Chapter 10. A Surprise Gala

10. A Surprise Gala

Sabrina's POV

I struggled to process all the new information about him. How could life be so cruel? It couldn't be happening right now, just when I had finally found him. How could I lose him so soon?

But then again, he wasn't even mine to begin with. It was strange; here I was, terrified of losing someone who had never truly been mine.

I cried for an hour straight. I had no desire to go out and face anyone, especially not Travis. What if I saw him with someone else? The thought alone could shatter me completely. I didn't want to further damage my already broken heart.

I could've accepted him, even with his daughter, who, I must admit, was incredibly adorable. She had captured my heart the very first time we met.

I loved that little girl and would've gladly accepted Travis as her father, but he had already made up his mind to be with someone else and wasted no time announcing his engagement.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I wondered who decided to visit me now, only to realize I hadn't even changed out of my pajamas since morning.

"Oh God, I've been running around all day in my nightdress, and on top of that, Travis has seen me like this. How embarrassing! I was so lost after seeing him that I forgot what I was wearing. Stupid, stupid, Sab," I scolded myself.

Without bothering to change, I answered the door, thinking it might be room service.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"Get your lovely ass out here right now," Mark shouted from the other side.

I opened the door to find him and Chris, who stood behind Mark, ready to come into my room. They both wore plain T-shirts and shorts.

Mark casually flopped onto my bed with his shoes still on, which immediately caught my attention.

"Mark, get off my bed. Leave your shoes by the door," I scolded him.

"Wow! Alright, calm down. Are you on your period or something?" he asked, getting up only to toss his shoes into a corner before plopping back onto the bed.

"You seem to know a lot about girls' mood swings," Chris commented.

Mark shrugged, a mischievous grin on his lips. "Well, I've heard that girls can get grumpy, especially at that time of the month, and I've experienced it quite a few times in person." He winked at Christina.

The two of them were so engrossed in their argument that I felt like nothing more than a piece of furniture in the room.

"Geez, why are these two idiots getting on my nerves?" I muttered under my breath. "Stop it, both of you, and no, I'm not on my period. There are plenty of other reasons a girl can get angry."

Chris sighed and finally acknowledged my presence. "Okay, okay. We came here to ask you to get ready."

"Get ready? For what?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that we have to attend the gala tonight?" Mark chimed in.

I furrowed my brow, deep in thought. "I'm pretty sure I haven't heard anything about a gala anytime soon."

"Well, you're hearing about it now. It's tonight, and you have to go, not to interview anyone, but to have a good time," Mark explained.

"Calm down," Mark said, trying to soothe me. "I've taken care of everything, and I even got you a beautiful gown."

"It better match my taste, or Chris will be on a rescue mission to find you tomorrow," I shot back, a playful tone in my voice.

"Fair enough," Mark replied. "But before we dive into that, could you tell us why you were upset before we arrived?" Chris moved closer, concern etched in her features. She didn't seem jealous of my closeness with her boyfriend; perhaps she sensed that I considered him like the brother I never had.

I hesitated, my thoughts drifting back to those troubling moments. "It's nothing. I don't want to spoil the mood by bringing it up."

Mark and Chris exchanged worried glances, and then Mark spoke softly, "Sabrina, you know we're here for you, right?"

I nodded, a genuine smile breaking through. "Yes, Mark, I'm really grateful to have met both of you." It was true. In the short time I'd known them, they had become my closest friends, and I was determined to cherish our bond.

"If you ever feel like talking, don't hesitate," Chris added.

I appreciated their support. "Not right now, Chris, but maybe soon. I promise you both that you'll be the first to know."

"Hope it's sooner rather than later," they said in unison, their smiles reassuring me that I had made the right choice in confiding in them.

"Very soon," I replied, forcing a bittersweet smile. The three of us gathered for a group hug.

"Now, let me see my dress. I hope you two picked out something nice for me."

"Let me grab it," Chris said, disappearing into her room, conveniently located next to mine. She returned with a large leather bag in hand.

"Here,"

I unzipped the package, revealing a stunning cerulean blue dress. I carefully pulled it out and was instantly captivated by its beauty.

"Should I try it on now?" I asked, my excitement building.

"Wait for a while. We still have two hours left. Until then, can we hang out in here?" Mark suggested.

"You know you don't have to ask, but what will you guys do?" I inquired.

"Nothing much, just some chit-chat," Mark replied with a grin.

"What! You don't strike me as a gossip," I teased, playfully punching his stomach.

"Ouch," he groaned, clutching his stomach. "No, I'm not. I wanted to discuss our coverage team, but did you have to punch me so hard?"

"Serves you right. Should have said it nicely."

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"In today's event, our journalists won't have much to do; it's all about the photographers. They'll be taking the pictures for us to publish," Mark explained. It had been an hour since he started elaborating on the details.

"So, will I get featured in that beautiful dress?" I asked, admiring the gown resting on the dresser.

"Maybe, if you can find a famous billionaire to accompany you. That would give you a better chance of getting featured in tomorrow's magazine," Mark replied.

"Well then, I might just have to go with you," I teased Mark while casting a mischievous glance at Chris.

"Nope, he already has a date, and who said only couples are allowed?" Chris quickly moved into Mark's waiting embrace.

"In that case, let me get ready. I'll find someone better than both of you. Out, both of you!" I playfully pushed them towards the door.

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I wore the beautiful gown that Mark had bought for me. It clung to my figure perfectly, with a collared neckline and delicate embroidery featuring snowflakes and small flowers adorning the upper part of the dress.

The gown gave my chest a lifted appearance without revealing too much. It had long sleeves that reached down to my palms, with the same blue snowflake embroidery elegantly woven into the fabric. Fortunately, this dress didn't require any additional jewelry, and I was grateful for that because I hadn't brought any with me.

I fastened my diamond studs, which I rarely took off except to occasionally switch them out for other earrings. My hair cascaded down in its natural form, and I applied a light layer of makeup. I wasn't a fan of heavy makeup that made me look like a clown. I preferred a more understated look, opting for neutral tones that wouldn't draw too much attention. However, I did spend a reasonable amount of time perfecting a subtle smokey eye and applying some mascara.

Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I called Mark to express my gratitude.

"Hello, Mark. I'm all set," I said.

"Great! Are you excited?" Mark replied.

"Yes, but there's one condition," I asserted.

"What's that?" Mark asked.

"You have to let me keep this dress," I insisted with a playful tone.

"Well, aren't you wearing that, so technically, you have the dress, right?"

"Nope, I mean, I'm not returning it."

"Good thing I didn't rent it; you can have that," I exclaimed with joy. Let's admit it; we all experience a unique pleasure when we get something for free, lol.

"So, are you coming to pick me?" I asked.

"I've already reached the hall. Let me see if I can make it there. If not, please manage on your own."

"Well, aren't you wearing that, so technically, you have the dress, right?"

"Nope, I mean, I'm not returning it."

"Good thing I didn't rent it; you can have that," I exclaimed with joy. Let's admit it; we all experience a unique pleasure when we get something for free, lol.

"So, are you coming to pick me?" I asked.

"I've already reached the hall. Let me see if I can make it there. If not, please manage on your own."

"Hmm, okay, let me see."

I picked up my clutch, grabbed my phone, and as I was putting on my heels, I bent down to buckle them. That's when I felt the lace of my dress in the back come undone.

"Ugh, not again," I groaned. I had barely managed to fasten those long laces that my hands can't reach, and now I had to do it all over again.

I heard a knock at the door. I thought it might be Mark or Chris; I could ask them to call someone to help me.

Balancing on one heel, I reached for the doorknob with the other in my hand.

"How did you get here so quickly? Never mind, can you help me with this lace Chris and Mark please stay outsiiii..." My words trailed off as I saw the person standing at my door.

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