Emilia Darcy found herself on the run, alone and vulnerable after suffering two years of an abusive relationship.With a new life and a new name,Zachary Evans walks into her life.
Unexpectedly Emilia finds herself falling for the rich and handsome bu...
Michelle's pampering of me was making me feel like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. My make up was done to perfection and my hair was in loose curls that flowed effortlessly, looking at my reflection in the mirror I felt good about myself.
When Zach invited me to a retirement party that he was throwing for a member of his staff, I was hesitant at first. I wasn't keen on the idea of being in a crowded room with people that I didn't know.
But on the other hand, I wanted to spend time with him, even if it is in an outdoor setting. I didn't have a good excuse not to go, Zach knows my day to day pretty well.
"Did you shave?"Michelle asked, whilst looking at me in the mirror.
I was sitting on the fabric chair in my bedroom, staring back at her."Yes, I shaved."
"Everywhere?"She raised an eyebrow, and waited for me to reply. Instead I just chuckled at her."Who knows, Tonight might be the night!"
"I don't know about that, Zach and I are taking things slow."It's been a couple of weeks since Zach and I discussed taking things slow. I'm sure he's feeling a little frustrated by now.
"It's been a couple of weeks of taking things slow, it seems like you're both ready. Honestly, I've never seen him happier."Her lips curved into a smile.
"Really? Me too. But sometimes I worry that it's too good to be true, just like it was with Liam."
"I've worked for him for years, Trust me, what you see is what you get. There's no part of himself that he's kept hidden."Michelle wrapped my hair around the curling iron."Did you ever think about telling him the truth?"
"I thought about it a little."I shrugged my shoulders."I don't know, I guess I just worry about his reaction."
"How do you think he's going to react?" She asked.
"I have a past, not a very good one. He might not like that I'm so damaged and weak."I released a sigh, looking away from my reflection in the mirror."I'll tell him, just not yet."
She nodded her head in agreement, but the look on her face showed me pity."By the way, you're not weak, you're the opposite in fact. You've been through a lot, it's going to take some time to come to terms with everything."
I smiled at her lightly."Thank you."I thanked Michelle, knowing that she meant what she said, but it wasn't something that I truly believed. I didn't feel strong, I feel just as weak as the day I left.
"You're welcome. Now that the hair is done and you're looking gorgeous I should get going."Michelle packed her beauty supplies into a brown tote bag.
"Thank you for helping me get ready, I don't think I would've managed without you."I looked at my reflection in the mirror again."I'm nervous about meeting everyone."
"You don't need to be. They're going to love you and you're going to have fun. Most of them are nice, I'll keep you away from the ones that aren't."She chuckled, and slung her bag around her shoulder."I'll see you at the party!"
Michelle left and I was alone to do the finishing pieces myself. Lingerie, dress and Jewelry. I don't remember ever putting in this much effort just for a night out before, but I liked it. I felt good about myself.
It was fifteen minutes before we had to leave for the party. I was standing in front of the floor length mirror looking in myself in my new black dress and heels. Michelle picked the dress out. I was hesitant about it at first, but seeing it on now, I know I made the right choice.
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"Wow!! Look at you."Zach's voice came from behind me and I turned around and looked at him."You look beautiful, Kate."
"You like it?"I asked.
"Of course I do. You look stunning."He walked further into the room, with his hands in the pockets of his expensive black trousers. Zach was suited up and looking good."I can't wait to show you off."
"I hope they will like me. I don't want to make a bad first impression."
"They're going to love you, trust me! I just want you to have a good time okay."He smiled lightly."Do you need help with that zip?"
"Yes, please."I turned around and looked at myself in the mirror, as he did up the zip on the back of my dress.
I felt a shiver at the slightest touch of his finger moving slowly down my spine. His touch was one that made me weak at the knees, I wanted to fall against him in hopes that he would carry me to bed.
I'm already wearing my sexy lingerie for him, maybe tonight is the night after all. I think it's best to let Zach make the first move, he did say that he wanted it to be special.
"How did you get this?"Zach asked, and moved his fingers gently along the scar on my shoulder.
That scar... As if I could forget the night Liam gave me that. It was the first permanent mark that he ever left on me- And it certainly wasn't the last.
I couldn't exactly turn around and tell Zach that one night my boyfriend got jealous and thought I was flirting with his boss at a work event, instead of having a calm discussion about it he shoved me against a mirror in a rage.
No...I couldn't tell him that. A lie would have to do. This isn't the time.
"I was young when it happened, don't run indoors."I mustered a smile, and pulled my dress over my shoulder.I was trying not to give off the impression that I was uncomfortable with the topic, but I think he sensed it anyway.
"It looks like it hurt, I can't believe I didn't notice that before."Zach moved the zip of my dress up and looked at me in the mirror."So are you ready to meet everyone?"
Not exactly, but there's no going back now."Sure, Let's go."
