19. Sian
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SIAN
I can't believe Tate. He sneaks into my room at night and makes things uncomfortable, then ignores me for days. I can't explain why it bothers me, but it does. I’m just glad I’ve been able to keep myself busy by helping Mary plan the party for Tate’s father’s eightieth birthday. She’s included me with decision making for the color scheme and food. I like being useful whilst I’m staying here, and it’s stopped me thinking about Tate and what he's been doing.
I’m in the kitchen with Mary, watching and admiring her as she goes over the whole event in great detail with the caterers and waiting staff, when the door behind me opens and Tate appears. He sees what’s going on and flicks his head, indicating for me to head towards him.
As I get closer, he says, “Have you got a second?”
I’m shocked he’s even speaking to me. “Erm, sure.”
He opens the door wider for me to slide past. “Will I be seeing you at the party tonight?” he asks
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’ve been helping out, but I don’t think it would be right for me to-”
“You’ll go,” he says.
“I’m sorry, was that an order?” It’s the first time he’s uttered a word to me in days.
“Yes, No.” I stare into his eyes, waiting for more, wondering if he’s about to ask me to go with him. My nerves bubble below the surface. “My father wants you there.”
I mask my disappointment as my heart drops. “Fine. If your father wants me there, I’ll go.”
He stands straighter. “I had a dress dropped off for you earlier today. It should fit.”
“What if I said no?” I question, crossing my arms over my chest.
“You wouldn’t have.”
“I may have.”
He regards me intently. “At my father’s request to attend?” He arches his brow, the one with the scar, which is clear as day as the sunlight from the roof window shines down on him.
“No,” I admit.
“And if I had asked you to attend with me ?” He broadens his shoulders with confidence. I hate myself for admiring him.
“Are you asking me to go with you?” I bite my lip nervously.
“No.” He answers far too quickly. “Then my answer doesn’t matter.” I turn to walk away, but his firm hand on my arm stops me.
“Humor me.” He shrugs. “If it was me asking?”
“That’s a hard question, Tate. Let me think for a second.” I pout my lips and pretend to think about it. “No.”
He pulls me closer to him. “What if I sweetened the deal?” His nose is so close to mine that if I lift onto my toes just a smidge, my lips could be on his. Would he pull away or kiss me back?
I hate the way my body reacts to him, and this close, it’s impossible to ignore the fire that burns inside for him to touch me.
His eyes drop down to watch as I lick my lips, his cocky smirk in place, like he knows how much of an effect he has on me.
Does he feel it too?
“Invite your friend from the club,” he says, breaking my thoughts.
“Rowan? Why? She has nothing to do with any of this.”
“Stop being so paranoid. These parties can get boring. Trust me, you’ll be glad she’s here. And our little agreement will be kept secret; you have my word.”
“You won’t drag her into it and use her as a way to silence me?” He releases my arm, and his demeanor changes.
“If that was my plan, don’t you think I would have done that by now? I’m offering you a small olive branch, Sian. Take it.” He turns and walks away.
“Wait, what do I tell her? How do I reach her? I don’t have my phone,” I shout as he gets further away.
He waves me off over his shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. Speak to Mary. She’s aware.”
* * *
I feel like I haven’t stopped. For the last couple of hours, I’ve been following Mary around, staying close in case she needed help with anything. I spoke to her when she took a short break. She connected me to Rowan, and I briefly spoke to my best friend. I tried my best not to get too emotional and tell her everything that’s happened to me. I’m lying to her to protect her. I need to keep her out of this, but the thought of seeing her has me risking it for my own selfish reasons.
“Are you feeling better?” she asks.
“Yeah, I’m feeling loads better. So, you’ll come?” I ask, crossing my fingers.
“Of course I’m coming.”
I jump and down with glee. “I’m looking forward to seeing you.”
“And a heads up would have been nice,” she says, catching me off guard.
“About what?”
“Tiny dick.” She chuckles, like that gives me answers. “He woke me at the ass crack of dawn this morning.”
“Why?”
“He dropped off a big box for me and said I may need it for tonight and to wait for your call before I opened it.”
“I’m guessing you opened it as soon as he left, right?” I chuckle.
“Damn straight. For all I knew, it was a prank, and something was going to jump out at me when my back was turned.”
“What was it?”
“Oh, God, Sian. It’s the most beautiful ballgown I’ve ever seen. It’s dark purple and covered in crystal beading on the bust. It’s one-shoulder and has a split up the side that stops mid-thigh. I have black heels and a small clutch bag to go with it.”
It sounds dreamy.
“Wow, that was nice of him. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
The fact that Rick went out of his way and did all that for her surprises me.
“Wait, Rick did all this?” She sounds surprised.
“Well, it wasn’t me.” She’s silent for a long time. “Row, you still there?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Don’t think too much in to it.” Mary waves at me. “Look, I have to go, but I’ll see you soon. How are you getting here?”
“Rick said a driver will pick me up around seven.”
“Okay. See you later, Rowan.”
“Yeah, bye.” She hangs up.
“Sorry to cut your call short, but I was told you have a package waiting for you in your room. I’m almost done here, so why don’t you head up and get ready? Can’t keep the guests waiting.” She ushers me up the grand stairs that have been decorated with black and white rose garlands. The color scheme was my idea, and I was unsure until now, but they look elegant and gorgeous.
“Oh, okay. Will I see you later?” I ask, taking the first step.
“Of course.” She smiles before scurrying off again. She’s always on the move.
I race up the stairs two at a time and run to my room, when I swing the door open, there’s a long box on my bed with three smaller ones alongside it, all topped off with big bows.
I race across the room, full of excitement, I begin tearing off the bow on the bigger box. I gasp when I see what it contains. I slowly take the material out, holding it up.
I run my fingers down the silky red material. It's stunning and in no way would I be able to afford something so magnificent and beautiful. I hang it on the back of the door that leads to the dressing room that's attached to my room. It's a halterneck, tight fitted on the bodice with a flowy skirt. There are slits up both sides that stop mid-thigh. I've never seen something this gorgeous in my life. It's plain, sophisticated, yet it has an element of sexiness to it.
I head back to the bed to investigate what's in the other boxes. One box contains a pair of black heels, another a black clutch, and the final box is small and black. With gentle fingers, I pull the ribbon off and flip the box open. Inside is a delicate silver chain with a huge teardrop-shaped diamond taking centre stage. My hand lifts to my chest as I stare at its beauty that does not belong around my neck. Tears spring to my eyes as I feel overwhelmed.
I gently place the necklace box down back on the bed, noticing a handwritten note. With shaky hands, I pick up the note and begin to read.
Sian,
Regardless of whether you attend the party with me or not, I thought you deserved something special after everything you've been through. I chose a red dress as it's my favourite colour. This gift will finish of your look.
The diamond is pure, just like your soul. Shine bright tonight as you wear it around your neck. I know your light may have dimmed, but fear not. You shine brighter than anyone I've ever known.
Tate
The lump in my throat has me struggling to breathe. Tate's words are the kindest words anyone has ever said to me. Maybe I judged him all wrong. Maybe his heart isn't it as black as his actions make him out to be. Maybe this is a small gesture from him to show that he trusts me with his secrets. I'd like to think so, as the whole time I've been here, regardless of Tate’s attitude towards me sometimes, I’ve felt safe.
Although the gifts are too much, a small part of me wants to wear them to please Tate. With that thought in my mind, I rush to the bathroom and hop in the shower, quickly wash my hair, scrub my body clean, and shave. Once I’m done, I step out and dry myself off.
When I sit at the dresser, I suddenly remember I have no hair products or makeup. My panic is short-lived when I open the drawers on her dresser and find it’s packed full of everything I need and more.
Wow, he really has thought of everything.
I smile to myself as I begin drying my hair. I style my hair in a long, tight ponytail that sits to one side, and I curl the bottom of it. The strands sit over my shoulder and end just past my breast. I keep my makeup light and opt for a bright red lipstick. It is Tate’s favourite color, after all.
Now, for the dress. I pull it from the hanger gently, stepping into it. I pull the zip up the side and tie the thin material around my neck. I slip into my heels and adjust the strap around my ankle so they don’t slip. When I straighten up and look at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror, I’m shocked at the woman staring back at me. Everything fits me seamlessly. Tate was spot on with the sizing. I’ll have to remember to thank him when I see him.
I don’t see the mental scars I’ve been carrying with me, or a dirty, used woman fit for no man. In her place, I see a confident, strong woman, who is capable of so much. I’m slowly starting to feel more like the old me and part of that is down to Tate.
He came into my life so unexpectedly and knew I needed help before I knew it myself. If it wasn’t for him looking for me, regardless of the reasons, I don’t know where I’d be. He became my protector, my saviour. He said he’d keep me safe, and he’s kept his word. It’s time I make sure he knows I’ll keep mine.