That Damn Bastard

Inside Amelia's luxurious apartment, the two girls were taking their time with all the preparation. Rose was quite overwhelmed with all the things Amelia was doing to her, but she didn't dare to say a word or even complain. She just left her to do her thing, after all, she asked for her help, so it would be unfair to stop her. 

It was already noon when they heard a ding on the door, they suddenly received a package and the recipient was Rose, but there was no name on the box to say who sent the package. The only detail on it was an address, and they both were shocked to see it was the address of the most luxurious designer store in the city. Rose became even more overwhelmed. 

They finally opened the box, and when they lifted the cover, Rose and Amelia could not help but gasp at the sight of the beauty that they laid their eyes on. Inside the big box lay an exquisite dinner gown, glittering from the black and purple sequins that covered it. The off-the-shoulder, u-neck mermaid gown felt so luxurious to the touch that she couldn't help but run her fingers over it. 

Not to mention that there were also matching black and purple masquerade masks and high heels! 

“Oh my God! This dress is definitely a designer's piece! Rose! And these jewels and shoes, oh gosh! Rose tell me… who is this big fish you actually found? Rose?! I can already tell that this man is far richer than me! Cause what!?” 

“R-really?!” Was all Rose could say.

“Rose, I just know that this party you're going to attend is not just the regular one. I mean, these clothes are meant for high-class parties, and with a masquerade mask too! I'm not going to lie to you, I'm pretty worried about you… are you sure you can handle this? Do you want this?” Amelia asked as she held her shoulder softly as she tried to gauge her friend's reaction. 

Amelia had a look on her face as though she wanted to demotivate Rose, or even make an attempt to stop her, if she saw a single hint of hesitation in her eyes, even the slightest one. 

But to her surprise, Rose's decision was not going to change, and Amelia couldn't see any fear doubt, or hesitation in her friend's eyes at all, so she immediately gave up. 

Amelia sighed, she felt like a proud mother. She had never seen such decisiveness in Rose's eyes before. She even looked as though this was a ‘now or never' situation for her. Although it was for Rose. 

“Okay then… Rose, let's begin!” Amelia said cheerfully, she felt relaxed and happy to see how Rose was handling herself so well. And finally, she started to create some magic! 

It was almost eight in the evening when everything was finished. 

“Oh gosh, My beautiful rose! Look at how pretty you are! You are now officially the prettiest lady on earth that I have ever laid my own two eyes on!” Amelia began praising her nonstop, and she kept circling her again and again. But Rose understood her reaction because even she was almost as shocked the moment she looked at herself in the mirror. 

“I don't know what to say, thank you so much, Amelia. I really can't thank you enough for this.” Rose said, still in awe of her beauty.

“Don't mention! This is all you and the dress, okay? I didn't even put that much makeup on you. I literally just fixed your hair and styled you up in that pretty dress and that was all it took to unearth your natural beauty. Ugh! I'm so jealous of Mr. Caleb at this point. He's way too lucky, that damn bastard!”

Rose chuckled. “Don't talk like that! I'm so sure you won't be able to say that when you see him.” Rose hinted in certainty.

“Whatever you say… however, I still believe he's such a lucky man no matter how handsome he is!” Amelia immediately protested.

That being said, it was time for her to go. 

Amelia accompanied her to the entrance of her apartment. She was honestly so nervous. She didn't want to let this pretty and innocent friend of hers go with someone she had never met, but Rose was a grown-up lady now. Besides she made Rose promise to call her if anything happens and Amelia also promised to immediately come running. 

A limited edition, Lamborghini stopped before them, and Rose was once again stunned. She felt a mix of both anxiety and curiosity for what the night holds for her. Part of her felt genuinely happy, anticipating whatever it was she was about to experience. She just felt good about everything. 

Amelia was even more stunned, this was the car of her dreams which she couldn't buy because the other, more rich and powerful people got them first. She was insanely struck by everything happening.

A man stepped out and pulled them both from their sea of imaginations, and Amelia's eyes immediately narrowed. When Rose stepped towards him, Amelia suddenly pulled her back. 

“W-wait, Rose. Don't tell me that this is Mr. Caleb you are talking about?” She asked with wide eyes, her brows narrowed as she pointed her finger towards Mr. Man in the black jacket. 

Rose blinked at her as she shook her head. “No Amelia, he's the one he sent to pick me up. He's Mr. Caleb's friend.” 

Amelia looked so shocked. She leaned towards Rose and whispered in her ear. “ Rose.. that man is a.. that man is a prince! And he was sent to pick you up?! Hold on.. just who the hell is your Mr. Caleb to send a prince to pick you up!?” Amelia was obviously shocked, and she didn't look like she was joking at all!”

“Prince? What do you mean by a prince? Prince in a movie or something?” Rose was confused.

“No! So you don't know who he is!? Rose, he's the real deal! That man is a royal! He's a prince!” 

Rose got even more confused and was about to ask Amelia for more details when the man called out her name. “Miss Thornwood?” 

When Rose nodded, the man spaced out for a moment and she stared at her from up to down. 

“Oh… I almost didn't recognize you in this dress.” He said and he smiled softly. “Shall we go now, Miss?” 

Rose turned towards the still dumbstruck Amelia. “Amelia, I'm going now. I'll call you, okay?” She waited for a response and when she got now she then walked towards the car when Amelia finally snapped. 

“Rose, wait!...” Amelia looked at Mr. Man in the black jacket. “You are prince pien, right ?” She asked, and Mr. Man in the black jacket's eyes wudened in shock. He even looked around immediately to see if someone overheard her. When he confirmed that no one was around, he smiled at Amelia. It was so obvious that he didn't expect to be recognized.

“And you're Miss. Thornwood's friend! You don't have to worry about her, she's in safe hands.” The man warmly assured, and without any response, he entered the car.

Amelia was left standing, completely dumbstruck, just looking at the car till it disappeared into the dark.