The manager offered her a comforting smile, “We've selected a few ensembles we believe will suit the occasions impeccably." With a hesitant nod, she followed the manager to the fitting area, accompanied by attentive staff carrying an assortment of outfits. As Emily stepped into the first outfit which was a knitted black skirt that only reached the middle of her thighs and dark coffee turtleneck matched with a knitted blazer. The fabric enveloped her figure in ways. She has no say about the design of the clothes she knows are more knowledgeable in the fashion area than hers. Heck, she has a very bad fashion sense and her styling touch only works on Oliver and to herself. "This dress complements your complexion beautifully!," remarked one of the staff members, adjusting the neckline. "Um, excuse me," Emily hesitated, tugging at the hem of the skirt. "I think I'd prefer something a bit longer, more modest maybe?" Lauren offered a gentle smile. "I understand, Ms. Collins. Let's h
She quickly changed back into her plain clothes and glanced at the staffs, “Thank you so much” She hurriedly picked up her bag and stepped outside, searching her bag for her wallet. Seeing Oliver on the counter, she approached him, intending to settle the bill. To her astonishment, as she reached the counter, she discovered Oliver was already tucking his black card back into his wallet, while the staff efficiently packaged their selections into paper bags. "Wait, Sir, I should pay for these," Oliver glanced at her, putting back his wallet in his pants pocket, "No need, Ms. Collins. It's taken care of." Emily's eyes widened in disbelief. "But I can't let you—" "It's fine," Oliver interrupted, "Consider it as a gift” Emily was about to voice her protests again when Oliver turned to Lauren again. "While we're here, can you find me clothes that match what Ms. Collins picked out earlier?" "Absolutely, Mr. Sterling. We'll ensure they complement Ms. Collins' selections." Oliver g
"Wait, pictures? For this arrangement?" Emily repeated, feeling slightly lost. Oliver just nodded. "Yeah, photoshopped images. Jason's a whiz at that stuff," he mentioned, almost as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. "Photoshopped?" Emily couldn't hide her surprise. She was okay with it, but it was certainly not what she had expected. She had imagined they'd stage the pictures through some mock dates or something. Oliver shrugged casually, taking a sip of his drink. "Hey, I didn't realize you were thinking along those lines. Actual dates? That's a bit time-consuming, don't you think?" "Sir," she started, trying to keep a lid on her frustration, "it's just that a little heads-up would have been nice." Taking a deep breath, she resigned herself to the situation. She knew her role as Oliver's secretary often required quick acceptance of unforeseen changes. "Okay, I get it," she replied, masking her emotions with composure. “So, Sir Jason knows about it?” “Yeah, I tol
As Emily entered the guest room, a sense of relief washed over her, and she began removing the accessories and clothes with Stacy's help. Curiosity laced Stacy's voice as she couldn't help but ask, "So, what's the relationship between you and Oliver?" Emily hesitated for a moment. "We're just…uhm… business partners," Seeming a bit confused by the response, Stacy raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, she redirected her focus to assisting Emily in changing her clothes again. A few hours later, with almost all the fake dates on the list completed, they were down to the last one—a classical concert date. Emily let out a tired sigh as she reached the last set of clothes. Plopping onto the bed, she grumbled, "Do I really have to change again? I've lost count of how many outfits I've worn today." Stacy chuckled, "Come on, Ms. Collins, this is the last one,” gently pulling her up from the bed. "Alright. I'm running out of energy," Changing into the black silk dress an
As Jason made his way toward the exit, Oliver accompanied him to see him off in the hallway. "We should catch up sometime, Ollie. You owe me a drink for this and obviously for the edited photos." Oliver grinned, hands in his pants pocket, “Sure thing. Just make sure to give me at least half of the edited photos tomorrow night. My family might ask for some pics to show them. Better safe than sorry. I don't want my effort to go to waste in an instant.” “Well, you've invested in such a messy plan anyway.” “You know why I am doing this.” Jason nodded, less impressed, “Yeah, for Sophie who got you on lists of her last priority” “She has reasons” “A somewhat illogical reason.” Oliver shook his head, knowing that Jason never liked Sophie, even though she tried her best to be polite. "Anyways, thanks for today, man," Oliver said. Jason smirked, “It's not free anyway.” The two did a one-armed embrace, giving each other a friendly pat on the back. Before leaving, Jason added, "And,
The air was filled with the soft rustle of silk as Emily stood before her full-length mirror, adorned in an elegant halter-neck dark green silk dress paired with gold heels. The fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating the paleness of her complexion and the warmth of her ginger hair. Despite the backless design revealing more skin than she was used to, Emily felt a surge of excitement trying such a dress again after many years.Initially intending to do her own makeup and styling, Emily was surprised when Stacy came to her door, saying Oliver sent her. With her expert touch, Stacy worked wonders on Emily's appearance. The makeup she applied was subtle, enhancing Emily's features while the elegant updo she styled added sophistication to the overall look.As Emily gazed at her reflection, she couldn't help but be stunned at the transformation before her. The woman in the mirror appeared as a different version of herself — elegant, poised, and beautiful far from the
The limousine gracefully glided toward the grandiose venue. From inside the car, Emily could see a parade of expensive vehicles lining the entrance, each one belonging to the high-profile guests attending the event. Paparazzi clamored for shots of well-known figures.Elegantly dressed women adorned shimmering gowns, adorned with the sparkle of expensive jewelry, while men showcased tailored suits. The venue, bathed in soft golden light, exuded an ambiance of exclusivity and prestige. Still adjusting to the high-profile atmosphere, Emily nervously played with her fingers. Though she had accompanied Oliver to some parties and events, this was her first time attending a charity gala where high-profile individuals gathered.As they ventured deeper into the venue, Emily felt like a fish out of water. Suppressing the urge to bite her nails, her heart raced nervously. The limousine eventually came to a stop, and a valet approached, opening the door with a welcoming smile.Oliver gracefully s
Emily forced a nod, feeling as though she had no choice in the matter. Oliver's strong, reassuring hand offered her some comfort as he pulled her closer, his arm wrapping around her waist protectively. Despite the weight of scrutiny, Emily held her head high, catching Oliver's reassuring glance. Meeting Sterling's family was the main event of the night for her. Approaching Oliver's family, who were seated in a reserved section, a collective hush fell over them. Oliver's parents, grandparents, and extended family exchanged astonished glances. They were all adorned in simple yet elegant gowns, complemented by shimmering jewelry. Emily recognized everyone at the table, from Oliver’s parents—Vice Chairman Samuel and Madam Odessa—to his grandparents—Madam Calliope and Chairman Lowell. Also present were some of his famous artists and b