The Billionaire's red

3

"Where did you get your dress, Hera?" Nina asked me for the umpteenth time that evening. Her hand ran over the fabric of my dress.

"I told you that already." I said, looking ahead. We were currently on a hummer bus, Gabriel one of the chauffeurs of that house was driving us to the location of the event.

"No, you didn't. The fabric feels so silk and real. If I didn't know any better, I would have said it was an original. I only know it's a clone because I know you could never afford the real thing but not many people at the party will know that. You might even get convinced for one of the guests. It's just so...so real that it makes my dress look shabby. Tell me where you got it from?"

I squirmed in my seat knowing that I would have to lie to her about the dress. I'd never felt comfortable lying to people 'cause I didn't really see the point of telling lies but then again I couldn't exactly tell her that the boss gave it to me. I couldn't tell her that Dylan gave me the dress because I didn't want her to get any weird ideas. I know the only reason he got me the dress was because he felt responsible for what his wife did to me. The dress was like a way to appease me but Nina would never understand that. She might start filling my head with theories that will only make me get my hopes up.

"I-I got it from a- a thri-thrift store." I said staring straight ahead. I couldn't meet her eyes 'cause I feared that if I did, she would know that I was lying.

"What?!" She exclaimed and suddenly grabbed my arm, startling me. "A thrift store? What thrift store? Tell me." She pleaded with wide brown eyes.

I shifted in my seat.

"Um, I- It was the one around the corner of...not far from Mr. Johansson's home. I got it that day Mrs. Amelia asked me to..." I trailed off not knowing what else to say. It was such a task to lie, I can't believe how easy it comes to some people. I was silently hoping she would just drop the topic and forget about my dress but well, she didn't.

"You're so gonna be taking me there. How does next weekend sound? When Mr. Marshall and his family go to church?"

"Um Nina, Mr. Johansson's house is quite far away and—"

"Don't worry about the bus fare. I would be covering the bill." She grinned widely at me. I bit the inside of my cheeks wondering if there was any way I could avoid the situation I found myself in.

I let out a silent sigh when I realized that it was near impossible to escape from Nina. She was so adamant and the huge smile on her face just told me that she can't wait till next Sunday.

And this is why I hated lying, it just brings you more problems.

We were the first to arrive at the venue like every year (besides the waiters). Nina entwined her arms with mine as we walked into the large room that was elegantly decorated. The hall decoration is never the same each year. The ambiance every year outshines the one from the previous year.

"OMG! This is so..." Nina gasped as she looked around the large room. She pulled us over to the refreshment table that was at the far corner of the room. "And this is the best part about working for Amelia Johansson." She said just as she picked up a glass of champagne from the table and downed the content in a go.

"Um Nina, I don't think we are supposed to touch that."

"Relax Hera, the witch isn't here yet, the least we can do is enjoy ourselves and pretend like we are one of the elites. I'm pretty sure the next time I would get the chance to drink a glass of champagne like that is in three hundred and sixty-five days." She picked up a round mini chocolate with a golden wrapper from a basket and unwrapped it. "You only live once, remember." She said and then threw the chocolate in her mouth. "Oh my goodness Her, you have to try this." She said with slightly wide eyes. "I have never had chocolate that tastes so expensive. Hmmm, this sure is heavy on earth I tell you." She picked up to golden chocolate balls and unwrapped one. "Open," she said as she placed the naked chocolate in front of my lips.