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-factly.
Confused, Steve asked, "Wait, what? Why?"
"Because Master Jeremy prefers to ride alone." Lucas, Jeremy's right-hand man, replied from the driver's seat.
Steve tried to lighten the mood with a comical response, saying, "Then why are you here?"
The atmosphere in the car suddenly turned icy, the temperature dropping significantly.
Steve slowly turned his head to meet Jeremy's frosty gaze, feeling small and insignificant. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, he quickly retreated, claiming that he had left his wallet in the estate and needed to retrieve it.
As soon as Steve exited the car, it zoomed off, leaving him standing there.
"Well, that was rude," Steve muttered to himself, brushing off imaginary dust from his suit.
"You should be used to it by now, buddy," Tony chuckled, patting Steve on the shoulder. "Get in. You can ride with me instead. I promise, I won't bite."
"Haha, very funny," Steve replied sarcastically, grateful for Tony's lightheartedness. They both climbed into Tony's car, a stunning blue Bugatti Divo, and drove off.
******
Melissa's eyes widened in awe as she held up the red dress. Its texture was soft, and the intricate patterns adorning it were exquisite. The only concern she had was that it was an off-shoulder dress, revealing her shoulders. Nevertheless, it was undeniably beautiful.
"So... do you like it?" Nicky asked eagerly, observing Melissa's admiring gaze.
Melissa took a moment to compose herself before replying with a smile, "Yes, I love it. It's beautiful. But hold on, how much did it cost? It looks expensive."
Nicky's response was immediate, "The cost of the dress doesn't matter. What matters is that you like it."
Sam chimed in, adding, "And we both think it looks amazing on you."
Melissa's frown turned into a playful pout. "Yeah, I do love it. But it's a bit revealing, don't you think?"
"Oh, come on, you're not revealing anything. Besides, you need to look your best for this party. Many wealthy and influential people will be attending," Nicky encouraged, trying to boost Melissa's confidence. "Maybe you'll find a nice..."
"Please stop, Nicky. I'm not interested in finding anyone." Melissa interrupted her gently, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness.
The memories of her past experiences made her wary of opening her heart again.
Nicky felt a pang of regret upon realizing her friend's sensitivity to the topic. "I'm sorry," she apologized sincerely, reaching out to touch Melissa's arm.
Melissa smiled, appreciating Nicky's understanding. "It's okay. I should go and get dressed. I'm running late."
As Melissa turned to leave, Sam stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Melissa, we want tonight to be special for you. You deserve to feel beautiful and confident, regardless of whether you're interested in meeting someone or not. This dress enhances your natural beauty, and it's a celebration of who you are."
Melissa's eyes welled up with gratitude, touched by Sam's heartfelt words. "Thank you, Sam."
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
Jeremy awakened from a restless night's sleep, his mind consumed by thoughts of Melissa, the captivating woman he had met the previous evening. Her presence lingered in his dreams, replacing his usual nightmares with a sense of warmth. He found himself wondering why she had made such an impression on him.Seeking solace and clarity, Jeremy made his way to the terrace, hoping the gentle morning breeze and sunlight would help clear his mind. The day appeared beautiful, but his inner world remained shrouded in darkness. It was too early for a drink to drown his emptiness, so he settled for a cup of coffee instead. To his surprise, his housemaid Corene had prepared a cup and placed it by his bedside. He took a sip and then fixed his gaze on the painting above his bed—a depiction of a young boy enveloped in darkness, with a glimmer of light shining from within his heart. Jeremy had purchased the painting the night before."Reminds me of my childhood," Jeremy thought, savoring his coffee.