City Full of Grey

Romeo and Juliet?

Alyssa's dress given by Carter

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Alyssa's POV

Alex, Carters limo driver drove me around a bit to kill time I ate at some fancy dine in place ten minutes away from the empire. Carter persisted Alex to take me out and pay for what I desire, I just shopped around, but didn't use his money. I stole once and felt guilty and that feeling came back. Finally I arrive at my apartment after 5 hours of driving around. I am greeted by a golden box on top of my bed when I arrived.  Setting my keys and bags aside I wondered if Hailey set it there. Opening the box appears an elegant dress which was glistening before my very eye. Carter was right, he does have taste. The huge smile on my shocked face says it all. This golden dress must of costed thousands. The details were beyond anything I've ever seen in person or given to me.

Why would Carter go out of his way to buy me this dress, invite me to the gala, and hire me on the spot. I am not naive, but the pieces came together. Jasmine chuckling over the phone 'canceling' was no accident. I just need to know why.

While admiring the beauty in front of me I was mesmerized by the dress not taking my eyes off of it. A warm presence rushes into the room, catching me by surprise somebody's arms wrap around my body hugging me tightly. My bones nearly crushed.

"Hailey!" I gasp while laughing, "Put me down." She does so and just as I done before she stands in shock. Her face is literally frozen. I put my hand to her face and wave, "hello, anybody there?"

"Please tell me that's not a Zuhair dress right in front of me!" she squeals.

"Yea it is?" I answer but I wasn't to sure. I check the label and sure it was, it's a Zuhair Murad dress.

"who in the world gave it to you!" Her blue eyes widen trying to hold her excitement. It's just a dress, what's the big deal. I mean it's stunning but she is more excited than me. Should I be worried?

"Ca-Carter Vander-b-ilt" I stutter holding my breathe trying not to blush.

"Shut the front door! wait is he taking you to The Gala downtown!" She grabs my hands squeezing the life out of them.

A smile that I recognize from earlier appeared on my fair skin, "Yes. He is, but I think he invited me on purpose."

"Who cares, get your tiny ass ready. I am about to head back out for work. Now look good for the cameras." She winks swishing her shoulder length hair mocking me.

The apartment door closes and I am all alone. I check the time 5:05pm. I begin to worry since I look like absolute garbage and he will be here at 6 to escort me. Why did I agree? I am starting to regret this already.

Squirming into the golden designed dress I take a second to glance at how well it fits my curvy petite body. I am not short, nor tall and surprisingly this dress fits like a glove. My face begins to turn white and a tear sneaks out. I am not a cryer, but this dress it's different from what I ever received in my 22 years of living. Carter is selfish, a playboy, a millionaire who I don't understand would give me any time in a day. I am used to receiving nothing before I ran from Boston, it was pain and heartbreak so this gesture made me realize I have purpose and if only my mother and father were hear to see their daughter happy again.

A knock interrupts my thoughts. I wipe tear and head over to the door. I pause before opening the door to inhale. A young woman light skinned woman and two men with feminine features greets me with a black box and a few hair products in a clear large bag.

"May we come in, you don't want to look like a mess at the Costume Gala do we?" The young woman smiles.

"Um....yes you may. May I ask who sent you?" I question letting them in.

I shut the door and she replies, "Carter Vanderbilt of course! Now let's fix that beautiful blonde hair of yours!"

They set me down and the woman starts doing my makeup and the two men begin fixing my hair.

Sitting in a makeup chair not able to move, while being freshened up made me feel like Mia Thermpolis from "The Princess Diaries".

"And bam, you look marvelous! just in time, it's 6. Oh darling here is some clear heels to go along with that remarkable gown. You are very lucky." She claps her hands.

"Yea and your hair style really brought out your features, you eyes need to pop honey! Work!" One of the men snapped their fingers admiring their work.

I smile biting the corner of my lip.

"Here's a mirror!" The lady hands me the mirror.

I held my breath sealing my eyes shut . I slowly began to open my eyes and gasped. I am no stranger to makeup but I was ecstatic at the work she did. The liner was cat like and my lashes extended even more brining out the color in my eyes. The hair was flawlessly done well, but I never put my hair up. The scar was showing, but luckily the dress covered the spot a little bit.

"I love it! thank you so much." I never went to prom or any special event. I look proper like I don't scream I ran away from home.

I slip on the heels the young woman provided. I needed to know her name, there was this gut retching feeling to ask so I did, "Hey what's your name by the way?"

She laughed, "Jasmine Ian, these two are Brock and Mason."

Jasmine Ian? I vividly remember Carter asking me to call for a Jasmine Ian.

"I take it we spoke this morning?" I question sternly.

Jasmine smiled laughing and walked out the door with Brock and Mason. What is going on here? I bring my hand to my mouth and huff to smell my breath. It's not bad, but just in case I pop a mint into my mouth.

A knock startles me. I open the door to find Carter Vanderbilt at my steps.

He looks just as handsome in his tuxedo when I met him this morning. His cologne which smells like heaven fills my nostrils almost sweeping me off my feet like they do in the cartoons. He stands their smirking looking me up and down with his caramel apple eyes biting his bottom lip.

"Well hello to you too." I giggle.

"Alyssa Stone, may I take your hand?" He leans in handing me his hand.

Once again my blood begins to rush to my cheeks and my heart rate increases as I hand him my hand, this is not happening.

His large soft hand grabs mine intertwining them as if I were his and he were mine.

It's day two we literally just met and this is all going down. Talk about modern day Romeo and Juliet.

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A/N: Enjoy! Carter's POV is in the works.