He Strikes at the Hotel

Chapter Twenty Six

Nerissa had went straight in to the bathroom once we got in my room to start to undress, whilst she told me do to the same and try my dress on. It was so beautiful, I didn't want to even chance ruining it before tomorrow, because knowing my luck I would put it on and catch it on something and rip it, or spill something over it. So I just waited in my sitting chair for Nerissa to come out.

"Audrey Rose!" Nerissa called out from the bathroom. "Could you please do me up?"

"Coming!" I called back, pulling myself out of my comfy chair, ready to do the arm wrenching job of tightening a gown corset.

I knocked on the door before entering, and when I did I was blown away. Nerissa was standing facing me, and even without the back done up properly, she looked breathtaking. The dress fitted her perfectly, accentuating every part of her figure which was normally hidden under her frumpy uniform, and as always, the red complimented every single one of her features. She was staring at me for some kind of feedback, and my speechlessness was worrying her.

"Nerissa, you are absolutely stunning. I am lost for words. Pierre is a very lucky man indeed." I said, meaning it from the bottom of my heart. This was a special moment for us, and I was so happy to see Nerissa in such a gorgeous gown that she had picked out, which was now her very own. She looked so content and lost for words with the whole situation, that I just wanted to give her a big hug and reassure her that it wasn't a dream. I rushed over to her and latched my arms around her shoulders and squeezed her as hard as I could, making her sway her body from left to right with mine. I could feel happy tears forming, but I managed to hold onto them before they dropped from my eyes.

"Now, let's get your back done up and see the final product!" I said, twirling her around, seeing her gown flow so elegantly at her feet.

I tightened the ribbon corset and finished it off with tying it in a pretty little bow at the bottom of her back. Nerissa and I both looked at her reflection in the mirror and were silent. The happy tears I was able to conceal moments ago now fell freely along with Nerissa's.

"Thank you, Audrey Rose. This is the most magical moment of my life. I have you to thank for all of this." Nerissa said between wiping away her tears and sneaking more glances at herself in the mirror.

"Don't be so ridiculous, you deserve the world, this is nothing in comparison to that. I think we both just stumbled upon some luck with this one..." I said in return, adding the last part of my words to lighten to mood, which seemed to work, as Nerissa giggled to herself.

"Lord only knows how I am getting out of this thing." She sighed.

"Would you like me to fetch Pierre to offer you some assistance?" I tried keeping a straight face whilst saying this, but the shock on Nerissa's face was too much to handle, and I ended up laughing as she swatted at my shoulder.

"I will manage just fine by myself, thank you very much!" Nerissa snipped, twirling herself round to begin the challenge.

"I'll be right outside if you need any help." I said, as I began to head back to my sitting area where I would be able to sit and relax, whilst hearing Nerissa cuss under her breath and stumble about trying to get out of the gown without anyone helping her.

I got some tea ready for us for when she was out, as I definitely was not going through the torture Nerissa sounded like she was going through right now trying to get out of the gown. It was a cold evening, so I lit the fireplace so get some warmth in the room, and until the warmth was noticeable I had plenty of blankets to cuddle up under.

I was cosy when Nerissa came out of the bathroom. I had the tea ready and an extra blanket for her to snuggle up under. She looked utterly worn out, panting, with her hair everywhere. I poured her a cup of tea and smirked at her exhausted expression. "Looks like the gown put up a fight?" I mused.

"Yes, quite. At least it won't be a regularly worn garment. I do not know how these royal women wear things like that everyday, it was hell to get out of. Imagine doing that when you're tired and all you want to do is go to bed, but then, you have a good half an hour fight with your clothes first!" Nerissa said through scattered breaths.

"Yes, but those women have maids like us who do the work for them..." I said whilst handing her the tea. Nerissa sat down and just nodded at my statement. The steam from the tea was visible in the air from how cold it was in the room still. We were both mesmerised watching the steam swirling up in a snake like pattern, slowly and thoughtfully, calming our minds of everything that tomorrow could bring.

Then, there was a strong knock on the door. "No, no, no... Not now..." I thought to myself, panicking from the knowledge of who it would be. Nerissa was already suspicious of Zachery and I, let alone seeing him turn up at my private room in the evening; the evening before the ball; the ball in which we were attending together, as dates.

Nerissa's eyebrows shot up at the sound. I could see her eyes burning holes into the back of my head. I could also hear her inquisitive smile growing from behind me. I dare not say anything as I walk over to the door, hoping that I was wrong... Maybe someone needed something for their room, and it was reception calling to request sheets, or towels...

I reached out to the door handle and took in a deep breath, closing my eyes as I slowly began to turn the handle. I opened the door cautiously, peeking round as I was doing so to get a head start seeing who it was. I looked up to see Zachery standing there, parading his usual dazzling smile as he looked down at me. My heart jumped at the sight of him, but I couldn't distinguish whether it was from seeing him, or from seeing him whilst Nerissa was still in here.

As usual, Zachery was abrupt, and began entering the room whilst speaking. "Good evening, Kitten, sorry to drop by unannounced, but I knew you wouldn't mind." He said cockily, before clocking on to the fact that Nerissa was sat in the sitting area under a blanket, gazing at him with eyes which were screaming in delight.

"Oh, good evening Zachery!" Nerissa said, emphasising her words in the manner of 'I knew it'.

I slapped my hand against my forehead, just wanting to crumble at this moment in time. I could tell Nerissa was loving every second of this, and Zachery was too, even if he was baffled.

"Well, I became extremely tired, oh so suddenly! How strange! I should go back to my room. I'll grab my dress tomorrow Audrey Rose, if that's okay?" Nerissa said, and without even waiting for an answer, she faked a very dramatic yawn, stretching her arms out as she did so. "See you in the morning, dear! And it was lovely to see you again, Zachery. Goodnight to you both." And with that, she winked at me and vanished.

The room was silent once Nerissa had left. I could have crawled under a rock quite happily, and Zachery was studying me, trying to think of the best witty comment he could make in the situation.

"I'm never going to hear the end of this." I said, holding my hand to my head, hoping Zachery had some good news for me at least to end the evening.