Ready to face the party.

I went to bathroom and took a long shower after shaving my legs, which wasn't needed as my body hair growth is precisely slow. I washed my hair with my favorite shampoo. Ah! I love the vanilla fragrance of it.It took me half an hour to get my hair and body prepared of the party. I freaked seeing that I was running late.

I finally opened the box which I collected from boutique to check what my mom ordered for me. It was a mini dark red cocktail dress, with shimmering long sleeves. It was sparkly dark and had plunging V-neck with sheer panel and built-in bra and back was of corset style. I towel dried my body and applied lotion all over to avoid dryness and quickly put on the dress.

It hugged my curves perfectly and enhanced them in a beautiful way. I thought it would be a revealing dress as my mother ordered it, because she wants all those guys to get attracted towards me. I was glad that the dress is not off limits. I am loving my mother's choice for the first time.

I blow dried my hair and middle parted them letting my natural long waves to hang above my butts. After deciding to go simple with eye makeup with just a winged eyeliner and mascara and went bold with lips with a red dahlia liquid to matte lipstick which made my plump lips all the more beautiful. I did not accessorise myself much as the dress was pretty on it's own. I checked the time and it was almost six, I freaked out seeing the time and after spraying perfume all over my body, I headed downstairs,where everyone was asked to gather. I could see almost everyone gathered in the hallway, from the corridor and thought I was the last person to reach again when a voice called out my name,

"Elara..."

I turned behind to find Franco,looking absolutely handsome and breathtakingly hot in his burgundy colored suit. I was speechless for a moment and then noticed,he followed my tips and gelled his hairs caring enough not to make them look oily.

"Is that really you, El?"

He complimented,sarcastically, after taking a look at me.

"Stop it."

I said and we both laughed. I pointed toward stairs,reminding him that were running late and we went downstairs. From my father's expressions, I could tell he was not happy about my late arrival but did not say anything seeing Franco with me. We walked outside,where our cars were parked.

My parents were supposed to go on our black jaguar and Franco's parents on their rented Rolls Royce. I was going to sit in the car when Franco asked my father,

"If you don't mind, can Elara come with me to the party?"

My father gave me scowl, he always did and said,

"Yeah, but drive behind us so that you don't get lost."

Franco opened the passenger seat door and gestured me to sit in, I did.

He to took his seat and ignited the engine to follow my father's car. I was quiet for some moment,observing the joy of Christmas in streets,how everyone was happy as this meant celebration to them.

"I feel I am the lucky one to get an opportunity to escort beautiful girl like you."

Franco said and I blushed at his words.

"Did I mention you look gorgeous today?"

He asked,praising my look and I said,

"Not literally,but sarcastically you did."

He smiled and said and I said,

"You look stunning in that outfit."

I complimented.

"Thanks, you are not nervous about meeting that Elliott Jones,right?"

Oh! The thought of meeting Elliott,completely skipped my mind as I was so entangled talking to Franco and soon my adrenaline rushed up.

"You don't have to be nervous about him,just talk to him like you will talk to the other guests and I will figure out the rest."

He said when I did not respond and I wondered what could mean by his 'I will figure out the rest.'

"You don't have to do anything thing, I think I'll handle well."

I tried to calm him.

"But I will always be at your side to protect you, god!why did you made this difficult task for me?"

He said mockingly and I laughed.

"Well, you don't have to protect me,my father's men, Callavino's men will be sufficient for that and never forget my personal favorite, Sawyer."

I said trying to tease him.

"They could protect you from the others but who will protect you from me? "

He said and I can't figure out whether he was joking or serious so I just kept quiet and soon we reached the Callavino's apartment.

It was twice the size of our apartment with all the luxuries and especially today the place was decorated so beautifully that you can't even a spit a tiniest flaw in decoration. They must have spent a lot in decoration itself.

We got out of the car and I followed my parents with Franco on my side. As soon as we reached the hall where party was gonna place my parents and Franco's parents got engaged with guests leaving us alone. Franco asked me what I wanted to drink and went to fetch me a glass of champagne. I noticed the types of guests at the party some were talking,some laughing and the others just came to exhibit their wealth.

It was my first time attending a party like this,my parents never allowed me or Neel to attend any party as they think that our childishness will be a stain to their pride. Neel was still not here as he and I was allowed to attend the party as my father wanted some alpha guy to see me.

I was feeling so uncomfortable looking at so many unfamiliar faces and then my eyes spotted a familiar one.