Page 57 of Sin and Seduction

The morning of my party starts with my house being filled with a bunch of random catering staff members and party planners. They decorate my house with streamers, balloons, flowers, and more, all matching the colors of my school. They set up tents and seating outside, as well as a mobile bar and band. Gabriela really outdid herself like her mother did, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Michele and George arrived this morning, and Michele insisted on cooking breakfast as soon as she walked into the door. No matter how many times I protested or even offered to help, she would decline and shoo me away. Marianne and Camila arrive around the same time, running inside with dress bags and styling equipment.

“What’s all this for?” I ask, setting my coffee cup down on the foyer table as Camila kisses my cheek and admires the house.

“To get you ready, darling,” Marianne says, pulling me in for a hug before running upstairs to my room to set up.

“I was just going to curl my hair and wear a dress!” I shout after her, but she waves me off as she runs up the stairs.

“There’s no stopping you people, is there?” I groan at Camila, and she smiles wickedly.

“Why would you ever want to, Esmeralda?” she says before walking around and ordering the staff members and taking control as she always does.

Why do I even try to?

Marianne calls out for me from the top of the staircase, and I chug my coffee, giving Dante a weak smile as he walks in and kisses my cheek.

“Just let them do what they do, Emmie. There’s no sense in arguing,” he says in my ear, and I sigh.

“I guess I’ll see you when I’m done getting primped,” I say, and he kisses me again.

“Mmm, I can’t wait to see you when you’re all primped. Though, we both know I much prefer you when you’re wearing absolutely nothing,” he says wickedly, and I laugh as Gabriela walks in with a grossed-out expression.

“Get a room,” she snides, and Dante rolls his eyes at her.

“Get a house,” he snaps, and she flips him off before climbing the stairs to her bedroom.

I go up to my bedroom and let Marianne work on me like a porcelain doll. Ricky walks in halfway through and offers me a glass of wine.

“Why does it take five hours to get someone ready?” he asks impatiently, and Marianne scoffs at him.

“You can’t rush perfection,” she says, and he sits down on the bed for the next hour.

“Marianne, go and get ready. I’ll help her get dressed. People have started to arrive, and you haven’t even dressed yet,” he says and pulls Marianne away before pushing her out of the door.

“And you guys work together?” I ask, and he laughs, handing me my dress and shoes.

I change in the bathroom, sliding on the long, dark green velvet gown. It hugs every curve and brings out my eyes. I absolutely love the way it feels and looks and have to ask Marianne who made it, knowing it was either she or one of her designers. I slide on my black heels and clasp the necklace Dante gave me, looking like a royal princess instead of a recent graduate.

I walk out of the bathroom and Ricky stands to assess me, spinning me around and nodding his approval.

“Do you like it?” I ask, and he smiles wickedly.

“I love it. Mostly because I made it,” he says with a wink and I gasp.

“This is yours?” I squeal, and he nods excitedly.

“A piece in my new collection that will debut in New York next month. You are the first model to ever try it on, so you better wear it with pride,” he says, and I nod quickly.

“I’m not giving it back,” I say, and he laughs, looping his arm around me and walking me to the door.

“It’s my gift to you, baby girl,” he says, and we leave the room to walk down my grand staircase toward the party that awaits us.

Dante stands in the foyer and turns to look at me as I walk down the stairs, his mouth open and eyes glittering. If I could capture his face right now, I’d look at it forever. No matter how much my husband frustrates me, anytime he looks at me, I feel like a goddess.

“Wife, you have outdone yourself this time,” he says lowly before pulling me in his arms and kissing my head.

“We’ve outdone ourselves,” say Ricky and Marianne in unison.

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