Chapter Twenty One (Party day).

It was party day, and excitement was in the air. I had kept Vincent's surprise attendance under wraps, leaving everyone guessing.

Just the other day, Adriel had shared his plans to ask Lily to the event, and I couldn't contain my thrill.

Turns out, my hunches were spot on.

As Adriel and Lily congregated in the living room, the atmosphere was buzzing with curiosity. "So, is he coming or not?" Lily inquired, her gaze locked on me.

I smirked playfully, heightening the suspense. "You'll have to wait and see," I teased.

Adriel raised an eyebrow. "Blossom, you're driving us crazy! What's the scoop?"

But I stayed tight-lipped, relishing the attention and the thrill of keeping the secret.

*

As the scene unfolded before him, Vincent observed from a distance, a cunning smile creeping onto his lips. He sensed that his appearance at the party would create quite a stir, and he delighted in the anticipation of the ensuing chaos.

*

While the two continued their idle chatter, I quietly slipped away, my thoughts lingering on the true motivation behind his acceptance of the invitation…

*Why was he so quick to agree? I can't shake this uneasy feeling. Who's he bringing along? I know he must be eager to flaunt his successes to his father, given his pride, and showing up solo would definitely diminish his standing. But ultimately, it's not my concern.* I reminded myself.

I quickly exited the living room and retreated to my room. It seemed like Adriel was gearing up to execute his plan, and I didn't want to be a distraction.

I pop a chip into my mouth while using my other hand to push open my bedroom door, feeling drained after a long day. Collapsing onto my bed, my gaze fell on a stunning dress spread out in front of me. The flowing piece shimmered in the dimming light.

A small note attached to the dress caught my attention. "Wear this tonight," it read, the handwriting unmistakably belonging to Vincent.

"What does he mean by tonight? I'm not even invited to join them, am I?" I pondered.

*Ugh, the thought of going to the party with them is unbearable. I'm not part of their family or even a friend—so how could I possibly attend…*

*So now I'm expected to be his fake date, just fantastic!

I know nothing about being discreet or having proper etiquette and all that nonsense.

Oh, those endless, tedious conversations.

How am I going to handle this?*

My heart raced as I picked up the dress, letting its soft fabric glide through my fingers.

The gown gleamed under the lights, its detailed craftsmanship reminiscent of a lavish past. The sleek, long-sleeved bodice, made from fine silver-gray lace, was embellished with tiny, shimmering crystals that sparkled like fireflies on a warm summer evening.

As the garment flowed down, the lace gracefully transitioned into a luxurious silk chiffon skirt in a deep, opulent blue. The fabric undulated softly, resembling rippling water, its subtle luster capturing the light with every graceful motion.

A delicate beaded belt wrapped around the waist, infusing a hint of refined elegance into the overall silhouette. The beads twinkled like diamonds, their gentle clinking creating a calming musical backdrop.

With its striking fusion of vintage allure and contemporary elegance, this dress was destined to be the center of attention at any event.

Yet, as I looked at it, I couldn't shake the belief that Vincent's gesture was more than a simple kind surprise. There was an air of mystery, perhaps even a deliberate calculation, in his actions.

I found myself pondering Vincent's real motives towards me.

***

Later in the evening, Lily strolled into my room, announcing that Adriel had invited her to join him at the party.

"And what was your response?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

"Obviously, I said yes," she replied, clearly.

"Ah, so you've finally come to terms with the fact that you like him, which means I was right," I teased, raising my eyebrows playfully.

"No, I'm just assisting him," she insisted.

"Come on! Don't give me that. What would he think if he heard you? Your cheeks are already giving you away. Just admit I was right," I urged her.

"Alright! Yes, I do have feelings for him, and you were right about that. But the reality is, a relationship between us seems impossible. I'm not even convinced his father would approve of us being together, especially since I'm just a maid," she clarified.

"What?! That's not true; he doesn't even know you're a maid. And even if he did, there's nothing wrong with it—there's no shame in your situation. At least you're not some entitled girl relying on her dad's money, waiting for someone else to support her. One thing I've learned is to always take pride in who you are, regardless of what you do or what others might say. The way you present yourself shapes how people perceive you," I offered.

"You're right. I shouldn't feel embarrassed about my identity. Thanks for the encouragement, Blossom," she replied, pulling me into a hug.

"Of course! That's what friends are for, right?" I embraced her in return.

"Yeah, I suppose I should start getting things ready since it's evening already," she said, reclining back on the bed.

"Come on, what did Master say about the party?" She looked at me, her eyes pleading for a response. 

I grinned, "He gave it the green light." 

"No way! So why keep it a secret?" she inquired. 

"Because I wanted to surprise Adriel when he finds out, and it was surprisingly easy to convince him, which makes me feel like something's off," I replied. 

"Well, at least he agreed; that's a huge shift. He usually doesn't even let anyone mention it, let alone agree," she remarked. 

"True, and I think he kind of invited me to be his pretend date for the party," I said, sounding disinterested. 

"What?! That's incredible! But what do you mean by kinda?" she pressed, intrigued. 

I stood up and pulled her into my closet. 

"He left this on my bed earlier," I said, revealing the dress and the note he had left behind. 

"Wow! It's absolutely gorgeous; Master has impeccable taste," she commented, examining the dress closely.

"Are you certain there's nothing happening between you two? This seems quite considerate, and in all my years working with him, I've never seen him invest so much thought into just an assistant," she remarked, eyeing me with suspicion. 

"I doubt it. He probably just wants to impress his dad and can't stand seeing his pretend partner dressed so casually as usual," I explained, but she still seemed unconvinced. 

"Okay, if that's what you believe. I won't pressure you, unlike some others," she said, clearly alluding to me. 

"Come on, I don't pressure you! I just simply ask you to tell the truth, which you find incredibly difficult to do," I clarified. 

"Sure, whatever you say! Now let's get ready!" she exclaimed as she tugged me along. 

*Sigh, this night is going to drag on.*