Lana's POV
I couldn't stop staring at the note.
8 pm.
That was barely two hours away.
"Open the other one!" she demanded.
I reached for the navy-blue box, but this one was a little heavier.
When I lifted the lid, I swear the room seemed to brighten.
There was a jewelry case inside.
Diamonds.
Actual diamonds.
A necklace with a single pear-shaped diamond pendant and matching stud earrings was followed by a slim, delicate bracelet that held the light in the room.
All of my life I had never owned diamonds.
Not even fake ones this pretty.
Blue went quiet for a few seconds.
Guess she was as speechless as I was.
"Lana…" she whispered again.
Next to the jewelry case was a pair of heels.
They were silver.
With straps.
And thin heels that screamed confidence and danger.
"This is definitely not a date," Blue said. " I'm sure it's an event."
My chest tightened.
First, he cleared our debts.
Then sent this?
Now he wants to pick me up.
I looked at Blue.
She looked at me.
Then we both started squealing and laughing like children who had just broken into a candy store.
"Go shower!" she shouted. "We don't have time! Hurry!!"
The next hour was chaos.
Steam filled the bathroom as I showered, scrubbing my skin like I was preparing for war.
Maybe I was…..
You get what I mean right?
Several times, Blue barged in twice to ask what hairstyle I was doing.
And before I'd even talk, she decided for me. "Loose waves!".
So why did she ask? I rolled my eyes.
Then she did my makeup like she was painting a masterpiece.
Some smokey eyes.
Nude glossy lips.
A soft contour that enlightened my cheekbones and made them sharper.
When I finally stepped into the wine-red lace set, I was in awe.
I paused in front of the mirror.
I didn't look like the girl who had been crying over online insults.
I didn't look like the girl drowning in debt.
I looked… rich.
Powerful.
Like I had everything revolving at the top of my fingers.
The dress slid over my body like liquid silk.
It hugged each curve of my waist and traced every loop of my hips, stopping just above my knees with a subtle slit at the side.
Blue clasped her hands over her mouth in delight, admiring from the sides while I swirled in front of the mirror.
"No. No. This is illegal."
"Stop," I laughed nervously.
"You look like you came out of a fairytale. Ooohhh you're so fine".
The necklace rested perfectly against my collarbone.
The diamond caught every movement of the light in my room.
And even the earrings sparkled softly when I turned my head.
When I stepped into the silver heels, I instantly stood taller.
Different.
Almost done.
Blue was fixing a tiny strand of hair near my temple when—The doorbell rang.
My heart stopped.
We both froze.
We both knew who it could be.
"He's early," Blue whispered.
The bell rang again.
This time firmer.
Blue straightened.
"I'll get it," she said, trying to sound calm but failing miserably.
I stayed in the hallway, my hands slightly shaking.
I heard the door open.
Then silence.
A beat.
Two.
And then Blue's voice—
"Oh."
Not shocked.
Not scared.
Just… stunned.
My pulse thundered in my ears as I waited to hear what she would say next.
But I couldn't hear anything.
I picked up my purse and decided to head down since I was done.
Walking down, I saw him standing there.
He radiated elegance
A mix of sexiness and authority.
Blue stood there mouth open and speechless. I still haven't gotten used to him.
I smirked because I still haven't gotten used to him.
So I could totally understand.
I still inhaled sharp breaths every time I stood in front of him.
Looking at those chiseled muscles.
Especially for a man of his age.
He gave the perfect Zaddy vibes…
My Zaddy!!
He didn't look bothered by the long stare he received from Blue.
It was like he was already used to them.
I walked up to them, with a smile on my face.
"Hey!!"
That was when Blue turned to look at me.
Like she had been hypnotized.
She gave me this "Girl… look what you bagged look".
I pretended like I didn't notice anything.
"Are you ready?" His voice came through, like a storm drawing every attention to him.
"Urhmmmm yeah. Yeah I am".
I turned, looked at the blue then bade her good night.
I followed him outside.
To his black car that was waiting for us.
The driver was already standing by the back door.
And opened it the moment he saw us coming.
"Good evening, sir."
His voice was calm. Professional.
Adrian only gave a small nod before he placed his hand gently on my back.
"After you."
I slid into the back seat, trying not to trip in my heels.
The inside of the car smelled like leather… and faintly like his cologne.
That same dangerous scent I could never get tired of.
He got in right after me and the door closed softly.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
I sat, staring out the window, watching the city lights blur past as we drove.
My heart was beating quickly because deep down I didn't know what to expect from this evening, and I was just going along.
But suddenly—
I felt his hand.
Warm and rough.
Slowly brushing lightly along my knee first with his fingers.
Just barely.
Like he was testing something.
My breath caught.
Then his hand slid up… through the slit of my gown.
Higher.
And higher.
Until his palm rested firmly on my inner thigh almost close to my….
Deep enough that the warmth of his hand spread through my skin.
My entire body went still.
"Adrian…" I whispered under my breath.
I couldn't even make a proper protest.
I sounded more like I was shocked.
My eyes instantly moved to the front.
The driver.
And that was when it happened.
Like he knew someone was watching him through the rearview mirror…
Our eyes met.
For a split second.
He saw me looking at him.
Looking red-faced and guilty.
That was when his gaze dropped.
Straight to Adrian's hand resting high on my thigh beneath the slit of my dress.
I felt my face burn more at that moment.
I feared that at that point I might ruin my makeup.
Oh my God.
He noticed.
The driver quickly looked back at the road like nothing had happened.
Professional.
Like he hadn't just witnessed something he definitely shouldn't have.
Meanwhile, Adrian looked completely unbothered.
His thumb slowly moved against my skin.
Small circles.
Calm.
Possessive.
Like the entire car belonged to him even if it did belong to him.
Like the world belonged to him.
I swallowed nervously and leaned slightly closer to him so my voice would stay low.
"There's a driver," I murmured shyly.
His lips curved slightly.
"That can never stop me."
My heart nearly exploded.
I tried to focus on anything else.
Anything.
Like the lights outside.
Or even the sound of the engine.
Finally, I cleared my throat.
"So…" I said softly, still looking out the window. "Where are we going?"
His hand didn't move from my thigh.
If anything… it tightened slightly.
"You'll see."
I turned to look at him.
He was already watching me.
Those eyes.
Sharp.
Dark.
Dangerous.
And damn sexy.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
And enjoyed every second of it.