A Fashion Facade

It's Just A White Lie

Chapter four

My heart was racing, and I felt a hand suddenly reach out and grab my shoulder. I hitched a breath in my throat, spinning around, ready to scream, at the wide, worried eyes of Margo.

"Calm down Lily, it's just me!" Margo said, trying to reassure me quickly as she pulled me tightly into her arms. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I could feel my heart still pounding within me, struggling to catch my breath. "I… I thought someone else was there," I stammered, my voice shaking. "I was so sure…)

Margo's face began to crease with concern, and she turned to hold me at the shoulders. "Sweetie, you've been through a lot lately. Maybe your nerves are just sort of getting to you. But I promise you're safe now. I'm here, okay?

I nodded, but the fear was still churning at the bottom of my stomach. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm just being paranoid."

"Come on, let's go back inside and try to enjoy ourselves. We came out tonight to have fun, remember?" Margo said, pushing a reassuring smile on her lips as she grasped hold of my arm and led me back toward the restaurant.

As we walked into the restaurant back to our table, I tried to rid myself of the fidgety feeling still eating away at me. I was so sure there was someone watching.

We were seated when a waiter approached our table with a bottle of 2021 Gerard Bertrand Rose . "Compliments of the gentleman in the VIP section," he said, placing the bottle on the table.

Margo's eyes widened, gazing up at the VIP area. I followed her eyes, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw James. He stood there, the same strikingly composed man I remembered. He raised his glass toward our direction, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Lily," Margo whispered excitedly, grabbing my hand. "Do you know who that is?"

Slowly, nodding, I did, my heart pounding now for a completely different reason. "Yeah, I met him once before. But I didn't realize he was… well, him."

Margo's eyes widened even more. "You did? How? When?"

"Long story," I said, trying to downplay the encounter. But inside, I was just as stunned and intrigued as Margo. I couldn't help but wonder why James sent this expensive wine to our table.

Margo's eyes went even wider. " Am all ears girl, Lily, that's James Kensington! One of the top businessmen in the country! And he's inviting us to join him in the VIP section!" She squeezed my hand, practically bouncing in her seat. "This is unbelievable!

My heart raced with the swirl of excitement and anxiety in my chest. James Kensington. I'd had no idea that this man, whom I had briefly met, has so much influence. That slight flash of recognition sent a flurry of emotions through me: excited, curious, and fearful .

Margo was on her feet, ready to go. "Come on, Lily! We can't say no to an invitation like this!

I hesitated, and the fear I felt earlier tugged at me. However, Margot was not ready to let up. "Don't overthink it!" she urged, tugging at my hand. "This is something you'll never get to do again! “Do you know how expensive this wine is”

I let her reluctantly lead me up into the VIP section. With each of those steps that was being taken,my palm was sweaty. As we finally reached James, that same warm, charming smile greeted us, just as it had impressed me the first time we met.

"I'm so glad you could accept my invitation," James said, his eyes dwelling on me a millisecond too long from what I had expected. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise," I stammered, trying to sound easygoing.

Margot, radiant with excitement, hurried to intervene. "Thank you so much for the champagne, James. This is incredibly generous of you."

James nodded at me still, then gestured for us to make ourselves at home. "It's my pleasure. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

We settled into the plush seating, and I tried to relax, even though my mind was still racing. James was as engaging and charming as always, flowing in conversational patterns without missing a beat. Margot breathlessly filled him in on our night so far, including the ridiculous random embarrassing moment.

The conversation turned on me again as he c****d his body back in his chair. "So, Lily," he started, curiosity dancing in his voice, "what do you do?

I froze. My heart missed a beat. I felt Margot's eyes on me, My heart was racing with the sudden realization of something that had been at the back of my mind all along: this was the moment I had been dreading. How was I to tell James the truth—that I was only a waitress—when we were seated in a fancy, upscale restaurant in the VIP section with so much luxury around us?

"Oh, um," I stammered, the words catching in my throat. Then, before I could catch myself again, I blurted, "I'm actually a fashion designer."

Margos' eyes widened for just a second before she nodded in agreement and came to my defense right away. "Yes, Lily's so amazing, her designs are so awesome. She's really making a name for herself."

James's face showed he felt impressed; his eyes seemed to light up with interest. "Fashion designer? That sounds incredible. I always feel respect for those who have something about their creativeness. And do you have a specific style or niche you work on?"

My throat worked frantically, leafing my voice shivering back into place with a hard swallow. "The niche is still in the works, but I've been working on some modern and classic mixes that are sort of unique. It's. sort of my passion.".

James nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds fascinating. I'd love to see some of your work someday."

My stomach was churning with my guilt, but I forced myself to smile. "Maybe someday," I said, really hoping he wouldn't push the issue.

The rest of the evening just seemed to whizz by in a laughing and chatting haze as James charmed us both in a most charming way. Yet, despite my having fun, something would not let me get away from that very nagging little voice in the back of my mind. My lie hit me hard, and though I was having fun, I couldn't rid myself of the thought of what might happen if James ever found out the truth.

As the evening drew to a close, James charmingly offered to drive us home. Margo spoke for both of us in acceptance, and within what felt like seconds, we were all seated in his sleek, swank car, the city lights strobe-lighting across the windows. This ride was quiet, but my thoughts were anything but. What had I gotten myself into?

When we pulled up to Margo's house, James helped both me out of the car. When I stepped onto the curb, his hand grazed mine, and a jolt went through me. I looked up at him; my heart was racing.

"Thanks for a great night," James said, his eyes locking onto mine. There was a warmth in his gaze that made my heart ache with a mix of hope and fear. "I hope we can do this again sometime."

I nodded, forcing a smile even as my chest tightened with anxiety. "Yes, I'd like that."

As James drove away, Margot turned to me with a dreamy sigh. "Lily, do you realize how incredible tonight was? This could be the start of something amazing for you!" Opening the door of the house as we both got into her apartment.

“I think he likes you”,she giggles, removing the straps of her heels.

“No he doesn't “ I denied, removing mine as well

“Of course his eyes were practically glued to you the whole night” she argued, going to the kitchen.

“He didn't ask for my number, we are probably not going to see each other again” I explained, I felt sad thinking about it but it was for the best, telling the truth is not an option, it's all good I had a great night anyway.

Margo laughed in reply, I turned to look at her.

“What did you do?” I asked, and she continued laughing.

“Your cell phone number was the first thing he asked me about,” she giggles. “In exchange for that wine on the table.” My eyes followed her eyes to see a champagne bottle on the kitchen counter.

“Your number is so expensive girl, do you know how much that wine cost” she smiled.

“Don't worry I will sell the wine and we can split the money” she bargained “I wonder what else I can sell to James that belongs to you, maybe i can find something in your bag” she laughed running up the stairs.

“Don’t you dare “ I yelled running after her,

We got to her room, I tackled her to the bed, laughing, we recounted everything that happened that night.

“He might be just the man you need,” she said.

But I could only nod absently, my thoughts consumed by the lie I had told, and the terrifying possibility of what might happen if James ever discovered the truth.

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