by Megan West
“Really?”
Jessica nodded enthusiastically. Alyssa couldn’t believe a website like that even existed, but Jessica had been absolutely right– she saved her ass.
Chapter Two
It was Wednesday afternoon, which meant Alyssa left work early so she could have plenty of time to get ready for the gala. She had hung the dress up on the hook placed on the back of her closet door and it remained there, untouched, until now.
She pulled it out and took a look at it again before putting it on. It was splendid. It was floor length and made entirely of purple lace layered over the purple slip beneath. All the material was high quality and the design was amazing. It had a square neckline that was flattering for her breasts without revealing so much cleavage to be inappropriate for what was, essentially, a work function.
Alyssa particularly liked the small back detail where it opened up to reveal a smooth expanse of skin. It was the perfect combination of elegant and sexy and it suited her. She styled her hair up in an elegant twist and applied her makeup with great care before finally slipping on her stilettos. She looked in the mirror and was shocked, but in a good way. She had never been done up like that before, much less wearing a designer dress.
While Alyssa was certainly not poor or even close to it, she wasn’t really in a position to buy gowns that cost upwards of a thousand dollars. Besides, she never really attended events or went places where such a gown would be necessary. She snapped a photo of herself and sent it to Jessica. She was pleased with the positive and enthusiastic response her friend sent back.
At precisely 7pm, Alyssa’s doorbell rang. She took hold of her clutch and walked to open it. As she suspected, it was the driver who was sent to pick her up and take her to the gala where she would meet her boss.
The ride was comfortable and smooth. She had been in luxury passenger cars before because of work, but it felt different now that she was being taken to such a special event in one. When she first moved to the city she could have never imagined attending such a prestigious event one day in the future.
The sedan pulled up the driveway where the attendees were being dropped off by their drivers. Alyssa felt her stomach flutter as a man opened the door for her and escorted her straight up to the man holding a guest list. As soon as she was inside she went on the hunt for the boss, even though she really wanted to look around and admire everything. But she knew it was best to find him first and then she could have a look around.
It wasn’t long before she found him as he had been thoughtful enough to wait for her near the entrance. He was talking to a woman who looked to be about Alyssa’s age, only she seemed to be quite used to wearing the expensive gowns to prestigious galas. Alyssa walked over and her boss, Aiden, as he turned to greet her with a smile.
“Amanda, darling, this is my associate. Her name is Alyssa McConnell.”
Alyssa stretched her hand out to shake hers. Amanda smiled brightly at her and Alyssa was struck with how beautiful and charming the woman was. She found it intriguing how a woman, or a person in general, could ooze with so much charm even from such a simple action. Amanda was a bit taller than Alyssa and gorgeous, but it didn’t make Alyssa feel any less confident in the way she looked. As she met more and more people who seemed perfectly at home in such clothing and the event however, she started feel a bit out of place.
Alyssa wondered why her boss had asked her to join when there were plenty of other people he could have asked. She started feeling like she had at the bar when she felt suddenly out of place. It was like she had been taken somewhere she couldn’t get a grasp of no matter what. She swallowed hard, as if she could swallow away the feeling, and then took a step in closer to her boss.
As he walked with her toward their assigned seats he held out his arm for her to take. It was gentlemanly of him and she didn’t think there was anything strange or flirtatious about it.
Once they were seated, Aiden leaned over to her, “I’m glad you were able to join me tonight.”
Alyssa turned to see a strange smile on his face she had never seen before and her stomach did a little flip. That was the first time she ever questioned one of his motives, but she smiled and nodded before turning to look toward the podium. She didn’t want to think too much on it or place any sort of emphasis on her sudden realization that, perhaps, Aiden had some sort of interest in her as a woman and not only as his co-worker.
It wasn’t long before the host started his speech. Alyssa was grateful for that. She wanted to be saved from another awkward moment with Aiden. Although she knew it was possible to have another one, or many more for that matter, once it was time to dine and mingle at least she was safe from it for a while. Once the speeches were over and the honors had been done, Alyssa found herself excited for the three course dinner that was sure to be top of the line. Just as dessert ended and the people were beginning to mingle, her eyes locked onto a handsome man approaching their table. Right at that moment Aiden excused himself to go speak to a business partner.
Alyssa’s attention, however, was focused on the man walking towards the table. At first she thought he knew Aiden, but when his eyes remained on her and he didn’t stop heading in her direction after Aiden left the table, she realized he was going to her. She felt her stomach twist and her cheeks run hot as gulped nervously. She had no idea why she suddenly felt so rattled, but when the man sat at the table only one chair away from her, she felt her heart beat a bit faster.
“Good evening,” he said in a deep timbre that sent a shiver straight down her spine. He wasn’t smiling, but he didn’t look stern either.
“Good evening,” Alyssa said with a weak smile. Her mouth felt dry. Her eyes traced over his face rather intently as she took in every detail.
He had a full head of silky smooth light brown hair, swept back in a natural looking manner. His skin was a lovely bronze that made his bright blue eyes pop even more. As he had walked over she noticed he was tall, but now that he was closer she noticed his strong broad shoulders. She tried to smile, but quickly stopped out of concern that it looked awkward and forced.
“I know you’re not her alone,” he said in a low voice so that even she could barely hear him. She suspected that was his intention and she found it partly attractive and partly irritating.
“But are you alone?” he asked with a heavy, meaningful tone.
Alyssa knew exactly what he meant. He wanted to know if she was with Aiden, together as a romantic couple. She wanted to answer truthfully, but she also didn’t know him or the reasons he was asking. As she continued to carefully look at his face, she had the distinct sensation she already knew him even if they had never met.
That doesn’t even make any sense, she thought.
But no matter what she couldn’t shake the feeling.
“I, uh, I’m not his girlfriend.” She looked at him, waiting for confirmation that she hadn’t misunderstood his question and potentially made an ass of herself. The man smiled in what looked like satisfaction. Her heart started to beat faster once again.
“Great.” He said pointedly as he held out his hand. “My name is Philip Walton. And to whom do I have the pleasure to be meeting at this moment?”
Alyssa felt like she had just slammed into a wall. Philip Walton. Now she understood why he looked so familiar. She felt even more nervous than before and was truly terrified of doing or saying anything embarrassing.
“Alyssa McConnell,” she said slowly. It was on purpose; she felt if she tried to speak quickly or even at a normal pace she would end up stuttering and saying something completely nonsensical. She saw the man’s eyes flick to the side and he straightened up right away.
“Alyssa,” he repeated in the same low tone as before. “I’d love to have dinner with you sometime,” he told her. Her breath caught in her throat almost sending her in a coughing fit.
He handed her his business card and politely excused himself. She watched as he exited the ballroom and realized only then he was leavi
ng the gala. Right at that moment she felt a heavy hand land on her shoulder.
“Sorry about that.” It was Aiden. His voice sounded almost grating in comparison to Philip’s. Alyssa was silently thankful he hadn’t been around to ruin her encounter with Philip Walton. She looked up at Aiden and gave him a fake, tight-lipped smile. She stood up and told him she had started feeling a bit unwell and wanted to go home.
“I’m sorry. I’m just really not feeling up for this.”
“I understand.” Aiden said as he held out his arm so he could walk her to the front where her driver would pick her up, only now it would be to take her back home.
Alyssa thanked Aiden and stepped into the car, leaning her head back and staring up at the ceiling. As the car sped down the highway and she neared her home, it felt as if the enchantment was ending.
Chapter Three
“Just go on the date,” Jessica sighed. She turned back around to run her fingers through her shiny brown hair, now at cute shoulder length, before turning back to face Alyssa. She grinned. “Cute, right?” Jessica did a playful little flip of her hair before chuckling at her own silliness. She walked over to Alyssa and patted her hand. “Really though, that do you have to lose? Just go and have a good time!”
“It just doesn't make sense,” Alyssa sighed. She was still hesitant in accepting Philip’s invitation to dine with him. She thought it was odd that out of all the women at the gala he had set his sights on her. She had only been there because her boss was a special guest due to his latest project.
She didn’t belong there and felt it more and more every minute she stayed there. More than that, she didn’t even know how she should dress for the date if she were to accept it. Even her gown for the gala had been a rental.
Jessica sighed dramatically and made a show of rolling her eyes.
“You're always so full of doubt and then you complain your life is dull. Take some risks, Alyssa, and you'll see your life will be a lot more exciting. I'm not going to keep insisting. If you don't want to go, then shoot him down.” Jessica looked at Alyssa before turning on her heel and walking out of the bedroom.
Alyssa exhaled and looked up at the ceiling as if she would find the perfect answer written up there, but it was just as white and plain as always. She hopped off the dresser to follow Jessica into the living room. Her friend was right. She needed to make a choice and move on. Talking about it endlessly wouldn’t change the fact that she either had to say yes or no.
She saw Jessica playing on her phone when she walked into the living room. Just as she was about to open up her mouth to bring up the Philip debate again she decided against it. Alyssa could already tell her friend was getting annoyed, so she thought it best to just let it go. She sat next to Jessica and pulled out her own phone but realized there wasn’t really anything she wanted to check. She sighed.
“I have to go,” Jessica said suddenly as she stood up and snatched her bag from the coffee table. Alyssa peered at her.
“Okay,” she said sounding and looking confused. It was strange that Jessica had just suddenly decided to leave, but Alyssa wasn’t going to question her about it.
She watched as Jessica walked out the door and then leaned her head back against the couch.
“Philip,” she mumbled. She thought that if she was debating it so much maybe a part of her was at least curious to have dinner with him. After all, it wasn’t every day she had a social call with an extremely wealthy and well-known man. She was curious to know how he carried himself and to see how he was treated by others.
She was certain few people went about life the way he did, but it wasn’t something she had every witnessed on a personal level. She wondered if they would talk enough over dinner for her to get to know the side of Philip that was never portrayed by newspaper and magazine interviews. He wasn’t exactly a celebrity, but his name was quite well known.
She unlocked her cell phone and stared at her screen before opening up her contacts. There was his number, stored but not labeled. She tapped on it and pressed the phone to her ear to hear the ringing until his deep voice came on the other end.
“Hello?” Alyssa curled her fingers inward as she felt her heart race. Calling him was a lot more nerve wracking than she would have imagined.
“Philip,” she said in an unsteady voice, “This is Alyssa. Alyssa McConnell, we met at-”
“The gala. Yes, of course I remember. I did ask you out to dinner so one would hope I would recall who you are.”
Alyssa felt like she had been slapped in the face. He was so forward. She hadn’t expected him to bluntly state his proposition, if he brought it up at all. The way he said things came so easily that it threw her off. She had never spoken to anybody who spoke with such ease, no matter the subject.
“Right,” she muttered with an awkward chuckle.
“What can I do for you, Alyssa?”
She heard background noise that sounded as if he were standing outside or walking down a busy street. Something inside her resisted the urge to tell him, but she had made the call and so it was time to decided. She didn’t want to chicken out no matter how fast her pulse was at that moment. She was just glad to already be sitting down.
“I was calling you to, uh, well,” she paused and took a deep breath. She felt so silly sputtering and stalling. “I would like to accept your dinner invitation.”
Philip chuckled and Alyssa felt her cheeks grow hot in embarrassment. Thank god she was on the phone. It had been hard enough for her to actually call him and accept without having him laugh at her.
“You make it sound so formal, Alyssa. This isn’t a business dinner, you know.”
She calmed down a bit and realized she had indeed made it sound like a business formal event when, in reality, he had essentially asked her out on a date. At least she had assumed it was a date. She felt panic well up inside her once again so she started to rush the conversation.
She forced a chuckle and responded, “Right. We can schedule it later, then?”
“Why later if I have you on the phone right now?”
Alyssa clamped her mouth shut and puffed out her cheeks. He had a point. She just wanted to hastily get off the phone since she was being nonsensical.
“Right,” she said, but didn’t say anything more, not even giving an indication of when would be a good night to get together for dinner.
“Are you available Wednesday evening?”
She could tell he was carefully prodding her in the right direction. It was as if he could sense how much trouble she was having just speaking to him and was finding a way to steer the conversation without being pushy. Gentle guidance in conversation was practically an art form and she catalogued it in her mind as something she liked about him. That was a good start. Then she thought about the actual question he had asked.
“Yes,” she said slowly.
“Are you sure?” he asked quickly.
Even from a one syllable word he noticed how unsure she felt. Most people didn’t pay that much attention, even if an entire speech was prepared. Alyssa wondered if he was always so perceptive or if it was just part of his game he played with woman.
Because her suspicion had not died down and she knew it wouldn’t even after having dinner with him. She would be wondering for a while why he liked her enough to actually ask her out to dinner. She started to feel the panic well up again, only this time she managed to fight it off a little.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Great,” he shot back. She could picture him smiling on the other end of the phone. She remembered the way his smile looked when they met at the gala and she was thankful, yet again, that she was already sitting, she was sure her knees would have felt quite wobbly if she hadn’t been.
They agreed on deciding a time and place closer to Wednesday and he bid her a good night before ending the call. Alyssa sat on her catch staring at her phone in the palm of her hand until the screen faded to black after a few minutes had passed. She had really j
ust accepted a date with Philip Walton, a well-known billionaire belonging to the socioeconomic elite. That was when the panic hit her even harder than before. She hurriedly called Jessica only to have her call forwarded to voicemail.
“No dammit!” she whined before calling her again. It wasn’t until the third call that Jessica actually answered.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. Alyssa could tell her friend had stepped out of wherever she was to take the call. She started to feel guilty about interrupting her when it wasn’t really a pressing or time sensitive matter.
“Um,” Alyssa responded before letting out a long breath. “Yes, sorry. I shouldn’t have interrupted you like that.”
“Well, you did, so now you tell me why you were calling like crazy,” Jessica told her bluntly. Alyssa knew her friend well enough to know she was probably a bit annoyed. “Did he ask you on a date?”
