Chapter 36 A Dress for the Event
The next day, Nick finally went to school, and Emily felt like she had more free time to spend on her projects instead of worrying about him. The website she had started to sell her hair ornaments was barely garnering any income, with just three sales in the last month. Luckily, she now had enough students to support herself, and she was gradually redecorating the downtown art studio.
Another thing that was going to occupy her time was the event Sylvia planned for depression awareness. Sylvia insisted that Emily should be part of it in order to show a united front to anyone who doubted the strength of Byron’s company, or his family.
She smiled with amusement as her phone rang with yet another call from Byron’s mother. Although Sylvia could be b*tchy at times, Emily was quickly warming up to her, and she was flattered to be included in the family’s plans.
“Hello?” Emily said.
“We need to get you a dress,” Sylvia declared without preamble.
“Right... because you think I don’t have any dresses?”
“None that are appropriate for an event such as this,” Sylvia said flatly.
“How do you know?”
“I saw what you wore at the last charity event...”
“Well,” Emily huffed, “I see that was too avant-garde for you.”
“It looked completely silly,” Sylvia declared. “What we need to do is go shopping for a classic, elegant dress for you.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Emily said, “but I can make my own dress. If you’re looking for classic and elegant, I will create something you will approve of.”
“If you must...” Sylvia grumbled, “but it can’t be too different colors!”
“No, ma’am,” Emily said, smiling, “I’ll make it one color, very simple, yet stylish.”
“Okay, don’t do anything crazy.”
“I promise, I won’t.”
Emily snickered after she ended the call. She was tempted to make the dress a little crazy just to bug Sylvia, but she wanted the event to go smoothly. Byron’s reputation and his company was on the line, so it had to be a more classic silhouette just this once.
Later, she had a date with Byron. She wasn’t sure if it was a date, or what exactly was happening to their relationship, but she had a feeling it would become more clearcut after the charity event. Maybe coming forward about his illness would make Byron realize that he was not alone, and that he could get help.
Byron was very mysterious about where they were going, and he still didn’t say what the location was even as he picked her up in his car. He took the ocean route, which was amazingly scenic.
“Since you like dogs,” he said, smiling mysteriously, “I think it’s safe to say you like other animals.”
Emily could hardly believe it. They were going to Ocean Sanctuary!
The huge building filled with aquariums loomed ahead, and the car turned into the parkade.
Inside the park, it was strangely quiet. As Emily approached the seal enclosure, watching the animals swim back and forth in their tank, there was no one else around except her and Byron.
“You picked a good day to go,” she said.
It seemed Byron was not watching the animals so much as watching her reaction. A smile graced his features, and he seemed happier than he had been in days.
“I figured we could use a break,” he replied, “So I booked the whole place just for us.”
“You didn’t!” Emily cried. Her excitement grew so much she was tempted to jump for joy like a kid at a fair. “You mean it’s just you and me here?”
“And some animals, and a few employees who take care of them,” Byron replied with a calm but satisfied look. “I believe we’re due for a private tour.”
A young man in a green uniform approached them and introduced himself, and they were led to the dolphin tank. Byron must have poured a fortune into this place because visitors were not normally allowed inside the enclosure. They were even able to throw some fish into the dolphin’s mouth. They even got close enough to pat the creature’s rubbery body.
Next, they went to assist with feeding the otters. There were three adults and one baby, which made the cutest sounds.
“I want to keep one in my bathtub!” Emily said.
“They’re not as cute as you think,” a young female employee said, “when they’re liable to bite your hand off.”
“I know,” Emily said, “these otters belong in the wild anyway.”
“Sadly this pup will have to live with us the rest of her life,” the young woman remarked, “She was orphaned at a young age and wouldn’t survive on her own.”
Emily could see Byron getting more and more enchanted by the animals. By the end, he was fully interested in them, and not just watching her.
“I know you think I can make changes in my life,” he suddenly said after they left the otter tank, “but what if I’m like a captive otter who just couldn’t adjust to anything different?”
“You can adjust,” Emily said with confidence. “You’re not an orphan otter. You’ve got your mama watching over you.”
“More like suffocating me,” he complained.
“Is your speech at the event going to be otter-based?” Emily inquired.
“Yeah, from now on, all my speeches are going to be about otters,” Byron replied, winking at her, “It will ensure people’s sympathy.”
When Emily got home, she was inspired by the otters and tempted to add fake fur to the dress for the charity event. She used all her will power to resist. The dress had to be simple.
