CHAPTER 1: THE DRESS

CHAPTER 1: THE DRESS

"You have to come to the party tomorrow Jess, it's gonna be epic"

I grinned at my sister's enthusiasm even though in reality I had no interest of attending the said party.

"I can't do that Kate, I think I've heard enough of rich snobs to last the entire week"

I snorted while saying this. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate rich people, I'm rich so that would be hypocritical. I just hate the snobbish ones.

Kate began to stare me down. it's something we did since we were kids, and the loser concedes to the request of the winner.

Oh, she was so not going to win me. We stared for five minutes straight, before my no good phone rang, and it distracted my attention.

"Yass" she jumped in victory, while I groaned at the thought of attending another party.

"Let's go shopping bun, its time" I rolled my eyes at the nickname she had been calling me for a while now.

"Can't we just do online shopping, I mean they made everything easy these days." I said in a duh tone.

She frowned at this "There's nothing more fun than holding the fabric in your hand and feeling the texture and besides you can never trust anything you see online, so let's go."

I sighed in defeat, I got up from the bed and shooed her away from my room before I began changing. If I didn't do that, I'm sure she'll go as far as choosing my today's outfit.

After I wore a black pencil denim which stopped a few inches above my ankle, paired with a blue off shoulder blouse and canvas, I ran a brush through my hair and came out ready.

We both arrived at the dress store a few minutes later.

The sales lady kept shoving dresses in our face. I tried more than ten, to which my sister would scrunch up her face, and echo "next."

We went to about six different boutiques, and I had already given up on finding the perfect dress.

"Jess, I promise this is the last one. Please let's go" Kate said while dragging my arm to the next store.

"You said that for the last one. Let go of me" I struggled against her grip. The girl had a really strong iron grip. I wonder where she got that kind of strength from.

"Please" She showed her puppy dog eyes. I couldn't help but concede.

"Fine" I huffed. She jumped up in victory and pulled me along into the store.

We were about to leave when a stunning black dress with an off-shoulder sweetheart neckline that had a slit up at the left side caught my eye.

I tried it on. It looked great on me. It hugged my body, and emphasized my petite body structure.

When I came out, Kate smiled brightly at me and gave me thumbs up. "This is the one."

"Now we are set to make heads roll" Kate exclaimed dramatically. I couldn't help but smile at her goofing.

My phone rang as we were about making our way out of the boutique. I checked the caller, It was one of my clients.

"I'm sorry Kate, work calls, I need to attend to this personally. I promise we'll catch up soon" She looked a bit disappointed before she muttered.

"Okay"

I answered my phone, apparently it was a client that needed his own customized furniture designed.

I called the driver for Kate and took the car we came in to my office.

Work was so hectic, he sent me his designs and I needed to personally oversee to them and get their materials. By the time I created the 3-d art design, it was already late, so I decided it would be best to pass the night in my hotel suite.

I woke up the next morning and did my usual routine. I had a bath and then I whipped up egg and toast for breakfast before leaving to the company.

Time flew and before I knew it, my sister was already calling me to remind me about the party. I couldn't tell her I forgot about it, so I assured her I would be there, before temporarily suspending my work.

I dashed down home to get my dress.

By the time I reached home, I had only thirty minutes left. I made do with the time and quickly dressed up and did my makeup. I called the driver after I was done and by exactly 7pm, I arrived at the event.

I blended right in with my stunning black dress. The party was everything I envisaged. A group of rich snobs flaunting their wealth. I spotted some of my business associates and made my way over to talk to them.

The man I really wanted to talk to was Mr. Caphas about investing in a huge deal that is worth millions of dollars. I had to wait and endure the other men talk about boring things and politics.

It took a while before I finally got Mr. Caphas alone but I did.

I finally approached him standing towards the bar holding a glass in his hand "Good evening Mr. Caphas, this is quite a remarkable party" I told the short middle aged man before me, who I was trying to get on an important deal. For once, I'm glad Kate forced me.

"Of course Ms. Williams. I want you to meet my new shareholder and partner. He's going to be making decisions while I go on that trip I've always wanted to go." Hope coursed through my veins, maybe it would actually be easier to convince this new partner.

Mr. Caphas signaled someone dressed in a black suit. A strikingly familiar man walked forward. A horror from my childhood. A man I never wanted to see again and loathed.

"Meet my new partner Bassam..."

My eyes widened in shock for a moment. How could Mr. Caphas pick such a detestable man to run his business for no one knows how long.

I must confess he looked good. He looked 6'1 tall. He has a medium trimmed stubble. Unfortunately all his good looks wasted with attitude.

"Al-khalil. Prince Bassam Al-khalil" I completed it for Mr. Caphas who looked rather shocked, while the jerk prince just narrowed his eyes at me.

Our mutual hatred for each other started when he ate my cookies. It was the only one left, who in their right mind as a kid does that.

"I can see your memory serves you well Essi Poo."

Blood immediately drained out from my face at the mention of that dreadful childhood name he always used to bully me. I could still hear some traces of accent he probably developed from staying abroad.

"Don't you dare call me that you jerk, my name is Jessica, Jess for short." I hissed at him in anger, not caring anymore at this point what Mr. Caphas thought.

"Don't get mad Essi, I'll buy you a cookie on my way home."

I gritted my teeth at his statement, effectively stopping myself from clawing at his face. He just stood there looking at me with an amused face. Urgh, the nerve of him.

Mr. Caphas loudly cleared his throat "I take it you know each other then."

We both replied simultaneously, I replied with a "No," while he replied with a "Yes."

I gave him one last look of annoyance before I moved to walk away from them. I hadn't gotten far yet when I heard him say "Looks like you're going to be working with me."

I huffed, not bothering to look back and continued.