Heiress in Distress

•Chapter 29: Part 1•

"I don't think-"

"She'll definitely go with you, Elias," Someone says from behind me.

I turn to meet the playful but treacherous eyes of none other than Clara, who winks at Elias before looking at me, "You've dedicated the whole past week to me, and I can't seem to return the lost time back, but what I can do is.." She smiles brightly, "help you prepare for your very first date,"

The need to scorn her for referring to this event as a date dies away the second I notice the light sheen that makes her eyes shine with emotion.

I bite my words back and look at Clara, who begs me with her eyes, and I know with that look and the thought that I almost lost her a week ago, I could do anything she asks of me. So, I do the only thing I know that would cheer her up. I nod.

Her eyes widen, and her whole face lights up, and for a second, I don't regret agreeing.

That's until reality seeps in, and Clara looks at Elias, "When and where is this event being held ?" She asks him.

Elias seems pleased by her reaction, "This weekend, 8:00 PM at my associate's Hotel," He looks at me with a smile, "It's a suit and tie event, in case you need reference to your wardrobe,"

When Elias bids us 'Goodnight' giving Élise a parting peck on her cheek, and placing my thoughts at an inconvenience by telling me he looks forward to this weekend, I do my best at keeping my accusatory eyes for myself and not directing them at Clara.

"Are you mad at me ?" She asks carefully.

I sigh, looking at her, "I'm not mad.. I just.. I don't have anything to wear,"

I deliberately leave out the nuisance about 'the others' to Clara, knowing she's facing enough emotional stress and I shouldn't put her through more.
But it's true, I realise, I have nothing to wear to this event, as I've always been on a budget and soirée dresses weren't on the list of my priorities.

"Then buy something, M" She purses her lips when I shake my head, "You would have attended this event on your own so you would've had to buy something either way"

She's right but, "Élise has nothing to wear,"

I mean I stuffed her wardrobe with everything a baby could need but something to wear on an event.

From her perch on Clara's side bed rods, Élise looks at me the second she hears her name. She waves at me and then brings her palm to her mouth as if to send me a flying kiss, and I can't help the shock that brings a burst of laughter out of me.

"When did she learn how to do that?" I ask Clara, equal parts surprised and proud.

Clara laughs too before leaning over and placing both her palms on the bedside table, "Wait till you see this,"

She begins drumming her palms on the bedside table, singing an unfamiliar nursery rhyme and Élise begins bouncing up and down, bending and unbending her knees, making me throw my head back in laughter.

The rest of the evening goes on the same way, Clara and I chatting, with Élise playing in the background until it's her bedtime.
Clara tells me not to worry about Élise's dress because she was wondering what her Birthday gift would be and figured a dress is the perfect gift.
It's only then that I realise that Élise is two months away from turning 1.

As per expectation, the realisation brings with it a series of disturbing memories and I have to curb the rising emotion as I walk into our bedroom with Élise on my shoulder.
Nearing the bed, I notice a familiar shopping bag on the bed, and as I'm helping a fast asleep Élise settle on the bed, I finally recognise it.

It's the shopping bag Elias brought back with him from the mall in Lyon, and I never got the chance to peek inside it until now.
My curiosity is replaced by shock as I pull out the contents of the bag.

It's a full outfit meant for a 10 to 14 month old, and a tiny, handwritten note. Unfolding the dress makes me gasp as I hold the two pieces outfit out; the baby blue dentelle fitted dress with a chiffon hem is coupled with a beautiful white shrug, the edges of which clipped by a circular diamond brooch in the middle. A matching white satin bow sits proudly at the lower left portion of the dress, right on the demarcation between the dentelle and chiffon materials.

There's a beautiful baby blue fishnet head garment with a bow, an adornment that's the exact same shade as that of the dress, that covers her whole head as if it's a beanie. A pair of beautiful, pearly white Mary Janes meant for a newly walking child glint under even the moon's scarce lighting, the diamond adorned strap winking mischievously.

The next thing that catches my eye, is the tiny note, and as I unfold the piece of paper somewhat eagerly, I have to work to convince my heart from quitting the ridiculous swooning.

Whether it's Élise's notable absence on our trip to L'île Barbe or her permanent lodging in my heart elicited the vision, I'm quite certain I saw Élise in these as I passed by the shop.
But what I find myself secure in my belief about is your irrefutable kindness that won't turn a poor man like myself down when I ask this of you:
Kindly bring Élise to the event in these because as important as this evening is to me and the airline, your (plural) presence poses a greater significance on various levels.

••••

Okay everyone, I don't know what to say but, this past month had been hectic.
We had to deal with two more deaths in the family and I had to go through two tests.
I also had to go around all day, everyday, searching for a good school to put my brother in.

But that doesn't justify my abandoning this book and you guys.
I owe everyone here an apology 🥺♥️
Do you accept it ?
If you do, thanks again for reading (=
Don't forget to tap that little star and watch it magically turn orange ♥️
-Asia