Popping my arms behind my head, I let out a long and satisfied exhale. Stretching my limbs as far as they can go, I wiggle my toes at the sheer bliss which overtakes me.

"I can't believe I slept that long," I mutter to myself, eyeing the clock on the wall that showed it was nearing midday.

With a deep sigh, I shuffle my feet to the kitchen where a steaming pot of coffee awaits me. Picking up the pot, I pour some coffee into a large mug and settle down on to the small island that barely seats two people.

A frown mars my features as I take in the chipped wood of the cabinets with the door barely hanging onto the hinge. The tiled floors are starting to get thick with grime no matter how many times I scrubbed at them. Not only that but the lights ahead were dimming when I put them on last night.

"I'm paying all that money for this heap of junk?" I scowl to myself.

The sharp ringing of my phone takes me out of my pity party and roast fest at my crappy apartment. Picking up the shrill object, I go to answer the call but it cuts off. My scowl grows deeper at my luck but an incoming text diverts my attention.

I glance down at the text on my phone from Samantha; the woman wondering if she should add my name to the list of people attending the formal affair tomorrow. I ponder the thought for a few moments, unsure of what to do or rather what not to do.

I don't feel like going to the ball and luckily for me, my job pertained to prepping the Prince as to how he should act etc. The requirements of the job don't extend as far as going to fancy affairs with people dressed up to the nines. I can easily stay back and keep an eye out on any and every report that Samantha sends my way because I know for a fact that she'll be there.

On the other hand, I know Thaddeus wants me to be there. His words from a few days ago ring through my mind. He made it very clear that I should be there. For what reason? I'm not sure.

I wish I could sit and pretend as if I'm not interested but the truth is, I most certainly am. I want all the hard work and effort that the team and I have put into place. It's always gratifying to see everything going off without a hitch. I won't lie on another fact either.

I'd love to live out my little princess fantasies that I had when I was a small girl. Although I won't be the belle of the ball and will be far away from the starry-eyed prince, it'll still be majestic, I'm sure.

With a frustrated huff, I pick up the coffee as it warms my hand, taking a sip only to splutter in shock at the way my tongue sizzles from the scalding hot liquid.

"Shit. Thas the thid time this week," My words come out garbled and the self-pity starts rolling in once more.

Get your shit together Lisanna.

And so I did.

*****

"Open up. My arms are about to fall off!"

The loud banging on my front door ensues and I nearly trip over my legs in the haste to stop the commotion. Reaching out with one hand, I steady myself on the door before yanking it open.

A heavily pregnant Kate stands in front of me, blazing red hair all stuck up and falling into her face and her arms chock full of black bags.

"Shit, Kate! You shouldn't be lifting all this stuff," I rush out as I take a majority of the things I can from her, ushering the woman into my apartment so she can unload herself.

Kate plops down onto my grey couch, the grey bags and boxes lying on the other end as she takes her strappy shoes off.

"Relax, that's only for heavy lifting. A few garment bags won't make the baby come out with a dent in its head- Ugh these stupid shoes won't come off my swollen feet," She growls in frustration, yanking rather harshly as she throws them in a corner.

I take a step back, not wanting to be subjected to her hormones.

Pregnant women scare me.

After fussing around Kate for a while and accidentally offering her coffee one too many times, the woman manages to drag me to my room and sets me on the bed.

"I am here for business Lisanna. I have a lot of making up to do and I know this is the bare minimum but hopefully, we can get you into bed with a hot prince. I'm hoping that would be enough to get into your good graces."

I stare wide-eyed at the woman, utterly confused but vehemently shaking my head.

"No. No. That's not what's happening."

Kate turns to me with a scary glint in her eyes while her lips pull up into a grin.

"Is it not? Then how come you called me in a panic asking me if I had anything to wear to a fancy ball because you were thinking of going to the only event this little god-forsaken kingdom has to offer!" She says smugly after I tried to splutter against her words.

I brandish my palms up to her, not sure what to say that'll make her rethink her delusions. Probably nothing.

Kate nods in confirmation as she turns around and heads to my built-in closet. I watch on from behind her back, taking in the way her expression grows more and more flabbergasted at my lack of appropriate attire.

Kate leafs through the last rack before turning around features all scrunched up in confusion.

"What the actual heck?"

I shrug lamely.

"Not everyone has a multitude of ball gowns just randomly lying around, Kate. That's why I called you."

Kate nods as she eyes the various garment bags splayed on my bed beside me.

"I'm here to do damage control. Good thing my sister owns a store with all this crap, huh?"

"Thank Claire for me again, will you?"

"Mm. Now enough lying around, get your ass into some sexy dresses. Oo  I also brought some Spanx."

"You're a lifesaver," I say wholeheartedly, glancing down at my poofy stomach.

I'll definitely need some extra suction to tuck that in.

"Okay, so I've brought four dresses with me and then two pairs of heels but they virtually go with anything and everything. Now let's see you in them!" Kate squeals as she claps her hands, nudging me to go towards the bathroom.

I side-eye the garment bags, thankful for Kate's help but also wary.

What if none of these things fit me? Then I'll feel even more self-conscious than I already do.

Not wanting to bring Kate's happy vibes down, I pick up the bag closest to me and head into the bathroom. Hooking the garment bag on the little hook at the back of the door, I unzip the bag and stare wide-eyed at the dress.

It's absolutely beautiful.

The dress was long as it hung just an inch above the tiled floors. It was a wintery silver colour with fabric that hung in soft waves. The bottom was covered in a sparkly lace with beading flaring out from the bottom and spreading all up to the bust, lighting out as it went. The upper part was cinched at the waist with a delicate off-the-shoulder neckline.

With a hesitance that stems from not wanting to ruin the gorgeous dress, I strip quickly and manage to slide into the dress. I'm pleasantly surprised by the way it holds its shape, the dress long but not dragging on the ground to save it from getting dirty.

Stepping out into my bedroom, I smile shyly at the way Kate wolf whistles, eyes running up and down my body. I give a little twirl when she makes the motion with her finger.

"You look absolutely stunning!"

Turning towards the long mirror, I catch sight of myself and am presently surprised by what I see. The dress really does fit like a charm and I look good.

But something just isn't quite right.

"The dress is gorgeous but there's something a bit off," I mumble as I run my hands down the fabric.

Kate nods in understanding as she stands up and holds onto my shoulders, taking me in.

"Hmm. I think I get what you mean. You look stunning but I think the colour washes you out a bit. I thought it would look good against your skin tone but I think you have a warmer undertone which makes it slightly off, I guess."

We both stare at the dress on me for a moment longer before Kate gives me a gentle nudge.

"Well, no worries. We have more dresses to get through."

The process with the next dress is pretty much the same. This one was a soft peachy colour with a sweetheart neckline and ivory boning separating the cups and then running down to the end of the waist. The dress flared out in soft tulle and it looked almost as if glitter had been dumped down onto it. It was beautiful like the last but again something wasn't quite right with it.

With diminishing hope, I pick up the second last dress and head to the bathroom. This dress catches my eye immediately. The first thing that draws me to it is the deep colour. It's not an in your face loud red but more so a warm toned red.

Putting the dress on, the two thin straps go past my shoulders and tie around my neck which takes me a second to do. I adjust the plunging neckline as it settles past my breasts. The two folds of cloth makes me conscious of flashing someone but I'm sure a bit of fashion tape will do the job. The rest of the bodice gives the misconception of it being see through but luckily has a layer of cloth similar to my skin tone. The rest of the dress flows down, snug against my lower half and giving an illusion of fuller hips than what I have. What catches my eye the most is the slit that runs up my leg, something I fall in love with.

I've always wanted a dress where I can scandalously flaunt one leg out like Betty Boop.

I think this is the dress.

Let's hope I look as good as I think I do in it.

Opening the door, I lock eyes with Kate who looks floored. Her jaw hangs open as she runs up the length of my body. The hand that was rubbing lovingly over her stomach stilling in place.

"Holy crap. My panties would drop if I were wearing any," Kate gasps out while I cringe.

"I'm just joking. I can't afford to not wear underwear when I'm about to burst. It's nasty- Go look in the mirror!" The woman cuts herself off once she realises how she's gone off the topic.

With a weary breath, I step into line on the mirror, hoping it looks good on me. I'm pleasantly surprised at what I see.

I don't look washed out and the figure hugging dress puts everything into its proper place. My pooch which would stick out otherwise is tucked into with the lining which you can't see.

"Strike a pose!"

I grin at myself in the mirror, putting my hand on my hip with my hair falling over my shoulder. I end the pose with the last flourish of sticking out my leg from the slit. Kate starts howling loudly like a wolf before the both of us erupt into giggles.

I'm pleasantly satisfied and shower Kate with 'thank you's' which she easily waves away. We both have an early lunch- once I change out of my dress of course- and I make sure to order Kate's favourite.

With our bellies sated and the dress safely in my closet for tomorrow, Kate gives me a rundown of everything I need to do.

We both like to dress up and look glamorous but I'm not so good with colour schemes and end up looking all over the place sometimes.

"Okay so you know how to do your hair. I'll send you a picture of what makeup look to do. I've also left the black strappy heels for you because the nude ones will look awful. Send me pictures once you're all done up, I'm sure Thaddeus Sinclair won't be able to keep his hands off of you by the end of this!"

I roll my eyes and swat her gently on the shoulder before hugging her as she leaves through the door. Waving goodbye, I close the door behind me with that same grin on my face.

I think I made the right decision by going.

The rest of the day is uneventful and I feel like a kid all over again. My mind thinks back to when I had to go for a school trip and how I'd fuss about all night, unable to sleep. Sometimes I'd even put my whole outfit on one side of the bed.

I'm not about to do that and anyways, the whole event is tomorrow night.

It's almost gone past one in the morning as I type away on my laptop, trying to catch up on some last minute changes for the event in itself. Too lazy to work on the couch, I had settled myself onto the bed but now I'm fighting the urge to fall asleep every second.

My phone buzzing from my bedside table rouses me from my half asleep state. Continuing to type with one hand, I reach out with the other to grab onto my phone, answering the call.

"Hello?"

"Lisanna," The deep baritone of Thaddeus Sinclair catches me off guard and I nearly drop the object.

"Thaddeus?" I blurt out, not being careful of calling him by any title.

"The one and only. I hope I didn't wake you up."

His voice doesn't hold much concern and I know he asked me because he probably knew I'd be working rather than sleeping.

I am a night owl after all but I'm just tired after the day I had.

"Um, no. I was up."

A moment of silence passes and I hear some shuffling of papers, letting me know he's probably back at that huge estate, sitting alone in his back office.

"I'll cut to the chase, Lisanna. You didn't answer Samantha when she asked if you were coming. You have to be there," I frown at his words, both at having forgotten to text Samantha back but also at what he just said.

"I'm not so sure. I've sorted everything out from this end. I don't think I'll be able to provide any supper. I've done all I can with the job for now-"

I hope Thaddeus can't tell I'm wholeheartedly bluffing right now. I don't want him to think I'm just showing up for no reason, it'll look so.... Lame.

The sound of Thaddeus scoffing sounds through the phone before he speaks up.

"I never mentioned anything about you being there because of your job. I want you there tomorrow, Lisanna. Make sure you're there."

How nice of him to ask.

Unfortunately my brain doesn't focus on that but rather at the feeling deep in my stomach. Do not give into that feeling you dumb shit.

"I'll try my best."

"Good. I've already told Samantha you'll be coming. She'll be picking you up. I'll see you tomorrow then."

I barely get a chance to say goodbye before he's hung up, leaving my now wide awake mind reeling.

He has a really bad habit of doing that.

——————

AN: The ball is the next chapter and I'm so excited! What do you think of the dress? I didn't add any pictures because I know fashion is subjective and what some people like, others won't so I'd rather you all envision whatever.

Question: Do you like visuals in books (cast pictures, clothing etc) or do you think books are better without them?

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