8 Will's Revenge

The gown she brings out is a sleeveless trumpet style. Starting from above the knees flowing to the floor are cerulean feathers. The sheer nude fabric and feathers are covered in rhinestones in varying shades of blue, trailing into a sweetheart neckline and leaving it backless. The overall effect leaves it looking as if it were flowing water. This isn't just a dress, this is a piece of art. Walking out of the room and to the platform with mirrors. The effect of the dress takes my breath away. Beaming, I turn to Dillon.

"Well?"

"It looks like it was made for you."

"I think this is the one."

We're able to pick a pair of shoes and earrings that match perfectly. Once we make our purchases, we go to his house to get ready. The stylists show up soon after. As they whisk me off to another room, Dillon gives me a wink. After being sat down in a chair, I'm asked if I have any special requests before the team starts. They're the experts so I let them make all the decisions.

"We'll take her long brown hair and put it in an updo to show off her slim neckline. Keep her makeup natural. Add just enough to make the gold flecks in her brown eyes pop."

After a few hours of primping, I'm finally ready. Walking out, I see Dillon with his back to me.

"Sorry for the wait."

Turning around when he hears my voice he flashes a boyish grin. He's wearing a navy tuxedo with a black bowtie.

"Astra, you're breathtaking."

"You look quite dashing yourself."

"And to think I'm lucky enough to have all your dances tonight!"

"What makes you think you'll get all of them?"

He gives me puppy dog eyes and I just can't resist. He's so adorable.

"Alright, I'll give you my first dance but you'll have to compete for the rest of them."

"Fair enough. Shall we?" He asks while offering his arm.

After stepping into the limo, I suddenly think of something.

"Hey Dillon, why did you ask me to be your date tonight?"

"Well, to be honest I was planning on flying solo but we got along so well I just asked you on impulse."

"But how do you know that I don't have any bad intentions towards you?"

"You did pass all the background checks that Callista put you through."

Satisfied with the answer, I give him a nod. We talk about the past gala's he's attended and the yearly antics he's gotten into. As he's telling me about the year he went undercover as a bartender we arrive ... Seeing all the supermodels and flashing lights, I feel a little nervous. Stepping out of the car Dillon, holds out his hand for me to take.

"You ready?"

We need to see more pear shaped girls on the red carpet anyways. Putting on my best smile, I take his hand.

"Let's do this."

Walking down the red carpet together the reporters roar with questions.

"Dillon is this your new girlfriend?"

"What's your name?"

"Who are you wearing?"

We spend some time taking pictures together and seperate, and answering a few questions. The reporters try to get us to admit we're dating but we both dance around the question and just answer "No comment." After about an hour we finally head into the gala.

"I never knew a red carpet could be so tiring."

"I'd know I've been doing it for 11 years."

"But never in heels."

"That's an excellent idea!"

"I pity your agent."

A group of people converge to speak to Dillon as well as get the gossip on who I am. Not all the girls are friendly with me at first thinking I'm some sort of competition. I neither confirm or deny in case he needs to use me as a buffer against someone. As we're laughing at one of Dillon's stories, I see the posh woman from yesterday.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"

"Astra, allow me to introduce you to Anastasia Callista. The founder of Callista Talent. Ms. Callista, meet Astra Cyrene. She was just recently hired as Will's new assistant."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am."

"Welcome to the Callista family, Astra."

"Thank you. I feel honored to work for such a prestigious agency."

"Dillon, I better not see any antics from you tonight."

He pouts when she says this.

"I would never."

"Hmm. I recall you saying that last year. The fish barely survived the incident. You have a lovely evening, Astra."

As my new boss walks away, I turn to Dillon.

"Should I even ask?"

"I'll tell you about it later."

As I try to get him to tell me about it, one of the waiters walks up to us.

"Excuse me, are you Ms. Astra Cyrene?"

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"We're actually doing a game for all the ladies tonight. Whoever comes up with the most creative date idea will win a prize and have their date featured in a movie. All you need to do is just fill out this form and then I'll go and enter it for you."

Looking at Dillon we both shrug and I take the form. It asks for some fun facts about me and what my dream date is. After filling it out, he takes the form and scurries off as if I would change my mind. We hear an announcement that the ceremony is about to begin so we take our seats at our assigned table. Ms. Callista makes an opening speech about the company and how far they've come and then hands the microphone off to the MC.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming this evening. We will be starting off with a dating auction. Tonight's proceeds will be going to the Callista Scholarship Foundation. Without further ado, I begin with Ms. Cassiopeia Alarik."

Coming onto the stage with a cheerful smile, she looks nothing like the girl I met today. The dress suits her. After a few minutes of battling, the final bid is $95,000. She's more popular than I thought.

"Next up is a favorite with the ladies, Mr. Dillon Baldwin." As he walks on to the stage and starts joking around with the MC, I feel someone sit down next to me. I look over and see William with a sly smile.

"Good evening, Ms. Cyrene."

"Mr. Wang. Always a pleasure to see you."

"I didn't expect to see you here this evening."

"I didn't expect to be here, but when Dillon asked me to be his date I couldn't refuse."

"So you two are dating?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny the rumors."

Seeing him sitting there with that smug look on his face, I can tell he's up to something. I can barely hear the MC finalizing the winning bid for Dillon in the background.

"Next up is a new face in the company. Win a date with her and you'll spend a day on a yacht and have dinner with a private chef underneath the stars on the beach!"

Wait, why does this sound familiar? No.

Looking at William I see his smile grow wider. He raises his glass to me in a silent toast.

"It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Ms. Astra Cyrene!"