By the evening of the next day, my fiance and I were off to the charity ball. Before we left, I didn't fail to tell Madame Bijou how much she meant to me, because of her food. Hers were really gifted hands and I wished we could take her with us to the hotel we were staying in just so I wouldn't miss her delicious food. 

I was yet to get accustomed to the hefty guards that accompanied us, and all the security made me uncomfortable. My ever-so-observant fiance intertwined our fingers on his lap, drawing circles on my hand while he talked on the phone in another language.

Our little show of affection was being witnessed by the goons who sat in the passenger's and driver's seats. Their faces were brutal and I couldn't stare at them for long through the front view mirror. The so-called security extended to the car in front of us, taking the lead and another one trailing behind us, still containing guards. 

We had an entourage right there and while both of them were at distances that gave no room for perspicuity, the entire idea was quite strange to me. Placing my head on one of Ro's broad shoulders, I decided to give it a rest as my mind wandered to the elite party that I would be attending later on.

Our first stop was an exquisite hotel where we would prepare for the entire frivolity. The location of the charity ball was a bit far away from his place so we had to drive all the way to take rooms in a hotel close to it.

Only one of the guards followed us in, carrying the small baggage we came with. The lodge was tastefully embellished with foreign carpets, pristine gold panelling, and even an aquarium embedded in the wall. I only spotted a handful of people by the hotel's bar and they all oozed opulence.

They gave us appraising looks yet no one acted out of the ordinary, like trying to take unsolicited pictures of us. Once we reached the counter, the employee behind it became star-struck at the sight of us—well, my fiance mostly.

"Oh, Mr. N-Numman, I-I-" The man spluttered.

"-you're new to this position, aren't you?" Ro arched his sooty brows at the fellow.

Nodding vigorously, the lad said, "T-that's right. Everyt-thing is r-r-read-"

"-please forgive our new employee. He seems to require a bit more composure." A smartly-dressed woman shuffled briskly to us. She glared daggers at the stuttering man. "Allow me to lead you to your suites."

Stifling a giggle, I brushed some ginger wisps away from my face as we proceeded to a nearby elevator with the woman. Rowen's shoulders quaking slightly didn't escape my notice as his gaze remained on the tiled floor while we went.

Upon getting off the elevator, the lass led us down a short passage before we rounded a corner. I was still in awe of the beauty of the hotel's interior and couldn't manage to keep my eyes from wandering.

By the time my attention was drawn back to what was happening, the woman was already going away, her heels clicking against the marble floors. Rowen stepped forward and opened the door we were then standing in front of.

An involuntary grin stretched my lips as we stepped in and I beheld the decor. The guard that was with us came in as well and wordlessly dropped off our bags before taking his leave.

"Do you like it?"

Glancing back at his breathtaking face, I nodded, ecstatic. "It's wonderful." Then, a thought occurred to me. "Are we staying in this room together?"

"No, this is your space. My room is just next to yours by the left." He replied easily just the distinct sound of a buzz sounded.

The Adonis dipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve the device. He threw a glance at the screen and then, his gaze slid back to me.

"Someone is coming to help you prepare for the event," he informed me. "Meanwhile, are you hungry? I can have the management bring you a light meal."

I hadn't eaten much that day and I should've been hungry but I wasn't. My appetite was non-existent at that point and I knew it had something to do with the charity ball we were supposed to attend.

"Don't bother. You can go take your call." I reassured him, gesturing to his buzzing phone.

Carrying his bag, he left to answer the phone call and I let my eyes skim over the jaw-dropping decor of my room once more just as the door closed. My phone rang that instant and I searched my handbag for it only to see the name 'Margaux' on the screen.

Shooting a brief look at my door, I peered down at my phone's screen, a smile starting to tilt my lips. With a swipe of my hand on the screen, I answered the video call. The gorgeous face of my fiance's only sibling appeared on the screen just as I was adjusting my hair.

She had told me that she came to know about our relationship from their Mother since Ro refused to tell her anything. The reason for that was pretty obvious by then because I figured that he wouldn't want her calling me regularly and disrupting my activities.

I didn't mind her calls. She was just a sibling who was curious about her brother's romantic endeavours and that was fine. As for my number, she told me that she had to contact Kendall for it since I wasn't very active on social media.

Ken confirmed it as well, saying that she had asked Margaux for proof that she was related to Ro before giving it out. Margaux was sweet and was currently living in Korea where she had a successful beauty brand. I had modelled for about five beauty brands as well and I looked forward to meeting her in person and so did she.

"Hi, Rina. How are you?" Her lips were painted a bold red hue that made her contagious smile more lovely. I couldn't help but smile back.

"I'm doing great. You?" I began to take off my jacket.

"Splendid." She clapped her hands in glee, her hazel eyes sparkling. Then, she paused. "You look all dressed up."

Now wasn't she quite the observer?

"Yes, your brother and I just arrived at the hotel we'll be staying in tonight. We also have an event to attend not too long from now." I explained.

"You do?" She gasped. "That means…"

I nodded, concurring with her unspoken realization. Suddenly, something occurred to me. "Hey, I almost forgot about Yeri—where is she?"

Yeri was Margaux's cat and she was normally with her every time we spoke. She was a beautiful white cat that Margaux normally dressed up.

"Oh." She giggled. "Hyeri isn't with me at the moment. She's with Taehyung at his place. He promised to babysit."

"Right." I nodded. Taehyung was her Korean boyfriend and I'd never seen him before.

Margaux blew on her well-manicured nails. "So, this event you and my brother have to go to, what is it about?"

I felt uneasy again—not because of her question but due to the charity ball itself. Once I remembered that I'd soon be on my way to a massive gathering of socialites and old money, a chill ran down my spine.

"It's a charity ball, actually," I informed her with a small smile. "I'll let you in on a secret. I've never been to such a thing and this is going to be my first time."

She nodded with understanding. "So, it's like a debut for you."

A debut? I'd never thought of it like that before but she was right. "I guess so."

"There's going to be loads of elites and the paparazzi, of course. I've been to a lot of those—it's nothing out of the ordinary. You'll get used to it but at first, it's nerve-wracking." She bantered.

I suppressed a shudder. "Do you have any advice for me then?"

She tucked a certain wisp behind her ear. "You're going there with Mal and you'll be announcing yourselves to the world as a couple which is going to surprise everyone—hell, you could even make the news." Margaux giggled. "Everything down to your posture has to radiate confidence but I'm sure you can already do that.

You also have to be quite conscious of what's happening around you and it's good to be able to give good remarks while in a conversation. If you don't have anything to say then keep quiet, that way you can avoid ruining your reputation and give yourself a shroud of mystery."

I began to hear shuffling at my door.

"Miss Osborne, I'm here to help you prepare for the ball. May I come in?" A rather feminine voice communicated to me from the door.

"Of course!" I yelled out before directing my attention back to my phone. "Thank you, Margaux, for your helpful words. I have to go now so I can get dressed for the ball."

The attractive lady arched a perfect brow at me. "Is that so? Have a great time at the ball, sweetie."

"Thanks and don't forget to say hello to Yeri for me."

She laughed mirthfully. "It's Hyeri, actually but I will. Bye."

"Bye." I blew her a kiss before ending the call.

When I dropped my phone, I was surprised to see a clothing hanger rack sporting several ball-worthy dresses, two medium-sized boxes, and an alluring, petite woman who looked to be in her mid-forties smiling at me.

"Hello?" I was surprised and bewildered. "Did you bring all this here by yourself?"

"I'm Natalie Sinclaire and of course not, I had a few extra hands but they've left." There was an unwavering smile on her face.

"Oh ok then, uuuum…" I looked around, trying to figure out something.

"Would you like to start preparing or is there something you'd rather do first?" She inquired.

That was when it hit me; I had to take a shower before sitting down to prepare for the ball. I'd taken one shortly before leaving for the hotel with Ro but I wanted to take another one and so I did. Natalie was laying out some items on the exquisite vanity when I returned from the shower, wearing an immaculate, white, long robe.

When she looked up and saw me, she smiled.

"Did I take too long?" I questioned Natalie as I picked up my phone and moved toward the vanity where she was.

"You were as quick as a wink, Miss Osborne," she commented, beaming at me. "Shall we begin?"

"Yes and please, just call me Carina."

She gestured towards one out of the two chairs present at the vanity. Once seated, I allowed my eyes to skim over the cosmetics laid across the vanity table. We talked a bit about the kind of hairdo and makeup I would wear to the charity ball and she got started.

Natalie was talented and within minutes, my face became alien to me although it was only nude makeup that she put on me. While she worked on my hair, my phone's ringtone burst out and this time, it was a video call from Kendall.

Without hesitation, I answered and instead of just Kendall, I was surprised to see Kyung Mi too.

"Hi, cutie. What's up?" Kendall piped up first.

"By the grace of God, all is well. How are you two doing?"

"Never been more fabulo…oh my God…" There was a starstruck look on Mimi's face as she trailed off.

I furrowed my brows in concern. "What's wrong, Mimi?" My eyes darted over to Kendall whose expression had just started to mirror Mimi's. "What's going on?"

"Rina, who's that behind you, styling your hair?" Ken's voice sounded a bit shaky.

I told her the stylist's name and they both screamed.

"Natalie Sinclaire, OMG! That's the celebrity stylist." They both squealed and I had to cover my ears.

I glanced back at the person in question, who then had a knowing look on her face. I had no idea that my fiance had brought in a celebrity stylist to help me that evening. Giving the stylist my phone, I allowed them to talk to her for a bit.

"Hiring a celebrity stylist to take care of you…he absolutely adores you. I'm so jealous." Mimi gushed afterwards.

I flushed.

"So you said that you're attending some ball with him?" Ken asked, twirling a hairpin in her fingers.

"Pretty much."

"Finally." She clapped her hands gleefully before leaning in a bit. "Now, you have to…"

Kendall's advice—though unsolicited, gave me a real boost. She told me to square my shoulders, tip my chin up and act like I was in control even if I really wasn't. It was definitely something that I could pull off.

By the time Natalie was done with me, I was standing in front of the door of a walk-in closet that happened to also be a large mirror. My auburn hair rolled in abundant curls down my shoulders and my slender body was sheathed in a cuff-sleeved, coffee brown-colored corset satin long wrap dress.

On the clothing hanger rack were seven dresses—now six since I was then wearing one of them—all made by a famous designer named Sierra Tang. I didn't even want to think about how much he spent on the dresses but I was starting to get used to it.

For me, he would go that extra mile, including hiring a celebrity stylist and purchasing a couple of famous designer dresses and shoes for my sake. A steady grin bloomed on my face as I perused my appearance in the looking glass, anticipation welling up inside me.

"You look ravishing, Carina," Natalie remarked, making my grin grow wider. She had just been packing up her things.

I directed my gaze to her in the mirror. "Thank you, Natalie." I gestured to my ball-worthy look. "May I say that I owe it all to you?"

She giggled. "You know, I've seen you on Beautilla's page."

Beautilla was one of the brands that I had worked with in the past. I was honestly very surprised that someone like her knew about me and I wasn't that popular yet.

"Oh." I uttered. "It sounds like you googled me up or something."

"Maybe, but I have seen you somewhere then I did a little search. It's what I do for all my clients so I can know them a bit better. I have to say that you've accomplished a lot in a short time."

"Thank you." I nodded quickly. "T-that means a lot coming from you."

She approached me. "Can I take a picture with you? I can't possibly pass up the opportunity to capture this moment. You really are stunning right now."

I blushed a bit and posed for a picture with the celebrity stylist. Movement at the door caught our attention and veering my eyes in that direction, I saw my fiance. He was wearing a fancy three-piece suit and his brazen mane was styled to perfection. His precious silver-grey eyes were fixated on my form like magnets and I felt my heart skip a beat from its intensity.

"And about the event, I'm sure you'll do great," Natalie whispered to me. "Let's keep in touch."

With that, she left the room, affording Ro the chance to step further in. At that moment, I was sure that the temperature inside that space had gone up as I shuffled on my feet.

I waited for him to say something but he didn't. Instead, he took to tracking my every movement with his eyes as a predator would do. It was supposed to make me feel unnerved but it didn't.

Being the object of his scrutiny, having his undivided attention made my head swell and I revelled in it. Ro was memorizing me anew, committing my look to his memory so he would always remember. I continued to observe him through the mirror.

"I have something for you, Stella-Mea," he spoke for the first time since his entry and I watched him produce something shiny from his coat.

It was another gift, wasn't it? As if he hadn't spoilt me enough that day. Spotting the star-shaped necklace with an emerald in it, I threw a hand over my mouth. "It's such a precious piece and it matches my eyes. I love it."

The significance of the necklace's shape did not evade me and I recalled our conversation on the night when he had asked me to start going out with him.

Rowen's smile had my heart constricting as his high cheekbones became more noticeable, magnifying his beauty. That smile had to be the loveliest thing I'd seen in my lifetime and it was born out of the felicity of how pleased I was with his gift. I was the reason behind that wonderful grin.

"Let me put it on you then." He stepped closer to me.

I had left my pendant in my purse and I had to take off my engagement ring when I went to shower. I didn't remember to put it back on right after.

Carefully, Ro lifted my hair and I studied him. Every time his hand brushed against my neck, a slight tingle followed, like the sparks that were produced when stone surfaces struck against each other.

Soon, the jewelry piece was resting on my chest, already clasped around my neck. The heat of his gaze on my neck didn't cease still and then, my viridian eyes and his silver-grey ones tangled in the mirror before Ro lowered his head to place a tender kiss on the curve of my neck.

My eyes slid shut for a moment and my cheeks turned ruddy as I breathed sharply. My struggle to regain my composure was a visible one and I didn't miss the smirk that grew on his chiselled face.

"Let's go, Stella-Mea."