, shocked by my own words. "Hmm," he said,

myself. "Give me tulips, a bouque

eyed. "What?" I

e tulips," his tone impl

ill perplexed. "Fine, I'll

He walked away to answer it, le

an entered the shop. "I'm Mr. Blackwood's assistant.

armth. I handed him the flowers, wondering why R

until my shift ended. Miss Rina approached me, smiling. "Tha

okay. It's part of my job.

d handed me a white

lope, then at her. "W

hly bonus,"

prise. "But it's not th

been watching you take extra shifts, and I know you want to pay for your m

welling up in my eyes. "Thank you so much.

ted my back. "Don't worry

of hope. I thanked Mrs Rina again and rushed to the

really can't come," I said, s

ed with a pleading expression. "Come on, A

use I have bills to pay, un

ys my bills. But I need a plus one for the event today. Please

day party. His millionaire status still baffled me, especially considering he let

g in. "Fine, but

ing off the bed. "Yes

et. Maya grabbed a pink dress and I raised an eyebro

a replied, exam

s just go to the thrift shop," I

Fashion designers will be there, and if you show up in a fake dress, they'll notic

e off. "But nothing, Ash. I'm not taking you

ntly, knowing May

atin spaghetti strap dress. "C'm

e gown, the satin fabric hugged my curves, and the vibrant red color made

and Maya's eyes widened in awe. "Wo

a flutter of excite

ag, and my enthusiasm faltered. "Th

ern. "Not another word, Ash,

e with Maya when she was in "treat-me-

d to complete my transformation. "Now, i

d makeup artist with a warm smile. "Mich

artwork on her." She spoke as if I were a blank ca

, her skilled hands moved deftly, brushes dancing across my face as s

person staring back at me. The vibrant red dress hugg

t my mind kept drifting back to R