Enchanted evening

Lara just came in from the beach in the afternoon with Luke. As it's her son's first time, he almost didn't want to go back to the house. He enjoyed playing with the sand so much.

She loved it there, too. But thinking that she agreed to pretending as Alex Liu's wife, she must have to attend some events with him. Also, she has to go back to school.

Maybe if they'll have some time in the future, she can ask him if she and Luke can come back here. But she scratched that thought away as soon as it came.

What does she know? Maybe on the first news of her, Crystal will come running back.

However, when she entered the room, she found a beautiful red gown in the bed. Body hugging, off shoulder and short sleeved, with a low cut at the back.

And it comes with a note.

"I'll see you at 7pm, by the yacht.- Alex"

Oh, probably a lesson on social etiquette and grace. She didn't give it much thought. But the gown is really gorgeous, hmmmn, maybe I need to be comfortable wearing such clothing. It comes with a three inches stilettos too.

Seeing that it's almost 5pm, she brought Luke with him to the bathroom. When they finished, as if on cue, Grandma Mei entered their bedroom and took Luke with her. It gave Lara enough time to doll herself up.

As she was exposed to artists having their hair done several times a day, it didn't took her long to put her hair up in a french twist, leaving some stray strands fall nicely.

But she didn't have makeup with her. Everything was provided to them since yesterday morning, even the set of sleepwear last night, and the casual clothes for today was brought over by Grandma Mei.

Eh? Can she go out with her face all bare? Actually, she is not fond of wearing makeup. She, afterall, worked as the assistant. She keeps a small stash of makeup at home but even if she brought it with her, there would be no red lipstick to match the gown anyway.

She opened her purse and fetched the lipgloss. That's all she have in there. Better than nothing.

But even without the makeup, she was still surprised when she looked at the mirror after she put the gown on. Wow, the ugly duckling sure turned out to be a swan.

The red gown hugged her body nicely as if tailored to her fitting, it shows her beautiful shoulders and slim waist, and her flawless back. Thankfully she prepared early. She can get accustomed to the dress. It's her first time to wear something so revealing, and the color is too vulgar for her taste.

Whatever. If Crystal is used to wearing clothes like this, she might as well train herself to be comfortable with it for the meantime.

A quarter before 7 o'clock, she opened her bedroom door. She blinked several times to adjust her eyes. The whole floor was candlelit. She can't see the old couple or her son. There were petals of red roses scattered on the floor creating a path towards the main entrance of the house leading outside.

Mesmerized, she walked the trail slowly. The petals and the candles created a nice fragrance mixed with the smell of the sea. When she went out, she found that the trail of roses and candles extend probably to the port where the yacht is docked. And they weren't just petals anymore, they are full roses.

Isn't this just too extravagant for a grace and etiquette lesson?

'No, Lara, don't give yourself false hopes.'

She chastised herself. 'You are pretending to be Crystal. You can't be her. Don't allow yourself to be hurt in the end.'

But then another voice in her head disagreed. 'Can't I? Can't I pretend that this is for me as well?'

Ah! This will make me crazy in the end.

She walked as if she is counting her steps. Feeling the moment, as it might never happen again in her lifetime. She thought of that night the assistant had mistaken her for his wife. It was a long day and she was still running an errand that night. How did she woke up with a totally different life the next day, she didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Consumed with her own thoughts, she didn't notice the man watching her from the deck of the yacht. She is like a princess lost in the palace's garden, wandering at night. But he chose a very seductive gown and with that he frowned. Noting never to choose a dress as sexy as that for her again.