Stay Peachy

Chapter Fourteen - What Even is Gala Ready?

Slumping into the car I exhale, exasperated. Mr Blanchett chuckles as he sits next to me. Once we're into the sleek, black car the driver begins to move. I bring my hands to my face, groaning.

"I'm never going to get used to this." My voice is strained as I look down at the notepad and pen peeking out from my handbag. "How do you do it?" I turn to face my boss and his smile is wide.

He tilts his head, debating over something before he looks up to me again, "Well I've been doing this for almost forty years now. It's easier for me since I actually need to know what they're talking about." I glance out of the window, noticing the city scape. "If you get bored and need to keep yourself busy somehow, I'll cover for you if anyone spots you doodling."

I turn back to look at him with a smile, "You're the best, boss." He chuckles in response and shakes his head. "Did you get the gala invite? I should have forwarded it to you."

He nods, "Yes, yes I did. I'll be bringing my wife. If you want to, bring Zack along." I smile and he clears his throat. "This will be your first event as our personal assistant. It will be very good for you to mingle, as they say. Get some connections. As much as I want to keep you here for as long as possible, showing off that you're my second hand man will be handy for future opportunities." Nodding, I realise that I could have a completely different relationship with Mr Blanchett.

"Mr Blanchett, thank you. It means a lot." I tense up, "For welcoming me into the family so well." Turns out that coworkers can actually be your family even when you've left your previous work family. I didn't expect to be welcomed so openly. I mean I'm the slut that got feelings for my boss and was embarrased for everyone to see.

"It's no problem, Eden. It's great to have you around." He looks straight forward, "Have you got your dress for the gala yet?"

I chuckle, "I haven't worn a fancy dress since I left New York. Nope, left my fancy dresses at Julia's apartment."

Louis leans forward, whispering something to the driver, who nods and changes into a new lane. My eyebrows raise as I know this isn't the way back to our work. I wearily watch out the window as we pull up to a bouique. Confused, I turn to Mr Blanchett and he nods towards the door.

"Let's go." he leans forward, opening up the car door and sits back, waiting for me to go so he could shuffle out after me. He mumbles something to the driver. I stare up at the building in front of me, the beautiful dresses on mannequins out front. "Take the lead."

I push into the shop, gawking at the colours and fabrics. Everything was so luxurious. I most definitely would need to save up for months before I could even think about buying this. Maybe I'll rent one. I walk forward to a gorgeous red dress. The fabric soft I like the dress, love it, but my eyes catch on something else. I mindlessly walk towards the gliterry dress. This one. I want this one.

Mr Blanchett walks up next to me and whistles as he looks at the dress I'm oggling. He turns to the lady standing next to us. She has a prim black dress suit, her hair perfectly clipped halfway back. Louis speaks in his native language to her and she nods curtly before walking away. Next thing I know two minutes later I'm being ushered to a private section, pushed behind a curtain as a fiercefully beutiful lady in the same dress suit and heels starts to pull off my clothes.

"Woah! Woah!" I step back and she glares at me annoyed. "Jeez, okay. Let me do it myself." She stands back, the same tinge of annoyance covering her feautures and I unzip my black skirt and letting it fall to the ground, leaving my leggings and unbuttoning my blue dress shirt and handing both pieces of clothing over. Then they lurch at me, hands brushing against my skin as they take my measurements before they bring the dress over.

Next thing I know the gorgeous silver sparkly fabric is hugging me, slightly loose in certain areas. They pin the fabric and mark what they need, noting down what they need to alter. Whatever they tell me to do, I comply. When they have it perfectly fitted to me, they stand back. They urge me towards the curtain and I walk through it. Mr Blanchett is sitting on the couch, Holland next to him. The two men look at me, Hollands eyes trail all along my body, his jaw hardening as he looks up at me.

"Wow," Holland's breathless. "You scrub up great."

"Why thank you, are you attending with us?" I smile at him. He nods and my eyes meet Mr Blanchett's. "So?"

His warm smile makes my own widen. "Eden, I'm buying this for you. It was made for you, kid."

My mouth opens and I look between the two men in front of me, "That's too much Mr Blanchett."

"It's Louis. And, how much coffee and cakes do you buy for us all? Don't think I don't notice the snacks you bring for the others." His smile is cheeky. It felt like a kind father wanting to treat his daughter.

I chuckle in disbelief, eyes wide. "You're crazy if you think that's even."

"Take the dress, Eden."

I bite my tongue, pressing my lips together. "Thank you, Louis." Was all I said before I head back into the curtain and get changed again. When I leave the women begin to package up the dress, it was ready in a bag at the checkout. Mr Blanchett smiles and turns to me while he puts his pin into the card machine.

"Now we get some matching footwear!" Excitement brimming from his eyes.

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