The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 68: Iris: Rhinestones

Chapter 68: Iris: Rhinestones

"WE NEED red rhinestones to use for the bust line," Lynn runs her hands on the cloth cupping my breasts, turning me around, and checking me out from top to bottom. "Other than that, the dress is almost complete."

My eyes widen a little, worry etched on my face as I stare at her. "Do you have rhinestones?"

"No. That’s why I called you two. You’ll have to go to the mall in town and fetch some for me. About Hundred of them."

"Five-hundred? Are you gonna be able to put them all on the dress by tomorrow?" Mary steps between us, gesturing everywhere with eyes wider than mine glaring at Lynn.

"Yes, but I’ll need your help."

"She’s paying you damnit," Mary interjects again, making Lynn blink in surprise and bite her lip as she looks at the floor.

Placing my hands on Mary’s shoulders, I pat it. She turns around to protest, but one look at my smiley face makes her chill.

"I’ll help you, Lynn. Tell us the name of the mall you want us to buy the stones and we’ll drive there right now."

A small grateful smile appears on her lips and she gently squeezes my hand. "Wait here okay, I’ll get my phone from the charger."

I nod at her.

A sharp pang comes from my ass when Mary spanks it. "What the hell are you doing smiling even though you look annoyed?" She whisper-shouts. "Did it even cross your mind that she might be doing it on purpose?"

"She wouldn’t. Besides, can’t you see that she’s stressed? She has black eye bags Mary, and she’s juggling mine and her dresses. That on its own has gotta be the most stressful shit in the world."

"Okay, then explain to me why her dress looks complete and yours doesn’t?"

"Because mine doesn’t need rhinestones on it. The cloth is good on its own like that. On the other hand, I want to put rhinestones on Iris’ dress, especially the bust line because I want that motherfuckers attention to be grabbed the instant his eyes lay on her body."

"Any more questions I need to answer before I give you guys the shop address?"

We both shake our heads and Lynn nods, handing us the money before sending me the shop’s address online. "Make sure you say I referred you, okay? The owner of that shop is my friend, you might get a discount whilst at it too."

"We will do that," I reply, pulling Mary with me as we make our way to my car.

The breeze outside is refreshing but cold, although I’d rather be cold than see Lynn’s face after the face slap she just gave us. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.

"Man that was so embarrassing," Mary protests, rubbing her red face and staring at the hedge growing on the sidewalks of the company.

It’s been three months since I stepped foot at this company and still, the surroundings never fail to amaze me. The walkways, the flowers, the hedge, the lawn. Everything synchronizes beautifully out here, even more so better than my life. It’s harmonious and inviting—the maim feel I heard the company wanted to exhibit for clients.

Intentional or not, they did a good job designing this company. And it looks like the event that’s going to be happening tomorrow will also have the same effect. The last time I peeked at the tent, the ceiling looked ethereal.

If Adder goes broke after this event, it’ll have been worth it. I can’t even believe it’s going to be a charity event with how much effort that out in the designs.

Then again, the most prominent figures of the country are coming. I wouldn’t be surprised if the President popped up and was amongst the crowd tomorrow.

How cool would that be? Chilling with the big fish under the same tent.

I just know it’s going to be epic, and if Lucas accepts my confession and says he wants me too, I might get drunk in a prom dress tomorrow. I’ve brought everything I need, from scent enhancers to disinfectant and makeup, all of it, just for one day.

It has to be perfect. It has to be memorable. For both Lucas and me at least.

"What are you doing staring at the mirror and gushing instead of driving? Do you want to go to the event in an unfinished dress?" Mary cuts my sweet thoughts with her harsh voice.

Immediately collecting my thoughts, I slap my cheeks. "No, definitely not. We have to get those rhinestones and help Mary with the dress. It should be done by tonight."

"Then get your head out of the gutter and drive. We don’t control time honey. I have to meet up with Phineas tonight so don’t make me ditch you because I won’t feel bad about doing so after having warmed you this many times."

"Yes ma’am."

We arrive at the store Lynn gave us directions to, but to my dismay, they’re out of rhinestones.

I immediately called Lynn and she told us to buy the clear ones, but they’re out of them too. Mary and I end up searching the entire town, but we either find the colors we don’t want, or we don’t find them at all.

It’s like the world is fighting me and my confession, but I’m too determined to back down now. If it all comes down to it, I’ll have to wear the plain dress like that—with a few professional touches of course.

"What are we gonna do?" Mary asks just when her phone rings.

"Hey babe," she does the adenoidal thing, smiling at her phone and completely ignoring me.

Great. She’s gonna leave me behind now.

"I’m helping Iris find rhinestones for the dress she needs to wear tomorrow but all the shops and malls in town are suddenly out of them. How ridiculous does that sound?"

"Yeah?...Who?...Okay, I’ll tell Iris to ask him...Yes, I’m coming tonight so wait for me okay?"

Ugh. My ears. Why does being cutesy and lovey-dovey sound so annoying when it’s done by someone you know?

"Okay, bye. Thanks for the heads up...See you tonight."

"What was that?" I spew the moment she cuts the call.

"Phineas. He said Lucas can help us find those rhinestones with his connections."

"No way am I calling him. My dress has to be a surprise."

"Yeah, but it won’t be so sexy if you don’t have the rhinestones will it?"

I roll my eyes in annoyance. "Can we at least finish this last block and see if we can try some of our dull luck?"

"Don’t come crying to me when your sparkle is dulled," Mary shrugs.

The next hour proves her right when we come out of the block empty-handed and tired. I feel like crying. Why of all days did all the shops have to run out of rhinestones today? It’s ridiculous and stupid, unbelievable, like a fucking plot twist in books to lead me straight into the male lead’s hands, crying and begging for his help just so he can look cooler and more...helpful.

I didn’t want Lucas to know even the tiniest of elements that were going to be on my dress, but the world just had to puke on me today too. I’ll have to sacrifice my pride and ego just because I don’t have connections strong enough to help me with such a simple task.

Before you judge, I’ve already asked my grandparents if they know any designers and they both said no. Funny isn’t it, how the world seems to toy with you when time isn’t on your side.

"I’ll call Lucas," I tell Mary once we’re seated in my car.

"You should have done that in the first place," she whines, taking a sip of her water and lowering her seat so she can sleep. "Just ask him if he can assist us with rhinestones then we’ll just go and collect them."

"Okay," I dial his number, calling him the next moment.

Lucas picks up the call on the second beep. "Iris, baby. How are you doing? I miss you so much I could die."

For someone who was judging Mary a while ago, my voice drops to the most sugar-coated nosing ever. "Luke," is all I say before I cut to the chase. "I’m kinda in a tight spot."

"What happened? Who’s responsible?"

There’s my alpha male mafia boss Daddy.

Gushing to myself, I add more sauce to my voice. "I need five hundred rhinestones for the dress I’m gonna wear tomorrow, but all the stores here are out. Do you know anyone who might help?"

A pause follows and the sounds of paper being ruffled come from his side. "I do. She’s called Bella. Let me call her and I’ll get back to you okay?"

As if he just used a curse on me, all the blood drains from my face. "Did you just say Bella?"

Mary flips up like she’s rising from the dead, her eyes wide open as if she’s staring deep into my soul.

"Yes, the designer. Do you know her?"

Oh, I know her alright.

"Yes, I do. Will she be coming over to your house?"

"I think so, but if everything doesn’t work out, I’ll go to hers instead."

Oh fuck.

"Are you home right now?"

"No, I’m at my Dad’s. But don’t worry, I’ll bring the rhinestones to your house, or Paul will since you said you need to wear the dress tomorrow."

Closing my eyes, I rub my temple, feeling my heart drop a few inches down my gut with every depressing pump my heart makes in my chest. "Okay. I’ll be waiting for you at my house."

"Don’t worry baby. The rhinestones will be there in time for you, okay?"

And that’s it. Not I’ll be there when you need me. Not I’ll bring them to you. It’s just the bland goodbye as though Bella has already taken him away from me.

"What are you going to do now?" Mary presses and I open my eyes, staring at the roof of my car.

"I don’t have a choice. Guess I’ll have to wait and see if he brings the stones or if he sends someone else to do the work for him."

"I think you do have a choice. You’re just scared to meet up with him because he might choose Bella over you isn’t it?"

Tears well in my eyes. "Yeah. I think I’m afraid of him rejecting me more than anything now."

"Aww, come here," Lynn soothes me. "I told you, Lucas likes you. You have nothing to worry about. If he wanted to date Bella, don’t you think they’d be dating by now?"

I want to agree with her, but the more I look at it, the more I see Bella winning him over me. I mean, we both started as Lucas’ fuck buddies didn’t we?

"He loves you, Iris. Just believe in yourself more."

★★★★★

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