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I just wanted to say a big 'Thank you' to all of the people who support me and for all the nice and helpful reviews. I'm really glad that I started with this fic and I hope I can surprise you and that you are enjoying what I write. Thanks! :*
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It was Thursday. One day before the gala. And Diane really had nothing to wear. Of course she brought her typical wardrobe to Washington. Her favorite dresses, blazers, skirts, suits and pantsuits. She also brought two evening gowns, but there was nothing she would wear for that special kind of evening.
She told Alicia about her meeting with the president and his family and of course Alicia was running crazy about the fact that Diane had actually met the president at the White House, in the West Wing, in his living room. But Diane told Alicia to calm down. 'It's no big deal.' That were the words Diane had used to keep Alicia from picturing that night.
But in her mind it looks different. Diane wasn't nervous really. It was just the president of the United States and she met him before, but she couldn't help feeling a little weird to see him two times in one week. Who on the earth would see the president that often, except from his family and his employees?
Finally Diane told herself to calm down and, for her sake, her brain listened this time. Presumably she wouldn't even talk to him. There will be so many people at this gala, he might not even notice her.
But anyway, she needs a dress and after Alicia had calmed down, Alicia suggested to go on a shopping trip. They had the day off so Diane couldn't think of a reason not to go. What would be more relaxing than a shopping tour with her dear friend and partner? Later she might regret that decision.
"It was the right decision to buy that dress. You looked gorgeous in it!" They were sitting in a small cafe near the Washington monument. Their shopping tour was really successful and they ended up with new evening gowns for both of them. Alicia knew the perfect place to buy a dress for such an occasion and because the owner knows Peter they paid just half the price.
Alicia hadn't told him about the divorce and nobody knows about it yet. Not even the media and because of that it turned out well for both ladies. And Alicia was right. The dress Diane bought looked stunning. But it was more the dress, not her. And Diane wasn't even sure if she would actually wear that dress tomorrow evening. It was amazing, but Diane really didn't want to get too much attention. That was never her intention and would probably never be. Sometimes it indeed was pretty useful to be a woman, but most of the time it could be a heavy burden.
Diane was definitely sure that they talked enough about her so she switched to a more serious topic that both women had avoided until now. "So..." Diane stops for a moment, thinking about the right question to ask, but she came to the conclusion that there really was no way to rephrase what she wanted to ask so she just did. "Are you planning to go one a date with Will?" The awkward silence which followed proves her right. Alicia was really uncomfortable with that topic, but Diane prefers to know. Not only because Alicia was her friend and she wants to see her happy, but also because she really likes to avoid strange situations at the firm. Whatever they were going to do, it will hopefully have no impact on the firm.
After a while Alicia looked up from her cup of coffee and looked Diane directly in the eyes. Diane didn't need long to see the pain in her eyes and it caused her pain immediately too. "I didn't tell him." Alicia bit her lower lip, she always does it when she was nervous or uncomfortable. Diane's jaw dropped. "You didn't tell him? Why?" To pretend that she didn't know about their affair two years ago would be pointless. They never talked about it, but Alicia knows that Diane knows about the affair. She was Will's best friend and partner. Of course she had noticed. Diane was well aware of the fact that this topic would make both of them more than uncomfortable, but she thinks it was the right time to talk about it.
Alicia sighs. "I don't know. I really don't know why I didn't tell him. But why should I? He is my friend, but that's it." Diane sighs too. "You should tell him, because he loves you. He loves you since Georgetown and he loves you even more since you joined our firm. But neither of you see it." Diane smiles supporting. She sees the confusion in Alicia's eyes, but she was glad that it was finally out. She hated to see Will and Alicia this unhappy the last years. It actually got worse as Alicia had joined them in their partnership and she and Will had to work closer together than ever. Diane had noticed the tension between them and also the unspoken feelings.
Will was a good guy. He knows that Alicia was married and he wasn't going to stand between her and Peter again. But Alicia was so unhappy, like she's never been before in this marriage. It was clear that she didn't get the support she really needed, but Will wasn't in the position to give her what she needed. It was heartbreaking for Diane to see her friends suffer like this, but she was never in the position to say something. But now that Alicia's divorce was finally through and she was free, Diane didn't see a reason for Will and Alicia to remain unhappy. But she knows what the problem was- Alicia was afraid. Afraid of getting hurt again and afraid that once she would tell Will she would find out that he doesn't love her anymore or that their relationship would break sooner or later. And Will was afraid of hurting Alicia like Peter did and also afraid of messing things up.
If it wasn't that serious, it would be really funny. Both of them were an open book concerning that, but neither of them was able to read or understand the signs. Diane was just glad that she wasn't in such a position. She had her firm, her work and that was all she needed right know. There was never something or someone else in her life, so she didn't miss anything.
The next day came rather quickly and as the sun went down and covered Washington in a gorgeous red light the limousine was already waiting for the three lawyers. Alicia and Diane had agreed to meet Will in the lobby and they were already running late. Alicia had come over to Diane's room so both of them could help each other to get ready. It was a girly thing Diane had never done before, but she actually liked it. It was nice to have someone to talk to and to lean on. It actually gave her a feeling of calmness and happiness. But that didn't change the fact that they were late. Diane had needed quite long to decide if she really should wear the dress she bought the other day, but eventually Alicia could convince her and Diane rushed into the bathroom to put on the dress.
"Diane, we are going to be too late. It's probably the most important gala we ever went to, so please hurry up." Alicia was walking through the room and waiting for her friend to finally come out of the bathroom. She was also wearing the dress she bought yesterday. It had the color of the ocean, shortly before the sun was gone. The dark blue dress hugged her body perfectly and showed one shoulder completely. The other one was coated with a bright silver strap which was well staffed with little jewels in silver and blue. And there was a thin belt around her waist, also staffed with jewels. The dress slightly swiped the ground, but the best thing on the dress was probably the slit on the left side. Her whole left leg was visible and the slit ended shortly under her hip. It made the simple dress seem quite attractive and the glitter on it really let her appear marvellously.
In the exact same second the bathroom door opens and Diane steps out. Alicia stops and looks at Diane with an open mouth and wide eyes. "Oh my god. Diane you look amazing." If Diane would be the blushing type she probably would blush right know, but she wasn't and she was really thankful for that. She moves to the mirror and looks at herself. "Are you sure this is not too much?" She didn't lift her gaze, instead she still watches her reflection in the mirror. She wears a pretty tight red dress. It is also full-length and it hugs her slim figure and her curves perfectly. The dark red color makes her skin even brighter. The dress is embroidered with a little lace on top and with tiny diamonds on each lace flower. The neckline is heart-shaped and two thin straps run over her shoulders. But the highlight of the dress is the back. The back neckline is quite remarkable and ends at her waist. It shows just enough of her skin too catch one's eye but it is not over the top. The bottom part her of her dress looks like it would flow and it ends with a short train. The dress seems to have been made for her, there's no doubt.
As Alicia admired Diane sufficiently, she finally drags her away from the mirror and down the hallway towards the elevator. Soon they reach the hotel lobby where Will was waiting already. "Where have you two been? We are..." That was when his jaw dropped. "Wow. You two look stunning. What did you do?" Diane starts to chuckle and grabs Alicia's arm. "Sorry Will, that's our secret." And with that both women walked past him towards the limousine.
Diane had survived the evening without any problems or failures and she was pretty proud of herself. She had been on many galas already, but not one was like this one. On this one there was only the high society of Washington. She had never seen so many senators and rich people in one room. If someone would come in and hold them all hostage, he would soon be a millionaire.
She had nice conversations all through the evening, but she couldn't resist letting her look drift away and over the crowd sometimes. She was searching for one particular face, but she couldn't see it. But she wasn't surprised. The gala was sectional, 5 different rooms which were all huge. She would probably not see him tonight. Not to mention talk to him. And that thought actually made her calm down and she decided to enjoy the rest of the evening fully and completely. But she could feel all the eyes resting on her back from time to time and that made her more uncomfortable than she would like to admit.
Diane was just in a deep conversation with Malcolm Overby, Senator Grandt and the foreign minister Backster as she feels a hand on her bare skin on her back. She couldn't suppress the shiver that ran through her body. "May I borrow Miss Lockhart for a short while?" As Diane hears the familiar voice she turns her head, surprised to identify the man as the president. The other three men looked just as confused as Diane did and they probably thought about a reason why the president seemed to know Diane, but neither of them said a word until the silence became awkward. "Of course, Mr. president." Will smiled slightly. The president pushed her carefully away of the group, his hand still resting on the skin of her back. "I just wanted to ask if you would give me this dance, Miss Lockhart?" Diane is trying really hard to don't say anything stupid. "I..What? Um..Sure. I'd love to."
And soon she finds herself in his arms, dancing slowly to the soft music and his hand still on her back, not moving an inch. "You know that everybody is starring at you, Mr. president...Mr. McVeigh." He slightly chuckles. "Oh no, Miss Lockhart. They are all looking at you, trust me."