This is L.o.v.e. like it should be

XXVII. The announcement

"Prank? What Prank? Explain yourself, gurl!"

"Phoebe, I think someone might have stolen this dress and gave it to me."

"Uh?"

"It appeared on my bed with a card, saying it was a gift. I thought it was yours, but now, I have no clue of who gave it to me."

"That is so messed up, wasn't that rich boyf..." Phoebe held her tongue before completing the last word. "I mean, ..."

Ava was unamused. It dawned on her that Phoebe knew about the breakup, if not, why would she hesitate?

"Phoebe, forget about that for now, just help me! What should I do if it is a stolen dress?"

"I don't know!" Phoebe was being infected by Ava's panic. "Wait! Waitress, one of those glasses of champagne!"

Phoebe swallowed the whole glass in one go and then: "Duh! We are being idiots."

Ava, glancing around, trying to spot if someone looked upon her dress with suspicion or anger, waited for her friend's brilliant idea like torture.

"Come on, tell me! Why are we idiots?"

"Well, I'm sure that dress isn't a one-off custom-made dress. So, if someone lost hers, you gotta claim the one you are wearing is yours. A coincidence, yes, but still a coincidence. We can come up with a fake invoice and handle the situation."

"I'm sure no one would be bringing an invoice to a party."

"This is crazy, I think I need to chase the champagne guy."

"No..." Ava was about to beg, when the microphone on the big staged was picked by someone. Lights were turned on and focused on the woman on stage. She was wearing a classic and simple green dress, ready to make a speech as soon as she got everyone's attention.

"Good evening all", It was Mary. "The Marshmount Corporation thanks you all for being here in this special night, first of all for the charity event, supporting all the victims of domestic violence. "I would like to thank each and every one of the generous patrons who donated so far."

The big room, which looked to be about the size of a pitch on a stadium, erupted in deafening applause.

"Thank you all." Mary smiled. "It really means the world we are united for such a cause. It's in our homes that true peace should find its beginning."

Another deafening applause.

Mary smiled once more and waited until the applause died down to continue. "And for our second announcement, we would like our employees and all those whose future and present is connected to our great company to meet the newest member of our board of directors. So, without further ado, it's with great pleasure I announce the arrival of the mister Julien Bardi."

Ava, who was trying to find a cozier and more hidden spot where she could pretend to be a ghost to the rest of the night and avoid any angry lady whose dress might have been stolen, froze in the moment she heard Julien's name.

Her head snapped to the stage as she felt her heart race and all color drain from her face.

"Are you alright? You're not going to faint, are you?", someone asked.