The Business of Revenge

At least this came with a dress

"I'm keeping this dress you know," I announced as I pulled my skirts from beneath me, ready to exit the car, "As compensation, for you dragging me to this event,"

"Like I would have much use for a dress," he drawled, the sound smooth and dipped in honey.

"Who knows you might have a secret girlfriend, lurking around here somewhere, you sure they won't mind that you're taking me to this fancy ball?" I joked.

"I have no secret girlfriend, Miss Laurence, I do not know where you get these absurd ideas from,"

"You sure are lonely, aren't you? Having to take someone you're paying to be your date..."

I trailed off at his pointed look, just a hint of amusement and my statement unravelled itself, "Oh my god, I sound like an escort,"

"Don't think too much about Miss Laurence, we have the plan to enact," I grumbled as he held out a hand, taking my plan in his and elegantly pulling me out of the sleek black car. He straightened his shirt with his free hand, making sure the buttons on his blazer were fastened correctly but he didn't let go of my arm, rather he twisted his arms to interlock with mine as we made our way up the marble steps.

I could hear the low lull of an orchestra, playing soothing tunes that hummed in the air, adding a certain sort of magic to the atmosphere. My heart fluttered as I looked at how beautiful the entrance was. Just by the end of the steps was a carved water fountain, water spilling crystal clear but shining with the light refracting from it casting an ethereal glow onto the steps.

"It's wonderful," I whispered, and I knew he heard, as he leaned down, maybe it was the atmosphere. Maybe it was because we weren't in the office, maybe it was just my mind filling in words that might not have been ever spoken, "And so are you."

My breath caught in my throat, alongside my heart, the pitter patter of my heels against the smooth flooring, matching the staccato beat of my heart.

And still, he didn't let me go.

My gown was black, pure as the night sky, a sort of material that looked like an oil spill when it caught the light, undulating like it was alive, long and trailing on the floor, tapered to be as graceful as possible with each step I took. The bodice was gold, bright and shining, like stardust peppered over the night sky, calling out to the stars beckoning them to their true home.

Mr Emerson had chosen it, I didn't' dare ask how much it cost, but I knew it was expensive, it was probably the nicest thing I owned now, because though there was a part of me that felt like I should save up to pay off however much it had cost, the childish part of me just wanted to take it and run.

And if all else failed, at least I got a nice dress out of it.

And the experience of a lifetime with this ball.

Everything exuded wealth, opulence beyond belief as chandeliers hung high before with teardrop glass elements poured over the guests, in an array of gowns, expensive and ostentatious, jewellery winking in the shimmering light, drawing everyone together.

Everyone looked impeccably refined, I had never been one for formal events, I was awkward, I would stumble, I didn't know the difference between white tie event and a formal one. What was the difference, I always wanted to go, I would even pick out a dress one that was a middle ground one that I was afraid I would be made fun of, so I would pack all my makeup away, chuck my shoes back into the cupboard, and call Niklaus telling me I couldn't go.

I guess it didn't really matter, he definitely went with someone else, maybe it was a different woman each time, maybe it was Kendal, maybe that's why he didn't mind me not going so he could have another woman on his arm.