Chapter 58
By the time they got to Mimi’s house, it was almost 3 PM. The afternoon sun was beating down hard, making the glasses in the windows flash so bright that it made them squint.
Elara collapsed onto Mimi’s couch the second they got inside, kicking off her shoes and letting out a long sigh.
Urgh! What a day.
The hospital visit had drained her more than she’d expected. Finding out she was carrying twins instead of one baby was the last thing on her bingo and to-do list.
Mimi dropped her keys on the counter and headed straight for the kitchen. “You want water? Juice? Something stronger?”
“Water is fine. I can’t do stronger anymore, you know right?”
“Right. Twins.” Mimi shook her head as she filled two glasses from the fridge. “I still can’t believe it. Two whole babies at the same time.”
“Tell me about it.”
Mimi came back with the water and sat down beside her. They were quiet for a moment, just sitting there in the cool air conditioning, letting the day catch up with them.
Then Mimi turned to her with that look. The one that said she was about to pry into Elara’s private business. Nothing was ever private when it comes to Mimi though.
“So…… as she dragged the word, speaking of relationships and all that drama with Marcus, what about you? What’s going on in your love life?”
Elara nearly choked on her water. “My love life? Mimi, I’m married for starters, pregnant with twins that I don’t know how to tell my husband who I’m currently not speaking to. Are you satisfied or should I keep going?
“Okay, fair point.” Mimi laughed as she raised her hands to signal that Elara had won the argument. “But what about mine then? Ask me about my love life.”
“Fine. How’s your love life, Mims?”
“Ahhh, there’s nothing ooo.” Mimi threw her head back dramatically. “I’m as dry as the Sahara desert down there. Like seriously, I can’t even remember the last time someone touched me.”
They both burst out laughing, Mimi crawled on the floor, clapping her hands together from laughter, as tears streamed down Elara’s face too.
“You’re so dramatic,” Elara managed between gasps.
“I’m serious! Look at you, pregnant with twins from one fire exit encounter. Meanwhile I’m out here looking like a whole meal and nobody is eating.”
“Stop it.” Elara was laughing so hard now she could barely breathe.
Mon, May
Chapter 58
45
55 vouchers
When they finally calmed down, Mimi’s face lit up with an idea. “You know what? We should go out for dinner, you know, a proper dinner date. Just us. It’s been forever since we did that.”
Elara thought about it. When was the last time she’d gone out just to have fun? Not for work, not for some obligation, just because she wanted to?
“That actually sounds really nice.”
“Perfect. And you know what else?” Mimi’s grin turned mischievous. “Your bump isn’t showing yet. Which means you need to wear all the sexy dresses in this life right now, because trust me, once you start showing, all you’ll be wearing is big big maternity gowns. Enjoy your body while you still can before your babies take over.”
Elara looked down at herself. The striped dress was cute but definitely not giving dinner-at-a-fancy- restaurant material.
“I need to go shopping then. I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Good thing you have your billionaire husband black card in your purse.” Mimi stood up and grabbed her keys again. “Let’s go. We’ll hit one of those luxury boutiques. Get you something that’ll make people’s jaws drop.”
They drove to one of the high-end shopping districts, the kind where the entire building is made of glass. Mimi pulled up right in front of a boutique that screamed an expensive, Take all my money’ type of vibe. She handed the keys to the valet like this was something she did every day.
Inside, the store was all marble floors and soft lighting. Pop music played from hidden speakers. A sales associate approached them immediately, all smiles and professional courtesy.
“Good afternoon, ladies. How can I help you today?”
“We’re looking for a dinner dress,” Elara said. “Something sexy and heels, then a purse to match.”
“Of course. Right this way.”
Elara didn’t waste time. She knew what she wanted. Something that would hug her curves, show just enough skin to be interesting without looking tacky and desperate.
She found a black dress that fit perfectly, minimal and sexy with a neckline that made her collarbones look amazing. Paired it with gold strappy heels that added three inches to her height and a small shiny clutch matched with the heels.
Probably cost more than her old rent but who’s counting.
As she was paying, using Marcus’s black card without a second thought, people started recognizing her.
“Excuse me, are you Elara Thorne?”
She turned to find a young woman staring at her with wide eyes.
“Um, yes?”
“Oh my God, I love your style. You looked so beautiful at your wedding. The photos were everywhere. How was Santorini?”
Chapter 58
Before Elara could answer, another person approached. Then another. Suddenly she was surrounded by people asking questions, and complimenting her dress, wanting to know details about the wedding.
Mimi stood off to the side, absolutely loving it as she brought out her phone to record Elara. When they finally made it back to the car, bags in hand, she couldn’t stop laughing.
“Okay celeb, celeb, celeb. Can I get your autograph please?”
“Shut up.”
“I’m serious. You’re famous now. Mrs. Marcus Thorne. The mystery woman who married the billionaire CEO.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
They drove back to Mimi’s house. Elara quickly showered and changed into the new dress while Mimi set up her makeup station. One of the skills Mimi had picked up growing up was professional makeup artistry. She could make anyone look like an absolute bratz doll.
“Sit,” Mimi commanded, pointing to the chair in front of her mirror.
Elara sat. She watched in the mirror as Mimi worked her magic. Foundation that matched out her skin tone. Contouring that made her cheekbones more sharp. Eyeshadow in shades of bronze and gold that made her eyes look bigger, and more intense. Lip liner in brown and a nude lipstick and lip gloss.
When she was done, Elara barely recognized herself.
“Damn,” she whispered. I forgot you still have your magic hands.
“Damn is right.” Mimi grinned. “Now let me do mine and we can go break some hearts.”
They arrived at the restaurant just after 7 PM. It was one of those places where you couldn’t just walk in and get a table.
Heck, you needed a reservation weeks in advance, and even then, you had to be somebody for them to actually honor it. But Mimi had connections, and somehow they ended up with a private table in the back, away from the main dining area.
The ambiance was perfect. The aesthetics were crazy, soft jazz playing in the background in low sound, the kind of atmosphere that made you want to speak in hushed tones and take your time with each bite.
They ordered their food. Mimi got champagne, raising her glass in a toast before taking a sip. Elara ordered juice, trying not to feel bitter about the fact that/she couldn’t drink anymore. Nine months felt like forever when you were staring at a glass of expensive champagne you couldn’t touch.
The food came in a few minutes. Perfectly plated, each dish a work of art. They ate slowly, talking about everything and nothing. Catching up on the parts of their lives they hadn’t covered yet.
“Elara?”
The voice came from behind her. A deep baritone voice.
14:47 Mon, May 11
