Chapter 65: A Favor

They arrived the Kentley's mansion at almost eight in the evening. It felt like they've been away for weeks or months. It is true that they've  been away from the mansion for just a day but the whole fun activities they had made it seem like a couple of days. Simon helped Paige out of the car and they made their way to the house while Bruce drove the car to the safety of the garage. Opening the car booth, Bruce handed Paige's totebag to Samira while Sherman stood beside the entrance of the house excitedly. He did miss his boss and of course Paige as well. 

"Good evening sir." Sherman greeted standing at attention with a wide smile while Samira took Paige's tote bag inside. Simon and Paige returned his smile.

"Good evening Sherman." Simon replied tapping him on the shoulder. "How are you and how is the house?"

"Very well Sir." Sherman bellowed excited to see his boss home. "Miss Paige." He called with a bow.

"Good evening Sherman." Paige replied. "It's so good to see you." They made their way upstairs stopping at the door to Paige's room. "Thank you Simon, for today and for what seemed like a mini vacation." She told him with a genuine smile. Simon nodded in acknowledgment. They've were away from the mansion for just a day, but it felt like a whole week. Paige loved the beach house. To her, it was more soul and spirit lifting than the Mansion. "Uhmm, you can go to your room now Simon." She told him.

"Nah, I'll just wait till you go inside." He replied. "I always make sure a lady returns home safely after a date." He explained smiling down at her.

"I thought we agreed that this was not a date." She said raising her delicate eyebrow. Simon chuckled softly. He paused for a moment taking in her delicate features starting from her soft pink lip that was lifted up to him as she was staring up at him. Slowly he brought his index finger to her cheeks expecting her to step back, push his hand away or protest. But to his surprise, she did none of it.

"Anything you say Sunflower." He finally replied carrasing her cheeks with his index finger. Paige smiled warmly finally taking one step backward creating a little distance between them. Simon held his finger still up still in the position of Paige's cheek before she moved backward. He smiled shaking his head before finally putting the hand down.

"Thank you once more for an enjoyable evening." She said again extending her hand for a handshake. But instead, he ignored the hand and coming forward, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"You're welcome baby, I will see you tomorrow." He said still standing. He watched her enter inside and closed the door behind before leaving for his room. 

Stepping into her room, she touched her forehead and smiled. Simon's lips on her skin always come with a magical feeling. She looked round the room with a smile. "I've missed you." She whispered. Her first stop was the mirror, she wanted to see her dress one last time before changing into something else. She twirled herself around happily chuckling like a child. She knew getting this sort of dress in the near future will consume most of her salary so she was happy to own one of such dress without stress. She turned her back to the mirror in order to view the back of the dress. "Perfecto!" She exclaimed grinning from ear to ear.

A knock came on the door from Samira and she was asked to come in by Paige after confirming that she was the one. Her previous encounter with Simon yesterday was still fresh on her mind hence the reason for being extra careful. "These items came in for you earlier today ma." Samira said handing her a shopping bag and a big envelope.

"Thank you Samira." She replied collecting the items from her. Samira bowed and left. Paige saw the name on the shopping bag and she knew instantly that it was from Shonnelle and that meant that it is her dress from Franklin. She hurriedly opened the shopping bag bringing out the box that had the dress in it. She unboxed the dress and couldn't believe what she saw. Trying not to react too soon, she undressed and quickly wore the dress. it was a strapless bodycon dress heavily stoned dress that she didn't remember seeing on the Shonnelle website the day she checked for outfits. Then, she saw a card attached to the rim of the dress which read; "custom made just for you" and it warmed her heart. Franklin did it. He requested for a custom made dress just for her. He must have told them exactly what he wanted and they did a masterpiece for her. How they were able to make such a gorgeous dress in barely two days still beat her imagination. It was obvious, he must have a huge sum of money on the dress.

She looked the dress up again via the mirror and was marvelled. The embellished stones gave it a sophisticated appearance. The dress was a strapless ankle length beauty with a mini choker created from the same material used for the dress and stoned perfectly to create a blinding glow. "I must be damned." She exclaimed. "Oh my god! This is too beautiful. This is too much." She screamed in happiness picking up her phone to call Franklin immediately.

"Frankie, this is too much!" She shouted immediately he picked up. Franklin stared at his phone confused. "I'm not even the celebrant Frankie. This dress, it is too gorgeous." She exclaimed causing him to smile and heave a sigh of relief as well. 

"Does it fit perfectly?" Frankie asked her.

"Yes, yes it does. Oh my god! I feel like crying right now. This dress is too beautiful." She said still excited.

"I'm really glad you approve." Franklin told her. "Princess, I have a favor I'd love yo ask from you." He continued.

"What is that?" Paige asked in a worried tone.

Franklin paused for a while putting his thoughts together. "My family, they would love to host you properly after the party and maybe have breakfast with you on Monday morning. Please, would you mind spending the night at our place then?  The crowd at the party might not allow to talk and all. I promise, you'll be well taken care of. In fact, anything you want, just let me know. It will be provided for you." He told her.

"Frankie." She paused. "Honestly, I don't know about this and I have plans as well. Moreso, I'll need to speak to my employer first." She replied. It was true that Paige was practically on holiday and she was permitted to do whatever she wanted within this period and Emily won't even be back until Tuesday. Yet spending a night at the Tedson's residence wasn't something she was so intrigued about.

"Please princess." Frankie pleaded. "I will personally take you home on Monday morning immediately after breakfast." He told her. "And if you permit me, I can speak to Kentley and Emily." He added.

Hearing Franklin offer to speak to Simon made Paige laugh inwardly. She imagined how Simon would react to a request by Franklin to permit me spend the night at his family residence. Of course she knew that Simon will refuse blatantly. Wasn't it the same Simon that confessed love to her barely few hours ago. She knew allowing Franklin talk to Simon on her behalf was like giving Simon the power to decide for her when she can decide for herself. Besides, she's still on holiday. Perhaps going to the Tedson's might not be such a bad idea after all Paige thought to herself. She's been looking for an opportunity to stay away from Simon and occupy her mind with other things. This could actually be an opportunity for her.

 She seriously needed to stay far away from Simon for at least a day or two with lots of activities to occupy her thought. She desperately needed this to clear her head. Moreso, Franklin was not going to bite her anyway. Besides, she'll be spending the night at their family house and not his personal apartment.

"Okay." She finally said after a long pause. "But on one condition." She added.

"Anything for you princess." Frankie replied excitedly.

"On Monday, you'll take me to the Baroque Art museum. I've heard so much about it." She said.

"Deal!" He shouted immediately she finished talking.

Paige started laughing. "Frankie, I barely finished the sentence." She said amid laughter.

"Honestly, I really don't care. I'll do anything you want." He replied laughing as well. "Thank you so much princess."

"You're welcome." She replied.

"So, I'll send a car to you tomorrow. So that you'll get your beauty prep at the salon. The car will arrive anytime between one in the afternoon. Is that okay by you?" He asked.

"Yes please." Paige replied with a smile. "Thank you." She added.

"I'll see you soon princess."

"See you soon Frankie." She replied before hanging up.

Back at the Tedson's residence, Sarah and Felix Tedson sat patiently in the sitting room waiting for Franklin who excused himself to answer Paige's call.

"She's staying right?" Felix asked in anticipation as Frankie walked up to them. Sarah looked up at her son waiting impatiently for a reply.

"She's staying." Frankie replied smiling.