Shot of Espresso [slow updates]

douze- banquet

Kimora POV

It was officially the day of the banquet. The girls and I were on our way to Merin to get our dresses from Laurel. I'm excited to see how they decorated the ballroom and how everything came together.

"Bonjour, girls! I'm glad you're finally here. So all the dresses are already on the racks, feel free to take your time before you choose a dress. D'accord?" We nod in understanding. "D'accord. There are heels and jewelry in the next room too!" Laurel tells us as she walks off.

I look at Tiana and Kheumani smiling. "Oooh this is nice..." I joke.

"Man, I'm gonna miss this place next year," Tiana says.

We walk down the aisles of dresses and feel the material.

After a good ten minutes, I have found the perfect dress. It's one shouldered with a gold bow on the strap, it's a beautiful rose gold color and covered in clear jewels. It's floor length with a hip-high slit. I'm going to look good in this.

I walk in the next room, meeting up with Tiana. I don't want too much jewelry, so I settle for a simple close toed heel.

Tiana is wearing a dark green, backless satin dress. It's floor length and has a thigh high slit. She's paired the dress with a thin gold necklace and black heels.

Kheumani joins us in the jewelry room after 10 minutes pass. "Which necklace? The gold or the silver?" She asks us.
I scan her outfit and pick the silver necklace. Kheumani is wearing a light pink corset dress with clear heels. The bottom of the dress is satin and pools at her feet, even though she's wearing heels. Once we're all dressed up, we take a couple of pictures. We walk out of the room in search of Laurel, so she can tell us our tasks for tonight.
"I hope we're working together tonight," I say.
Tiana and Kheumani hum in agreement. "I don't want to work with Yves again. He has an attitude problem. His energy will not ruin my night," Tiana says.

We find Laurel in the ballroom directing the decorators and caterers. 

"Bonjour, girls. I was just about to come look for you," she says, once she spots us. "You three look absolutely gorgeous! Remember even though you have tasks for today, try to have fun and mingle with some of the attendants."

I nod as I look around the ballroom. It is dimly lit with flower bouquets hanging from the ceilings and fairy lights decorating the ceiling. Each round table has seven seats and a tall vase filled with  white roses in the middle. 

"D'accord. You girls will be working together tonight, but before you go off I want to introduce you to someone. Naveen!" she calls out as she looks around.

A tall brown skinned man turns his head as she calls their name. I tilt my head in confusion. Is this the same man I saw outside of the coffee shop? 

"Naveen is my nephew. He will be working with you girls tonight. If you have any questions and can't find me, go to him and he will help you," she says as he approaches us.

"Bonjour, ladies. It's nice to meet you. It's nice to see you again Kimora," he says.

I ignore the curious stares from Laurel, Tiana, and Kheumani and smile at him.

"I met Kimora at a coffee shop the other day, what a coincidence that she works at Merin," he continues.

Laurel smiles and claps her hands, "Well that makes things less awkward. I'll leave you four and see you in an hour or two."

Laurel walks off and Naveen continues to talk to us about tonight's event.

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