"Which one? Red or black?"

       Derek taps his chin as he examines the two dresses in my hand. A little crease forms at the center of his forehead as his lips picker up. He seems deep in thought.

       "I like the black one but it would look much better in white," Derek finally answers. I frown as I look over at the black dress.

       "I can't wear white to a wedding," I reply in a duh tone.

       Derek shrugs as he sips on his strawberry boba tea. He takes a few seconds to chew on the blueberry flavored boba.

       "From what you've told me she deserves to have somebody show up at her wedding in a gorgeous white dress and outshine her," Derek says before going back to his straw.

       I shake my head and chuckle at his comment. I put the two dresses back on the rack and trudge over to him with a pout on my face.

       "I can't find anything to wear," I whine.

       Derek pats my back aiming to comfort me. He hands me back my blueberry slushee and I take a sip from it. I let out a long sigh as I look at the only dresses I can afford.

"I still don't know why you are going," Derek mumbles as he examines the dresses. "Or why Brian is even going for that matter."

"To show that bitch that he's moved on," I rely on a duh tone.

Derek shrugs his shoulder and nods, thinking that my answer is pretty reasonable.

His eyes suddenly lit up as they land on a light blue satin dress. It is quite simple yet it has a certain aura of elegance.

"This one," we both say at the same time.

***

I run my hands over the satin fabric being as delicate as possible. I look at myself through the full-length mirror and purse my lips together.

"It needs something," I tell myself.

The dress is beautiful but it needs something to bring out it's elegance. With a hesitant frown I walk over to the bag I brought the day I moved in with Derek.

I look toward the white wooden door making sure he is still occupied in the bathroom. I bite my bottom lip as I unzip the bag. Buried at the bottom is a navy blue velvet box. I open it gently and the diamond necklace inside begins to shimmer as the light hits it.

I take a hold of the necklace. It's cold touch against my hand like a scorching reminder.

"Hey I was thinking a-" I throw the box inside the duffel bag and hide it under the freshly washed clothes. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I chuckle nervously as I hide the diamond necklace inside my fist.

"Oo-okay," Derek gives me a skeptical look before walking into the kitchen.

My phone's loud text-tone dings across the room. I look at the screen and find Brian's name flashing across it with a text letting me know if his arrival.

       "I will see you tomorrow," I wave goodbye at Derek and he returns the gesture.

       I slip the necklace into my silver clutch being discreet as possible. I walk out the door and let out a sigh of relief.

       "You look splendid," Brian's voice makes me jump a little. I try to ease my racing heart. "You okay, love? You look a little nervous."

       "I'm fine," I assure But Brian does not seem convinced.

       "We don't have to go if you don't want to," he assures and I smile up at him.

       I place my hand on his shoulder. Only the thin fabric of his white button-up shirt stops my skin from making contact with his. I look up at him. His gaze, although filled with worry, makes my heart flutter.

       "We have a party to get to," I say with a sly grin. This seems to convince him enough to lead us down the hall.

       "If you want to leave at any moment, just tell me and we will," he states as we walk down the stairs.

       His gentle and caring attitude draws me weak to my knees. It is quite different from most men I have met. And very different from the monster chasing me.

Brian holds out the door for me and helps me inside the passenger seat of the car. I slide in effortlessly.

"Some of my college friends will be there so that's an upside," Brian comments as he starts the engine. "They'll meet my gorgeous girlfriend."

He reaches over and kisses my hand before lowering it and placing his hand on my knee. He slowly draws small circles making the center between my legs to throb. He seems to notice my flushed cheeks and smirks.

"Stop it," I giggle as I gently slap his hand.

The action only causes him to tickle my leg and I flinch away. My silver clutch falling to the floor and the diamonds necklace rattling as it falls out.

Brian looks down at the shimmering necklace and then back up to meet my worried gaze. I scurry to pick it up and slide it back into my bag.

Please don't question it, I beg.

"Where'd you get that?" His voice sounds serious.

Shit.

      I clench the inside of my cheek between my top and bottom molars. I look out the window trying to come up with a lie.

       "I-I forgot to put it on," I say nervously as I pull out the diamond necklace. "I bought it at this antique store."

       "It looks awfully expensive," Brian eyes the necklace suspiciously and I gulp down the lump in my throat.

       A nervous chuckle escapes my lips as I clip the necklace around my neck.

       "Psh, this thing only cost me ten bucks," another lie slips out of my lips.

       "You need to show me how to buy like you," Brian jokes and I sigh in relief.

       I rest my hand on the diamond piece strapped around me weighing heavily against my conscious.

       The truth is that the piece is one-of-a-kind. It has a million dollar worth and it is the only thing left I have from my past life.

Author's Note
Hey my lovelies! Three updates in a week and on time! Can I get a round of applause? 👏👏👏 I think I know have an idea of where I want to take this book, so expect more drama to arise. What do you guys think of Derek and Sam's friendship? Also, the diamond necklace? Let me know your thoughts and predictions in the comments. If you enjoyed please leave a vote and share. Thank you as always for reading my lovelies. I will see you most probably next week with another chapter!
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay awesome!
Xoxo, Liz

vv Samantha's Outfit vv