Chapter 6
The engagement party was just days away and I had never felt so on edge. The stress from the engagement dinner was one thing, but a whole engagement party? There were going to be so many guests and people from the media for this high-class event. I was not used to things like this. My father's company was successful, but our family was hardly in the media. The Ashford's however, were very familiar with the limelight.
I never really paid attention to them because I simply didn't care, but the media certainly had. Ashford Industries produces and distributes power generation products, filtration, and engines. They work and trade with a lot of big-name companies like Samsung and Toyota, making them very successful. The Ashford's spent a lot of time in the public eye thanks to the growing success of their company.
My father's company focused on producing specialty products for different engineering companies, which was still successful, just not as known. Growing up we didn't have to attend several events and my father wasn't required to make many public appearances. But Oscar Ashford was, and his son did the same as he grew up.
So the idea of this huge engagement party with lots of people and lots of press was normal for Julius, but not me.
I was freaking out.
I tapped on my desk with my pen nervously as I tried to do my work for the day. A knock on my door snaps me out of my trance as I look over at the glass door. Sheila appeared with files in her hands as I motioned for her to come in.
"I have these for you to sign." She says as she lays them on my desk. I nod at her, giving her a quick thank you before turning back to the computer screen. "Are you okay?" She asks.
I nod again not taking my eyes off the computer, "Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?"
"You've seemed really on edge lately. Is this about the party? I heard about it online." I sigh, finally putting the pen down and looking up at her. "I'm just nervous about the press. I'm not used to being in the limelight. If I say or do the wrong thing they could twist my words and make my life hell."
Sheila chuckles, "Then don't say anything. It's your party, give them a few good pictures and that's it."
I smile, "Maybe you're right. I mean I don't have to talk, just look good."
She nods, "Exactly, so find an amazing dress and blow them away." I look up at her, "Did you get an invite Sheila? I wasn't in charge for once so I don't know who did."
She shakes her head, "I didn't expect to, it seems so high class."
"Don't be silly, I want you there. That's if you want to come of course?" I ask her.
She smiles, "Okay I'd love to."
"Great, I'll get you in."
The workday continued to go on and I felt a bit better about the party. After work, my mom had scheduled a fitting with one of her favorite stylists to find me a dress for the party. We arrived at the boutique about an hour after I had gotten home from work.
"Lisa! Darling!" The stylist calls out with a light French accent as we enter the room. "Marcelle!" My mother calls back. They hug and air kiss before his attention turns to me. "And you must be the fabulous Stella!" He runs over to me before surveying my appearance with his eyes. "Spin darling." He requests. I quirk my brow but do as told and spin for the energetic man.
He smiles as he looks at me, "You my darling are fabulous! You must get it from your mother." My mother blushes from behind him, "Oh stop Marcelle!"
I chuckle, "Thank you."
He nods before strutting away and bringing out a rack of dresses. "These are my finest, just for you!" He says bringing me closer to it. "Try them all on!" He encourages excitedly.
I nod, assuring him that I'll try them on. My mother and I look through the rack and pick out the dresses that would be most appropriate for the occasion before I head to the fitting room to try it on. I put on almost 10 dresses, but none of them had seemed right. Until I tried on the white half-sleeved v neck dress. It was unique, made of fine material, and looked absolutely gorgeous on my body.
"You make the dress look better than when I had first created it." Marcelle says from behind me as I look at the mirror. My mom comes in from the other side and gasps. "You look incredible sweetie!" I smile, yes I do.
After finally deciding on a dress my mother and I decided to go out for dinner since dad would be home late. We arrive at a small Italian restaurant near the boutique to eat at. We are taken to our seats almost immediately and given menus.
"Are you excited about Saturday?" My mother asks as she looks over the menu. "What's there to be excited about? It's not like it's the wedding." I say with a shrug. She chuckles, "I know but it's your first public appearance with Julius, isn't that exciting?"
I shrug again, "It's more nerve-wracking than exciting."
She continues to look through her menu, "You have nothing to be nervous about. You'll do just fine, especially with him on your side." She puts down her menu, "I never told you this, but I was arranged to be married to your father. So I know how you feel Stella."
My eyes widen, "You were? And you didn't try to get out of it?" I ask. She shakes her head, "I actually liked your father, we clicked very well. That's why I'm so happy to see you getting along with Julius. I can see by the way he looks at you that he's smitten already." I internally gag. Julius wasn't smitten, horny maybe, but not smitten.
I smile at her, "Well we can only hope that my marriage works out well like yours." She nods in agreement.
When we finally get home, I place my beautiful new dress into my closet and get ready for bed. When I'm just about done a text notification appears on my phone.
J: I'm outside.
My eyes widen, he's what? I grab my robe and slide on my slippers before going downstairs. I open the front door and there he is, leaning against the doorway.
I frown at him before stepping out and shutting the door behind me. "What are you doing here?" I ask irritatedly. It was almost 10 o'clock at night and I like getting my full night's rest.
"I got you something and I wanted to give it to you before the party." He says as he pulls out a long velvet box.
"This couldn't have waited till morning?" I ask.
He shakes his head, "We both know you wouldn't have answered my calls. Plus I was in the area." He opens up the box to reveal a diamond tennis bracelet. My eyes widen, "What is this for?" I ask.
He shrugs as he takes it out of the box, "I saw it and thought you should have it. Think of it as an I'm sorry gift for what happened the other night." He places the bracelet on my wrist, securing the clasp.
The diamonds shine in the moonlight beautifully against my dark skin. "You didn't have to get me this." I say looking up at him.
"I know but I wanted to, I don't want us to be at each other's throats anymore. So think of this as a peace offering."
I chuckle, "Okay, I'll forgive you for now." He smiles down at me as I admire the bracelet. I look up at him, causing our eyes to meet. His gaze was so apparent, even under the moonlight. Suddenly the sound of a camera can be heard and a bright flash interrupts us from the window behind me. I look over to see my mom holding her cell phone up to the window for a photo. "Oops! Flash was on, sorry." She says as she opens the door.
"Julius sweetie how are you?" She asks as she steps out of the house. He chuckles, "I'm good Mrs. Harris. How are you?"
"Mom, why were you taking our picture?" I ask.
She giggles, "I noticed you two out here when I came down for some water and you looked so in love so I had to take a picture!" She pulls out her phone, "But the flash against the window messed it up."
She looks down at my wrist, "Oh my goodness this will look stunning with your dress!" She exclaims. My mother turns to Julius, "You have wonderful taste! Why don't you two smile and let me get a quick picture?"
"Mom-"
"You'll thank me later now smile." She says pushing us together. Julius chuckles as he wraps an arm around my waist pulling me to him. "Show off the bracelet to the camera Stella." My mother instructs.
I raise my arm up to his chest, showing the bracelet off as Julius held me close to him. I felt disgustingly comfortable as the two of us posed for several shots. My mom gushes, "Absolutely adorable, I'll send them to you Stella. I'll let you two finish up out here." She re-enters the house and shuts the door behind us.
I sigh as I pull away from Julius but he keeps his arms around my waist. "You can let go now." I tell him.
He chuckles as he lets go, "Right of course."
"So I guess I'll see you Saturday."
"Most definitely." He says with a nod.
I smile lightly, "Good night then."
"Good night Stella."
I walk into the house as he walks away from the front door. I was tempted to look behind me but didn't and instead headed up the stairs to my bedroom.
I put my phone on the charger and noticed a picture message from my mom. I opened it up to see the picture of Julius and I that she had just taken. I smiled at it, Julius was still in his work clothes while I was wearing my red silk robe and silk scarf on the front of my head, showing off the diamond bracelet.
I chuckled as I sent the picture to Julius. A few minutes later he replied.
J: new wallpaper ;)
I rolled my eyes playfully.
S: lmao good night
J: good night Stella
I got into bed and instantly fell asleep.
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Hi everyone! Thank you for reading my story. I'm going to start updating every Wednesday starting from today. Thank you and feel free to comment as well as vote! And check out my other stories too!
- AuggiePooh_