𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄

𝟏𝟕

"Is this good?" I asked after letting out a sigh in frustration. I just couldn't get my hair to stick to one place. I have straightened it today but I couldn't keep it to stay down properly as I wanted it.

"Elsie stop worrying about the hair. It looks perfect." Aspen's voice echoed through the speaker of my phone while she was eating chicken noodles and making me hungry as well. Fenix said that we'll have dinner at the party and I just hope the food will be delicious.

Fenix was out with Ian. They went to buy him a toy he saw on internet. Then before we go to the party, we'll drop him off to Bridget's house.

Them being out, gave me at least time to get ready.

The dress I was going to wear today was from Bridget's collection from two thousand and four. She recommended me to wear it after she saw how it looked on me.

It was red and body con. It had many crystal details making out different flower and leaves shapes.

I didn't even know if it was going to be appropriate for the event but she reassured me that it was.

"How are you going to do your makeup?" She asked and brought the phone closer to her face.

"I don't know. Simple. Don't wanna look too glamorous." I said after shrugging my shoulders. The dress was already sparkling and I didn't want my face to be like that as well.

Aspen nodded and continued to eat while I sat on the vanity chair and dug into of the drawers that had my makeup.

My mind wandered over to Sally yet again. She gave me her phone number and I called her yesterday. It has been couple of days since we saw each other.

I invited her to Ian's party but she said that she didn't want to meet him like that in front of many people after so long, which made sense.

She'll see him at the right time.

Aspen talked about work while I started painting my face. I was fairly good at doing it. Since young I loved doing different makeup looks and spent my free time watching tutorials online.

It was therapeutic and relaxing.

For the eyes, I did a simple eyeliner and a light beige eyeshadow. I applied a bit more blush and coloured my lips in a shade that was close to my natural one.

On Aspen's request, I applied some fake, natural-looking lashes. They did made my eyes look better.

"If Fenix doesn't lose his mind when he sees you, I will because of you two. You still haven't kissed that man. Shame. Such a shame." She tusked and shook her head. I chuckled and finished up with the makeup.

"He really has a lot of self control." She continued to talk about me and Fenix and started yet again making all kinds of plans.

"Wait you're not gonna wear bra with the dress right?" The dress already had built in pads so there was no need for me to wear one, so I shook my head.

She clasped her hands. "Perfect. When you get back and have to take it off, say that you need his help."

"Aspen I can't just do that."

"Why not? He's your husband isn't he?"

"Fake husband. Fake."

"I'm gonna slap that word out of your vocabulary if you say it one more time." She really was something else and I loved annoying her.

"Okay, let me take the dress and I'll put it on." I said and hurried to the closet. The dress was on a hanger on my side and I'm pretty sure Fenix hasn't seen it yet.

I took off the tank top and the shorts I had on. Then the next thing I took off, was the sports bra.

I changed my underwear as well and wore beige ones that had no stitch lines on the side.

After that, I slid into the dress and fixed the straps. I turned to the mirror and admire the beautiful gown Bridget has created. It perfectly fitted my figure.

The shoes I was going to wear were on the floor, next to the mirror. They were red short heels with a tiny heart shaped with diamonds.

When I was happy with how everything looked, I exited the closet and went to the vanity where the phone was. I stepped front of it and did a spin for Aspen to see the whole outfit.

She gasped and then whistled.

"Let me take a screenshot." She said and I posed while laughing as she took couple of pictures of the screen.

Aspen acted like I was some celebrity she had opportunity to have a call with.

The outfit really looked good. When Bridget suggested I wear the red dress, I was little sceptical because of my hair being dark red as well but seeing myself now, I looked good.

I heard the entrance door being open and Fenix's Ian's voice filled the hallways.

"Aspen I have to go. Fenix and Ian are here. Thank you for your help." I blowed a kiss and so did she. We said goodbye and hung up.

I threw the phone on the bed and felt the nervousness start to build up in my chest.

The sounds of their voices started to get closer and I walked towards the door. I got out of the room and saw Fenix and Ian made their way up the stairs.

When Ian noticed I was waiting for them, he ran up to me and lifted his hands that were holding a box with a toy.

"Look. We found it." He said and grinned at me. I ran my hand through his hair. Then he looked at my dress and his eyes widened while his lips parted.

"Eli you look like a princess." I chuckled at his comment and thanked him. He then turned to Fenix and pointed at me while saying I look like a princess yet again.

I just realised that Fenix was standing there as well.

He had his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks and his eyes were pointed at my outfit. They went from my neckline to the bottom of the dress and then up again.

The make up probably covered a bit of the blush that painted my face. Well, I hope it did.

Fenix cleared his throat and his gaze finally found mine. I felt like a doe caught in its prey sight.

"You look beautiful." I let out a sigh as soon as he said the words. Like the stupid person I was, I just started at him, lips parted and eyes slightly wide.

Say something Elsie!

"Um... thank you." I blurted out and fisted my hands.

Fenix looked down at Ian and smiled at him. "She does look like a princess."

Maybe I didn't like compliments as much as I thought because I was the worst at reacting to them.

Especially when they were from a person I like. And yes I liked Fenix. A lot.

Who wouldn't?

He was smart, hardworking, patient, respectful, he was really good with kids and he was really, really beautiful. In a way that it was hard for me to keep my eyes to myself.

How could I not like him? He has been nothing but nice to me this whole time. Yes our "relationship" didn't start in a traditional way but Fenix redeemed himself the moment I set my foot into this house.

"I'll take a quick shower and then get ready." Fenix said and after I nodded, he walked past me and grazed his fingers over mine in the process.

My breath hitched but I was soon brought back to reality when Ian took my hand and lead me to his room.

We packed his things in a bag if he needed to change his clothes. He will probably run and play around their house so I wanted him to have extra clothes just in case.

He was really excited to visit them because Cillian had a whole car collection in his garage. He loves watching them and observing everything about them.

After we took everything, we exited his room and went downstairs where we waited for Fenix.

????°

To say that the party was glamorous was understatement.

This felt like a whole met gala.

I was definitely not overdressed and I was thankful for that. People were walking in and out of the event and as soon as we stepped in, my jaw dropped.

This was beautiful.

Big crystal chandeliers were hanging from the tall ceiling. Soft music filled the room but it was overshadowed by the chattings of the guests.

Fenix's palm connected with mine and I followed his lead.

Many people came by and said hello to Fenix. I politely smiled at them and introduced myself. I tried my best to calm my anxiety. Holding Fenix's hand helped a lot.

He wasn't letting go of me and I was thankful fir that.

He occasionally looked down at me to make sure I was fine. His hand let go of me and went over my waist. With that, I was tightly holding the bottom of his suit jacket.

Fenix was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath. He had no tie but the colour of the little detail in his pocket, matched my dress.

His hair was like always lazily pushed back, making him look dreamily beautiful.

"Fenix! We finally meet man. It has been years." A man spoke while I was looking around and I turned to the voice.

They shook hands and my eyes went to the man's wife. She was heavily pregnant and the dress she had on made her belly look adorable. She fanned her face while smiling.

"It's really hot in here." She explained her hand . "I'm Evangelina. Nice to meet you." I extended my hand as well and our palms connected.

She had a beautiful dark hard hair that fell down her back and her nose and cheeks were covered in freckles. The dress she had on was in a royal blue colour and clung to her figure.

Her husband greeted me as well. His name was Asahi.

They both looked beautiful together and it was evident that her husband was head over heels for her. He carefully held her by the waist while he talked with Fenix.

"Do you know the gender?" I asked her, trying to make a conversation. Her eyes sparkled with joy at my question.

"It's a girl. I can't wait to have her in my arms." Her palm caressed her belly. My heart warmed. She looked so happy.

I always imagined when I would have kids on my own. I had Ian but I wanted to have more babies.

Butterflies stirred in my stomach at the thought of being pregnant. It was my dream to have my own family together with Ian.

I tilted my head and looked at Fenix for a second. He would make a great father one day. I wonder if he'll find someone he'll truly fall in love with.

I just hope my crush won't ruin me after we part ways. It will be hard to bear it but there was no other way.

Fenix and I were going to divorce in couple of months and everything will be over.