56

The night of the gala was approaching, all Zane had told Ava was that her dress would be black in a classic style. It wasn’t much to go on, but Ava had booked an appointment at Salon Noire. Gabriel offered to keep her company. It would give them time to catch up as well. Ava arrived, accompanied by Ryder and Carlos. She had asked Gabriel if it would be okay with him that Ryder came along as her bodyguard. Ava was worried Gabriel would feel uncomfortable to have someone he dated be in the same company as him, but not be able to interact in that way. She knew Ryder would never be unprofessional when he was on duty. But Gabriel had assured her he didn’t care. He knew what Ryder did for a living and he was used to him in that capacity when the two friends were hanging out.

“So tell me all about your dress,” Tammy urged Ava as she started doing her hair.

“I can’t say much about it, I know it’s black and that it has a classic look,” Ava told her.

“Honey, how come you don’t know what your own dress looks like?”

“That’s because her boyfriend, that isn’t her boyfriend, because there is nothing serious between them, has selected it for her and is keeping it a surprise,” Gabriel told her.

“Honey, if a man buys you a dress, it ain’t casual anymore. No man goes through the trouble of getting you a dress if he isn’t into you, isn’t that right, Gabriel?” Tammy said.

“You are preaching to the quire. I have tried to tell her this for weeks,” Gabriel agreed.

“He just wants to make sure I look right, as tonight is a big thing for him,” Ava objected.

“Sure, honey, you tell yourself that,” Tammy told her, and exchanged a look with Gabriel. Tammy worked her wonders on Ava’s hair as the nail technician created beautiful nails that went from black and faded into rose gold at the tip. Tammy had tamed Ava’s naturally curly hair into a slick hairdo with a low bun. Lastly, they did her makeup in a classical sooty eye and red lips.

“You look stunning,” Gabriel told Ava.

“Thank you,” Ava told the two girls that had been working on her.

“Oh, honey, you make our job easy. You are a natural beauty and you are sweet as sugar,” Tammy said with a smile. Ava thanked them again and made sure they got a hefty tip as she left to go home and finally see her dress. They dropped Gabriel off at his new place. He was now living in one of the most central apartment complexes in the city, in a two-bedroom apartment that was almost on par with the mansion when it came to luxuries. Zane was waiting for her as she got back.

“You look beautiful,” he told her and gave her a light kiss on her cheek, not to mess up the makeup.

“Thank you. Now, where are you hiding my dress?”

“I left it on the bed. We will leave in an hour,” Zane said.

“Thank you, Zane. I’m really looking forward to tonight,” Ava told him as she started up the stairs. He just gave her one of his rare genuine smiles. Ava opened the door to what was supposed to be her room, just to make sure. The room was empty, nothing was on the bed. Ava smiled and walked into Zane’s room. On his bed there was a box and when she opened it, she couldn’t help but to grin and she felt an urgent need to put on the dress at once. But she took her time, making sure to put on some of the sexiest black lingerie she had seen. She also put on sheer, black nylon stockings that had a delicate lace trim at the top. She strapped on the high heels and found her balance. When she finally slipped the dress on, the fabric flowed over her body, showing off her curves. It truly was a classical, full-length black dress. Three details made it spectacular. There was a slit on one side of the skirt that went up almost to the waist. Every time Ava walked, it gave a glint of her leg and if she moved in a certain way, you could even see a hint of the lace on top of the stockings. From the simple broad straps of the dress, chains of rhinestones were draped over the upper arms. They looked like rows of diamonds that hung in swoops, sparkling as they gently swayed as she moved. Ava decided they had to be high-quality rhinestones, because not even Zane could justify using so many diamonds on a dress. The back of the dress dipped down as low as it could without being crude. Ava smiled; she knew Zane enjoyed when she had a bare back. She also enjoyed it, as it was a good way to make a garment sexy without being slutty. Across the back there were the same type of rhinestone-clad chains which hung down her arms. When Ava walked, the chains on her back tapped against her skin and when she looked in the mirror, she could see the rhinestones glistening in the light as they moved. She felt beautiful and sexy as she looked at herself from all angles, both when she stood still and when she moved. Finally, she looked at the clock and realised she only had five minutes before it was time to go. She grabbed the small, black clutch which only had room for her phone and a lipstick, and she left the room.

At the base of the stairs stood Zane and Jax with a woman Ava had never met before. The woman was dressed in a lovely pink evening dress, and Ava assumed she was Jax’s date. As they heard the clicking of Ava’s heels, they turned towards the stairs, and Ava felt more than satisfied with the look on all of their faces. Zane reached out a hand and helped her down the last steps, and Ava got a flashback to her first evening with him.

“I don’t have words for how beautiful you look tonight, angel,” Zane whispered in her ear as he leaned into her. “I’m reconsidering going to this thing. I think it would be better to carry you back upstairs.” Ava let out a soft giggle and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you for this amazing dress. I don’t think I have ever felt this beautiful,” she told him.

“The dress is nice,” he agreed. “But it’s your beauty that enhances it,” he added, making Ava blush.

“You look wonderful, Ava. The dress is amazing,” Jax told her with a smile.

“Thank you, Jax.” His date shot Ava an irritated look. Ava guessed Jax hadn’t complimented her dress. “Hi, I’m Ava,” she told the woman and held out her hand.

“Jennie,” the woman said, shaking Ava’s hand.

“I love your dress,” Ava said to Jennie.

“Thank you.” Jennie shot Ava a smile that looked genuine.

“Time to get going,” Zane said. He looked sexy in a classical tuxedo, his hair styled back. He looked natural in his attire, like he dressed like this every day. Ryder came walking and handed something to Zane. Zane held it up for Ava. It looked like a thick black fur boa. Ava looked at Zane. “It’s faux fur. Not that I wouldn’t have bought the real thing for you, but I figured you preferred it,” Zane told her.

“Thank you,” Ava said, as she let him put it over her shoulders. It was impossibly soft against her skin. They walked to the car, Ava was surprised when she saw a limousine instead of the usual SUV. They arrived at the largest, most glamorous hotel in the city. Ava looked out of the window and saw there was a literal red carpet with photographers on both sides. She was getting nervous. She had never done anything like this.

“Relax, angel. Nothing bad will happen as long as you are with me,” Zane whispered to her and took her hand in his. Ava smiled at him and nodded. Jennie looked in surprise at Ava. Ava liked the woman; she wasn’t the most intelligent person. But she was sweet and polite. Zane helped Ava out of the car as usual. He placed an arm around her waist as they walked towards the door where a uniformed doorman waited with the door opened as the reporters and photographers called out for Zane to stop to talk or take photos. They turned in their coats and were guided to the large dining room. It was tastefully decorated, and Ava thought it looked like the inspiration had been Hollywood glamour in the 1920s. She loved it and had a hard time stopping her head from bobbing around, trying to take everything in. A live band played soft jazz was accompanied by the murmur of a room full of people, standing in groups talking. Zane took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Ava. Jax had done the same, handing one to Jennie, and the four of them formed a group, sipping champagne and listening to the two men discussing what the goal of the evening was. They wanted to talk to some of the wealthier party guest, those that didn’t think twice about doing something illegal as long as it made them a profit. When the plan was in place, the two couples split up.

“What do you think about Jax’s date?” Zane asked Ava, as they slowly moved between the guests.

“She is sweet, not the smartest, but I think she can be of help tonight. Is he serious about her?”

“I don’t think so,” he told her. He then discretely pointed out the man they were going to talk to. Zane was telling Ava that the idea was to make the man think it was his idea to talk to them, not the other way around.

“Ava? Is that you? What are you doing here?” Ava wanted to sigh as she recognised the voice. She plastered a smile on her face and turned around at the same time Zane did.

“Hello, James. What a surprise seeing you here,” Ava said.