[Jasmine's POV]
Delilah's face was as red as a tomato as she stared at Isabella with horror.
I crossed my arms and couldn't help but feel smug. Delilah hadn't expected that Gareth's daughter would be my friend and a witness to her nasty behavior.
"Oh, Isab-bella," Delilah stuttered. "I was just joking around." Her tone was unconvincing. "You know that I have Gareth's best interest at heart. I care so much about him. After…what happened with my cousin."
Isabella raised her eyebrows. Her mouth was in a thin, straight line. "Well, I hope that you weren't serious about trying to seduce my father. Because I know for a fact that he has zero interest in you. I hope that you won't make a fool of yourself at the gala by throwing yourself at him."
Delilah's mouth tightened, but she let out a forced, awkward laugh.
"I'm aware that your father and I are just friends." Her words hung in the air, and I could tell that Delilah desperately wanted to change that fact.
Jealousy burned within my heart at the thought of Delilah and Gareth dancing close together at the gala.
Then, Delilah turned to , and I could see the hatred in her green eyes.
"That dress is so tacky anyway," she hissed. "I wouldn't wear it in a million years. I'll go to a different, more exclusive shop." She looked at Suzie. "Thanks for nothing."
Delilah stord off. Even when she left the boutique, I could still hear the sound of her high heels clicking.
Once she was gone, the tension left Isabella's body as she let out a big sigh.
"I'm sorry about her, Jasmine." Isabella laid a hand on my arm. "She is delusional if she thinks she has a chance with my dad." Isabella paused, and a thoughtful look crossed her face. "Honestly, she's usually not that rude, but she's letting her desire to be my stepmom cloud her judgnt. She can be really adamant about it." She shuddered. "It would have to be a cold day in hell for Michelle and to allow that to happen." Isabella crossed her arms.
Her words comforted .
"She didn't give too much trouble. Honestly, she was aner to poor Suzie over there." I gestured to the saleswoman who was over by a rack of gowns and looked slightly shaken. "And your dad did tell about the situation with Delilah before."
Isabella's eyes widened. "He did? That's…surprising. My dad usually isn't that open about his personal life."
I shrugged. "We had a run-in with Delilah when Gareth took to lunch a little while ago to discuss Michelle's tutoring. Delilah…" A blush spread across my cheeks. "She got the wrong idea about your dad and ."
Isabella nodded and rolled her eyes at Delilah's behavior.
"Well, I'm starving. What do you say we get a bite to eat?" she offered, thankfully changing the topic of the conversation.
"Don't you still have to pick out a dress for the gala?"
Isabella's face brightened, and she pointed to a dark blue gown that was hanging up behind the register. "I forgot that I tried that on months ago, and it's the perfect fit."
I smiled. "It will match your eyes perfectly," I said, glad that she found a dress she loved.
With Suzie's help, I changed out of the dress and back into my regular clothes. As soon as the gown slid off my body, I felt a loss deep in my stomach. But it wasn't like I could wear the dress forever.
With apprehension, I walked up to the counter so Suzie could ring up our dresses. As she tapped her screen, Isabella took out her wallet and smiled at .
But my stomach dropped when I saw the screen and noticed that my dress cost three tis as much as Isabella's.
"Wait," I said before Suzie could even tell Isabella the total. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know the dress would be that much." I turned to Isabella. "Um, I should pick out another one. I can't ask you to pay for sothing that expensive."
Isabella waved her hand. "Nonsense. When it cos to gowns, money is no object." Her eyes glanced at Suzie, and she leaned in closer to and lowered her voice. "Besides, I want to repay you for looking out for in that awful jail cell. I wouldn't be standing here right now if it weren't for you."
I hesitated, but then I rembered the confident feeling the dress gave , and I agreed.
After the transaction was completed, Suzie wished us a nice day, and we gave our bags to the guards. We had a nice al at a quiet Indian restaurant, where we talked about my schooling and how Michelle's tutoring was progressing.
Isabella drove to her house with the guards in tow. At the front door, Axel was waiting with his hands behind his back and a determined look on his face.
I glanced at Isabella, and she smirked.
"Good thing you got a gown today," she joked and winked.
I chuckled and got out of the car.
"Can I talk to you?" Axel asked and ran a hand through his shaggy dark hair. "In private."
"Sure," I agreed, trying to keep the wariness out of my voice.
I had a feeling he was about to ask to be his date to the gala. Idly, I wondered if Isabella had texted him when I was in the dressing room to hurry up and ask .
Axel led to the front sitting room. His shoulders were tense, and he kept fidgeting with the collar of his shirt.
"Would you like to be my date to the masquerade ball this weekend?" Axel rushed out, looking uncharacteristically nervous.
Instead of excitent from his invitation, my heart lowered slightly. Part of didn't want to agree to be his date. When I didn't imdiately say yes, Axel's expression faltered, tugging at my heartstrings.
His cousin had just bought a three-million-dollar dress. I felt morally obligated to say yes.
And where else would I wear that spectacular gown besides the gala?
"Yes, I would love to go with you," I finally answered.
That wasn't necessarily true, but Axel's face broke into a grin that lit up his entire face.
"I'm honored to escort you," Axel said with sincerity. "I will arrange a limo for us."
Then, Axel leaned forward, his lips headed for mine to seal our date with a kiss. But before he could do that, Michelle walked into the room, her eyes narrowed as she saw Axel leaning closer to .
"Alright, Roo, that's enough. Jasmine and I have a tutoring session to get to."
I chuckled, secretly glad for an excuse to move away from Axel.
"I'll see you soon," I promised Axel.
I left the room with Michelle. I could feel Axel's eyes on my back as I walked out, but I didn't turn back around.
How in the hell was I supposed to date him after I just slept with his uncle?
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