when you arrive, and then just play it by ear. Understand?”
Tina nodded, determination burning in her eyes. “Got it.”
‘Once I’m pregnant with Klein’s baby, I’ll make Whitney grovel at my feet,’ she thought, a wicked smile creeping onto her lips as she envisioned her plan unfolding.
Two days had passed since Klein’s last visit, and as the clock struck six, he stood outside Whitney’s apartment, his heart racing with anticipation.
Whitney was just about to descend the stairs when her phone buzzed, breaking the silence of her evening. “Are you dressed?” Klein’s voice came through the line, smooth and steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of excitement.
She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the hallway mirror, smoothing down her outfit. “Yeah, I’m ready,” she replied, though he couldn’t see her nodding in affirmation.
“Can I come up? I’ve got something for you,” he asked, his tone casual, but Whitney could sense the eagerness behind his words.
She quickly scanned her apartment, relieved to find it presentable. “Sure, come on up,” she said, her heart fluttering at the thought of his arrival.
Just five minutes later, the doorbell chimed, punctually announcing his presence. Whitney opened the door to find Klein standing there, his features sharply defined in the hallway light, which softened the edges of his striking face. Clad in a sleek black suit, he held out an elegant shopping bag, the kind that hinted at something special inside.
“Wear this instead,” he said, his voice relaxed as he handed her the bag.
Whitney glanced down at her own black dress, realizing he was right. The two of them together in matching dark attire would cast a shadow too deep, too somber. “Okay, just wait in the living room for a sec while I change,” she said, her mind racing with curiosity about what lay within the bag.
Before she could even remind him to keep his shoes on, Klein had already slipped off his polished dress shoes, now standing barefoot on her floor. “Uh, I only have women’s slippers,” she mentioned, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her voice.
That simple admission pleased Klein more than she could fathom. It implied that no other man had graced her space before him-he was the first.
“It’s fine, the floor’s clean enough. You don’t need slippers,” he assured her with a smile that made her heart skip a beat.
Whitney chuckled awkwardly, feeling a rush of warmth. “Okay, I’ll go change real quick. Just wait here; I won’t take long.”
With that, she dashed into her bedroom, her mind racing with the thought of keeping him waiting.
As she opened the shopping bag, her breath caught in her throat. Inside lay the stunning dress she and Lena had admired just weeks ago-the one adorned with tiny diamonds that sparkled like a constellation against the night sky.
The gown, a pure white that seemed to glow under the soft light of her bedroom lamp, was breathtaking. Each diamond caught the light, creating a dazzling effect that made her pulse quicken.
‘Did Klein really choose this dress for me?’ she pondered, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.