Shadows and Stars ✔

Chapter Forty One

I decide to spend my Monday lunch break scanning the online stock of Saint and City dresses, and, as I sit scrolling through the webpage, I can't quite get over the variety of styles to choose from.

I hadn't even thought about what style to go for. Though, I'm guessing that I'll need to go all out if it's for a ball. And not just any ball; a ball that Grayson's parents are hosting.

I eye up a few potentials; a long emerald coloured satin dress; a knee length navy pencil dress and a maroon coloured silk midi dress. But as much as I love them, I just know they aren't right.

I sigh; this is going to be harder than I thought.

"Everything okay, Mia?"

I turn to see Michael peering at me from the coffee machine. I hadn't even noticed he was here. Everyone else is out to lunch and I assumed he was too.

"Yeah," I say, smiling. I don't know whether to tell Michael about my situation, or to just lie. But I go with the former. "I'm just trying to find a dress—for a ball at the weekend."

Michael raises an eyebrow, smirking gently as he swirls a spoon around in his coffee. "You know, we've got the new dress collection dropping next month," he says. "And as a thank you for your efforts at the fashion show, I'd be happy to ask Jenny to show you some of the new styles."

My mouth falls open, but I quickly bring it back up as to not look too unprofessional.

     "Oh my God, really?" I ask, turning in my chair, my heart thumping from within me.

     "Of course!" Michael says, his tone as cool as ever. "I'll have Jenny show you once she is back from lunch, and if you like anything, we can order it in for you in advance."

Holy shit.

      "Oh wow, thank you so much!" I choke, my face painted with happiness. "Thank you!"

Once Michael returns to his office, I can't help the girly smile that itches it's way onto my face. This is all so exciting, and I could potentially have a dress that isn't even on general sale yet.

Perks of the job, I think to myself.

Once it hits 2 p.m., I decide to grab myself a cup of tea; I had been given a last minute assignment which took up the last hour and my mouth now feels parched. Pouring some hot water into a mug, I nearly drop the whole drink when the feel of a soft hand meets my shoulder.

     "Mia, hey!"

It's Jenny—and the bright, beaming smile that she wears is enough to lift the current grey skies of London that gloomily flood through the glass exterior.

     "Hey, Jenny," I say, shaking the last of my tea from the spoon and placing it into the dishwasher.

     "So, Michael tells me you'd be interested in seeing the new dress collection?"

I gulp as I take a quick sip of the tea; I don't want to sound too forward, but I'm thrilled to be able to have this opportunity.

     "Yes, I mean—if that's okay?" I croak, nervously holding the mug against my hands.

     "Of course. I've already spoken to the sales team and they're happy to get one in for you should you find one. Shall we?" Jenny extends her arm out in front of her, gesturing me into her office that sits next to Michael's.

I follow her lead, watching as her long, silky blonde hair brushes against her black dress and how her cream heels gently tap against the carpeted floor.

All of this is so crazy.

     "Okay, take a seat Mia," Jenny says, pulling out a leather chair from behind her white desk.

I take a seat, smiling at the beautifully decorated office she has; small, pink artificial roses are lined across the edge of her desk and a string of warm fairly lights hang on the back wall.

     "Your office is lovely," I say, pulling my chair in closer.

     "Oh, thank you Mia!" Jenny pulls herself in, sitting firmly into her seat and moving her large computer screen round so that we can both see it. "Now then, let me just load the page and you can have a look. What sort of thing are you thinking?"

     "Actually," I begin, clenching my hands around the warm mug. "I really don't have any idea. It's for a posh ball this weekend, so it needs to be pretty amazing."

I laugh nervously, but when Jenny laughs alongside me I feel slightly more relaxed.

     "Well that's okay," Jenny smiles, clicking onto a webpage. "Let's start from the top. Any colours that you would prefer?"

     "Uh, maybe something bright, not black or anything," I say, my eyes widening at the sheer beauty of the dresses that appear in front of my eyes.

     "Sure—I'll filter out the darks."

Jenny hands me the mouse and I start scrolling through the many colourful garments that appear in front of my eyes.

     "Woah, these are all so beautiful," I say, my mouth falling open at the variety of styles and colours.

Jenny nods, her eyes watching how amazed I am.

     "Oh my God—wait!"

My eyes fix on a stunningly beautiful burgundy floor length dress. The top of the dress sports a V-neck style, with a breathtaking sequin-embellished lace pattern. The bottom is a chiffon skirt which would ever so gently brush against the floor.

This is the dress.

     "You like this one?" Jenny asks, a large smile plastered across her face. "I mean, it's very gorgeous, and I can see you wearing that, but you've not looked very far through."

     "No, I know, but—this is the one!" I squeak, not letting my eyes leave the breathtaking garment.

     "Then it's yours!" Jenny says gleefully. "I'll get it ordered in for you today, and it'll be here tomorrow."

     "Thank you so much!"

     "You're welcome, Mia. Michael has agreed that as a thank you for the fashion show, this is a gift from the company. I'm so glad we could find the perfect dress for you!"

My eyes widen, briefly taken aback by the gesture.

     "Thank you, thank you!" I clasp my hands together, my mouth open in disbelief as I write down my dress size.

     "Take care, Mia," Jenny says as I turn to leave. "I'll let you know once it's arrived."

At my desk, I can't fight the redness that spreads to my cheeks at the thought of wearing the dress. On top of that, I imagine Grayson's face when he sees me in it for the first time. I picture his gawping yet perfect expression, and the way he'll be wanting to rip it off me.

But I won't let him. Not so easily.