A Dress For The Gala.

'This is my first time seeing Mr. Diego Pérez in person,' Marco thought as he looked at both of them. 'Now that I think about it, Father and daughter are eerily similar.'

Lola inherited her father's eyes and attitude, but her late mother's beauty, hair, and beautiful curvature.

"Mr. Fernandez, please give us some privacy," Lola demanded, and Marco bowed and hurried out of the office.

"What do you want, Mr. Pérez?" Lola inquired, her arms folded.

The man known as Diego Pérez, had thick black hair, dark grey eyes that were surrounded by long lashes; a strong jawline with thin red lips that showed off a hint of a wicked smile as he spoke his next words, "Is it wrong for a father to come see his only daughter?"

"Don't give me that father and daughter crap, what do you want?" mumbled Lola, rolling her eyes.

"I see you're still fierce as ever," He said with a slight dark chuckle.

Lola hissed at him, "You didn't come here to ask how I was doing, did you?"

Diego's eyes darkened as he stared at her; his cold stare sent shivers down Lola's spine, but she didn't show it.

"It seems I will have to teach you some manners."

"How dare you hand over divorce papers to Santiago to sign? Do you have no shame without my permission? You failed as a wife, and now you're fleeing the marriage, "He spoke in a deep voice that heightened the tension in the air around them.

"Why are you interrogating me? I admit I wasn't the best wife, but I gave it my all. Why don't you ask your son-in-law, why don't you question him?" Lola inquired, pursing her lips.

"Why would I question him ? He is a decent man, You are the main issue here "Diego responded by pointing to her.

"Are you calling me indecent and wayward?" Lola asked, her fist clenched around her pen.

"He told me everything you've been up to behind his back, you're seeing another man," Diego responded.

"Santiago told you that I'm seeing another man and you believed him, well I'm not surprised, a man who barely spent time with his wife and child wouldn't know anything about his own child," Lola said, to which Diego slammed his fist on her table and said, "I supported you and gave you everything you wanted in this life and this is what you say to me."

"You only helped me because you knew it would benefit your own business." Lola retaliated.

"Don't you dare go through with this divorce, you stubborn ingrate," Diego warned after a brief silence.

Lola gulped silently as she looked at him over and tried to ignore his threatening gaze. His arms were crossed, with a displeased look on his face.

"Whether you like it or not, I'm going through with this divorce," Lola stated sternly, her resolve firm.

"I will cut all ties with you and your company if you do this," Diego yelled.

Lola looked him in the eyes, ' This is it , I knew he would do this ' and said with a slightly shaken voice, "Then so be it, Mr. Pérez, have a nice day; My company won't be the one who suffers, but your company will."

As he stared at Lola, Diego fell silent and blinked a few times.

He averted his gaze from her, stood up, and said, "So be it, from today on, you are not my daughter," as he walked out of her office.

***

Lola twirled her chair backwards in an attempt to calm herself while preventing tears from streaming down her face. Seeing her father today brought back painful childhood memories she had thought she had forgotten.

Her heart clenched, and she felt a sense of dread wash over her. All of these memories were returning to haunt her like a nightmare. He caused her so much pain and hurt. She despised him for everything. But she couldn't deny that every time she saw him, a lump formed in her throat. Her body ached with a need for comfort as she remembered what had made her feel the worst, her mother's death.

In her mind, she heard a voice similar to her father's, "You murdered her."

Lola closed her eyes and took a deep breath before pushing those thoughts away and focusing on the task at hand.

Marco rushed in a few minutes after Diego left, saying, "Madam, what happened? PREZ EMPIRE has stated that they are withdrawing from our company."

"Yes, PREZ EMPIRE will not be working with us from today," Lola said, swaying her chair slightly to face Marco.

"However, madam, where are we going to find another company like them, DIAS PREZ will be at a loss if we don't do something?" Marco asked.

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out," Lola said calmly.

'How can she be so at ease when the company has just lost its most important investor and partner?'

Marco sighed and said, "OK madam," before walking out.

Lola bit her lower lip, thinking, 'Santiago did this, That bastard.'

***

Santiago sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, staring at the television.

"DIAS PREZ and PREZ EMPIRE have split up." The headlines are boldly written.

Livia entered the living room carrying a tray containing a cup of coffee.

"It's all over the news, that was fast," She said as she placed the tray on the small marble table in front of Santiago.

"All thanks to me, Lola will regret divorcing me once I ruin her," Santiago said with a smile.

"Are you just going to make her pay?" As she sat next to him, Livia inquired.

"Of course, why are you suddenly raising such concerns? Do you think I'd marry Lola again? No, I just want her to suffer," He said, and Lola smiled and snuggled him, saying, "Ah, I'm so happy, I'll be your official wife soon."

***

Lola entered the house with her usual calm expression on her face, walking past the living room where Santiago and Livia were both snuggled up in each other's arms.

Santiago cast a glance at her as she passed, but she made no eye contact with him or Livia. What enraged Santiago is the fact that Lola was still calm and collected after losing one of her company's biggest supporters and partners .

Santiago leapt from the sofa and charged after Lola, yelling, "Lola! We need to talk."

But she ignored him and kept climbing the stairs as fast as she could. He dashed up the stairs, grabbing her arm.

"You're supposed to beg me... Not coming in as if nothing happened," He yelled. Lola's lips curled into a hollow smile; she yanked his hands away from hers, and she replied, "What do I beg you for? Do you want me to beg you to be my husband once more? Is that it?"

Santiago remained silent for a moment, staring into her eyes as she gave him her usual expressionless face.

"Santiago, you should know that when my mind is made up, it's made up. This divorce will happen, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it, "Lola responded and ascended the stairs, leaving Santiago speechless.

***

Lola entered her room and sat on her bed. A light knock on Lola's door was heard, "Madam, it's me Laura."

"Yes, come in," Lola said, Laura walked in quickly and closed the door behind her.

Laura then said, her head bowed, "Madam... You shouldn't... "

"What, I shouldn't?" Lola inquired.

"You shouldn't be prevented from attending the New Year's Eve gala simply because you're divorcing Sir," Laura continued, as Lola cocked her head to the side and arched one of her brows upwards.

"Who said I wouldn't go? I simply did not want to go as Santiago's wife, "Lola responded.

Laura rose her head to face Lola, who had a cold smirk on her face.

"But you and Sir have already signed the divorce agreement, which means you're not his wife and you don't have a dress." Laura pointed out.

"I said I'm going, and about the dress, I can easily buy a new one," Lola said, as Laura bowed and exited the room. Lola pulled out her phone and dialled Maria's number.

"What exactly is it?" Maria stated from the opposite side.

"I need you to help me pick out a dress for the New Year's Eve gala," Lola sighed.

"..."

"Why are you so quiet?" Lola inquired.

"I'm busy, you can just order it," Maria explained.

"Maria...you know I can't pick dresses myself," Lola added.

"Hmph ! I begged you to accompany me shopping, but you declined "Maria responded.

"Maria I was busy that day, but this is urgent, and I know you're not "Lola stated.

Maria groaned and said, "fine. "

"We leave tomorrow, I will come pick you up," Lola said before hanging up.

***

Lola's car was parked outside Maria's house; Maria came out and ran into Lola's car.

"Let's Go," Lola ordered.

The car raced all the way to the busiest shopping malls in town.

La Emperatriz, a luxury fashion boutique frequented by the city's most powerful figures, including Lola.

The store was opulently decorated. From the top handcrafted dress at New York Fashion Week to the range of top luxury brands. La Emperatriz is the city's most well-known fashion store.

"Welcome, Mrs. Rodriguez. Oh, and who is this lovely lady?" A woman said, brightly smiling at Lola and Maria.

Maria just smiled back and Lola nodded.

"Mrs Varo, My friend and I would like to pick dresses for the New Year's Eve gala, I believe I informed you earlier," Lola explained.

Mrs Varo was the chief stylist at La Emperatriz and the establishment's owner.

Mrs Varo responded with a firm nod, "Yes, come with me; I have the dresses ready."

As they followed Mrs Varo, Maria whispered into Lola's ear,

"I never mentioned going to the New Year's Eve gala. "

"Think of it as an apology for not going shopping with you," Lola explained, as Maria gave her a confused look.

"You were given two invitations, correct?" Lola inquired.

"Well, yeah, but it's my first time going to a gala, so..."

When Maria realised what Lola meant by her question, she paused.

"Wait a minute, you want to go to the party with me as my partner?" Maria asked.

"Yes." said Lola.

"But why? you are Santiago's..." Maria began to speak, but Lola cut her off with a glare before she could finish.

"Oh, I see," Maria mumbled. Mrs Varo displayed a collection of dresses to them.

"You may select whatever appeals to you," she said.

Maria scanned the gowns before settling on an elegant red gown.

"Lola, this would really suit you, try it," she said, pointing to it.

"Oh, Mrs. Rodriguez, your friend has a good eye; this dress was designed by Anita Hill, a world-renowned designer. It is unquestionably appropriate for you "Mrs. Varo stated.

Lola looked at the magnificent red evening gown, and it surprisenly suits her taste, so she took i.

, "I'll try it on then," she said as she walked into the changing room.

After a few moments, Lola emerged, holding the hemline of her gown as she walked elegantly over to Mrs Varo and Maria.

"Unbelievable! Mrs. Rodriguez, this is unbelievable, Miss Hill will be overjoyed," Mrs Varo exclaimed as she hovered around Lola.

"See, I do have a good eye," Maria smiled.

"Use that good eye of yours and get yourself a dress," Lola advised.

"Hmm, I don't think any of these dresses would suit me," Maria stated as she chuckled awkwardly and looked at the dresses.

"Do you have another designer gown done by Miss Anita Hill that would fit my friend?" Lola asked Mrs Varo.

Mrs Varo gave Maria a long look, her face brightening as she snapped her fingers.

"Yes," Mrs Varo exclaimed, "just wait right here, I'll be right back."

As she went off to find the dress, the VIP room door opened, revealing a young elegant figure dressed in a short bodycon dress. Her expressive eyes were enhanced by the exquisite and light make-up she wore. Maria and Lola exchanged curious glances .

'That girl looks oddly familiar,' Lola observed.

Mrs Varo returned with a glamorous biege evening gown; the young lady's dark orbs landed on the gown and she said, "I want that dress."

Lola glared at the lady and asked, "excuse me?"

She looked at Lola and smirked, " I said I want that dress, old lady , do I have to repeat myself ? "