Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“Do you want the gold?” Sandra folds her arms over her chest, annoyed.
“You’re the professional,” I mutter. This should be fun, but it’s not.
I never get to go to events or parties. I would plead with my father for permission, but he refused. Instead he locked me away as a virgin bride, ready to parade me around when the time was right. Now I get to go, and I’m dreading it. But deep down, I know that something terrible will happen tonight. I'll either embarrass myself or make a scene when I see my father. He’s who I’m most worried about seeing.
Sandra and Kathy resume discussing shoes and accessories as two more people arrive. After that, I get taken to the bathroom for hair and makeup. Does it really take four people to get me ready for an event? Am I that much of a mess? I think about the woman who was at dinner the other night with Vitaly. She was put together perfectly. I suppose if I want to look that polished, I do need the help. Then I might not embarrass myself so much. Or I’ll look amazing while doing it.
“Put these on first.” Kathy hands me a pair of white lace panties. They are the softest thing I have ever touched.
“What about a bra?” I stand there in a bathrobe holding the panties.
“You don’t need one,” she says.
“Seriously?” I grab my chest. “If you don't strap these girls down, they might wander. They have a mind of their own.”
"We will fit the dress tight enough that you won't need one."
“If you say so.” I stand there staring at them.
“Come on, hurry. We need you to finish on time.” She snaps her fingers at me.
“Can you at least turn around?” Do they want me to undress in front of them? All of them have perfect bodies. I wish I had the self-confidence to strip down in front of strangers, but my father wore that out of me years ago.
Kathy huffs but turns around, and then everyone else does too. The panties feel incredibly soft against my skin, but I try not to think about it for too long as I grab the green dress. I step into it and then pull it up to cover myself.
“Okay, I’m done,” I tell them.
Both Kathy and Sandra get to work on tightening the dress in the back. I peek over my shoulder to see what they are doing because I’m worried it doesn’t fit. That’s when I see them with a needle and thread. One is sewing while the other holds the material together.
“What’s happening?”
“You have to be sewn into the dress. We don’t want clips or zippers. That’s tacky,” Sandra says it as if I should know this.
“How do I get out of it?”
“I think Mr. Parlov will be able to help you with that.” Kathy winks at me, but the thought makes my stomach flip.
How would she know that? Unless they’ve been here before and done this for other women. I’m sure that’s what it is. How else would he have all these people ready to show up here and do this? It can’t be their first time.
I remain silent, following their instructions without question, not wanting to know about the past women that were also in this position. They decorate me with jewelry and then bring out shoes. After that, they touch up my makeup and hair and put me in front of a full-length mirror.
When I catch sight of myself, I’m taken aback. I rest my hand on my stomach as I turn from side to side so I can take it all in.
“I look incredible,” I say, and both ladies nod in agreement.
However, I no longer resemble my former self. I touch the diamond necklace around my throat and hope that it’s not real. If it is, I'll worry about it all night.
“Pru.” I turn at the sound of my name and see Vitaly standing in the doorway. His eyes roam up and down, but his face is almost unreadable. I get the sense he’s not pleased. “You may leave.”
He dismisses Sandra and Kathy, who simply nod before they scurry out of the room. Everyone is always doing as he orders. It must be nice.
“I think I’m ready.” I take tentative steps, wondering if I’ll make it all night in these heels. He holds his hand out for me, and I take it. “I’m only holding on to you because I don’t want to trip in my heels and make a fool of myself.”
Vitaly tugs me into him so that I’m not only holding his arm but I’m pressed right up against him.
“You’ll stay next to me all night, do you understand?” he says, and I nod.
“You know what people are going to think.”
I’m not engaged to Vitaly. He was the one that turned me down. People will assume that I have been with him, but I suppose he did take my virginity. Technically I’m still a virgin, but being on his arm tonight will destroy my reputation. My father won’t be able to marry me off. At least not to someone he values.