When Hearts Heal

Chapter 12

With a gasp I turned around to see a half-empty champagne flute, explaining the cold sensation running down my back in someone's hand. "I'm so sorry I should've watched where I was going" I apologised as I met the eyes of the gentleman holding the empty glass. "You? You caught my punch card outside of Luigi's a while ago."

"I did." He answered with a charming smile.

"I didn't know you would be here," I noted before realizing how stupid that sounded.

"Well, I do own the place." He answered with another one of his charming smiles as if the answer was an obvious one.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I spilled your drink while trying to take a picture of your painting and I now thinking about it I probably should've asked and I apologize for-"

"Hey, it's okay." He stopped me mid-rant placing his hand on my elbow as my eyes immediately followed before he noticed and moved his hand. "I should be the one apologizing for ruining your dress. Please, let me get you a new one." He offered politely. 

"A new one? I'd hardly call it ruined." I answered back kindly while trying to wipe the champagne droplets from my back with no success. I noticed as he watched my every move trying to rid my dress from the liquid as I knew I wasn't doing a very good job. 

"Please, I insist." He offered once more as I gave in to his offer and followed him up a large flight of stairs. 

"These are my sister's," He commented opening the doors to a large oak closet filled with the most beautiful gowns I've ever seen and probably could never afford. "You're about the same size." He continued while handing me a champagne-colored dress with puff sleeves. His choice was kind of ironic, but there was also no denying he had good taste. 

"Thank you. But won't your sister mind?" I asked taking the beautiful dress from him. 

"No, she is in Mulan with her boyfriend and hardly ever wears these anymore. She never stays long enough anyway. So, consider it yours as an apology for earlier." 

I couldn't believe someone would have all of these beautiful clothes and just have them here collecting dust. Metaphorically of course because this place was spotless. I thanked him as he motioned towards the bedroom's en-suite where I could change. I stroked my fingers across the expensive feeling material as I noticed the tag still attached. Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me as I suddenly got weak in the knees seeing the price tag. Let's just say it was more than 3 months' worth of wages. I almost felt bad for wearing it let alone keeping it, but then I remembered that I didn't have anything else to wear so my options were limited. 

Zipping up the back I stood in the mirror in awe. The most expensive gift Jaden ever gave me was $60 flowers for my birthday and here a total stranger gave me a dress worth more than I'd ever care to spend just as an apology. It made me realize that maybe Maya was right, there are men out there who know how to treat a woman. 

Stepping out of the en-suite I see him sitting on the bed waiting for me with a smile as I hear everyone downstairs yelling 'Happy New Year!' 

"Gosh, what time is it !?" I asked in a panic suddenly remembering I was meant to meet Maya in the ballroom at 11. 

"It's 12. Happy New Year Adeline." He said handing me another champagne flute. I didn't even care to acknowledge the fact that he had remembered my name from when we first saw each other outside Luigi's or the fact that he wanted to do a New Year's toast with me. Instead, I thanked him for the dress and ran downstairs seemingly like Cinderella when she realized the clock had struck 12 too, leaving him standing there with two champagne flutes in hand on New Year with no explanation.