He Strikes at the Hotel

Chapter Fifteen

Zachery had already informed me of this famous ball last night, stating that it was one of the most prestigious events of the year, with a strict invite only policy. If you were one of the lucky ones to be invited, you were expected to be dressed to impress, with black ties and tuxedos being popular amongst the men, and the women favouring extravagant floor length ball gowns with trains floating behind them like a summers breeze. There is a different theme every year for the entertainment, with it only being announced on the night, adding extra anticipation and surprise upon the guests. I can't wait to see how they manage to transform the hotel into a venue fit for a king. Literally.

Luckily, the ball wasn't for another week yet, and therefore I needn't have to worry about that right now. Tonight Nerissa is going out for her date with Pierre, which he has planned beautifully; taking her out to dinner, with dancing and music afterwards. I must say, it sounds like Pierre has put an awful lot of thought into this, and it wouldn't surprise me if he had the night planned out minute by minute. I wonder what will happen when Nerissa doesn't follow the script he has planned out in his head... He may panic, but Nerissa is the best in times like that, so she will no doubt diffuse the situation before it even happens. Knowing Nerissa, she has probably tapped into Pierre's brain and read the script and learnt it off by heart already, just to help out. Those two have had a soft spot for one another since the day they met, and it has been excruciating watching them try to act normal around each other ever since.

So whilst that is going on this evening for them, I have a date in with myself, a book, and a hot bath which I have been longing for ever since my last one was so rudely interrupted. I am going to relax, not think about anything other than what story I sink my teeth into, and let my body free itself from the week's stresses. If anyone even dares to ruin that for me tonight I may have to think about using that blasted trap door myself to make somebody disappear.

The day went by relatively quickly after mine and Nerissa's tea break, and it was soon time for me to go to her room and help her get ready for tonight. I made sure to bring by some tea to calm her nerves, as no doubt she would be in a right state right now. When I knocked on her door however, she opened it casually and greeted me as if it was a normal day. There was no air of panic, confusion or even a slight whiff of nerves. It was like a new Nerissa had taken over her room. "Are you ready for a glamorous night of romance?" I asked her, chuckling as I walked in. I was just hoping she hadn't forgotten, as this level of calm from her was unknown to me. "I believe so... I just need help with my hair and make up. I'll go put the dress I picked out on, then we can get started!" She said this with genuine excitement in her voice, and I could tell that she was trying extremely hard not to have a full blown meltdown on me. The dress she wore was a stunning emerald green, which floated down to the floor lightly, and swung in the air as she moved. It had gems laced within the bodice of the dress which sparkled in the light, and made her eyes stand out immensely. 

We spent an hour chatting whilst I applied a sparing amount of make up on Nerissa's already perfect face. I decided that her beautiful complexion would be complimented by a little rose blush, with us both deciding on wearing a natural lipstick, as when we tried the red, Nerissa gasped and claimed that she would be mistaken for a lady of the night whilst walking to the restaurant. I finished her make up by putting some mascara on her long lashes, and topping it off with some eye liner lightly applied. She looked radiant. I clipped her dark hair up into a loose bun with a few strands of hair left out which framed her face. Once we finished, I held up a mirror to her so that she could see what I had been doing for the past hour, and waited for her to give any indication as to what she thought.

"Audrey Rose... Thank you... I look... Amazing." She said this feebly, as if she was in disbelief. This tugged at my heart, and I gave her a small hug. "Nerissa, you always look amazing. We have just done something a bit different this evening." I reassured her and smiled, taking in how breathtaking she looked. "Now. Give me a twirl, and go enjoy your night with Pierre! I'm so glad I can finally say that, I have honestly been waiting a decade, woman!" I jabbed at her, as I could see her breath hitched. She was obviously now getting nervous, but she was controlling it well. "Enjoy your evening too, and don't wait up for me will you?" She winked at me as we both began to leave her room. I tried to hold in a laugh, but failed miserable. That's my Nerissa.

"Pierre better treat her like a queen tonight." I thought to myself, even though I had no doubt he would. He worships the ground she walks on, hence why it has taken so long for him to actually ask her out. But I couldn't imagine anything worse than Nerissa being broken hearted, so I still had to hold my guard up for her for a little while longer yet.