Chapter 181: Going to the Gala: Hannah
Even though the gala wouldn’t start until six in the evening, Lori was starting with the primping and prepping by one. The nail techs arrived then, as Lori applied facial masks to mine and Lauren’s faces. The boys all filed in and wanted facials too. We were all smiles as we sipped on cucumber mint water and embraced getting pampered.
Nails took about an hour and a half. Then we were onto more skincare. The two ring leaders took turn applying serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, and oils to all of our faces. We waxed, we tweezed, we moisturized; snacking here and there as we went on finger sandwiches and charcuterie boards Geoffrey spoiled us with.
It was delightful that my brothers and Roman joined in for most of it, and made me giggle and smile that they were all comfortable enough to enjoy some pampering.
Then, as the day trickled on, we moved onto hair and makeup. Lori labored over my curls, making sure they hung down in loose, effortless coils. She brushed through them to make sure they weren’t so severe. Oils and sprays were applied to get rid of any fly aways and frizz.
Lori unbraided hers before re-braiding it into an elaborate updo. It was a French braid with extra little ones draped over the sides before disappearing into the large braid, and curled two little strands to frame her face. Combing and hairspray gave her huge amounts of volume.
The finishing touches were little crystal flowers she twisted into the hair. It looked regal and would go with her dress perfectly.
Lauren’s hair was straightened into perfection, with hairspray and oil applied to give it shine and hold it into place. She added little accent braids to the sides of her bangs and twisted in little gold pieces of jewelry.
Then, onto makeup. We all did one another’s. Lauren gave me a severe smokey eye and a glam contour, she said to give me a severe expression like she thought a knight would. I did Lori’s, which I gave her a face powder, soft blue eye shadow, bright red lips, and a drawn on beauty mark on her cheek to finish off her Georgian appearance.
Lori gave Lauren an elegant look in plum hues with bronzed cheeks. I couldn’t wait to see what her dress looked like.
Finally, it was time to dress. I loved mine even more than I had before. It fit to perfection, like a glove or however the saying went. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize myself.
Lori hurried up behind me and put a headband jewelry, which went across my forehead, on me. It was silver and went flawlessly with the dress and finished off that warrior look.
"Where did you get this?" I asked her. "When did you get it?"
"You don’t need to know," Lori winked.
She handed me some other accessories. A silver cuff that went on my arm, a large gem necklace, and some accent rings. Lori adorned a necklace I could only described to look like an heirloom; a large, sapphire amulet with an intricately engraved chain. She paired it with matching drop earrings.
Lauren emerged in the most ridiculous, yet stunning dress, I had ever seen. It was a rich purple and had a high crested collar made of feathers.
It was long sleeve and the neckline plunged down to her belly button; which I had never noticed she had pierced. It had a tutu like skirt that stuck straight out, barely enough to cover her bottom. And the sleeves had large, feathery cuffs on them. She also had tights that were gradient and covered in little crystals.
"You’re a show stopper!" Lori exclaimed.
"Oh please, like the two of you aren’t," she huffed, giving us each a wink.
We then put on our matching heels and Lori handed me a leather handbag that looked medieval.
"How the two of you are so amazing at coordinating and planning will always be beyond me," I chuckled.
"Yes, well, I’m tired of Lori and Roman being the only ones to give out surprises," Lauren stated as she moved to the door. She shot a sultry look back at us. "So, follow me."
Lori and I shared a questioning look before we moved to follow after her. She gestured for the men, who were ready in their tuxedoes, to come with. We moved out into the backyard and immediately, I was frozen in shock.
She had gotten a photographer and set up little stages with columns, ivy, and even a horse. "When did you do this?" Roman asked her.
"Mind your business," Lauren huffed. "And get over next to that horse with your wife."
And just like that, we were thrown into a whirlwind of a photoshoot.
We had single shots, shots as couples, as groups, all together. The photographer and the assistant moved with precision, giving us precise directions and advice. They even gave us props at times, most of mine were medieval themed like swords or bows and arrows. It was a lot of fun, if I was honest.
"Can I join?" a voice asked from nearby.
I looked over to see Kristen walking down the porch. She was dressed in a canary yellow dress with puffed sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, with a tulle skirt that had a massive train. She looked radiant and beautiful.
"Absolutely!" Lori grinned and waved her over.
We took a shot of all the women together, then in pairs.
I was just stunned to see Kristen join us, and to do so as happily as she was. I didn’t mention it, worried that it would make things awkward for her, but it meant the world to me that she was going to attend.
Had I even told her about it, or had Lori? The last few weeks had been such a blur, it was hard to say.
As we took couple shots, a notable moment to me was when Lauren curled a finger at Freddy to have him come pose with her. Not just at her invite to have pictures together, but at the way he looked at her.
Did he like her? I was pretty sure the night before had been the first time they had really interacted. Had it given birth to a sort of infatuation?
I wasn’t sure, and wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but it was completely different to see Freddy look so smitten.
We spent a couple of hours taking all sorts of pictures before the body guards appeared on the deck. "Hate to break up the party," Miguel called. "We need to get going, though."
We all sighed and thanked the photographer before moving to the front. We had rented a limo for the event. Not to make such a grand arrival or anything, but to be able to fit us and our personal bodyguards into one vehicle. The dresses also happened to be large and would risk being stepped on or torn if we tried to get into the town cars.
I sat next to Roman and squeezed his hand. He leaned in and whispered, "You look breath taking."
"You do too," I smiled.
I noticed that his pocket square was silver. I raised a brow. "Lori’s touch?" I asked as I poked it.
"Of course," he chuckled.
The limo was alive with nervous butterflies and chatter as we rode to downtown. The furthest thing from my mind was all the danger we had to worry about. I was just enjoying the day and I really couldn’t believe it. Things were perfect, and maybe it was too perfect.
Some little part of me was certain that something would go wrong, that nothing could go as smoothly and perfectly as that day was. I tried to push it away. Until there was cause for concern, I was just going to ride the wave.
There was a loud POP.
I gasped, but then was immediately relieved when I spotted the champagne bottle in Edward’s hand.
Everyone cheered and were passed around half flutes of the bubbly. I tried to ease after that. It was all in good fun. I leaned into Roman. I hoped that we had a good headcount at the gala. What if no one showed up? Roman, Lauren, and Lori all seemed so confident that there would be a great crowd. It just all felt so sudden to me, but I had hope.
The limo slowed outside of the event center. I took a deep breath and held Roman’s hand tightly. A guard moved and opened the door.
Waiting just outside was a sea of flashing cameras and chattering people. Well, I guess the press being involved would be good for the charity.
"Everyone ready?" Lauren asked with a smirk on her face.
She was the one closest to the door. "Here goes nothing," she stated without waiting for response. She stepped out, pulling Freddy with her. Then Lori and Edward got out.
"Ready?" Roman asked.
"As I’ll ever be," I muttered.
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