Melissa had everything ready for the party, thanks to the helpful staff members Sasha had hired. It seemed that the woman didn't dislike her as much as she initially thought. Just as Melissa was immersed in her preparations, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She retrieved it and saw Nicky's name on the caller ID. Curious, she answered the call.
"Hey Nicky, what's up?" Melissa greeted her friend.
"Where are you??" Nicky's voice came urgently from the other end of the line.
"I'm at work, as I told you this morning. You know I have to make sure everything is ready before tonight's party."
"Yeah, I know that, and that's why I'm calling. Remember, you were supposed to meet me and Sam to pick out a dress for the party," Nicole reminded her, excitement evident in her voice.
"Well, just pick one for me. I still have to supervise some things over here."
"Alright, but don't blame me if I choose something you don't like," Nicky giggled mischievously.
Before Melissa could say anything else, Nicky abruptly hung up. Melissa shook her head, smiling, and returned to her work.
Meanwhile, Nicole Thompson (known as Nicky) and Samantha Axel (known as Sam) were standing outside a mall, ready for a shopping spree.
Nicky was Melissa's childhood friend, and their bond had endured for what felt like an eternity. They had grown up together, sharing countless memories. Sam, on the other hand, was a friend Melissa made during her time in prison. They had supported and helped each other back then, and their friendship remained strong.
"What do you think we should get for Melissa?" Sam asked as they entered one of the shops in the mall.
Nicky's eyes gleamed with excitement as she spotted a short, sleeveless orange dress. "How about that?" she suggested.
Sam shook her head. "Nah, it's too colorful and too short. Melissa won't like it. Besides, it's an evening party, and an exclusive one at that. A lot of influential people will be attending, so she needs something more elegant, like a black dress or something."
Nicky considered Sam's words. "Not black. How about red? It'll really complement her looks, making her eyes pop and her hair look stunning."
Sam agreed. "Yeah, let's find a beautiful red dress then."
At that moment, a soft voice chimed in from behind them. They turned to see a young girl, appearing to be a teenager.
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear that you're looking for a red dress," the girl named Rachel said politely.
Nicky and Sam exchanged glances. "Yes," Nicky replied, curious.
"I believe we have something you'll love. Follow me, and I'll show you," Rachel offered with a friendly smile.
Intrigued, Nicky and Sam followed Rachel through the store. They reached a door, and as Rachel opened it, they stepped into a room that took their breath away.
"Wow," Nicky couldn't help but gasp at the sight that unfolded before them.
The room was adorned with numerous mannequins, each showcasing breathtaking dresses in an array of styles and colors.
"Look at that one," Nicky pointed excitedly to a green dress adorned with shimmering emerald stones.
"Whoa, check out this one," Sam exclaimed, standing beside a mannequin draped in a silver dress that reached up to the neck.
"Ladies, please come over here," Rachel called, drawing their attention. Nicky and Sam hurried over to her.
"Well, you said you were looking for a red dress, right?" Rachel asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Nicky and Sam were momentarily speechless, their eyes widening in awe. Finally, they managed to find their voices and uttered a single word in unison, "Wow."
Sam marveled at the beauty of the dress but eventually voiced her concern, "We can't afford this, Nicky."Nicky, however, was determined. "Well, I've been saving up for something truly important, and I think this is it. We're definitely getting this one." She turned to Rachel, her resolve evident.Rachel nodded understandingly. "Alright then, I'll get everything ready for you."*****Jeremy settled into the passenger seat of the sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom parked in front of the estate. Dressed in a splendid royal blue suit that perfectly showcased his physique, he was ready for the party."How long will this take?" Jeremy asked, his voice tinged with impatience."Probably a couple of hours, maybe three," Tony replied."Three whole hours? God, that'll be torture," Steve groaned as he opened the other door of the Rolls Royce."What are you doing?" Jeremy asked, his tone casual."I'm getting in," Steve replied, momentarily puzzled by the question."Get out," Jeremy stated matter-of-
Lucas, Jeremy's trusted right-hand man, skillfully navigated through the city's bustling streets, he ensured a smooth and efficient journey to the venue of the prestigious Arts Exhibition Party. The grand event was held at an opulent hotel renowned for its luxury and elegance.Upon their arrival, a gathering of excited onlookers had formed outside the hotel. The air was charged with anticipation as influential guests began to enter, accompanied by the flashing cameras of the paparazzi. Jeremy emerged from the car, exuding an aura of confidence and authority. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, captivated by his commanding presence.With poise and grace, Jeremy adjusted his impeccably tailored jacket and made his way toward the entrance, drawing all eyes upon him. Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire."Is that Jeremy Nobody? Unbelievable, I've only heard of him.""He's the owner of Si Tech! I can't believe he's attending this event.""He's even more handsome in
Melissa glided through the bustling hall, exuding an air of elegance in her radiant red dress. Her natural beauty shone effortlessly, captivating the attention of those around her. Men couldn't help but steal glances as she passed, drawn to her magnetic presence.Seeking respite from the persistent attention, Melissa skillfully maneuvered through the crowd, hoping to find solace in a quiet corner. The hall mesmerized her with its vibrant ambiance, adorned with captivating artworks that adorned the walls. Diverse talents converged in this space, with artists passionately discussing their creations and eagerly presenting price tags to potential buyers. Melissa, too, had the privilege of showcasing one of her own paintings. However, plagued by self-doubt, she wondered if her art would find appreciation amidst renowned masterpieces. After all, the allure of owning an artwork crafted by a celebrated artist often overshadowed the potential of undiscovered talent. Who would boast about an
Jeremy's heart skipped a beat the moment Melissa entered the room. She exuded an undeniable radiance, captivating his attention effortlessly. Amidst his troubled thoughts, she served as a beacon of joy, lifting his spirits and filling the air with an aura of enchantment.However, their momentary bliss was shattered by a blood-curdling scream, followed by the sound of shattering glass. Jeremy's gaze shifted abruptly towards the commotion, his curiosity piqued. "Oh no," Steve lamented, reaching for his glass of brandy and taking a sip. "It seems the unfortunate waiter has fallen into the clutches of none other than the city's notorious diva, Diana Woods. Poor guy."Jeremy was no stranger to Miss Woods. He had encountered her on several occasions due to her father's ownership of a prominent tech company, in which she played a significant role as his successor. While undeniably intelligent, she possessed a deceptive nature and a narrow-minded outlook, much like her father.Observing from
Melissa stepped out of the hotel, needing a breath of fresh air to clear her mind after the intense confrontation. She berated herself for the impulsive decision to involve herself in the world of the wealthy once again, having learned the hard way from past experiences. Rich people never made empty threats, and now she found herself questioning the consequences she might face. "What have I gotten myself into?" she cursed under her breath. However, after reflecting for a moment, she resolved to return inside and salvage what was left of the evening, determined not to let fear dictate her actions."I believe it's time for me to make my exit," Jeremy announced, standing up from his seat. He had grown weary of the social gathering, preferring the solace of his office to these extravagant events. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us," Mr Quin politely acknowledged."Certainly," Jeremy replied, shaking hands with Mr. Quin before making his way out of the hotel. As he walked b
Diana paced restlessly in her opulent bedroom, her mind consumed by the aftermath of the party. Social media had erupted with criticism, painting her as the villain while glorifying Melissa as the courageous heroine who had come to the rescue of the poor waiter. Normally, Diana wouldn't care about such trivial matters, but the fact that Melissa had stood up to her in front of everyone wounded her pride deeply. She was determined to make Melissa pay for daring to challenge her. With that in mind, she had already enlisted the help of a private investigator to dig up personal information about her nemesis. Diana knew she had to be cautious, as she didn't want to unknowingly provoke someone of higher status than herself.Imagine her shock when she discovered that Melissa was a mere nobody. Just a 26-year-old girl from a middle-class background, who had grown up in Brooklyn and moved to New York after her release from prison last year. Diana couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity
"I still can't believe you met Jeremy Nobody," Nicole exclaimed, her eyes filled with excitement."Yeah, I did. And you know what? I think he actually liked my painting," Melissa replied with a sense of wonder."Wow, that's amazing," Sam chimed in. "Did you tell him it was yours? You know, with the whole made-up artist name and everything," Nicole asked, rolling her eyes playfully.Melissa paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "Well, I didn't think it was relevant," she admitted.Nicole scoffed. "Are you kidding? God, you should have told him.""What's the use of telling him? We'll probably never meet again, so..." Melissa trailed off."Because then he would know he was talking to a goddamn freaking amazing artist. You never take credit for anything, and you're crazy talented," Nicole insisted, her enthusiasm unwavering.Melissa couldn't help but smile at her friends' unwavering support. "How could I have remembered when the moment I looked up at him, I almost forgot how to
Melissa arrived at Sasha Art Studios unusually early, determined to dive into her graphic design work. As she approached her workspace and opened her laptop, she heard her name being called. Surprisingly, it was Queenie Parker, her self-proclaimed rival, wearing an unfamiliar smile that made Melissa uneasy."Good morning, Melissa," Queenie greeted, beaming at her. Melissa couldn't help but feel suspicious. Queenie rarely engaged in friendly conversations, so this unexpected encounter seemed peculiar. Something was definitely amiss."Good morning, Queenie. Do you need any help with something?" Melissa asked, her curiosity piqued. She wanted to understand the motive behind Queenie's sudden friendliness."Oh no, I absolutely don't need any help. I just came to give you this," Queenie said, handing Melissa a letter. Melissa examined the envelope, a sense of unease settling within her."What's this?" Melissa inquired, her eyes fixed on the letter."Why don't you open it and find out," Quee