Shadow

Chapter 39

"Your dress is so beautiful Miss Coldwell."

Ever since I walked in I could feel almost everyone's eyes land on me. The dress is not helping any. If I picked the dress I wouldn't have this problem. It doesn't help any that most of my scars are showing, more than I normally show. Adding to the attention I am already getting. Everyone seeing that what had been rumored was right.

I smile, "Please Mrs. Allen, Leyla is fine."

"Well Leyla, how are you and Jason doing? I don't see a ring yet."

I feel a hand touch the small of my back, "taking it slow, we don't want to rush anything."

Mrs. Allen looks at Jason, "they don't wait forever."

"I am sure I don't have to worry about that. Now if you will excuse us, I would like to talk to Leyla."

Jason leads me away, "I thought you would never come to my rescue."

"And leave you to talk with Mrs. Allen? Never."

We walk over to the back doors and walk outside, "why did I agree to do this?"

"Because it is one of the biggest galas that is held each year and we needed to get in to get something."

We stop at the water fountain, the noise of the party a distant sound now, "but did I have to wear this?"

Jason looks at me with a small smile, "I think you look stunning."

The dress was all Tilly's idea. It is a halter open back mermaid dress that is black with beads, it kind of looks like the night sky if you ask me. At least she made sure it was long instead of short. It is more form-fitting than I would have gone with but the plan was last minute. Tilly planned it but didn't tell me until an hour ago. She dropped off the dress and shoes, leaving me to get ready. My hair had gone up in an elegant low bun with vintage curls to fit the look. It is always my go to for these kinds of things, it is pretty simple. My make up little to none but enough to fit tonight.

"You always think that."

"It is true."

I look back at the fountain, crossing my arms, "I hope she hurries... it is cold out here," nothing like standing outside on a cold December night in a dress.

"I am sure she is trying," Jason takes off his jacket and puts it over my shoulders as we stand out in the cold.

We continue waiting for Tilly to show up so we know what we are doing. She didn't tell either of us much which means that we are going to have to be careful. If we make one wrong move then we will have to find a way to get out of the trouble it will cause. I look up when it starts to snow again and I frown. Tilly sure is taking her time.

I look at Jason, "should I call her?"

He looks at me with a small smile, "no, she is coming."

I look over my shoulder, watching her make her way over to us, "you're late."

"Sorry... I had something pop up."

She hands me a flash drive, "get all the files and get out of there."

"We waited out here for this?"

She smirks at me, "see you when you get done."

She walks off and we head back inside. Jason takes his jacket back and we walk in. I go over to the stairs and make my way up them after making sure no one was following me. I go down the hallway and look at the doors, looking for the one Tilly had told me would be open. Why would anyone want to hold a gala in their home? It is too much work to get it ready and this could happen. But it makes this easier for us.