10. Ellie
Ipace back and forth in my hotel room a few days later, feeling more confused than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Nothing could have prepared me for the conversation I had with Cedrick. Two days have gone by, and my mind is still reeling.
I did decide to cancel my doctor’s appointment today, though.
“Is everything alright, Dr. Lawson?”
“Oh, yes. Perfectly good. I just might delay slightly.” Or change the method.
This is a huge decision, one that I can never take back once certain things are set in motion. A huge part of me is screaming, telling me that this is the right thing to do. But another part of me still isn’t sure.
Hours go by and still, I can’t decide. Instead of forcing myself to keep dwelling on it, I decide to just go to bed. Maybe a good night”s sleep will give me the clarity I need.
But as soon as my head hits the pillow, I know that I won’t be able to fall asleep. I can’t even make myself close my eyes.
After a while, I give up. I slide out of the bed and plop myself down on the desk chair near the window.
I stare out at the night sky, begging my mind to give me an answer, but it never comes. Instead, I watch the sky slowly go from pitch black to light orange as the sun rises. I catch sight of the palace illuminated by the dawn.
“I can’t stay in this room anymore.”
Without thinking, I grab my jacket and slip on my shoes. I fling the door open and practically run down the hall to the elevator.
As soon as I open the lobby door and step outside, the fresh air hits me in the face. I breathe it in, a small smile spreading across my face.
Around me, people are already starting their day. Going to work, running errands, walking their dogs.
With each step I take, I can practically feel the pressure in my chest lifting. By the time I’m three blocks away, I know exactly what I need to do.
Cedrick and I both want the same thing. Why would I pass that up? He’s a good man, and something tells me that I can trust him. So why choose a stranger over him?
All signs are obviously pointing to Cedrick. I’ve just been ignoring them because I’m scared. Scared that it’s all too good to be true. Scared of regret, the one feeling that all humans do their very best to avoid.
But what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t take the occasional risk? What would I be teaching my future child? I want to be a good role model for them, and running away from the things that scare me is not the way to do that.
I turn around and head back to the hotel, feeling determined. Once back in my room, I dig through my purse for the napkin that Cedrick gave me. When I find it, I type his number into my phone and press the call button.
As I wait for it to ring, I feel increasingly nervous.
“Hello?”
“Hi! Um, Cedrick? It’s Ellie.”
“Ellie, hi. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. How are you this morning?”
“Yeah, I didn’t really expect to call this soon, either. Listen, I’ve made a decision.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah… Would you maybe want to meet for coffee soon? I’d like to discuss things and then sign the contract.”
Cedrick chuckles on the other end, and I feel my face heating up. God, I hate being so vulnerable like this. His deep voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Why don’t we meet for dinner instead? That way I have some time to gather what I need. I’d also love to sit down and have a nice meal with you. Just because this marriage will be one of convenience, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it as well.”
I clear my throat, trying to not read too much into that.
“Sure, dinner sounds great.”
“Perfect, I’ll text you the details.”
“Okay!”
“I’ll see you later, Ellie.”
After saying goodbye, I hang up. I stare out the window, biting my lip. As my teeth drag across my bottom lip, a wave of anticipation washes over me. I’m actually looking forward to this dinner. Something about it feels really good, like this is the right direction for me. Like this is the path I’m meant to take.
Once Cedrick texts me with a time that I should be ready by, I set an alarm on my phone and finally allow myself to lay down for some much needed sleep. I need to be of sound mind to sign this contract, and going over twenty-four hours without sleep is not going to give me that.
A knockon the door interrupts me. I’ve been rifling through my suitcase for twenty minutes now, trying to find something suitable to wear. It’s not that I don’t have many options, I do. It’s just that none of them seems to be good enough for me right now.
“Coming!” I shout.
I have no idea who could be at the door, I didn’t order room service or anything. Whoever it is, I hope they’re quick because I’m running out of time to get ready.
I open the door to see three women, all dressed to perfection and holding multiple bags and plastic cases.
“Um, can I help you?” I ask.
“Are you Ellie Lawson?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Well then we’re here for you, by order of Prince Vanecourt.”
“Oh.”
I can’t think of anything else to say. I’m completely shocked and confused. Why would he send these girls here for me?
“May we come in?”
“Sorry, yes you can,” I say, stepping aside.
Once they’re all in, they waste no time setting up. They begin opening their cases and emptying their bags all over the desk and bed.
“So what are you here for?” I ask.
“We’re here to help you get ready for your dinner tonight. We”ve been hired to do your hair and makeup as well as styling you.”
My mouth drops open as I scan the contents of their bags. There are multiple outfits, not to mention makeup. Lots of makeup.
This day really could not get any weirder. Why would he do this? I thought this was just supposed to be a normal dinner for us to sign some papers. Not… whatever this is.
I let the women primp me, all the while checking myself out in the mirror to make sure they aren’t going too overboard. I”m a little nervous since not everyone knows the best way to apply makeup on a Black girl. Thankfully, they’re very good at their jobs, and by the time they’re done, I’m thoroughly impressed.
“So you guys really won’t tell me what this is all about?” I ask for about the millionth time.
One of the women shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. After handing me a purse to go with the outfit they put me in, they pack up their things and leave the room, leaving me all alone with my nerves.
I glance in the mirror, smoothing my hands over the dark green silk dress they put me in. It’s tight, showing off practically every curve. It’s certainly not what I expected to be wearing tonight.
My hair is perfect, my curls framing my face in a way that makes me envious of their skills. Thankfully, they kept my makeup minimal. Some mascara, a red lip, and not much else.
For the second time today, I hear a knock at my door. I look at my phone, seeing that it’s already six o’clock, the time we agreed I’d be ready at. My breath catches in my throat, but I roll my shoulders back and stride towards the door, forcing myself to feel confidence instead of nervousness.
But when I open the door, all of that disappears. The sight of Cedrick standing there makes it hard for me to speak. He looks so handsome in his suit, the navy-blue color of it making his deep blue eyes stand out even more.
“Wow, you look stunning.”
I’m tongue tied. I’ve completely forgotten how to even speak. A small voice in the back of my head is telling me to speak up, to compliment him back, but I simply can’t do it. It’s like I’m stuck in place.
What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m a grown woman, not some teenager facing a high school crush. And yet, I feel as if my heart is going to explode.
“Ellie?”
I force myself to swallow before opening my mouth. Something comes out of it, but I don’t even hear it. Instead, I watch the way his eyes sparkle from the overhead lights reflecting in them.
Cedrick chuckles, breaking me out of my stupor.
“Yes, I’m ready,” he says. “Are you?”
I nod, giving him my best smile.
“Well, then let’s head downstairs. I have a car waiting to take us to the restaurant.”
I close the hotel room door behind me before following him down the hall.
As we walk, I realize that this is the closest I’ve ever come to butterflies over a boy. When I was a teenager, I never really got to experience that. I was too focused on other things.
Figures, it would happen now, at a time when I’m supposed to be mature and make adult decisions. How the hell am I going to sit across from this man and think about the contract, when all I can focus on is how gorgeous he is?
“So what exactly is going on?” I ask once I’ve calmed down a bit. We reach the elevator and step inside, where he presses the button for the lobby.
“What do you mean? We’re going to dinner.”
“Yes, but what’s with the stylists and the makeup artists? Is this a date or something?”
Cedrick shrugs, flashing me a grin.
“Does it matter? I figured why not have a little fun with this? Why not put on a show?”
Once we reach the lobby, he takes my hand and leads me outside and to the car. He opens the door and gestures for me to get in.
As we drive off, I feel both intrigued and bewildered. This is the exact opposite of how I thought the night would go. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t secretly enjoying it. Or dying to know what”s coming.