Willow Way Manor: Henry's Gift

Chapter Two: Arthur

I smile softly and quickly head down the hallway, exiting the main building. The sunlight hits my face and I bask in the lingering feeling of achievement.

"I hope that smile is for the gala!" A familiar voice quickly pulls me back to earth. I turn to find my best friend walking closer to me.

"Artie, you won't believe what happened!" I exclaim. Arthur has the most unique fiery red hair with a curl pattern most girls could only dream of! His green eyes carry a questionable expression and a slight frown creeps onto his face.

"I got an internship at A.P Publishers." I softly whisper. My eyes are wide with excitement, and my voice carries a higher pitch than normal. Arthur lets out an excited scream before scooping me up in his arms and jumps up and down in circles.

"Whoo!" He slowly lets me down and for a second I have to find my balance. He pulls me in tightly and squeezes me so hard I can barely breath.

"I am so proud of you, Iris." A goofy grin fills his face. His eyes have a glint of happiness and in that moment I am reminded how lucky I am to have found a friend that truly loves me and wants to see me succeed. I squeeze him back tightly before patting him on the back and whispering, "Thank you, but I can't breathe." Arthur quickly lets go and a chuckle escapes his lips.

"Sorry, I'm just so happy for you. You've wanted this for so long." I have wanted this for so long. They have always been apart of my vision board, ever since I learnt that my mother had been represented by them. She absolutely adored her editor, Daniel. Some might presume my emotional state instable due to my extreme happiness over an internship, but few know what the truth behind it is. Losing my mother before I could really remember her has been something that I have struggled with my whole life. I wanted, no I needed to feel closer to her in any way possible. Sher cherished her relationships at A.P Publishing and truth be told, I had always placed them on some sort of pedestal. If I could make someone's dreams a reality the way they made my mother's dreams a reality, I would be someone she could be proud of. Someone she would have been proud of. Arthur had been in my life for only 3 years, but he knew how extremely important this achievement was for me. To have someone be as excited about this milestone is one of the greatest blessings. After the initial excitement wore down, I gasped and placed my hand over my mouth.

"The gala!" I shriek. With everything that has been happening, I had completely forgotten about the opening tonight. Arthur gives me a small smile before saying, "It's okay, I know a lot has been happening for you. Thaaaaaat's why I got you a little gift. It should be at your apartment right about now..." He checks his watch while lifting his eyebrows and giving me a little naughty grin. I look at him suspiciously, narrowing my eyes and shooting a small smile.

"A gift?" I ask. Arthur nods slowly and bites his lower lip. I start giggling at his silliness.

"Arthur, this is supposed to be your special night! You have worked so hard for this and I am so excited to see your work." I bump his shoulder softly with my arm and he lets out a small laugh.

"Yes, but we both have something to be very excited about. Besides, I have a friend attending who I think you'll really like." His voice higher than normal, leaving a lingering expectation. I let out a deep sigh, rolling my eyes at his remark.

"Artie, I don't know..." I say softly, not wanting to start up a debate on my non-existent love life. Since these dreams have started, I have unconsciously been searching for the eyes of this man I made up in my head. I trusted Arthur more than anyone else in my life, but even with him, I couldn't share this with. I couldn't shake the feeling that those dreamy eyes would become a reality if I just waited. It sounds crazy even as the thought race through my head, but it felt like the right thing to do. Arthur snaps his fingers in front of my face, once again reminding me that I do need to pay attention to the real world.

"Are you even listening to me?" His voice is sharp, making his annoyance clear. A frown creeps across his face, and I shake my head.

"Sorry, I'm just..."

"Everywhere?" He completes my sentence. "It's okay, I get it." He smiles sympathetically before checking his watch yet again and starts walking backwards.

"I'm late for class, but I'll see you at 8. Please just give this guy a chance. I really do think you'll hit it off." He pleads once more. I roll my eyes and wave him off, taking a deep breath before heading back home. I get to the apartment, throwing my keys on the counter and kicking my combat boots into the corner of the entryway. I walk into the kitchen and find a big black gift box wrapped with a silk red bow. I walk over to the box and find a note attached to a single white rose reading, "I hope you'll love it as much as I do." There's no signature, but it is very obviously the gift that Arthur had sent over. He has always been extravagant, but even this seemed more than his usual gifting. I remove the bow and open the box, and my jaw drops. I can't believe my eyes. I slowly take out the most beautiful, silk blood red dress. The gown is floor length, with a deep V-neck and flows as if I were attending a ball. This must have cost him a fortune! I hold the dress up to my body and do a little twirl before running into the bedroom to change. I slip into the silk gown, and stare at myself in the mirror. My pale skin, dark hair and deep brown eyes are complimented by the garment, and for the first time, I think I can even see my cheeks holding a slight rosy glow. I have never felt as beautiful as I do right now. I sit in front of the mirror and do a simple make-up look, but make sure to match my lips to the deep red tones of the gown. I've never loved my natural wavy hair, but decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to let my curls shine. I run around the apartment trying to find a pair of shoes that would at the very least go with the dress, and I as I run I accidentally knock the gift box off the counter. I pick the box up and the white decorative paper inside is left on the floor. I tilt the box and inside it reads 'Henry Callaghan.' Hmm, must be the designer. I hurriedly clean up the scattered confetti and continue my search. In the back of my closet, I find an old pair of silver, 2 inch heels. My mother's. I smile softly and quickly put them on. I finalize the look with a necklace I had gotten on my 18th birthday from my father. My mother had known her passing would be soon, and so she had bought me 18 years' worth of birthday presents. Each year, my father would give me a gift my mother had hand chosen. The necklace wasn't the one she had picked, as my dad couldn't find the specific one she wanted. But it always felt perfected for me. I stare at the necklace dangling at the bottom of my neckline and wonder why she had chosen a longer necklace. She had always worn shorter ones in the photos I have seen, and for a second, it feels like she's right there beside me. I grab my clutch and head out the door, hailing a cab to the drive down to the museum.