*Victoria*
I feel horrible for the way I acted towards Aaron. I was wrong to yell at him and accuse him of something he wasn't guilty of. I let my emotions get the best of me and I was lucky that Aaron didn't leave me.
"I know that I said it's water under the bridge," Aaron started. "But why did you feel so jealous towards Grace? Did I do something to make you doubt my loyalty?"
"No, you didn't do anything. I guess I was just feeling self-conscious. I mean you and Grace obviously have history. You have a child together. I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to be with her instead."
I never imagined myself ever admitting that to Aaron, but here I am spilling everything. This could change our relationship, or the way he feels about me.
"Grace was a one night stand. I didn't know her back then, and I hardly know her now. I love you and only you, Vicky. No one can change that. I promise you that Grace and I are just friends, mostly for Sophie's benefit."
"Mostly?" I know I shouldn't dwell on it, and I should leave it alone, but a part of me is afraid that Aaron will eventually choose Grace over me.
"Well I feel like I should get to know her. We'll be seeing each other for the rest of our lives. We're Sophie's parents."
"So are you two friends now?"
"Pretty much. Is that a problem?"
"No, of course not." I quickly shook my head. "I think it's great that you two get along for Sophie's sake."
That's the biggest lie I've ever told Aaron. It is a problem because I feel like it's a competition between Grace and me.
Aaron pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. He parked the car as close to the front door as he could and we climbed out. He carried both my bags and his as we made our way to the door. While he got a luggage cart, I headed to the front desk for our room keys.
"Hi, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked. She had short blonde hair and green eyes. The age lines on her face tells me she probably in her early to mid-40s.
"Reservation for Daniels."
"Victoria, Mary Daniels's daughter?"
"Yes." I said with a nod. I raised my brow. How does she know my name and my mother's name?
"Your mother left the spare key here for you, and here are the keys to the second room."
She handed me the key cards and after a quick thank you, I rushed over to Aaron who waited patiently by the elevators. He leaned casually against the wall as he checked his phone with a smile on his face. I immediately pushed the thoughts of Grace out of my head.
"I've got the keys." I announced once I reached him. He stood from the wall and held his phone up for me to see.
"Isn't she just the cutest thing?" He asked as I looked at the picture of Sophie attempting to do Grace's makeup. Large grins were plastered on both Grace's and Sophie's faces.
"The cutest." I replied with a smile that probably looked more like a grimace.
The elevator doors opened and we entered, Aaron pulling the cart in behind us. As we waited to arrive at our floor, Aaron wrapped his arm around my waist. I admit it's comforting, but still I can't keep my mind off Grace. I don't doubt Aaron's loyalty, but I do doubt his feelings.
When the elevator opened to our floor Aaron and I exited the elevator. He followed me down the hall as I searched the numbers on the doors for ours. When I came to room 345, Aaron's room, I unlocked the door and went inside.
My jaw nearly dropped at the sight. A queen sized bed was placed against the wall in the center of the room. The sheets silk. A large open window covered the far wall giving a great view of the city. The bathroom had a nice glass shower that was the size of two of ours put together.
"This room is boss!" Aaron said, walking over and plopping onto the bed. "I can't believe that company is paying for all of this."
"Yeah it is pretty great." I agreed. "We're in the room right next door so we could probably leave the door connecting the rooms open."
"I was actually wondering if you wanted to share the room with me." He sat up and looked at me with hopeful eyes. "I mean this bed is too big for me alone."
"I don't know if my mom would..."
"She let you come with me to my dad's beach house for an entire weekend. Sleeping in the same bed with me with your mom next door should be nothing."
"I'll talk to my mom about it, but there are no guarantees."
"That'll do." He smiled.
A few hours before the show, I decided it was time to get ready. I sat up from Aaron's bed. He'd fallen asleep a while ago as we were watching Indiana Jones on TV. I crossed over to my room and laid out the dress my mom made specifically for this event.
Once I was showered and dried off, I left my hair to fall across my shoulders. I then slipped on my dress. Everything was form fitting. Sparkles covered the long sleeve down to right beneath my breast. One arm was bare so I put on a bracelet to bring some attention to it. The grey color was shocking since I don't wear it much, but still it doesn't look bad. I slipped on my navy blue pumps.
I applied a dark blue smokey eye with a light layer of sparkles and a nude lipstick. After a once over in the mirror I knocked on Aaron's room door before entering. He was up and in the process of getting dressed. He wore his grey slacks, which were unbuttoned, showing his black Calvin Klein underwear. He buttoned his white dress shirt covering the muscles beneath. He stopped suddenly and stared at me.
"You look stunning." He said. "You didn't tell me you were walking the catwalk tonight."
"Stop." I said, brushing his compliment off. My cheeks began to warm.
"I'm just speaking the truth." He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around my waist. He leaned in and pressed his lips to my neck, causing a sigh to escape my lips. I want to get into this right now, but we're running late.
"Aaron." I sighed. His hands ran smoothly along my sides. "We have to go." I continued.
"We have a few more minutes." He said, looking at the time on his phone.
I noticed the background picture was the same one he showed my earlier before we got on the elevator. It used to just be a picture of Sophie. I know that he and Grace are friends, but are they really that close now?
"The show starts at 8:00." I said. "It's 7:45. We still need to take a taxi to get there."
"Okay, okay, I'll finish getting dressed. Don't think we won't finish this later." He smiled.
Once Aaron was dressed and ready, we headed down to the lobby. The same receptionist that I'd talked to earlier got my attention.
"There is a limo waiting just outside for you." She said with a smile.
"Did she just say limo?" Aaron asked in shock. "I can't believe this. First this amazing hotel, and now we get a limo?"
"And to think you almost missed out on this." I smirked.
Outside a man stood beside a glossy black limo. He wore a black tux and white gloves. He tipped his black hat to us before opening the back door for us. We climbed in and he shut it behind us.
"This is amazing. They must really think your mom is talented."
"She is. She's going to go far in this business, I can feel it."
The driver pulled up to the fashion show location and unfortunately there was a long line waiting to get in.
"We should have left earlier." I said with a sigh.
"Sorry." Aaron apologized.
"It's not your fault. I'm sure people got here especially early trying to get in to get good seats."
The driver opened the door for us and we climbed out. Aaron wrapped his arm around my waist as we made our way down the sidewalk to the back of the line.
This event is a lot larger than I thought it would be. All of these people will get to see my mother's designs and more than half of them will fall in love with them. This is what my mom has been working towards for her entire life. I couldn't be any more proud of her and I'm glad that Aaron can experience this with us.
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I'm sorry if this last part seems a little rushed. I'm crazy busy all the time right now so I figured I get this up before I get even busier. I also know that a lot of you are starting to dislike Victoria more and more. Sorry about that, but I'm sure you'll love her again a little bit later. :) Tell me your thoughts on this chapter please and where you stand with your favorite characters.
Please comment, vote, and/or fan (follow). Thanks!! ;-)