Juliette POV

　　The mirror reflected my conscious self as I looked into myself into the mirror dressed in a dress that Zachary or should I say Cosmina has chosen for me. I never really thought that Cosmina would ever choose a dress this short for me. Zachary could have taken me with him and I could have chosen a dress for myself but here I am wearing a dress which was too short for my liking. The dress barely covered my thigh, yet as I looked into the mirror to see a different me. I wonder what Kiara would have thought seeing me in this type of dress. She was the only one in this world who always complained about my dressing style. I bet sh would have been happy if she ever saw me in this dress.


　　That reminds me of what Zachary told me in the morning.

　　"Whether you wear it for the party or not is totally your wish. Cosmina told me to give it to you for the party. You can always wear whatever you want".

　　Why does he always needs to be so rude? I just told him that I had never worn a short dress like this. But, he had to be so rude. I don't even understand what I did. But then, Cosmina brought this dress for me and they both chose this dress for me, and it's an award function, so I guess I don't have any other choice. I don't really want to upset him today. It's a great day for him after all. I just hope he wins. Because, as long as I have been with him I have got to know that he never mixes up his legal life with illegal ones. He works day and night for his day business and I really think that he deserves the award.


　　As I looked back at myself I can't help but feel conscious about myself. True, I did look different. Bold! But I wanted to know what Zachary thought about it. Will he like it? Will I get to hear my first ever compliment from him?

　　I smiled at myself and hit the side of my forehead with my knuckle lightly.


　　"You look absolutely gorgeous" Elena, the beautician whom Cosmina appointed for me told me as she set my hair.

　　"It all because of you Elena. Truly speaking, I really never thought that I could ever look like this," I said as I turned around to look at myself in the mirror.

　　"Nah! Everything looks good on a beautiful person. It's just you not my makeup nor the dress. The clothes just enhance your beauty nothing else."

　　I smiled at what she said and gave her a tight hug. She laughed and patted on my back before letting me go.

　　"It's already half past six, I think Sir will be here anytime soon! And as my work is done, I will like to take my leave now" she said and I nodded clasping both of my hands together as she collected her things in a bag and together we left the room. It was hard for me to walk wearing the heels but thanks to Elena, she taught me to proper manner to walk elegantly and even taught me what to do when my feet hurts wearing the heels.

　　Halfway in the middle of the staircase, Elena told me that, she left some of her things in the bathroom. I asked to bring it while I drink some water in the kitchen waiting for her.

　　I poured a glass of water and gulped it down wiping my mouth when I realised Zachary had already arrived.

　　"Oh, you are here already?" I asked looking his way. He was already ready. He looked amazing in that black tux. He looked really handsome as I looked up at him from head to toe. Dressed sophisticatedly and impressively. I even loved his cologne. I looked at him and smiled at him. What should I even do rather than that? Should I praise his look?

　　Why is he not speaking?

　　Am I not looking good?

　　I even waited for him to speak something but when he didn't I chose to break the awkward silence.

　　"And you are ready! So, do I! Let's go?" I said as I walked up to him and stood right before him.

　　But then as I waited for his reply he seemed to be lost in deep thoughts. I called his name two times and when he didn't reply I snapped my finger before him calling his name loudly and thankfully he jerked out of his thinking state and looked at me.

　　"Let's go?" I asked and then smiled batting my eyes signaling towards my attire thinking he might get the idea that I wanted to know how I looked in this dress, after all I wore the one that he brought me and that even wore something like this for the first time in my life but to my absolute disappointment he just nodded and said: "Yes, Let's go!" then he turned his back to me and walked out not even glancing my way even once. He didn't even feel the need to check if I was coming or not. Disappointment marred my face and put the loose strands of my hair behind my ear before I stood straight and followed him.

　　In the car, I mustered up courage and thought to give it a try once again. I thought maybe he just didn't get it.

　　"Zachary, you didn't tell me how do I look?" I asked more like whispered all of a sudden feeling nervous that I asked the stupid question. But then he just broke my heart saying 'You look just fine!′

　　The only thing that formed in my mouth to his reply was a mere 'oh' I knew the disappointment was clearly audible from my voice but then it didn't really matter any longer. I looked out of the moving car.

　　Why am I so stupid?

　　Are you relieved now after making fun of yourself before him?

　　I kept my mouth shut the whole way but managed to reply in 'hmm' or 'okay' whenever he told me something about the function. He rarely opened his mouth to speak and so, do I.

　　When we arrived the venue, I was shocked to see a number of people present over there. The paparazzi were clicking pictures for their respective channel like a maniac. They made sure to click each and every second when a celebrity poses before them. So, ironically if you even blink your eyes they would get the pic and it would look weird if there is a pic with a closed eyes. So, just a simple mistake would cause a hindrance. It was my first ever time to be present in an event like this and that actually made me nervous. As soon as our car entered, our car was surrounded by the photographers clicking photos of us like maniacs. The flashlight made me blind for a moment. Thankfully, bouncers had to jump in to push them away. They weren't even moving even after our driver honked like hundred times. The bouncers managed to get space for the car to enter as nearer we got, I felt my pounding heart beating wildly against my chest out of nervousness.

　　I felt a warm hand on my hand and I looked at Zachary who stared at me and he tugged my hand. First, I thought maybe he got a hint that I was nervous or something. I seriously thought that he wanted to assure me that everything will be fine or something but then all he did was nodding towards the door signaling me to get out.

　　I nodded and waited for to be out before I slipped towards the door and he held his hand out for me. I took his hands in mine and got out of the car. The only thing I heard was people calling out to us to pose for them, unusually throwing random questions about the function or about me. Zachary slipped his arm around my waist and with a gentle push, he guided me towards the entrance. We posed for the photographers and I smiled at them even though my eyes watered due to the rate of light flashing before me. Gradually, we walked towards the stairs and walked into the hall.

　　Everything was so beautiful and sophisticated. People gathered in small groups talking and gossiping to each other. Some were laughing while some were looking at others. Everyone looked so sophisticated and they wore expensive and elegant dresses. Even though I was wearing an equally expensive dress, I couldn't help but feel conscious about myself while being surrounded by them. Zachary still had his arms around my waist while walked from between those people and towards our seat. The show had already begun. We sat on our seats with Zachary taking a seat right next to me and I looked towards the side where the cameraman was broadcasting the show live. We waited and watched the show with people laughing and clapping whenever the host says funny things to deprive the show from turning into a boring one. After waiting for almost thirty minutes, the award function nominations began.

　　The host invited the special jury members on the stage to announce the businessman of the year. While we waited for them to speak and even though I knew nothing about it, my heart pounded against my chest due to anxiety. I somehow hoped that the award must go to Zachary. Unknowingly, I had my fingers crossed expecting the award for Zachary, and then the lady on the stage announced the name.

　　Undoubtedly it was Zachary.

　　If I had Kiara with me at the moment, then we would have jumped up and down like a frog out of excitement and Kiara would have probably whistled screaming her lungs out in joy. But I was in a different situation and with different people. I managed to control my excited hormones and I acted as cool but happy I could by smiling and clapping for Zachary but then he had to do the unexpected. He always does the unexpected.

　　He stood up and leaned down and hugged me while like a stupid woman I sat there with wide eyes not understanding what just happen. He just caught me off guard. But then when I heard people cheering and clapping, it processed in my mind.

　　Acting...