I'm back with a small update! Sorry it's taken so long, I promise to update more regularly, with hopefully a few more longer chapters over the next week!

Chapter 19

I awoke to Tasha shaking my arm gently. My eyes fluttered open, my vision blurry and my eyes still half asleep. Tasha's mouth was moving but I couldn't here a thing coming out of it.

"Huh?" I questioned, rubbing my heavy eyes. "What time is it?" I squinted.

"I said there's a man at the door for you, and it's seven," Tasha said, her voice questioning, I could tell she was dying to know who he was, but I didn't have a clue myself. I jumped out of bed and dressed hastily, making final adjustments as I headed towards the door which was cocked open.

"Hello?" I said as I peered around the door opening it slightly more.

"Miss Newgate?" The man asked. He was tall, heavily built with wide shoulders; he looked as if any minute he could burst out of his well pressed suit. This must be the man Quint spoke of I thought to myself.

"Yes," I nodded, wrapping my arms around myself, the breeze was chilly and definitely not the first thing I wanted to experience in the morning.

"Mr Quint sent me. I have your things. Where would you like them?" He was very much one of Quint and Dr Lanes goons, he was big, strong, polite yet abrupt, well dressed, heck he was probably a Lycan too. I remember thinking to myself that this guy would make an excellent James Bond henchman, he even had a prominent scar on his neck to show everyone just how badass he was. I wouldn't want to tangle with him for sure.

"Down the hall, second door on the right please," I smiled sweetly and backed away from the door.

"Who is he?" Tasha asked inquisitively as she shoved a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

"Just one of Quint's friends, he arranged for Monty and a few of my things to be brought over today so I can move into my new place hassle free," I smiled, I was getting good at this lying through my teeth thing.

"Boring," Tasha said rolling her eyes, "I thought he was some kind of mafia debt collector, and the truth is you owe money and the mob is after you, and that's why you left your apartment," She laughed.

"I don't know how you come up with these things," I smiled.

"He does look like a mobster though doesn't he?" Tasha whispered, finishing off her cereal and dumping the bowl in the sink.

"Miss Newgate?" The mobster looking man addressed me from the doorway, a large gold box in his hand. It was wrapped in navy grosgrain ribbon complete with a large bow on top. "For you, from Mr Quint," He said, handing me the box, it was heavier than I looked, I immediately placed it on the table and pulled out the little envelope tucked between the ribbon and the silky surface of the box.

"Thank you," I said to the man, he nodded and saw himself out. Tasha instantly rushed over and threw herself into the chair next to me.

"What is it?!" She beamed, running her long fingers over the box.

"I don't know I've not opened it yet," I sighed, pulling a small card out of the envelope. It only had one word scribbled on it - Sorry.

"Ooh an apology present," Tasha cooed, eyeing up the card. "Hurry up and open the damn thing!"

I pulled on the bow; the ribbon unravelling from the box, my hands shook a little as I removed it. Placing my hands gently on each end I lifted the lid slowly. Inside was another little card with Quint's scribbly hand writing, It was sat gently on a bed of gold tissue paper.

"Read it out, we don't have no secrets girl! Read it! Is it a dress? I bet it's a dress!" Tasha squealed, she was more excited than me. I read the card aloud, my heart jumping into my throat with each word,

Victoria,

Wear this tonight; meet me at the bottom of the courtyard stairs at 7:30.

Q

P.S Don't come into work today.

"Don't come into work?!" Tasha exclaimed, "So what? You've got the day off? Quint must be in with management to get you the day off!" If only she knew just how much Quint was 'in' with management. "Lucky bitch! I knew I was a dress or something, open it up let's see!"

I did as I was instructed and delicately lifted the tissue paper out of the box. Tasha gasped. Below sat a beautiful fitted black velvet strapless gown, I lifted the dress out of the box, the soft fabric felt like heaven against my cold fingertips. As I lifted the dress further out of the box the dress was revealed to be a beautiful fitted mermaid gown with a pleated and layered fishtail skirt. It was breathtaking. For once Tasha was lost for words, and so was I.

"That is just so beautiful Vicky, you're going to look amazing, and black is definitely your colour. I just hope he got your size right!" Tasha smiled. I was shocked, and lost for words.

"It looks expensive, it's too much," I sighed, folding the dress back into the box.

"Hell no!" Tasha shouted, "It is beautiful and he obviously put a lot of thought into this, wear it for your man, I'd kill for a dress like this to turn up on my door!"

"It did turn up to your door," I half smiled.

"Exactly, you have to wear it, or I will definitely be squeezing my ass into it tonight!" I nodded, agreeing to wear the gown, it's not like I had anything else to wear. I popped it carefully back into the box and carried it to my room, placing it gently on the bed. A desperate hiss came from the cat carrier at the foot of the bed.

"Oh hey Monty baby, I missed you," I cooed as I opened the little door. He didn't even pop his head out; he hid inside the little box hissing away like a broken pipe. "You still don't like me huh? I'm sorry that I'm all different buddy. I hope you can get used to me," I sighed in a baby voice. I sat on the bed silently and fiddled with the little card in my hands, the one that only had one word and two syllables scrawled onto the surface. I soon said my farewells to Tasha as she headed off to Antigen for the work day ahead. She was jealous I got to stay home, especially on such a hectic day. The staff would have to do their usual duties while also dressing the large marble lobby ready for the ball.

I decided to run myself a scolding hot bath, with bubbles, candles the whole shebang, Tasha wouldn't mind, we were more like sisters than friends. The hot water encased me like a warm embrace as I dipped into the bath. 'Next time' I thought to myself 'next time I will get an apartment with a proper bath' I smiled to myself. If there is a next time that is.