Page 113 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"Make me one, too," Meka called out.

The ladies spent the rest of the day listening to music and sipping Toya's famous drink. When night fell, they watched movies while reviewing their plan again. It was late when Monique finally began yawning and decided to shower and go to bed.

That night, she didn't sleep well. Her mind was on the gala and Raz. She dreamed of him looking right past her when he saw her at the gala. She dreamed of him being so enamored with his date that he didn't even notice her on the arm of another man.

Even in her dreams, she felt there was a chance of that happening. How would she react if it really did? Would her emotions take over, causing her to burst out crying right then and there, embarrassing herself amongst Orazio's associates?

Or would she find the strength to pretend she was indifferent to him and proceed with the kidnapping plan? In her dream, she'd cried like a baby, embarrassing herself while everyone pointed and laughed at her.

Raz's date had smirked while saying,"What made you think a man like him would want a woman like you anyway? Your husband didn't even want you. And my dad is just using you to keep you out of my way. You're just a country mouse in a room full of killers. Leave now while we're all being nice. Or end up like your husband."

Monique awoke in a cold sweat, heart damn near beating out of her chest. Struggling to catch her breath, she closed her eyesand breathed deeply, trying to calm herself down. It was just a dream. It wasn't real.

In the end, Raz would choose her. He loved her. His love for her would prove to be greater than his fear of something bad happening to her. She trusted him. She believed in him. Monique stared at her phone, which was resting on her end table.

Against her better judgment, she reached for it, desperately needing to hear his voice. Even if it was just in a voicemail. She scrolled through her phone and found his name. She was just about to press CALL when she remembered something.

He'd blocked her.Blinking back tears, she returned her phone to the nightstand and laid back down. Was she a fool for wanting this man that badly? She was starting to feel foolish as hell. And desperate.

She hated this feeling, and she hated Raz for making her feel this way. Closing her eyes, she let the tears fall. Tears of anguish stained her pillow as she tossed and turned, trying to take her mind off Orazio Cattaneo.

All night, Monique was plagued by bad dreams that caused her to wake up several times. By the time the sun rose, she felt restless, disheartened, and frustrated. Even coffee hadn't helped her chaotic emotions.

However, those negative feelings started melting away a few hours later when the glam squad called and reminded them of their appointment at the boutique. As if they needed a reminder!

They were ready to get dolled up. Meka called Cas, who told her he was in a security meeting to discuss the gala plans and emergency procedures again. He told her he would be late picking them up.

Late?Not happening. Being late for their hair and makeup would mess up their entire day, throwing off all their carefullylaid out plans. They could drive themselves. After showering and getting dressed, they drove to the boutique.

When they arrived, they were escorted to a private room with a wall-to-wall mirror and makeup station. The designer of her dress hadn't been lying when she'd promised to make Monique stand out at the event.

She felt like a pampered princess as they readied her for the Cattaneo gala. What made it even better was that she had her best friends beside her, getting glammed up also thanks to the enormous amount of money Mr. Miconi spent at the boutique.

Draped in warm white towels, they were shaved, lotioned up, and then had pedicures and manicures while listening to music and drinking champagne. Then, their hair and makeup were done. They were given books to choose hairstyles from.

Monique let the staff choose her hairstyle while Meka and Toya stressed over which hairstyles they wanted. Hours later, when their hair and makeup were done, they were escorted to separate rooms to get dressed.

The glam team took their time draping Monique in her dress. She wasn't allowed to look into the mirror until after they were done with everything. And then it was time for the big reveal.

They escorted her out into the main area of their private room, where the wall-to-wall mirrors were. Meka and Toya were already there, looking in the mirror. Monique saw them before they saw her, and she was blown away by how good they looked.

Meka was draped in a one-shoulder, long-sleeved, black evening dress with a high slit. The dress clung to her curves as if she'd been melted down and poured into the ensemble. On her bare arm, there was a silver bracelet encircling her wrist, and she was holding a black clutch.

Her necklace and earrings matched the bracelet. She was wearing black high heels, and her hair was parted down themiddle and pulled back into a sleek, twisted, low bun. She looked stunning.

Monique's gaze drifted to Toya, who was wearing a sleeveless, black, high-neck dress with a deep dip in the back and black high heels. Her hair was also parted down the middle and slicked back.

But instead of having it in a twisted bun like Meka, her hair was straight, falling to the middle of her back. The hairstylist had really done her thing today. Toya wore very little jewelry, choosing only long silver earrings that almost reached her shoulders and a ring.

Toya didn't need much jewelry. Her curves were an accessory that would make her stand out in any room. Her besties looked so good in their black dresses that Monique wondered if she should've chosen a black dress, also. However, when her friends faced her, she was once again happy with the dress she'd chosen.

"Mo!" Toya exclaimed. "You look like a model."

A huge grin stretched across Monique's face. "Stop exaggerating."

"I'm not," Toya told her, gaze roaming over Monique's form. "Those curves are curving! Girl, you are beautiful and snatched." Toya touched her own stomach. "These ladies got us looking like we work out."

"I'm going to start working out because I love this snatched look," Monique told her. Monique's gaze drifted to Meka, who was blinking back tears. "Meka, what's wrong?"

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