Chapter 27 Lousy Piece Of Scrap Metal Julian picked two purple gowns for Annalise and told her to try them on.
He sat on the couch and was flipping through a magazine when she came out after changing into one of the dresses. As soon as he saw her, his eyes widened, and he could not tear his gaze away from her.
He thought in awe, âI know how beautiful she is, and I knew sheâd look stunning in an evening gown.
However, I never imagined sheâd look incredibly gorgeous.â
The corseted style of the purple gown accentuated Annaliseâs slender figure, and she exuded a sexy yet innocent air in a harmonious contrast that created a stunning sight beyond compare.
âDoes it not look good? Iâll put on the other one, then,â said Annalise.
âItâs gorgeous! You donât have to try on the other gown. This one is perfect!â Julian replied.
Inwardly, he mused, âI donât think thereâs any other dress that would suit her more perfectly than the one sheâs wearing. Itâs just like how I feel thereâs no one more suited to be my wife than her.â
âAll right. Thatâs decided, then.â
She was about to go and change out of the gown when Julian said, âThereâs no need to get changed.
Weâre going straight to get your hair and makeup done.â
âItâs already past four oâclock now. The stylist usually does the makeup first, so thatâll be the perfect.
opportunity to get someone to give her a shoulder massage. She can take a short nap during the Judging from the faint dark circles under her eyes, I think she mustâve stayed up late last night,â he thought..
massage.
Before starting the hair and makeup, Julian instructed the stylist to give Annalise a neck and shoulder massage. Since she had good skin, the stylist would not have to do much to prep her skin.
Although Annalise did not say anything, she was moved by how thoughtful Julian was.
âBenjamin was gentle and caring in every way, but he wouldnât have thought about these little details,â
she pondered.
The stylist started giving her a shoulder massage as she lay on the bed, and in just a few minutes, she had dozed off.
By the time she woke up, the stylist had done her makeup. All that was left was to style her hair. Julian was waiting for her, and he gave her a tender smile when he saw that she had awakened. âAfter you get your hair done, weâll go and grab a bite first.â
âWhat time is it?â Annalise asked.
âSix oâclock.â
âIâve been asleep for that long?â she exclaimed in disbelief.
Usually, she would find it difficult to fall asleep in unfamiliar places.
âIt wasnât that long. Only an hour, Julian said, unable to hide the doting tone in his voice.
His doting tone felt like the gentle caress of a feather, causing Annaliseâs heart to flutter.
However, she quickly forced herself to calm down and steady her heartbeat.
She glanced at the hand he held toward her, then placed her hand in his, thinking. âFamiliarity is truly something scary. I canât believe Iâve gotten used to holding his hand and that it actually gives me a sense of security. The feeling of his large hand enveloping mine is so warm and comforting.â
She felt an inexplicable sense of happiness blossoming within her as if her body was experiencing a surge of dopamine. She could not help casting aside the jumble of distracting thoughts in her mind, and her lips.
curved into a smile.
At seven oâclock that evening. Julian drove back to Hamilton Hotel since the charity dinner was at the banquet hall of the hotel on the first floor.
Although they arrived before eight oâclock, there were already many luxury cars parked in front of the hotel, and many more continued driving up to the hotel.
There were also many more valets than usual that evening.
As soon as a luxury car drove up, the valets would rush over to help park the vehicle or guide the driver with maneuvering into a parking space.
But when Julian drove up, not a single soul bothered to look his way.
Annalise smiled and said, âI see an empty spot over there. Letâs park there.â
He drove toward where she had pointed, but a valet hurried over just as he was about to pull into the parking spot. Although the valet greeted Julian politely, his general tone was somewhat discourteous.
âGood evening. This parking space is reserved. Youâll have to park somewhere else. Thereâs a very important charity dinner at the hotel tonight, so outsiders arenât allowed inside.â
âBut isnât this an empty parking spot?â Annalise responded.
The valet did not sound happy as he replied, âSomeone has already reserved it.â
Puzzled, she asked, âWhen has it become a thing to reserve parking spaces like this?â
âWhatever it is, you canât park your car here,â the valet insisted.
âBut weâre here to attend the charity dinner,â Annalise said.
When the valet heard that, he gazed at them up and down, then glanced at their vehicle, which he estimated to be only worth around 30 thousand dollars.
Annalise frowned. âParking spaces are usually on a first-come, first-served basis.â
Unable to keep his temper any longer, the valet snapped, âIâve tried to be respectful toward you, but it seems that youâre just asking for me to burst your bubble. Judging from what youâre driving, even if you did manage to scrape through and qualify as an attendee for the charity dinner, you wouldnât be able to afford to buy anything. All youâll be able to do is make up the numbers and broaden your horizons.
Look at all the luxury cars around you. Do you think itâs appropriate to park this lousy piece of scrap metal here?â
Annaliseâs anger flared as she thought indignantly, âThatâs it. Iâm determined to park here today, no matter what.â
Just then, a sexy, middle-aged woman wearing a red gown and holding a handbag walked over.
As soon as she got close enough, the woman went off on the valet. âWho did you say is only here to make up the numbers, huh? Whatâs the matter? Is someone who doesnât drive a luxury car unqualified to participate in a charity dinner? Is doing charity only for the wealthy? Iâll have you know that this lady here has been extending financial aid to orphanages since she was 13 years old. Do you think someone like you is qualified to criticize others? Get out of my sight!â
The woman was Madeline. She had arrived earlier, planning to meet up with Benjamin first. Madeline was surprised to see Annaliseâs car as soon as she arrived and was just about to greet the latter when she noticed the valet speaking rudely to her.
Unable to hold back her anger, she had rushed over to admonish the valet.
Noticing Madelineâs dignified air and the string of large pearls around her neck that was clearly worth a fortune, the valet dared not talk back for fear of provoking her. Hence, he apologized immediately and hurried off to continue doing his job.
As soon as Julian parked the car, Annalise got out to greet Madeline. âMs. Tuffin, didnât you say to meet at eight oâclock?â
âWell, itâs a good thing I arrived a little earlier. Otherwise, who knows how badly you wouldâve gotten bullied? See, thatâs why I told you itâs high time you changed your car. Driving a car like that will only make others. disparage you wherever you go,â Madeline grumbled good-naturedly.
Annalise grinned. âYouâre right, but it actually works out better this way. If someone looks down on me just because of the car I drive, that person is not worth befriending.â
In his heart, Julian strongly agreed with Annaliseâs response, thinking, âThatâs what Grandpa used to say all the time. While I was studying abroad, Grandpa would tell me to maintain a low profile in every aspect. He said that would allow one to see things as they actually are and make genuine friends, and it was those friends who would stick through thick and thin for the rest of oneâs life.â
âAnd this is?â Madeline asked when she saw Julian. She thought excitedly, âEven at first glance, I was absolutely stunned. Heâs so handsome! Theyâre a match made in heaven!â
âGood evening. Iâm Annieâs hus-â
Before he could finish his sentence, Annalise quickly interrupted, âBoss. Heâs my boss, Ms. Tuffin. He has a pharmaceutical business.â
As she spoke, she shot Julian a pleading glance.
Although Julian was upset that Annalise was unwilling to introduce him as her husband, he could not bring himself to refuse her silent plea. Hence, he nodded politely to Madeline in greeting and said, âGood evening. Iâm Annaliseâs boss. My name is Julian Parks.â