Chapter 106
Freya
I send Ethan Maddie’s address, and a few hours later, there’s a knock at the door. My heart races as I go to answer it, half expecting to see Ethan himself standing there. Instead, it’s a delivery man holding a large white box tied with a black ribbon.
“Delivery for Freya Smith,” he says, handing me the box.
“Thank you,” I murmur, taking it from him.
I close the door and head into Maddie’s living room with the box, where both sisters are waiting with bated breaths.
“Well? Open it!” Maddie says, practically bouncing in her seat.
I work the ribbon loose with shaking fingers and lift the lid. Inside, nestled between layers of tissue paper, lies the most exquisite dress I’ve ever seen: deep emerald green, the color of Ethan’s eyes, delicately beaded across the neck and hem.
Oh my god.
How much did this thing cost?!
The fabric feels ridiculously soft and expensive beneath my fingers. Wearing this, I think, you’d probably feel like you were wearing your casuals, even though it looks fit for royalty.
“Oh my god,” Eva breathes. “It’s gorgeous.”
I lift the dress out of the box and almost pass out when I REALLY see just how gorgeous it is.
“I can’t wear this,” I breathe. “This dress was made for rich people. I’m going to tarnish it! I’ve probably already destroyed it by touching it!”
Nah, don’t be silly, Eva says with a wave of her hand. That dress was made for you, and guess what? I’m doing your makeup tonight… We should probably start already with your hair. Do you wanna wear it straight, or should we keep this wild style you have going on?
Maddie scratches her chin as though believing she has the wise beard of a wizard. “It kind of suits her, though. The wild red hair reminds me of fire and flames and also of Merida from Brave. I like it.”
“Then, should I just brush through it?” Eva asks, completely ignoring the fact I can speak for myself.
“Hmm…I don’t know,” Maddie tilts her head as if that would somehow help her eyesight. “Maybe you should give it a shine treatment?”
Eva beams. “Excellent idea!”
She stands up and drags me inside the bathroom. Maddie brings me a chair, and then Eva starts working on my hair while Maddie starts searching for fake nails.
“We are going to make you look perfect,” Eva plucks at my hair with gentle fingers. “You’re okay with us fixing you, right?”
“Oh, that’s a good point,” Maddie stands up and gives me a worried smile. “This is okay, right? If you’re not okay with this, you got to tell us since you’re the most beautiful when you feel pretty, and if you don’t trust us…well…”
I’ve never been one for heavy makeup, but I want Ethan to go “Wow!” when he sees me.
“It’s ok,” I say with a little smile. “I trust you both. Make me beautiful.”
Eva beams and starts working on my hair while Maddie begins laying out makeup. For the next couple of hours, I’m poked, prodded, and pampered. Eva works magic on my unruly curls, taming them into soft waves that cascade down my back. Maddie applies makeup with expert precision, emphasizing my eyes and giving my lips a subtle shine,
And when they’re finally done, I barely recognize the girl staring back at me from the mirror: my hair gleaming, a deep, rich red like polished copper, my eyes huge and luminous, my skin glowing.
LAm Beautiful
“Oh my god,” I breathe,
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Chapter 106
“You look amazing,” Maddie says, beaming with pride.
Eva nods along in agreement. “Ethan won’t know what hit him.”
1 stand there for a long time, just admiring their handiwork, before my phone pings with a new message.
Ethan: Ready to be picked up?
This may sound so corny, but I can feel my heart racing as I read the text from Ethan. I feel young again; it’s like the most popular guy in school is about to pick me up for prom. Gosh, I’m so nervous, and those nerves make me question whether I am truly ready.
Again, I look at myself in the mirror–what a different sight from what I’m used to seeing.
“Well?” Maddie prompts. “What did Mr. Billionaire say?”
I swallow hard. “He’s asking if I’m ready to be picked up.”
Eva claps her hands excitedly. “Oh, this is so romantic! Like a real Cinderella story.”
“Minus the evil stepmother and pumpkin carriage,” Maddie adds with a grin.
Tit
It feels like a whole flock of birds is chirping inside my chest–there are just so many flutters!
“I guess I should tell him I’m ready?”
Both sisters nod in enthusiasm.
I am shaking with anticipation as I type out a response with trembling fingers:
Me: Yes, I’m ready.
Ethan responds almost immediately:
Ethan: Great. I’ll be there in 10 minutes. Can’t wait to see you, lioness.
I flash the sisters his response, and they turn into two squealing girls.
“Lioness?” Eva repeats, grinning. “He’s already got a pet name for you? That’s adorable!”
I redden at Eva’s remark at the mention of the pet name. “It’s not. I mean, we’re not…you know…it means nothing…”
annoying her for attempting to downplay the
“Oh hush! It totally means something!” Maddie says, though her eyes are rolling like she thinks I am annoyi nickname. “Just enjoy it. Now, let’s get you into that gorgeous dress!”
I slip into the emerald gown with their help. It fits well, amplifying my curves in a proper way. The fabric is a dream against my skin.
“You look stunning.” Eva says, her eyes a little misty. “Truly.”
Maddie grins. “Ethan is one lucky guy.”
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. My heart catapults to my throat.
“He’s here!” Maddie whispers excitedly.
“Go get him, tiger,” Eva says with a wink. “Or should I say, lioness?”
“Shut up.“1 grumble, praying to the gods. Ethan didn’t hear them teasing me with the nickname
le came up with…
I go to the door with the same flock of fluttering birds in my stomach, open it, and there stands Ethan, dashing in a tailored black suit. His eyes widen as he takes me in, and for a moment, he seems speechless.
“Freya,” he finally says, breathing. “You look…incredible,”
I suddenly feel shy, my cheeks red. “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”
Ethan’s lips curve into that smirk that is so heart–flutteringly familiar. “Why, thank you, lioness. Shall we?” He extends his arm toward me.
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Chapter 106
I take it, trying to disregard how great he smells and how hard his bicep feels under my hand. “Where am I going?” I ask as I turn to shut the door behind me, also blocking out the sisters, who gasp in shock. They are probably talking about Ethan behind the door…
“It’s a surprise, really,” Ethan says. “But I’m quite sure you’re going to like it.”
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