Penelope sent Dave a quick text while Samira was gathering her things and then put her link back in her pocket before Samira could see what she was doing.

"We're going to Ruggiero's first," Penelope said once they were in Penny's car.

"I've heard of him," Samira said from the passenger seat. "Very well-known designer. Normally, I couldn't even afford so much of a sleeve from him much less a whole outfit."

"Well, he got his start about 20 years ago and it's only thanks to the Rossis family help that he became so well known."

"What do you mean?" Samira asked curiously.

"I simply mean that Dave's father discovered him and helped him get started on his list of clients. Now he's very popular and sought after," Penelope replied not completely truthfully. "Dave's father was one of his first clients."

Technically, it was Dave himself that had helped Ruggiero get started but since Samira didn't know a thing about immortality she had to tell a slight fib. She had only found out about how unusual Dave was after several years of acquaintance. She had sworn on her mother's grave to keep his confidence.

For him to tell her his biggest secret meant he trusted her completely and she would never break it by word deed or agency.

"So that's why you could get an appointment there so fast," Samira said. "Dave's father helped him get started and so he would be aware that his success is partially due to him."

"Which means we'll be seen right away no appointment necessary," said Penelope. "We can just show up instead of waiting for an appointment. You're right that we probably wouldn't be able to get an appointment for weeks if we were to go about things the normal way."

The two women chatted casually as Penelope drove in her two door luxury car. It was only a two seater, but since she wasn't married Penelope really didn't need anything bigger.

"Here we are," Penelope said finally having to park down the block from where Ruggiero's was located.

Samira stared at the discrete sign out front which simply said, 'Ruggiero's' in elegant gold lettering once they had walked the short distance to the shop.

"I never dreamed that would one day I'd walk through these door and actually be able to buy something from here," Samira said.

The double doors were old-fashioned glass but there was also a modern alarm off to one side.

"Welcome," they were immediately greeted by a beautiful woman. This woman was absolutely gorgeous in pants that fit her like a second skin and a sleeveless top. Samira wouldn't be surprised if the clothes had been designed by Ruggiero himself. The woman probably got a discount because she worked here. "Mr. Rossi called and told me I was to help you find everything you needed. Ruggiero should be here any second to help you out personally."

The shop wasn't so much clothing store but more where people were measured from head to foot and fabric chosen. There were bolts of fabric everywhere materials so fine Samira would just love to run a hand over them. She was literally afraid to touch any of the fabric though as she wouldn't want to get a stain on any of it and then have to pay for it.

The door opened and a handsome man came in. He was gym fit and looked around 50 or so, tall and distinguished.

He had a little mustache on his upper lip though his jawline was clean shaven. His hair was a dark brown with gray at the sideburns and his eyes were a brilliant blue.

"Ruggiero, darling," The woman said.

"Mysteria darling," Ruggiero answered.

The two air kissed each others cheeks.

"Now I understand from Master David that you need a dress for a movie premiere about a week from now," Ruggiero turning to Samira.

"That is correct," Penelope spoke up since Samira seemed stunned at meet the famous designer to say anything at the moment. "I'm afraid she's not used to this kind of attention."

Ruggiero nodded in understanding and knew that Samira probably came from an ordinary background that couldn't afford clothes that had been made for her. It wasn't up to him to inquire about her background though, so he simply escorted her back to where he measured her from head to foot so that the dress would fit perfectly.

Measuring her body took quite awhile and once they were done Samira had finally came out of her daze. "Now to choose the fabric for your dress for the premiere. You will look so spectacular by the time I am done that Master Dave's tongue will fall out of his mouth and his eyes will pop."

Samira blushed at that description as really she didn't realize her own attractiveness. She could easily be a model for a high fashion mag if she wanted to take that up as a career.

By the time she was done helping pick out of fabric Samira was exhausted. Ruggiero shooed her away and said the dress would be delivered to her apartment in just three days.

Since the day after that what was the premiere there wouldn't be time for any fittings but since she had been measured to within an inch of her life it should fit when she got it with no need for adjustments.

"It's time to go get some lunch," Penelope said as soon as they were back in the car. The measuring her for her dress as well as choosing the fabric had taken until after 1 o'clock.

Samira's stomach growled just then causing Penelope to giggle.

"Who knew being measured within an inch of my life would make me so hungry?" Samira said ruefully.

"I've never actually had my clothes made, but I have heard it can make you hungry by the time the process is finished," Penelope said.

"So you don't go to Ruggiero's for all your clothes," Samira asked. "I thought Dave paid you well?"

"He does, very well, but mainly Ruggiero just doesn't have time to see as many people as want something made by him. He has more people who want him to be their designer then he has time to accommodate. Only the wealthy can afford him on a regular basis and while I'm paid very well I'm not one of them. I do shop at the higher end stores though."

He was a very popular designer Samira know so she nodded. There really was only so many hours in a day and he probably had people knocking down his door begging for him to design something for them.

"I could find my own designer. One that's less popular, if I wanted to, but I just don't see the point since there are plenty of high end stores that work just as well. I don't go to that many parties that require me to dress up fancy so why bother?" Penelope shrugged. "It's not like I'm buying my clothes at the bargain basement."

The two women chatted as Penelope drove to one of her favorite restaurants that was close by.

~~~Dave and Samira~~~

"You look spectacular Samira," Dave complimented his date as he again picked her up in the limo. Samira was wearing the dress that Ruggiero had designed and had made for her in just three days. Samira didn't know much about the clothing business but she imagined that he had a ton of people that knew how to sew and how to complete an outfit really fast.

"Thank you," Samira said blushing. "Whatever you're paying Ruggiero you should probably add a nice bonus for getting it done so soon."

"Thank you for not canceling on me," Dave said.

"I guess Penny told you what I said," Samira said.

"Yes, she reported once she got back," Dave said. "I know you're not used to the way the wealthy live their lives."

"It's certainly been an experience," Samira said, as she sat across from Dave.

"I like you a lot so I hope you can accept everything I do is for you. Believe me, the money truly doesn't matter to me. Even if I live 1000 years I guarantee you it wouldn't even put a dent in the money I have from all my business deals. Money just makes life easier as you don't have to worry how to pay the bills or how to buy something you want without worrying about the cost."

"That's your money though," Samira tried to explain her feelings. "For you to spend it on me when you could use it for anything else..."

"What's the point of having money unless it's shared?" Dave countered seriously. "You must've heard that I support a lot of charities. Ones that help people children and women in particular. What makes you so different that you think you don't deserve to have money spent on you unless you earn it yourself? Why not accept the gift?"

"Because those gifts often come with expectations," Samira said automatically.

"What's wrong with enjoying a woman's company?" Dave inquired instead of answering Samira.

"Nothing," Samira admitted. "But there are plenty of women that are closer to you in status, moneywise at least, that would loved to have be seen on the arm of David Rossi.

"I realized after I asked you to this premiere that we are going to that you likely couldn't afford the clothes necessary. I temporarily forgot that you come from a solid middle class background that can't afford things like a personal designer or really expensive gowns. As to your previous statement why do you think I'd want to go with some bimbo that all that would be on her mind is getting me to marry her or at least sleeping with me? I'd simply be another notch on her bedpost. I've dated and slept with plenty woman. I've met a lot of nice, mature women that know it's just a date to one event not a proposal of marriage. That doesn't mean that we mesh well enough in personality for it to go farther. I have to be careful to who I let into my life as money might make life easier, but it also brings its own difficulties. I know hundreds of people but as for close friends they are few."

"Look, I'm sorry," Samira said after a moment of silence. "I'm just overwhelmed that someone like you would ask me to something like a private showing of a major blockbuster."

"Someone like me," Dave asked already suspecting what Samira was thinking.

"Someone handsome, very wealthy, well-connected and powerful," Samira said. "I've never met anyone with your kind of money, as they inhibit another world altogether. One I am unfamiliar with."

"That's true," Dave admitted easily. "I'm sorry if you're feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, but I promise you that I have no expectations, except for us to enjoy ourselves at this premiere. I won't push you into something that you are unwilling to give me."

"So Penny assured me," Samira said, as she relaxed back against the seat of the limo.

"Penny was absolutely correct," Dave said. "That's not to say I wouldn't like to make love to you and when you're ready to take that step let me know. Until then you'll get no pressure from me. Now we're here so be prepared to be dazzled."

Dave stepped out of the limo once it had stopped at the curb in front of the theater to the cheers of the crowd and held out his hand for Samira who took it and emerged from the car.

There were photographers, industry people and just looky-loos.

"That's David Rossi," a female voice screamed excitedly other voices echoing her.

"And who is that on his arm?" another female voice asked.

Dave ignored all of them and just escorted Samira towards the door of the Hollywood Theater

The Hollywood Theater was the perfect venue for a private showing of a blockbuster film, as it was very famous in its own right.

The full name was the Hollywood Pantages Theater, though it was usually just known as the Hollywood theater.

Samira tried to act confident as she walked the red carpet beside Dave towards the door of the theater as people—mostly woman—shouted Dave's name as well as the others behind her. She saw several flashes of cameras as people took her and Dave's picture as well as the actors and directors and other people that were behind them. Finally, they were inside as a couple of ushers held the door open so those with tickets could enter.

Samira wouldn't be surprised to see her picture in the paper tomorrow most likely on the front page. The dress Ruggiero had designed showed of her curves and fit her to perfection. It was a gold and swirled around her legs showing off her thighs when she moved. She wore gold open toed sandals with a heel. The sandals and dress matched exactly. Penelope had a good eye Samira thought as she really liked the shoes her new friend had found to go with the dress. Penelope had taken a picture of the fabric she had chosen for her dress to be made out of so she could compare the colors when they went shoe shopping.

She'd been taken to a high-end shoe shop where she had chosen the sandals made out of real leather with only thin straps that went around her ankles. The slight heel might not make her look any taller but it also didn't cause her to feel as of she was going to fall. It would be just her luck if she fell in front of everyone and made a scene, maybe sprain an ankle or worse. She would be mortified and die of embarrassment if that happened so she had decided to be safe and not wear high heels.

Even without the heels she was nearly Dave's height and came up to his shoulders which made her around 5'9'.

Snacks were going to be provided free of charge. One just had to tell the employees what was wanted. There was a electronic menu right in the arm of the chair. All she had to do was select the items she wanted from the menu and it would be delivered in just a few minutes.

Samira ordered her favorite soda, as she was too nervous to even think about drinking while she noticed Dave ordered a glass of wine and also some popcorn.

Samira looked around the theater and it was hard not to notice the opulence, the fancy touches the plushness of the chairs. She was going to hyperventilate if she wasn't careful.

"This is something else," Samira said quietly to her date. "I've never been anywhere so fancy before."

"You'll get used to it before you realize it," Dave assured her kissing her cheek softly.

Samira rubbed her cheek where Dave had kissed her and knew she was falling in love with this gentle man quickly. She kept telling herself not to get her hopes up, to stop accepting all these gifts from him, to quietly break if off before he heart became anymore involved. That such a handsome, wealthy man would want somebody ordinary like her still astonished her.

The snacks were delivered and the show started just minutes later so everyone fell silent as they watched. There wasn't a single sound except for the movie itself as the honored guests became enthralled within minutes of the movie starting.

~~~Dave and Samira~~~

"Have you seen the paper this morning?" Emily asked her friend who had knocked on her door at 11:00.

"No, I've barely been up an hour Emily. It was a very late night. I slept in," Samira replied distracted. "I'm not used to being up until the wee hours of the morning."

Emily shoved the paper at her, the one she had picked up on her way to visit her friend. She'd already read her own copy of the paper.

Samira read the article that was on the front page at the very top and looked at the picture that had caught her and Dave as they walked the red carpet.

"So what?" Samira said seeming uninterested in the picture or the article. She put the paper on the coffee table.

"Samira are you nuts?" Emily told her wanting just shake her friend. "You were on the arm the most eligible bachelor in the world in front of a crowd of fans and all you can say is so what?"

"What do you want me to say?" Samira asked her friend looking directly at her for the first time. "That it was a fabulous experience? That I was way out of my depth? That I really enjoyed myself and not just the movie but the way Dave held my hand and kissed my cheek several times? The way he practically strutted when we walked over the red carpet into the theater because he had me on his arm? Or about the way he seemed to grow several inches when women looked at me enviously just because I was with David Rossi. The way men looked at me as if I was the finest of wines but knew they couldn't touch me for I, belonged to Dave alone? Me Samira Dankworth, an ordinary woman with an ordinary life and ordinary friends."

"So you're still feeling overwhelmed, even though it happened last night," Emily guessed and Samira nodded. "You're trying not to think about it," Emily added and Samira shook her head. "You enjoyed yourself, but you're also overwhelmed because to you it's a new experience."

"Yes," Samira answered quietly. "I've been trying to wrap my head around the fact that I am dating David Rossi the most eligible bachelor that has probably ever existed. He's filthy, stinking rich, cultured, handsome and seems not to be arrogant or full of himself. He's really nice and seems to understand the common man and doesn't look down on them as beneath him. He bought me that fabulous dress that I wore to the premiere the other night and the jewelry and the shoes that went along with it. He had one of his woman employees take me to Ruggiero's and paid for everything."

"Yes, that was really nice of him," Emily agreed. "Having something made specifically for you. What's the problem?" Emily asked eyeing her friend. She could tell something was wrong.

"I just don't know if I can keep it up," Samira said, as she busied herself cleaning off the kitchen counter and straightening the living area.

"Keep up with what? Your relationship with Rossi?" Emily asked.

"The pretence," Samira corrected. "All these fancy events, fancy clothes, people staring at me when they never would have paid the slightest bit of attention to me before. All because I'm with Dave, which isn't me."

"All right, I can understand that, but Samira you need to ask yourself would you be happy without him? Without at least trying to make it work?" Emily asked getting straight to the heart of the matter.

Samira nibbled on her bottom lip and then shook her head. "I'd be miserable without him. I know that without question. I'd like to at least see where our relationship goes. He's surprisingly unpretentious considering his social status. I know I've only known him for a few days but he's definitely not like the stereotype portrays the rich to be."

"It is a stereotype for a reason," Emily agreed. "I'm glad you realize that you would only make yourself miserable if you at least didn't try to make it work. You don't have to betray yourself in order to be part of Dave's world. You're still who you've always been on the inside. The fancy clothes, the jewelry and other gifts that's just the outer shell. It won't affect who you are as a person unless you let it."

Samira seemed to cheer up at Emily's little speech. It clarified some things for her.

"Thanks you've cleared some things up for me in my head," Samira told her friend. "I've been worrying myself to death that all these fancy events and all the clothes, shoes and jewelry the go with such things is going to change me from who I really am. I enjoyed the events for the most part, especially on Dave's arm."

"You should think about it like this," Emily said. "You're being exposed to things that are not in your frame of reference but that doesn't mean it's gonna make you all arrogant and uncaring of others. You have me to make sure that doesn't happen."

"Dave has already promised that there's going to be many more such events. He's planning on taking me to see a play and he has a box of his own."

"Oh, what play and what theater?" Emily asked.

"I believe it's called Mad About You and it's supposed to be really good. At least that's what the reviews say," Samira said. "It's playing at the Weatherford theater. It's supposedly based off a true story."

"He has a box at least you'll be able to watch the play in privacy without anyone else trying to butt into your evening," Emily said. "You can't expect a man of his station to have a seat in the main part of the theater, not even the front row, as he'd be mobbed in no time. It wouldn't surprise me if he had a permanent box at all the theaters if he attends at all regularly either with a date or by himself. He probably pays a yearly fee for the privilege at each of the places he has a box. The expense would be mere pocket change to him."

"I'm really looking forward to it," Samira admitted. "I'm not however, looking forward to being in the paper on a regular basis. This article might've been positive, but I know very well reporters can turn on you like piranhas in an instant. I can just see it now. David Rossi dates below his station. Who is this mystery woman that has caught the attention of this most eligible bachelor? And then, I can just imagine an article about how all the women that want to date him tore me apart figuratively for daring to try to take what they considered theirs. It'll probably say something along the lines of how I slunk off back into obscurity where I belonged."

"Do you imagine Dave would take such an article laying down?" Emily asked her friend with a raised eyebrow. Her friend wasn't wrong about women's reactions or the newspapers either. "He'd sue whatever paper that dared print such an ugly and untrue article and probably have his lawyers showing up at the doors of whatever females were responsible for making you feel unworthy of dating him. I can imagine he'd then track you down, because he does know your name and I'm sure he has a lot of people at its disposal that wouldn't have any trouble finding you. Once he found you, even if that was on the other side of the world he would beg you to come back."

"He'd probably forget I even existed within days and start dating again nearly immediately," Samira told Emily forgetting for a minute that feeling that Dave had told her about. The feeling like he's been hit with a sledgehammer the first time he'd laid eyes on her.

"Quit being so pessimistic," Emily ordered her friend seriously.

"I'm being realistic, not pessimistic Emily," Samira said.

"In your dreams," Emily said firmly. "You're being a defeatist. Quit being so negative and imagining the worst possible scenario."

"I can't seem to help myself," Samira admitted. "I never imagined someone like David Rossi would take an interest in someone like me. It's scaring me to the bone."

"You'll get used to being out in public with him just give it a chance," Emily urged.

"I already promised I wasn't going to break it off and I won't," Samira promised.

"Good, don't," Emily said firmly. "You would regret it very quickly if you did and I suspect Dave would come here himself and beg you to take him back."

Samira said nothing not sure if she agreed or not with her friend's words. Still, she kept her opinion to herself, as she didn't need another lecture.

~~~Dave and Samira~~~