Page 20 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

‘It’s Friday so we can spend tomorrow together instead,’ I reply, hoping that he’ll be OK with that. I’d love to spend the day playing with him and giving my new wellies a trial walkabout, but he has school and routines are important.

‘Go on, Joe. Get your bag and shoes,’ Edward says, and Joe nods resignedly then leaves the table.

‘I have something planned for this evening,’ Edward says once Polly is busy at the sink and Jeff has gone to bring the car around to take Joe to school.

‘No problem. I can see to Joe,’ I say, smiling. ‘Thanks again for all this.’ I gesture at the kitchen.

‘No… I mean… I have something planned foryoufor this evening.’

‘Oh… OK.’

‘If you can be ready for six, that would be great. And uh… I’ve got something for you to wear.’ He worries his bottom lip. ‘I don’t want to overstep the mark but where we’re going, you’ll need something a bit special.’

Now I really am lost for words.Where we’re going? A bit special?

I cough to clear my throat and mumble, ‘OK, thanks.’ Then I nod before slipping from the room because I am blushing like a schoolgirl who’s just been asked on her first date.

But then something occurs to me… Oh god, he’s not taking me to meet some of his posh friends is he? Or to something like a sex dungeon where I’ll find out that he’s a secret Dom or something. Did I miss something in the employment contract about having to accompany him to acertain kindof club? Is that why he’s got me something ‘a bit special’ to wear? Is it black leather with appendages?

Don’t be ridiculous, Ava! He’s not like that at all.

You never know what someone’s like until you know them well, is something my mother always told me. And she was right. She thought she knew my dad until he buggered off with his band dreaming of making millions when he found fame and fortune. For all I know or care he’s still searching. Mum also says, you never know what someone’s like until you need them, and that applied to my dad too.Utter bastard!

Anxiety prickles on my skin because I’m not good at surprises and I have no idea what Edward has planned for me. But I’m sure it can’t be anything bad because he’s been nothing but kind so far. Well, apart from when he caught me watching his wedding DVD and I shouldn’t have done that anyway, so…

We will see. And now I have to wait until this evening before I’ll know what my surprise is. Perhaps I should read ‘Fifty Shades…’ again to prepare.

It’s going to be a long old day.

Chapter22

Ava

By the time 5.45pm comes, my head is whirling. Not only did Edward send me a box containing a beautiful dress, a pair of sleek heels and a bag — not a leather garment in sight, thank goodness — but he also brought in a hairstylist and makeup artist. The two women are polite and friendly, but also very professional, and they tend to me as if I’m royalty not an agency childcare worker. It’s odd and I feel out of place, embarrassed and awkward, and yet I tell myself to accept their ministrations because this is what Edward has asked me to do. It would be rude to turn away from this pampering, surely? Even if it is certainly not something I’m used to. Back when I reached the end of my time at school at sixteen, most of the other girls were obsessed with prom from what they were wearing, to having their hair and nails done and spray tans, but I didn’t allow myself to care about it at all. Why not? I knew I couldn’t go to prom. How could we have afforded a dress and all the other expenses that seemed to go along with it? That afternoon, I peered out of the window as other girls who lived nearby went out to the cars that were taking them to the hotel booked for the occasion. I felt like Cinderella being left behind when her stepsisters go to the ball. After the cars had disappeared into the distance, I went and cuddled up to Mum on the sofa and watched TV. She didn’t even know that it was prom that night and I’d never have said anything because I didn’t want her to worry. So today, this is extra special, and it is Edward that I must thank for it.

When I am left alone, I take a few minutes to steady myself. Looking into the full-length mirror, I can barely believe this is me. I look like a model or celebrity going to an awards event. Admittedly, I don’t wear makeup normally, but I do like the gentle transformation. The silver and grey shadows that the makeup artist used have made my amber eyes seem darker, seem — if I dare admit it — sultry. My hair has been curled and piled on top of my head with my fringe swept to one side and a few curled tendrils have been left down around the sides of my face and my neck. The makeup artist also did my nails and while I didn’t want her to stick on fake ones, as I’m not used to having long nails, she did paint them a lovely dark purple to match the dress.

As for the dress, it’s not something I’d have picked for myself — not that I could ever have afforded to buy it — because it’s very fitted and clings to my curves. But somehow, it doesn’t make me look like I’m heavy, instead it fits like it was made for me. I like how I look in it and wonder if that’s because it was probably so expensive. The purple satin heels are high, something else I’m not used to, but they’re very pretty and I walk up and down a few times to get used to how they feel. I hope I don’t fall over and embarrass us both!

And so, when I feel ready, I leave my room and walk to the landing. I swear I hear Mr Darcy wolf-whistle at me, so I flash him a smile then take a deep breath before descending.

Chapter23

Edward

I’m talking to Joe in the hallway about how he must be good for Polly this evening when I look up and see her. It’s like I’ve been sucker-punched because my breath leaves my body in a whoosh and I have to shake my head and look again.

‘Goodness me, Ava, don’t you look incredible!’ Polly snaps me out of my spell and I go to the bottom of the stairs and hold out a hand.

Ava takes my hand and steps off the last stair. She’s trembling slightly and I realise that she might not be used to wearing such high heels, so I slide my arm around her waist and smile at her, wanting her to know she’s safe and can relax. But fuck, when I touch her, when I feel her warmth against me and smell her delicious fragrance, my whole body stirs.

‘You do look incredible,’ I say to her, hoping she knows exactly how gorgeous she is.

‘I don’t feel I look like me.’ She nibbles at her bottom lip and I shake my head.

‘You do look like you. Just a version of you that’s been pampered. You’re beautiful.’

‘Thank you,’ she replies but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes. Hopefully an evening of fun will help with that.

---