Kailyn looked in the mirror. She was wearing an expensive, gold cocktail dress full of rhinestones. She was sure she would glow in the dark if the light was turned off. Roman had bought the dress. It was a beautiful dress but she felt awkward wearing it. It was his choice for his party. She didn't get a say. One day the dress was there, and he told her to wear it for this party.
"You look good," he said.
She turned around and saw him standing in the door. He looked good too in the black suit with the off white shirt and the red tie. He walked over to her and leaned down to study her face. He smiled satisfyingly at the makeup she had applied.
"Such a shame you cut your hair. You would have looked beautiful with your long hair all curled and put up," he said.
"I prefer it this way," she said.
"I don't," he said. "Let it grow back out. Don't ever cut it again without my permission."
He turned around and walked back to the door. It was hard to breathe after he had just said that. She was his property in his world. He stopped and turned to look at her again.
"Catering arrives in a couple of minutes. Show them the kitchen," he said.
He disappeared out of the door. She put on her gold heels and left the room as well. The door bell rang a couple of minutes later. She went out to open and was shocked to find Drew there. He looked just as shocked as her.
"I'm still not a stalker," he said.
"Of all the places in this town, he hired you. What are the odds? He'd freak out if he knew who you are," she said.
"This is your house?" He asked. "Damn, you married rich."
"I don't wanna talk about it," she said.
"So should I just keep standing here, or are you gonna show me where to go?" He asked.
She found her smile. Once again it rubbed off on him, and he smiled back.
"This way," she said.
She escorted him out in the kitchen. Two other people followed with boxes in their hands. He stayed in the kitchen with her while his two workers walked back outside to get the rest.
"You ghosted me," he said.
"It's only been a week," she said.
"You didn't give me your phone number. I had no way of contacting you. I was hoping you'd stop by or at least drop a postcard in my mail box, but nothing," he said.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be. It's okay. I just wish you had told me it would only be that one time," he said.
"I wanted it to be more. I really did," she said.
"But?" He asked.
They both kept quiet as the two workers entered with more boxes. They soon disappeared again.
"Big party, eh?" He asked.
"The entire company," she sighed. "He spit in my face."
"He what?" He raised his voice.
"And he called me a whore. Well, technically he called me a whore first and then spit in my face. Then I was ignored for a day. We're back on good terms now," she said.
"He what?" He asked again. "Don't fucking skate over it like it doesn't mean anything."
They heard footsteps again and stopped talking. Roman appeared with a smile on his face.
"This all looks like heaven," Roman said.
"Thank you. I hope it tastes that way too," Drew said.
"I hope so too," Roman said. "Kailyn, are you ready for the guests?"
"Yes, I just wanna run and check up on my makeup real fast first," Kailyn said.
"You do that. Lord knows you need a bit of help to cover those wrinkles," Roman said. "I'll meet you out there."
Roman walked away again. Drew looked at Kailyn with sad eyes.
"You know, it doesn't take two people to decide on a divorce. It only takes one. If you want out, he can't stop you," he said.
It felt like she couldn't breathe. She had never thought about it that way, but Drew was right. It only took one person to make that decision.
"I... I... I..." She stuttered.
"It's okay," he said. "Also, you're so incredibly beautiful without makeup. Don't let him convince you otherwise."
She stared at him for two long seconds. She could see he meant it. Everything she had ever wanted was right there in front of her, and yet it felt like it was so far away. She heard footsteps coming towards the kitchen. His workers were on their way back with more boxes.
"Thank you," she quickly said. "I gotta go. A good host doesn't hide in the kitchen."
"Take care of yourself, and I'll handle the kitchen," he said. "And if you need to hide in the back of my van to escape, I'll help you."
She let out a giggle and placed a hand over her mouth to stop it. He smirked at her and then turned his attention towards the boxes with food. He still had a job to do, and she had a life to return to. If she wasn't willing to walk away from her marriage, he wasn't going to force her. It was her choice.