Saturday – Day of the Gala

 

I’ve been home almost ten days and it’s been – different. I knew once I came home that the routine I had at Maplewood would change but I didn’t think it would be such a big change. I’m still up early but I’m finding I have far too much free time on my hands. It’s – unsettling. Kay has been staying with me this week because Micha is out of town with Laila and that has helped somewhat but not completely. I also wasn’t prepared for the guilt I’d feel for not actively doing something daily. Compounding it all is Jonathan. He’s been playing on my mind since last week. He has kept his distance and I appreciate that, but it doesn’t quiet the thoughts. Ugh! My emotions are all over the place at the moment. 

I hate it! 

Fingers crossed my first appointment at À L’envers Wellness Centre on Monday will give me some clarity and perhaps relieve some of this guilt. 

Tonight is the night of the Gala and the first time Dean has been to a work event without Cullen. I need to focus all my energy on making tonight go as smoothly as possible for Dean. He’s spent five days out of this week here and, though he won’t admit it, Cullen is playing heavily on his mind. He doesn’t have to say it, I know it’s upsetting him, he’s been -quiet. You could hear a pin drop when he’s here and I don’t like it. Even Pickle noticed and we know how much she dislikes Dean. Well, everyone for that matter.

Ugh, I need to get up but I’m far too comfortable here with my little fluffy bean, I think to myself as I bury my face in the top of her head.

“Right, bitch! It’s time to turn Cindersoot into Cinderella,” Kay says for my bedroom door. 

“Excuse you?” I roll over, facing Kay. “I ALWAYS scrub up well,” I snap, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Yes, well, but we don’t want, “Well” tonight. We want smoking hot.” She winks at me. “Now stop spooning Pickle and get ya arse up!”

“Rude!” I roll my eyes at her, sitting up.

Pickle rolls over onto the left side so she is now staring Kay down.

“Oh, don’t scowl at me, Pickle.” Kay scolds her.

“Don’t come in here and start pissing my cat off, Kay.” I yawn, sliding my legs over the side of my bed.

“Like that’s hard to do,” she replies sarcastically.

Pickle sits herself up, lifts her left leg and begins cleaning her arse.

“That’s what she thinks of you,” I giggle.

“Ugh! I can’t with her.” Kay walks towards my bed, stopping just at the corner and giving me her best Kay serious look. “On another note, have you got your Sunday face on?” She gestures to my nether region.

“KAY!” 

“What? Ya never know,” she smirks at me.

“I do know and THAT won’t be happening.” I push past her and head into my bathroom “And, yes,” I throw over my shoulder as I close the door.

After an unnecessarily long shower, I get out, dry myself off and ready myself for the next couple of hours of Kay fussing. If it wasn’t for the fact that Kay is AMAZING at makeup and hair, I wouldn’t put myself through it, but that girl can work a curling wand like no other. Don’t tell her I said that.

“What the fuck were you doing in there?” Kay snaps.

“Getting clean,” I smile at her.

“Fuck me! I thought you’d drowned.” 

“You wish!” I clap back.

“I do, daily, but every day you disappoint me,” she sighs.

“Oouuff, someone woke up and chose violence today,” I chuckle.

“Always, darling,” she winks at me. “Now, sit ya arse down and enjoy the pampering,” Kay says, directing me to the little makeup station she put together while I was in the shower. 

“I kinda like this bossy side of you, Kay.”

“So does Micha,” she smirks.

“Well, you ruined that moment.” I roll my eyes at her, sitting down. 

When Kay gets into the groove there are two things, she needs to create her magic. 

• Ariana Grande on repeat and blasting

&

• The mirror must stay covered until she is done. No peaking!

I always agree because, well, she’s cute and she’s my bestie.

The one thing Kay didn’t account for and that has never been here before is Pickle. You see, Pickle may act aloof, but she is very much a lap cat. Especially when it comes to me. I can’t sit anywhere in my house without her finding me and climbing onto my lap. This time is no exception. The moment I sat down, Pickle came sashaying over, jumped into my lap and began her biscuit making. 

“No! Pickle, off!” Kay waves her hand at her.

“Hey, hey!” I slap Kay’s hand away. “Pickle has biscuit orders that are overdue. Back off!”

“She will only swipe at me while I’m trying to work,” Kay narrows her eyes at Pickle.

“Too bad, bitch! Figure that shit out,” I snap back.

“UUUUGGGGHHHH!” Kay groans.

Five hours later

“Ok, I think I’m done,” Kay says, stepping back and giving me a once over.

“I’m excited to see what you’ve done.” I smile at her. “Are you Pickle?”

Pickle looks up and resumes her loafing.

“Don’t listen to her, you’re going to love it,” Kay’s smile beams down at me. 

“Ok, let’s do this!” I sit up straight, readying myself for the reveal.

Kay pulls the cloth off the mirror and stands back – Waiting.

“KAY! Oh my gosh! I LOVE EVERYTHING! AHHHHHH!” I squeal.

“YAAAAY!!” Kay claps her hands in excitement.

“How do you do that?” I ask, leaning forward for a closer look.

“Magic!” She wiggles her fingers at me, chuckling.

“Thank you so much, bestie,” I say, picking Pickle up and placing her on the chair behind me and pulling Kay into a hug.

“You’re so welcome, boo,” Kay replies. “Now, get dressed, you only have an hour until Dean gets here.” She pulls back and smiles at me.

“Ok,” I smile back her.

“Let me grab your dress, you get your underwear.”

“Ok.”

Due to late notice on behalf of Dean, I couldn’t be too picky with the dress for tonight. I decided on a black bodycon dress that stops at the top of my knees and nude pumps. It’s cute but – meh. It’ll have to do. Now, if you’re wondering if I rang everyone in my contact list to complain, yes, yes, I did but, in my defence, someone needed to listen to my issues. Not all answered but guess who the unfortunate soul was that did pick up?

If you guessed Laila, then you’d be right.

I spent at least forty minutes whinging to her about the dress I had brought, and I may have mentioned Dean a few times. 

My B.

Laila being the amazing friend she is, offered to give me one of the many gowns she has been given, but I know how much they are, and I can’t be trusted to wear something so expensive. That, however, didn’t stop her from sending a dress over. And, before you ask, no, I didn’t open the garment bag and look at it. I’m positive Kay has, that girl can’t leave anything new in my house alone. Nosey bitch!

There, hanging from the shower railing is a black garment bag. It’s not the bodycon dress bag. That was grey. I know what this bitch is up to.

“KAAAAAY!” I yell.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP AND PUT IT ON!” Kay yells back.

“UUUGGGGHHHH!” I growl out.

I’ll put it on and then put it straight back in the bag, I tell myself, unzipping the bag.

Big mistake. The moment I saw the dress I knew I was a goner. It was simple, yet so elegant. The red was bright enough that you wouldn’t be missed in a crowd but deep enough that it’s sultry, sexy and a little mysterious. I’m in love. And, just when I thought I had seen everything this dress had to offer, it gives me a little something else to leave me speechless. As I carefully pull the bag away from the dress, the endless, princess-like train falls effortlessly to the floor. Dresses like this are in Disney movies and romance novels, not a small bathroom in Brooklyn. 

I carefully slip it on, being extra careful not to mess up my makeup and hair. As I feel the fabric glide over my skin, goose bumps immediately cover every inch of me. I’ve never worn a dress that felt and fit me so perfectly. I feel like this dress was made for me. Slowly turning, I notice that the back is cut low, like, low low. 

“Shit! I can see my undies,” I say to myself.

I’m going to need my low-cut panties for this dress and no bra, I think to myself.

“KAAAAAAY!” I yell through the door.

“I TOLD YOU; I’M NOT GIVING YOU THE OTHER DRE- “

I cut her off. “THAT’S NOT WHAT I WANT. I NEED MY LOW-CUT PANTIES. TOP DRAW TO THE LEFT.” 

“OK!” She shouts back.

I make quick work of slipping my bra off and throw it on the shower railing behind me.

“Cami,” Kay knocks softly on the door. “Here are your undies,” she says, opening the door a crack and handing them to me.

“Thank you, babe,” I reply, taking them from her.

I slip them on and turn to make sure they can’t be seen.

“Perfect!” I smile to myself.

I give myself a final once over to make sure everything is sitting right and then I head out to Kay.

“Well, what do you think?” I ask nervously.

Kay is known for never holding back. That’s why we’re friends, but right now, I’m shitting bricks because she’s uncharacteristically quiet.

“Kay?” I prompt, chewing the end of thumb nervously.

Kay gets up from the chair, and circles me, touching the dress every now and then. She comes to a stop in front of me and steps back, looking me up and down.

“Cami, you look…” A smile spreads across her face. “Breathtaking.”

“Really?” 

“Yes.” She moves towards me. “Wow, Cami. This dress was made for you and your curves look hot as fuck, boo.” 

“Yay! I was nervous there for a bit,” I giggle.

“Sorry, I just couldn’t form words,” she chuckles.

“So, the nude pumps won’t work with this dress. I- “

Kay cuts me off.  “I brought my favourite pointed, clear silver pumps with me.” She points to the bed.

Sitting on my bed behind her are the most elegant pair of shoes I have ever seen. The toe has a diamante encrusted bow on each shoe with the same diamante detailing on the ankle straps. The sliver and the crystals go together so effortlessly it’s almost criminal.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go put them on, Dean will be here any minute.” Kay winks at me.

“Thank you, Kay, for everything.” I lean forward, peeking her in the cheek.

“Anytime, boo,” Kay smiles warmly at me.

Right, shoes on, quick change of clutch, stuff it with the essentials and feign patience as I watch the clock tick over minute by minute. 

Yes, I’m pacing in the lounge. Don’t judge me!

I remember years ago and one of the few times I was in a church, I happened to be speaking with an elderly priest and as your usual young person, I was complaining about not having “enough” time in the day to get what I needed done. What he said to me, I will never forget.

“Have you ever sat in front of a clock and watched it?”

“Of course not,” I replied, annoyed that he thought I had that much time on my hands.

“When you have sat in front of a clock and watched it, only then will you truly see just how much time you have.” He smiled and walked away.

Right now, I felt his words to my core. Those hands on my clock were moving at a snail’s pace and what I assume was only minutes felt like ten hours.

“Cami, Deans here,” Kay yells to me as she exits my bathroom.

“Ok, ok. Do I look ok? Is my hair and makeup still in place?” I ask, meeting her in the hallway.

“Cami,” she places her hands on my shoulders. “Stop panicking, you look beautiful.”

Deans knocks softly at the door as I take a deep breath to settle my nerves.

“Coming!” Kay calls over her shoulder as she turns and heads for the door. 

Pickle comes trotting up beside me and looks at me with her best doe eyes.

“Do I look ok, Pick?” I ask, kneeling and patting her.

Pickle immediately bunts her head into my hand and begins purring. 

“I’ll take that as a yes,” I giggle.

Standing up, I make some small adjustments, take another deep breath and walk towards the door. 

“Ready?” Kay asks.

“I am,” I smile at Kay.

“Ok,” she replies, opening the door.

The moment the door opens and Dean sees me, his eyes light up and a soft smile pulls at the corner of his lips.

“Wow, darlin, you look…” Dean pauses, stepping back to take in the entirety of my dress. “Stunning, absolutely stunning,” he smiles at me.

“T-thank you,” I stutter out as a blush spreads across my cheeks. 

Dean looks unbelievably dapper. He’s wearing a wool trench coat that has little flashes of red on it, red that just happens to match my dress.

Hmmm, I wonder who told him about that? I think to myself as I stare daggers at Kay who has a knowing smile on her face. 

Deans matched the trench with a black fitted vest that sat perfectly over a white, long sleeve button down and matching black tie. The tailored slacks add a little something extra to the entire outfit and, if I’m honest, hug all the right places. Now, I know what you’re thinking… He’s paired this suit with the classic black, shiny, lace up shoes that would complete this outfit, right? Well, you’d be wrong. Instead, he’s wearing his nasty, scuffed up, old white converse high tops. Am I going to say anything? No, cos it looks bloody good. I will say, he did put some serious effort into his hair. What usually looks like a mop that your mum just rinsed out, he’s gelled it to the side in a soft curl that sits neatly against the side of his face. He looks and smells incredible.

“You look really handsome, Dean.”

“I wanted to look my best for you tonight, darlin. Can’t have a woman of your calibre walking in with a shaggy mess on her arm,” he smirks.

“Something tells me that all eyes will be on you tonight, Deanie panini.” I shoot him a cheeky wink.

“I hate that nickname, but I’ll let it slide tonight because you look far too beautiful to upset.” He offers his arm.

“Oh, so I just have to dress like this to get away with it?” I smirk, sliding my arm into his.

“Only tonight, smart arse.” He tugs at me. “Now, shall we make a move?”

“Yes, let’s” I reply looking over at Kay. “See you later.”

“Bye guys, have a good night,” Kay smiles, waving.

“You too, Kay,” Dean replies as we head for the stairs.

As we get to the doors, Dean turns to me and says, “After you, darlin,” opening the door.

“Why thank you, kind sir.”

Sitting at the bottom of the stairs is a black, shiny, new Lexus.

“Wow, you went all out.”

“Only the best for you, darlin,” he replies, guiding me over to the passenger’s side.

The chauffeur is waiting to open my door, but Dean beats him to it. “I got this man,” he smiles at him.

“Of course, sir,” he replies.

“He just called you, sir.”

“I know, it’s weird,” Dean whispers in my ear.

I chuckle to myself as I slide into the seat.

Closing the door, Dean strides around to the opposite side and slips in next to me. 

“Nervous?” He asks, reaching for my hand as the car pulls away from the curb.

“A little. I’ve never been to something this formal before.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t leave your side,” he replies, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“I know,” I smile at him.

Silence immediately fills the space between me and Dean. I can feel a mixture of sadness and anxiety radiating off Dean. He’s tried to act unfazed by tonight, but I can tell, just by the way he is absentmindedly looking out the window, that Cullen is playing on his mind. 

“So, tell me, will Batman make an appearance tonight?” I break the silence.

“Batman?” He looks at me confused.

“Yes, Batman. The gala is at Gotham Hall.”

“Perhaps,” Dean chuckles.

“Well, it better be Christian Bale ‘cause if its Ben wanking Affleck or vampire boy, I’m out,” I state very matter of factly.

I know exactly what I’m doing. You see, Dean’s favourite superhero is Batman but a particular Batman. And, no, it’s not Christian Bale. He likes the new adaptation, the darker one. The one that happens to star the one actor I cannot stand – Robert Patterson. 

I think I just threw up in my mouth. 

On more than one occasion we have gotten into a very heated debate over Christian and Robert. I wouldn’t normally start this fight before an event like the Gala BUT Dean needs a distraction. And being the good friend I am, I chose violence as the distraction.

That thought makes me giggle.

“Not this again, darlin,” he rolls his eyes at me, frustration seeping from his words. “Christian Bale is an overrated actor that has ZERO, and I mean ZERO business playing Batman.”

Let the fireworks begin.

One heated car ride debate later, we pull up outside of Gotham Hall.

“We’re here, sir,” the driver announces just as Dean was starting the, “And another thing” line. 

“What?” Dean tears his fiery eyes away from me and to the driver.

“Ah, we’re here,” he repeats.

“Right, thank you,” Dean replies, reaching over and taking my hand. 

With softer eyes, Dean looks at me, giving me a knowing smile, says, “I see what you did there, darlin.” He squeezes my hand gently. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I smile back at him.

“Shall we get this show on the road?”

“Absolutely,” I replied with a level of confidence I have never had in my life.

It felt nice.

With one last sweet smile, Dean opens his door and slides out. I turn and watch as he strides around the back of the car and comes to a stop next to my door. Dean slowly backs up, and as he opens my door, he offers his hand.

“Thank you, kind sir.”

“You’re welcome, darlin,” he says, leaning in and kissing the side of my cheek.