Twenty-Six

Amaryllis Lexington

****

"Just when I thought I'd get all my work done today." He groaned, but the smile on his face was a clear indication that he was very glad about this distraction. The boys flopped on the couch just a few feet away from his table, occupying all the space, and I was left standing like a sore thumb. I glared at them before walking towards the chairs facing Carlson.

Be still, my heart. Just act like you used to. If my heart heard my advice, it didn't show. It kept thumping as I got closer to him, and the heavenly smirk on his face didn't help my cause either.

"Mr. Hawthorne, may I?" I gestured to the seat, speaking in a high pitched voice all in an attempt to imitate a business woman. Trust me, that didn't go down well.

"No, you may not. You don't seat until it comes from my own volition." I made a disgusted face as I flopped onto the chair, in a totally unladylike manner.

"So, pray tell, just how much did you pay the boys so they could bring you over here?" He asked, a wicked smirk on his face. Seriously? He thought I asked to be here? If only this dude knew I had a well crafted plan in my head on how to avoid him till I could get my overhyped emotions under control.

"What makes you think I asked them? Is this your way of trying to deny the fact you begged them to bring me here, because you missed me so much and you were dying to see me?"

He relaxed back on his chair, his eyes not leaving my face. "I'd love to say you have me all figured out, but you're wrong. I was clearly surprised when you walked in here."

Before I could even say anything, Alex cut in, "Can you guys just stop this couple fight and be happy that you are both together now? You should be thankful that we put you both out of your miseries." Together, Carlson and I shot him a glare and he raised his hands in a mock surrender.

"Good." We said together. I was about to jinx him when I saw that he was smiling at me. It was a smile that made me feel like I was a few steps away from heaven's door, and I could hear the angels singing Hallelujah in perfect symphony.

"Who's hungry?" Jayden spoke up, breaking our moment and I was torn between thanking him for making things less awkward or shoving his head up his rectum. After careful deliberation, I decided not to do any of that and just join the group raising up their hands.

"Let's go grab some pizza, boys. Amari, you hang out here and keep this workaholic company." Say. What. Now? They are gonna leave me alone with him? Ooooouuuu, me likey cause I'm baddyyy.

David grunted, "Come on, guys. Can't I just wait here while you guys go. I really want to take a nap and this couch is really comfortable." Jayden gave him a very weird staredown that made him rise to his feet almost immediately. Hmm, I see what's going on here.

"Ohhh. I get it. I get it." David said, making a goofy face at us, as they pushed him out the door. I'm starting to believe the only two things he can do effectively is charming unsuspecting girls and creeping people out.

"Is it just me or are your friends trying to play cupid?" I said once we were alone and Carlson smirked, a weird glint in his eyes.

"Do you mind? Cause I don't. I love them and all, but I've been hoping they would get the gist and get out." Oh-ka-yyyy? I didn't see that one coming.

He stood from his super comfy looking chair and walked towards me, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him till we got at the couch. Without a word, he plopped down on it and pulled me onto his laps, with his arms around me. I could swear I had died and gone to heaven.

"W-what are you doing?" My voice betrayed me, cause it came out just as breathless as I felt. Carlson chuckled and I could feel the vibration of his chest against me.

"What I've wanted to do since the moment you walked in here. I missed you, Amari, and it almost drove me crazy." For a moment, I couldn't feel my face because it grew so hot, it became numb.

"Why didn't you call me? Or invite me to hangout with you? I might have taken you up on your invitation."

"Might? Girl, you would have jumped at it like a hungry tiger jumps at carcass, but that's beside the point. I've been swamped these past days. I had to push back a lot of my work to make time for school."

"I thought you used to get days off at school to attend to your meetings?" For some reason, my question brought out a bright smile that just always makes me think un-christian-ish thoughts.

"That was back when I didn't have someone I wanted to see everyday. No offence to the boys." I could swear I had a pop concert going on in my head and I could feel my heart swaying to every beat. You know that feeling you get in your chest when you are in a concert and you can feel the drums right in the center of your chest? That's exactly what I was experiencing right now.

"Are you trying to make me diabetic?" was all I could say and he chuckled, causing that chest rumble that I just couldn't get over. His grip around my waist got tighter and he pulled me closer till my head was on his chest, and he rested his chin on my head carefully.

We stayed like that for a while and even though the silence hung over us like a thick blanket, it was totally divine. The moment was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing for the life of me. If someone had told me all these changes in my life would happen when I moved to Lakeview, I would have flat out denied it.

When I arrived in this high and mighty city, I knew I wouldn't fit it. I knew I wouldn't find my possé and I sure didn't. However, one thing I never knew I'd find here but, somehow, I did, was a guy who would make me forget the existence of Jordan Anderson. Everything I ever felt for Jordan became miniscule compared to how I felt about this boy who once tried to murder me.

The memories of the days of the beginning floated through my mind and I chuckled, remembering just how mean we were to each other. It's weird how our relationship went slowly from a zero, to a twenty, and then a hundred.

"Why are you laughing? Are you thinking weird thoughts? I'm totally not up for that, Miss Lexington. This is my place of work." Carlson interrupted my thoughts with his potty mouth and I jerked away from him, my face flaming like a fire truck.

"Must you always do this? And by this, I mean ruin every moment with your utterances?" I frowned but he just responded with that smile and all my annoyance dissipated. Betrayers!

"You look cute when you're pissed. So, that means I always have to get you pissed if I want to see the cute side of you." That would have been sweet, heck romantic even,  if he didn't just imply that I only look cute when I'm mad. I jumped off his laps and put my hands on my waist, shooting him my nastiest glare.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Oh, did you? Absolutely not, darling. You just somehow implied that the only time I'm worth looking at is when I'm mad! So what happens to all the times when I'm as sweet as an angel?" Realization dawned on him and his mouth formed an O.

"No, I didn't mean it like that. Come on, Amaryllis, you know you are a stunner. I just meant you look extra cute when you're mad." He said and pulled me back into his arms. Now, that's more like it.

"Go out with me tonight." Before I could even express my shock and excitement, he continued, "I have a gala tonight. I was gonna go solo, then I realized I have a very beautiful lady I'd love to show off to everyone." Breathe, Amari. You can do in. In and out.

"Do I have the option of saying yes or no?"

"Well, if I wasn't aware that you were really into me and absolutely smitten by me, I would have asked as a question. So, no, you don't have an option." A small chuckle escaped me. I would have bellowed in laughter, but my stomach was in knots.

"Dominating much, huh?" I asked and he smiled. His gaze held mine longer than usual and I could swear he moved closer to me because somehow, our faces were now barely an inch apart.

"I think women like that, don't they?" His voice came out barely as a whisper, his breath caressing my face in a way that just tightened the knots in my stomach. I've had a billion and one ideas on how my first kiss would go, and I never imagined this. I never imagined it would make me feel so lightheaded . He was about to close the distance between us when someone pushed the door open.

"Oh, come on! I was dragged out just to avoid this!"

David! I. Will. Destroy. You!

---------------

"Not good enough." I groaned and tossed another dress right into the mountain of unqualified dresses on the floor. In less than two hours, Carlson's driver would be here and I still don't have anything to wear.

I looked around, staring at all the clothes in this huge walk-in closet. My parents made sure to occupy every space in here, but somehow I just couldn't find the right dress. I raised my hand to my head in an attempt to frustratingly pull my hair out, but the towel wrapped around my head stopped me short and I was very grateful for that. I wouldn't want to appear at the gala bald now, would I?

Just as I released a long sigh, my eyes caught something and I hurried off in the direction of the dress. When I pulled it out, I almost shed tears of joy. It was an absolutely beautiful baby blue mermaid dress. The intricate design and the diamond studded V-shaped neckline only added to the appeal and glamour of the dress. I had no idea such dress was hiding in here.

I rushed back into my room so I could start dressing up. I had just gotten into the gown when someone knocked and pushed my door open. Allison's jaw dropped when she saw me and a weird smirk took over once her surprise faded.

"Look who's going on a date. Are you going as friends this time too?" She teased as she walked in, taking in my appearance carefully, and the approval I saw in her only made me feel better about my choice.

"I'm just his plus one to a gala. Are you gonna stand there and quiz me or you're going to help me out?" She stuck out her tongue at me before pushing me down on the vanity chair. (What? It's the chair facing the vanity mirror so it's a vanity chair. Or is it just me?)

She removed the huge towel that wrapped around my hair and I watched as my blonde hair tumbled down. It had grown really long and I knew I had to cut it. "So, do you have any specific style you're aiming for or do you want me to work wonders?" I grinned, choosing the latter.

"Say no more."

I watched as she started with the hair cut. She wrapper me up in a towel in order to prevent my dress from getting stained, but not before scolding me for wearing my dress before doing my make up. It was weird how the last time I had to dress up, Maya was the one helping me with this and Allison was the evil witch that wanted to ruin everything. Well, she's still evil, but in a good way. If there's anything like that.

One hour and forty five minutes later and I could swear I had never looked more beautiful. Allison had cut my hair to mid back length and she straightened it out before packing it into a ponytail, then she added some fancy hair clips and worked wonders on my baby hairs. The fact that a style as simple as a ponytail could be tweaked into something this fancy and classy was like a miracle come to life.

"Girl, you should make a living out of this." She twirled the scissors in her hand like a boss while accessing me through the mirror, a satisfied look on her face.

"I already do. Where do you think I get the money to buy stuff for the kids at the orphanage?" Wow. My respect for this lady heightened even more. I checked the time and realized the driver would be here in just fifteen minutes. The gala starts by seven and Carlson told me he'd send someone to get me by six-forty five, enough to get there in time and still be somewhat fashionably late.

"Quick advice. You might want to get something in your stomach before you go for this event. They kinda assume everyone wants to stay fit and they serve you crumbs and droplets after starving you for hours." She said, grimacing. To think I was going to head out with just pizza and cookies in my stomach, which would have digested by now.

Together, we walked down to the kitchen and I helped myself to some muffins which the cook baked earlier in the day. Just as I was sipping on my glass of milk, Maya walked in. She took in my appearance and I watched her eyes catch fire.

"If she continues to stare at you like that, you might start reeking of smoke." Allison whispered in my ear and a chuckle escaped me. That little moment didn't sit well with Maya because her face turned red. She walked over to the fridge and grabbed a tub of ice cream, her eyes glancing over at me periodically.

"Going somewhere?" She spoke up and I choked on my muffin. Did she just speak to me? Allison rubbed my back and pounded it slightly to ease my choking, but when Maya walked towards me, my throat closed up again.

"Are you okay? Here, have some milk." Maya said, extending the glass of milk to me. If I didn't serve the milk, I would have thought she poisoned it. I was about to reach for the glass when she dropped it, deliberately spilling milk all over my dress.

"Oops. Sorry, sis." She said with an evil glint and walked away. Anger and disappointment burned inside me as I watched the milk seep into the dress, ruining it totally.

"I'm gonna kill her." I growled, stepping away from the broken glass and heading in Maya's direction. Allison held me down, turning me to face her. The anger in her eyes told me she wanted to hurt Maya just as much as I wanted to.

The doorbell rang and I swore under my breath. With Allison trailing behind me, I walked to the door, and true to my suspicions, it was Carlson's chauffeur. His eyes darted down to the stained area of my dress and uncertainty appeared in his eyes.

"Good evening, ma'ams. I'm here for Miss Amaryllis." He had a southern drawl to his voice that I found very cool. If I was in a better mood, I would have complimented it.

"That's me. Unfortunately, I had a mini accident. You'll have to give me a minute to change."

"Alright, ma'am. I'll be in the car." He said and walked down the porch. Once I shut the door behind me, I groaned. I had nothing to wear. It took a miracle for me to find this this dress!

"I just might have something to redeem this night." Allison said and dragged me with her. This was the first time I'd be in her bedroom and I had to admit, it was wayyyyyy better than mine. It screamed Allison, and by that I mean it was classy and somewhat dark. As she disappeared into her closet, I admired her room, my eyes jumping from one fascinating object to another.

"Voilaaa!" Her voice snapped me out of my admiration and when my eyes fell on the red dress in her hands, my jaw detached from my body and hit the floor.

"Jeeeeez! This is HOT!" I screamed as I rushed towards her, holding the soft fabric in my hands.

"Less gawking and more dressing. Don't keep the man waiting." She said and I nodded, taking off my ruined dress. I mentally prayed this would fit, and when Allison zipped it up, it clung to me like a second skin. It was a one armed dress, which was clinched at the waist and allowed to flow out freely. It stopped about two inches above my knees and it was totally gorgeous.

"Luckily, I used neutral colours for your make up, so you're good to go. Knock 'em dead, tiger." She grinned and I pulled her into a hug, mouthing as much thank yous as I could.

In less than five minutes, I was in the car and on my way to the gala, looking even better than I did initially. If Maya thought she had ruined my night, then she had another thing going on.

"We're here, ma'am." The chauffeur, whose name I discovered was Tony, said as we arrived in front of a fancy hotel, with a lot of reporters swarming outside.

"Thanks a lot, Tony. " He smiled at me from the rearview mirror and I got out. It didn't take too long for the cameras to start flashing at me, but there was another glow that deeply attracted me, and it didn't come from the camera flashes but from the smile Carlson was shooting in my direction as he walked towards me, looking drop dead gorgeous in his crisp black tux.

"I was wondering why you were late, and now, I can totally see that this is worth every second of waiting." I knew without a doubt that I had turned into the exact same colour of my dress, but I didn't mind.

"Aren't you quite the gentleman?" I teased as I slipped my arm through the crook of his elbow.

He turned to look at me and his gaze made all the moisture in my mouth dry off.  "Amaryllis, there is nothing gentlemanly about the thoughts running through my head right now."