LOVE'S LANGUAGE - 3.13
Skylar
“I can’t wait for the gala. The dress I bought is beautiful,” Misty said, then did a chef kiss.
I rolled my eyes as I remembered I had to attend the gala with Danilo. “I have to pick my dress up from the seamstress after I leave here.”
Ari held up her phone for me and Misty to see her black sweetheart ball gown. “I’m getting my nails done once I leave here.”
“I’m going to have the baddest dates there,” Misty stated.
I laughed. “Actually, I’m going with Danilo.”
They both gasped making me roll my eyes.
“You finally stopped faking on his fine ass,” Misty said, smiling proudly.
Misty had been crushing on Danilo since she met him. Her flirting with him was funny since he never took the bait. “It was only a matter of time. Who would live across the hall from a man as fine as him and not make a move,” she continued.
“Mis, it’s not like that at all. Daddy asked us to go together. He claimed it would help Danilo get more donations and maybe encourage me to get involved with the foundation.”
She twisted her mouth, then waved her hand. “Yeah, yeah. You mean to tell me you don’t find him the least bit attractive?”
Tilting my head, I thought about his appearance. Truth be told, I never looked at him that way. If I looked at him past his annoyingly handsome smile, he had the most beautiful molasses colored skin. More recently, he grew out his beard and mustache. In the past, he kept it cut off. I noticed it a few months ago, but never spoke on it. His slanted, dark brown eyes were always filled with wonder and curiosity. The look in his eyes were intriguing, and I found myself wondering about the many thoughts that occupied his mind. But my disdain for his presence wouldn’t allow me to ask.
“He’s okay,” I said after a moment. A smile covered my face as I fought to keep from laughing. Stirring my straw in my lemonade, I rolled my eyes. For years, they’d been trying to get me to see Danilo the way they did. He was fine, but I wouldn’t give the satisfaction of being right.
Ari rolled her eyes. “Skylar, be real for once. He’s fine as hell. I know he’s your nemesis and all but you’re not blind.”
“Anyway,” I said slightly annoyed with this topic.
Misty happily took over the conversation as she talked about her latest influencer offer. I listened intently, truly fascinated that she got paid to review makeup and clothing. An hour later, we were hugging and heading our separate ways. As I left the seamstress with my gown for Saturday, I was mentally preparing myself for the long weekend ahead.
Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and my parents invited all of Daddy’s staff. Luiz single-handedly prepared a four-course meal for fifty people. Since they hired him, I spent my Thanksgiving eve under him watching him cook. He even let me help sometimes. Generally, I wasn’t ever excited about the holidays. My family wasn’t like the Hallmark movies I watched. Everyone did their own thing.
My parents had their own traditions that didn’t include me. At midnight, they’d open a gift together in their room and the next day, they’d give me my gift. We ate brunch, then they would do charity work, have dinner together, and then leave for their anniversary trip. So, I brought in the new year alone.
When I arrived home, my first stop was my room to hang my gown. It was gorgeous and fit me like a glove. Standing in the foyer on the phone, Danilo offered me a half-smile with a nod. I tore my gaze from him as the conversation with my friends came to mind. Without acknowledging him, I ran upstairs.
“Sky.” His timbre echoed in the silent foyer.
“Yes?” I asked, my voice meek.
He stalked up the stairs to me. Once he reached the top step, he reached for my dress.
“This what you’re wearing to the gala?”
I nodded as I unzipped the bag. He reached inside and pulled it out for a better look. His hands ran over the silky material as his eyebrows drew together.
“You hate it?” I hated that I even cared about what he thought of my dress. Before my daddy decided he wanted us to go to the gala together, I’d picked the dress out. It was rare that I attempted to look nice for these events, but after seeing this dress in vogue, it was an easy decision.
Danilo shook his head but seeing his eyebrows furrowed concerned me. “It’s nice. I was just worried my bowtie wouldn’t match. That’s all.”
“Even if it didn’t, this isn’t a real date. We’re just doing this to appease Daddy.” I shrugged.
He ran his hand down the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just want everything to be perfect.”
“You’ll be fine,” I told him while patting his shoulder. “If Daddy didn’t think you could pull this off, he wouldn’t have vouched for you to get this job.”
He stared at me through pensive eyes that made me wonder what he was thinking about. My pulse could be felt in my ears as warmth covered me. The sound of his phone ringing stole his attention and gave me the out I needed to continue to my room. He trotted back down the steps his voice trailing off, as I padded down the hall.
Once I was inside my room, I pulled my dress from its bag and smiled. Pressing the silky gown against my chest, I spun around my room. Part of me was excited to be seen in such a beautiful dress, the other part reminded me who I would spend my night with and I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll make the best out of this arrangement,” I mused as I continued to spin around with my dress.