"I swear, if this person doesn’t show up, I’m going back to that restaurant to find that waitress and make her tell who sent her with all those ssages," Freya muttered, her tone sharp and full of restrained fury. "And if she doesn’t spill, I’ll have her arrested."
Tessy, who had been trying—very unsuccessfully—not to burst into laughter, finally let it out. She fell onto the bed with a loud cackle, shaking with amusent at her best friend’s dramatic declaration.
The two of them were in Freya’s bedroom, where the past hour had been spent tearing through racks and drawers of clothes in search of the dress for Freya’s date. Makeup kits lay sprawled open across the vanity, shoes kicked into corners, and various rejected dresses hung limply on the closet door.
"Have so faith, Freya," Tessy giggled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "This person could end up being your husband. Don’t be so faithless."
Freya shot her a look, adjusting the neckline of her dress in the mirror. "That restaurant will know the true aning of faithlessness if their mysterious custor doesn’t show up after all this dressing up and makeup. It’s going to be a disaster tonight."
Tessy’s laughter bubbled up again. Freya might be fuming, but Tessy was having a blast. Even if the mystery man didn’t show, she’d already gotten her fill of entertainnt.
"You look like a princess," Tessy finally said, her tone softening with admiration as she stepped back to get a full view of Freya. And she did. The pale lilac dress clung in all the right places, her hair was swept into an elegant twist, and a touch of shimr around her eyes made them pop like gemstones.
Just then, the sound of the doorbell echoed from downstairs.
Both won froze. Their eyes locked—wide, startled. And then, in perfect sync, they bolted for the hallway.
***
A few minutes earlier, outside the house, Daniel stood at his post, ever vigilant. He spotted soone approaching—a young man, early thirties perhaps, dressed entirely in black and holding a single red rose in his hand.
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
The stranger’s face mirrored his expression, a faint frown forming as he got closer. Daniel took a step forward, scanning the man subtly. No weapons, no aggressive aura. Just a human. Harmless.
Still, he was on duty.
"Who are you?" the stranger asked first, voice low and unafraid.
"I’m Daniel. Who are you?" Daniel returned, lifting a brow.
"What are you doing here?"
Instead of answering the question, Daniel stood straighter. "Kindly tell who you are and why you are here, sir, and we will have no problems at all."
The man’s eyes studied him, lingering for a beat too long. Finally, he said, "I’m Gary. I’m here to see my woman."
That did it.
Daniel relaxed a bit, offering a short nod before stepping aside, allowing Gary to ring the bell.
***
Inside, the front door opened to reveal Freya in all her elegance, Tessy standing just behind her. But instead of smiling in delight or blushing in recognition, both won frowned imdiately.
"It was you?" Freya asked, squinting.
"Umm... yes?" Gary replied, clearly confused. "Were you expecting soone else?"
"You’re the one from the restaurant?" Freya’s voice was laced with disbelief.
"You’re Mister Anonymous?" Tessy added, voice sharp.
Gary blinked. "What restaurant are you talking about?"
But before more confusion could unfold, another vehicle rolled into the driveway. Daniel’s eyes narrowed again as he recognized the car. The mont the engine shut off and the door opened, both Freya and Tessy turned toward the sound.
The tension on their brows vanished. Their expressions lifted, eyes widening in unmistakable recognition—and awe.
Trevor stepped out of the car like sothing out of a high-budget movie. Dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his tall, commanding fra, he looked every inch the man who turned heads without trying. His hair was neatly styled, his jaw sharp, his expression calm.
"Trevor?" Tessy whispered, stunned.
"Trevor is your date?" she asked, nudging Freya.
"I don’t know. Maybe he’s here for you," Freya said, her brows furrowed in utter confusion.
"What’s going on?" Gary asked, his confusion deepening.
"I don’t think he’s here for , girl," Tessy whispered excitedly. "Daniel’s here, rember? I think he’s your date. I’m so happyyy..."
Trevor finally reached the group. "Good evening, madam," he greeted Tessy, then shifted to Freya. "Miss Stanford." He offered her a soft smile before turning to Gary and Daniel. "Gentlen."
Daniel gave him a look—a mix of curiosity and silent questioning. But Trevor was unbothered.
"Are you ready, my lady?" he asked, his focus back on Freya.
"I’m ready, Mr. Baliante," Freya said with a small, stunned smile. "I’ll just grab my bag and be out in a minute."
She turned and walked back inside, practically floating with disbelief. "Oh my god," she mouthed to Tessy, her eyes wide with excitent.
Tessy could barely contain her own giddiness. "You must tell everything," she whispered with a grin. "Now go!"
A minute later, Freya returned. But before she could head to the car, Gary gently took her hand.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice soft, almost pleading. "I ca so we could talk."
"I have a date," Freya replied gently, removing her hand from his. "Let’s talk another ti."
She walked past him, her heels clicking softly as she approached Trevor, who was waiting with the car door open for her. Like a scene from a classic movie, she stepped in gracefully, and the car pulled away, disappearing into the night.
Gary stood rooted in place, watching the car go. Slowly, he turned to Tessy.
"Who was that man?" he asked, eyes still on the street.
"Her date," Tessy answered nonchalantly, giving a small shrug.
"I’m aware," Gary said. "I ant... is he really the Mr. Baliante of Xylonica?"
Tessy turned to him with a raised brow. "Why are you asking that? You can ask her when you see her."
With that, she pivoted toward Daniel. "We’ll be leaving in a few, Daniel. Let just get my things," she said, already moving back into the house, a sly smile playing on her lips.
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