What He Couldn't Buy

7

The following morning, Amelia realized she had not put any thought into what she was wearing to the ballet. Luckily, she had the day off from work so she spent a large part of the day playing dress up in her room. It was refreshing not having to worry about work or other responsibilities for one day; however, she couldn't figure out how girls like Cece were able to find happiness in lounging around every single day of the summer.

What is wrong with that girl? I've barely met her and yet she suddenly has this personal vendetta against me. Chris' other friends are pretty nice though, I think Alex and I could get to be good friends...

Amelia was struggling to take a dress off when her phone started ringing. Her arms were stuck above her head but she managed to answer the call and put it on the speaker.

"Hello?" she muttered, her dress muffling her voice.

"Amelia? Are you okay?"

She continued to fight her dress, trying not to damage it, "Chris? Is that- argh!!" Amelia tripped over a shoe and fell over.

Chris' tone was soon filled with concern, "Hello? Amelia? What is happening?"

Amelia was lying on her back, still stuck with her arms above her head, "I'm okay! I promise!"

"Can you please tell me what you're doing over there? Are you strangling someone? Is someone strangling you?"

She laughed, "My dress. Its strangling me."

"Oh boy, just promise me my date for tonight will still be alive for the ballet."

Amelia giggled as she wriggled out of her dress, "So whats up? You're not canceling on me, are you?" She said half jokingly.

Chris chuckled, "Ah yes, I've decided to cancel my night in the city with a beautiful and intelligent woman so that I could play video games with Oliver and Theo. Sorry!"

"I guess I'll have to find another handsome bachelor with tickets to the ballet" Amelia lamented dramatically– she really appreciated the sarcastic banter they often had between them.

Back in his own home, Chris grinned. Amelia constantly proved to be very different from the women he was used to having in his life. She could be silly and joke around, and yet she constantly wowed him with her intellect and care for others.

***

The window was open and Amelia could already hear crickets outside, even though it was only late in the afternoon. Oliver's sister, Lex was leaning over as she applied makeup to Amelia's face. When Oliver told Lex about the ballet date, Lex got Amelia's number from Chris and offered to help her get ready. Alexandria Rothschild was well known in the fashion industry. She modeled from time to time but was also a stylist and a fashion blogger.

Lex called at the perfect time– just as Amelia was beginning to feel defeated and overwhelmed by the prospect of getting ready for her fairytale date, Lex called and saved the day. She let Amelia borrow a gorgeous tight white dress and she also picked out a pair of nude heels. 

"Amelia, you have to stop moving!" Lex laughed as she tried to fix Amelia's eyeliner.

"Sorry! I just keep checking the time! I don't know what I'm more excited for: Bolshoi or Chris, it's a tough call." Amelia giggled. 

"The word on the street is that you're a top notch dancer."

Amelia looked down, masquerading her emotions, "Uh well I don't dance anymore, I hope I can be a top notch college student though!"

Lex sensed Amelia's desire to change the subject, "Ah, college... wasn't for me. I was set to go to Brown but I was just ready to pursue my career. My parents weren't too happy about that- Oliver went to MIT and I went to Paris"

"But you're so successful! Why wouldn't they be proud of that?"

"Well they're more okay with it now, but the Rothschilds are very pro college...either an Ivy, MIT, or Stanford- otherwise you're like disowned"

"Yeah I-"

Chris rang the doorbell. Amelia struggled as she suppressed the urge to run to the door. Opting for a more casual appearance, she took her time to get there. Lex fussed with Amelia's hair as she walked out of the bedroom.

Amelia took her time going down the grand staircase, trying not to trip in her heels. When she opened the large front door, Chris was in front of her wearing a suit.

"Daisies and sunflowers? How did you know?" Amelia said excitedly when she saw him holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers.

He smiled, "I remembered from breakfast yesterday"

Amelia took the flowers from him and kissed Chris on the cheek before taking the flowers inside. Rosie was sitting in the kitchen, observing Amelia as she placed the bouquet in a vase. "You look enchanting darling. If he doesn't tell you that, he is an imbecile." Rosie said with a smile.

Amelia walked over and hugged her goodbye, "I'll give you all of the details tomorrow morning, I promise!" Rosie laughed, "Much more interesting than anything on cable!"

When she walked back out onto the front steps, she saw Chris standing in front of a black Range Rover, holding the passenger door open. "I was going to take my Tesla but my mom said it was hard for girls to get out of small when they're all dressed up."

"Smart mom" Amelia said as she got into the vehicle.

"She tries" he mumbled, somewhat dissing his mother.

Chris got into the driver's seat and turned to Amelia, "You look beautiful by the way."

She smiled, "Thanks... now are you driving us to the city?" she said in a surprised voice.

Chris rolled his eyes, "you'll see."

***

Twenty minutes later, Amelia and Chris were on a rooftop. "A helicopter? You rented a helicopter?" Amelia shouted over the sound of the propellors.

"I'm borrowing it from my dad." He laughed.

Amelia narrowed her eyes, "You're not kidnapping me, are you?"

Chris groaned, "Damn it Amelia, you caught me! My whole plan to whisk you away and have you all to myself for eternity is ruined!"

With a smirk, Amelia joked back, "I'm too smart for your tricks. I guess you'll have to win me over the old-fashioned way."

For a moment, Chris entertained that thought of truly whisking Amelia away so they could spend the rest of their days together. Even though they had only met a few days prior, Chris could easily envision a life in which he and Amelia spent all of their time together. 

Snapping back to reality, Chris assisted Amelia as she got into the helicopter.

In the helicopter, Amelia held Chris' hand as she peered out the window, watching the world below them. She already felt like she was living in a fairytale, and the night had just started.