CHAPTER 17: Secrets Are Never Good

　　Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows of my apartment, painting the luxurious space in a warm glow. The memory of the previous night, the laughter shared with Julia and Via, felt like a distant dream in the face of the day's reality. Today was the charity ball, and as I rose to my feet to head to the bathroom, my eyes stopped on the box that contained the dress that Alexander had picked out himself for me. I'd tried it on and it had fit perfectly, albeit with my boobs almost spilling out in a way that told me he had used Ava's measurements to get me the dress because I was on the bustier side.

　　Via had taken a cab home immediately she woke up because she wanted to prepare for the ball so it was just me and Julia for the day and as much as I was anxious about seeing Alexander tonight, especially with this dance that we seemed to be doing around each other, I was excited to spend time with my best friend before she returned home in the evening.