The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 70: Iris: He likes you

Chapter 70: Iris: He likes you

TODAY IS the day. I’m finally going to confess everything to Lucas at the charity event tonight.

However, I have one tiny problem. Bella. I don’t think I can shake her off tonight considering she and Lucas go a long way back before the two of us even met.

I haven’t even seen her yet, but my gut tells me today is going to be just as dramatic as the Lynn days. I don’t know how many times I’ve told myself I hate drama, but it seems I can’t avoid it this time.

The first person to tug at Lucas’ heart gets to spend the day with him. So it’s either her or me. I’ll have to put everything I can into tonight, I’ll have to be the only one in Lucas’ eyes tonight. That way, I’ll be able to pull him away and confess when the time comes.

But first, I have to take care of the dark circles under my eyes.

Last night was hectic. Mary and I had to assist Lynn in adding the rhinestones to the dress. I thought it was easy, that we would apply a bit of glue on the stone and stick it to the dress, but no. Apparently, Lynn had a whole complicated design in mind that only she could pull off in an instant.

Mary and I had to group the rhinestones into their respective sizes and shapes, and our roles were to hand a piece with glue over whenever Lynn said she wanted it.

In the end, the dress was finished at around 1 AM today, and we slept in Lynn’s office on her large inflatable mattress. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but we managed to sleep for a good eight hours and only woke up when it was beginning to get hot outside.

"Should I iron the dress at home?" I ask, running my hand on its back as I scan it. The cloth is smooth and shiny, and so are the rhinestones. Then there’s the slit. It goes up to my thigh, leaving a part of my thighs out for Lucas to see.

Yes, I’m going for the cheap move mastered by many—seduction. I’m going to throw everything I have into making Lucas mine, and if that means making him horny throughout the night, then I’m going to do it.

"Yes, but make sure to avoid ruining the rhinestones. Otherwise, you’ll be one sad prom girl tonight."

"Got it. Anything else I need to know before we leave?"

Lynn looks behind her, opening her eyes wide as if she’s afraid someone will overhear us. When she’s finally sure of whatever she was checking, she tippy-toes in my direction, gesturing for me to lower my head so she can whisper in my ear.

"Make sure you keep Lucas ok your tabs at all times tonight. I don’t know if he and Bella are still together, but if they are, just in case, make sure you win him over instead of her, okay?"

"You think they’re still doing it?"

She shrugs. "Who knows? He fooled me into thinking you two were in a relationship, didn’t he? Maybe he’s fucking around with you two. I mean, he’s a man after all, isn’t he?"

Jeez, I don’t need such negativity right now.

"I sigh. "Can you give me any pointers on how to know if Lucas is about to leave me for Bella?"

Lynn bites her lip. "I’m afraid we don’t have time," she points at the restroom where Mary was taking a bath a while ago. The shower has stopped running and so has her humming. "Your friend is about to come out."

"So?"

"She hates this topic! Didn’t you see her glaring at me the last time I tried warning you about Bella?"

Oh, that.

Biting my lip, I begin fidgeting with my hands, looking for a way to squeeze information out of Lynn. It might be negative for me to hear all this, but I think it’s for the better. Tonight is going to be about me confessing. Anything that could get in my way needs to be scrubbed off like shit.

I can’t afford to mess up.

God, I can’t believe I’m going all in for the drama I claimed to hate so much.

The restroom doors open, and Mary comes out ruffling her hair in a towel. The whole office immediately starts smelling like lemons—the scent of her bath soap.

"Why are you guys looking at me like that?" She questions, snatching the lotion from Mary’s purse and applying some on her body. You would think they are best friends from the way she’s behaving.

"I’m not looking at you but your hair." Lynn taunts, turning on her heel to finish her gown.

"What about you?" Mary tips her head at me.

"I am looking at you," I blurt out without thinking.

"Do you want something?"

In her jerk mood today I see.

"Why do you sound angry?" I quip, still reeling my mind on a way to escape so I can squeeze information from Lynn.

"Do I? Sorry about that, I just have a headache."

Both Lynn and I freeze. She can’t be having a headache today, it’s the fucking event day damnit.

Rushing over to her bag, Lynn begins rummaging through it. "I have some painkillers in here. Get a bottle of water for her Iris."

I don’t need another command before I rush over to the fridge and get it. By the time I return, Lynn is popping out the pills into Mary’s hands and asking her how much her head hurts or if she should increase the dosage.

I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed Mary is sick. She has puffy eyes and a red face.

"Here." She takes the water I hand her, downing her pills the next moment and letting out a satisfied soul sigh.

"Thanks. I’ll take a nap once we’re home."

"As you should. Can you move? I’ll drive us," I ask.

"Yeah, I can do that," Mary replies already standing.

Lynn assists her anyways, hooking her arms around hers as she supports her from the stool. I grab all our staff and we make our way to the nearly empty parking lot. Except for the designers and the event planners, everyone is off today preparing for tonight.

If it wasn’t for my dress, I’m pretty sure I’d be getting extra beauty treatment today so I can look supple and ready. Unfortunately, I have to do that by getting enough sleep or I won’t be in a good mood tonight.

"There, there," Lynn coos as she lowers Mary into the car. I place our bags in the back seats, rushing over to the driver’s seat. Thanking Lynn, we drive off Adder grounds.

"Take us to a sauna," Mary commands when I take the sharp turn that leads into the main road.

I give her a quick glance. "You think you should be getting your skin pampered right now with that headache of yours?"

She nods. "I can sleep during the massage sessions. It’s that easy."

"Oh. Brace yourself then hun. We’re getting soaked in mist if you get what I mean."

Rolling her eyes, Mary lowers her seat until it’s almost touching the others in the back. "Wake me up when we arrive. I’ll take a nap."

Nodding, I lower the car speed. The road ahead is bumpy, and if this headache she had is like the others I’ve seen her suffer from, then she’s in for a rough night.

Sighing, I take my phone from the dashboard and unlock it. There are a couple of messages from my grandparents and one from the makeup artist and hairstylist I hired for both Mary and I.

She confirmed that she’ll be coming home at around 1 PM, which gives us exactly six hours to do our skin care before she arrives at Mary’s place.

I send her a thumbs-up emoji, returning my phone on the dashboard when it chimes again. This time, it’s Lynn. She sent me a fifteen-minute audio and below that is a message from her.

LYNN: Title—how to know when Lucas and Bella are about to go fuck.

LYNN: Listen to this audio with your earphones on and delete it afterward. I don’t want Mary breathing in my neck when we meet. I’ll never help you again if you make her listen to this.

Smiling to myself, I send her words of assurance before turning my attention back to driving. I’ll have to listen to the audio later after my skincare is done.

But even as I’m telling myself to be patient, I can’t stay still. I want to listen to the audio as soon as possible.

"Ah, fuck."

"Why are you cursing?" Mary flips herself around to face me.

I keep my eyes on the road, biting my lip so I don’t spout nonsense like Lynn warned me.

"You nervous about confessing tonight?"

I slowly nod, biting my lip harder until I can taste bits of blood on my lips.

A small chuckle comes from her. "I told you. That man loves you, Iris. Do you think I’d ever lie to you just for fun?"

Something about the way she says it whilst chuckling to herself half-asleep makes me calm. It’s almost like Lucas told her he likes me and she’s giving me a hint.

Smiling at her, I take another sharp left turn towards Avenue Samora Machel.

"I’ll believe you boo."

★★★★★