Going Up | ✓

The Dress - (12)

The Dress.

I register Maddie's scream before anything else. Not even looking at the dress I'm holding in front of me, I whip around to look at my best friend. 'What is it?' I ask urgently.

She stares at the dress. 'He... he got that for you?'

Realising she was only reacting at Ivan's gift for me, I roll my eyes in exasperation. 'No, Maddie, I got it for myself.'

'Poppy, it's gorgeous,' she gasps, reaching forward to touch him. 'I'm so jealous,' she sighs wistfully. 'I swear, one day Bruce will be able to afford these sorts of things for me.'

I laugh lightly. She's not wrong in saying it's gorgeous, because it is. It's a layered, strapless, floor length navy blue dress, with sequins across the bust. Towards the bottom of the dress, the layers thin out.

Not only did he buy me a really expensive, seriously incredible dress, but he also went to the effort of buying me a pair of sparkly, ridiculously high heels to match.

'It must have cost him a fortune,' she murmurs, eyeing the outfit in appreciation. 'I'll happily take a man like him any day of the week.'

I roll my eyes. 'Don't let Bruce hear you say that,' I warn, referring to her boyfriend. 'He'd not only kill you, but he'd kill Ivan, too.'

'And we can't have that, now, can we?' she teases, nudging me with her elbow. 'He wouldn't be able to buy you stunners like this,' she gestures to the dress, still on its hanger. 'And this is it when it's on the hanger, it's going to look even more incredible once it's on you.'

I smile lightly. 'When are the other girls getting here?'

It's the day of the event and all the girls insisted they had to come round and help me get ready for it. They were so in awe when I told them that it was a public event, they wouldn't hear of me just getting ready by myself.

'You're going to Ivan Garth's date, you need to look absolutely incredible,' Ky had reasoned.

Naturally, I had agreed and left Oliver with my parents for the night, who were happy to look after him so I could go out with Ivan.

I smile broadly at the thought that everybody in my life is happy with my choice of Ivan. There's nothing worse than being involved with somebody and for nobody to approve of them.

'They should be arriving any moment soon,' Mads responds, glancing at her phone to check the time. 'You've already showered and shaved, haven't you?'

I roll my eyes. 'Of course, Mads. I'm not a total amature, you know.'

She grins cheekily at me. 'Just checking. So, like last time, Em will sort your hair out and then Ky will do your make-up. I'll help you with your dress and anything else you need.'

I nod. 'Yeah, sure. That sounds great.'

'Have you put some body butter on?' she questions suddenly, frowning. 'We can't afford to forget about anything, not tonight.'

I smile at her, squeezing her hand in comfort. 'You're more nervous about this than I am,' I murmur, raising an eyebrow. 'Why is that?'

She exhales slowly. 'I just want it to all be perfect for you. I know that beneath all of that bravado, you do sometimes get affected by what other people say. If you look absolutely incredible, which I know you will, nobody will be able to fault you on anything,' she explains. 'Don't lie when you say Ivan isn't seriously high profile and people will notice you. May as well give them something to talk about, huh?'

I can't help the wide grin that spreads across my face and I pull her into a hug. 'You're the best person in the world,' I murmur into her shoulder. 'And I love you so much.'