The Ivoree Gates Autumnal Social.
Tawny never fared well with dances, Sadie Hawkins-style or otherwise. Back at her old school she'd usually go with her best friend Ally, and together they would play wallflower for the entire event.
Tawny scrutinized herself in the mirror as she brushed her teeth in the communal bathroom. The only boy she ever talked to at Ivoree Gates was Dylan, and he was already taken by Evil Elaine.
Not that she'd ever want to go with the arrogant rich boy! Still...
Maddie had mentioned that the teachers were usually present as chaperones. Professor McCurdy was one of the usual subjects.
I wonder if he would make an appearance, mused Tawny. I bet he'd look so good in semi-formal wear...
Tawny spit into the bathroom sink and resumed her evening bedtime routine.
When Tawny returned to her room, Maddie was in bed, reading a novel.
Tawny was about to get into her own bed when a stroke of genius consumed her. "I'll do it."
"Do what?" Maddie said, still engrossed in her book.
"I'll go with you to the Ivoree Gates Autumnal Social."
Maddie put the book down, staring straight ahead, but saying nothing.
"What?" said Tawny. "Say something. That's allowed, right?"
"I don't know," said Maddie, looking over and suppressing a grin. "I've never been asked by another girl before.
"I don't think it would be a big deal," mused Tawny. "You've never had a plus-one, and I'm practically enemy number one at this school. I just figured if we both had each other's back on this, we could at least have a good time."
Maddie nodded slowly for a few seconds, then slapped her fist into her palm.
"You know what? When you're right, you're right."
"Eh, what can I say," said Tawny. "I'm just full of good ideas."
"It's settled then - you'll be my date for the Autumnal Social. That means we have to spend tomorrow shopping for dresses. I hope you're up for it?"
"Sure," said Tawny. I'm ready for anything."
---
What Tawny wasn't prepared for, however, was a literal day of hopping from expensive boutique to expensive boutique.
While she and Maddie were friends, it totally slipped her mind that Maddie, while not as popular as some of the kids from Ivoree Gates, was still just as loaded as her peers.
Which was why Tawny was shocked when a high-class luxury SUV pulled up in front of their dormitory and dropped them off in front of the first luxury boutique.
Tawny had heard of "white glove service", but she had never experienced it first-hand. The second they walked into the store, they were greeted by an impeccably dressed woman in high heels who offered them tea and coffee.
They were then ushered into the fitting room section as the staff brought them an assortment of gorgeous gowns. To Tawny, it almost felt like she was picking out her wedding dress with a friend.
Hope I don't turn into a bridezilla...she mused to herself.
When they couldn't find what they were looking for at the first boutique, they hopped to the next, and then the next. One of the boutiques even offered them a glass of champagne, not realizing their age.
Tawny was surprised to see Maddie down her flute in one swift gulp. She tried to do the same with her own drink, but the first bubbly sip burned her throat and she would have no more.
They started their excursion by morning; by evening Tawny and Maddie were laughing as they ascended the steps back to their dormitory, expensive bags in tow.
Both girls practically collapsed on their beds when they arrived in their room.
"I guess that's what they mean by shop till you drop," said Tawny.
"I don't always indulge in the retail therapy thing, but I think we both kinda needed it," said Maddie. "Thanks for giving me an excuse."
"Thanks for footing the bill," said Tawny. Her first instinct was that of immediate horror when she first glanced at the price tags on one of the gowns - she swore she saw one dress that was the price of a down payment on the house.
But when Maddie said those magical 3 words, "It's on me", all her apprehension about the day flew out the window.
The good feelings carried over into the next school day. Tawny and Maddie had a bit more pep in their step as they descended the halls, knowing that they were going to disrupt the Autumn Social in style, together.
You know, I think I'm finally finding my way, thought Tawny, as she went to her locker to retrieve her books. There's nothing this school can throw my way that I can't handle.
A-hem.
Tawny turned around; standing behind her were the Evil 3 - Elaine, Elizabeth, and Violet.
Elaine was smiling her usual haughty grin.
"What is it?" asked Tawny.
"Oh nothing..." said Elaine. "I was just wondering if McCurdy would agree."
"Agree with what?" asked Tawny, who was confused, until Elaine materialized a crumpled piece of paper in her hand.
"That he's so damn fine?"
OH. MY. GOD.
Adrian was on business trip after whatever happened and how he behaved with her he just felt that he could use this opportunity to go on a business trip but inner information was that he was just embarrassed to face her when he was traveling around he met a person with brown hair, clean shaved fair skin brown eyes and oval face he was really handsome who could attract as many girls he wanted to, he soon became a really good friend of Adrian his name was Zen Mallick"So you do business investment ""Ya because I like to explore world and I am currently looking in NYC for an business investment do recommend me if you have some in your mind""Of course I can infact why Don't you invest in Rains Corporation its my company it will be win win situation for both of us""OK, I think I can use this opportunity"He smiled at him"Sia get things prepare in NYC Mr. Mallick will invest on our company""OK sir" she replied"So now I m already investing on your business tell me about yourself like how many girlfriend you have in NYC "Those word's from Zens mouth gave a wave of flashback in his mind which he was trying to avoid from a very long time"I don't have any girlfriend's in NYC but yaa I am getting married to a girl I don't like at all , you know she always smiles even if you are taunting her or saying things in a sarcastic way and she pretended to be ugly before me just because she didn't wanted any problem do I create problem, no I don't know why she did that and whenever I try to ask her , it's my personal life Mr. Rains that's what she says , I really just can't tolerate her and recently I got to know that she frequently have dinner with my best friend what does that mean she is my fiance she should have some etiquette and for God sake my name is connected with her she have to understand but she said , it's my personal life Mr. Rains I am just tired of her""Ohh Ohh hold on my friend you are describing her like that I have a feeling that you are deeply in love with her and its nice btw that ugly pretended part were you serious like how a girl can do that it's insane and by listening to you I want to meet her like rn"
" She is not your type""I will decide that after meeting her, and stop getting jealous you nerd I won't interfere in your so called hateful relationship" he giggled by saying"I didn't say that, it's just so annoying to me and I hate her with my whole heart""Whatever"
On the other hand Lisa got called from Sia that she need to prepare all the documents because someone is investing on there company, though she didn't know who was investing name will be filled on the spot so she need to wait for 2 hours
***
Adrian and zen reached NYC Jessa went airport to pick them up when she saw Adrian she ran and hugged him, Adrian jerked"What are you doing?""Just hugging you baby, I missed you so much"Zen coughed so both of them turned to him"So she is the fiance you mentioned adrian""Fiance??" Jessa looked at Adrian with questioning face"......." Adrian didn't said anything"I am not his fiance but will become later, I am his girlfriend Jessa Williams""It's seems I had heard your name before Ms Willams""Yaa I am CEO of tiara, you must have heard it, its an cosmetics startup now its quiet famous""Ohh! Nice to meet you, Iam Zen Mallick I invest in companies and also the founder of ZM ""Nice to meet you to Mr. Mallick""I am going to company you may leave now" said Adrian"I will go company with you darling""BTW when you guys are getting married, Adrian mentioned you as his fiance if you guys tell me then I can longer my stay at NYC"Adrian gave no look"I am glad he mentioned me as his fiance, but when he will officially propose me I will immediately will get married to him" she said happily"OK! Now we may leave its getting late" said AdrianZen noddedTwo of them reached company forcing tantrum Adrian convinced Jessa to leave when they reached sia took them to meeting room where Lisa was arranging everything when the door of Meeting room opened , Lisa saw the investor Aswell Zen saw Lisa they both ran to each other and hugged each other tightly when Adrian saw that he was shocked as well as an unknown inner anger was developing inside him, after a while Lisa and Zen splitter"You look so so beautiful, ig my company and contact help you a lot these years " Zen commented by smiling"Ohh just shut up you pervert, I am just changing and I like the fact that you came back let's have dinner together today Riana will be mad after seeing you this handsome and successful""Ya let's go together"Adrian coughed" I didn't know Mr. Mallick you knew my secretary from before""Ohh she is my best friend and if I knew beforehand I should have invested long ago to spend time with my bff"He said by seeing her" what ever , let's head to work, Ms. Johnson you may leave now Sia will take over the meeting""But Mr. Rains sia told me that I was the one handling this meeting""So what I am saying sia will volunteer and that is my final decision, you may leave now thankyou""Okay Mr. Rains"She was leaving when zen stopped her"Let's meet for dinner""Ahh Ms. Johnson I forgot to tell you, you are working overtime tonight"She glanced at Adrian"Sure sir" with smile on her face Lisa saidWhen both Adrian and Zen done with the meeting"So how you know her""She is my childhood best friend, why did you asked btw why your girlfriend doesn't know that she is your fiance and tbh her personality is completely different from what you described""It's different because she is not my fiance""What do you mean?, please elaborate""Actually she is my ex girlfriend who still not moved on so she still behave like my girlfriend but as because she is good Nature girl I don't want to hurt her,I will tell her about my fiance""So who is your Fiance?""Your best friend and my rival Ms. Lisa Johnson ""Are you serious, I have to talk to Lisa its not done" saying this he left Adrian was still confused Zen directly entered Lisa's cabin and said"Are you getting married to Adrian?"She was shocked but she admitted the fate and told him everything they were still on the cabin he was seated before him"If you don't like him you should not marry him""It's not in My hand father has no other option and I am really worried about his health""Are you agreeing to do marriage""There is no choice ""There is still one option left ""What?""A contractual marriage, if you do a contractual marriage of 1 year it will be easier for both of you and I can still have chance on you" he said by winking his eye"It seems reasonable for me let me think about it""Do it women, its a brilliant idea now I may leave either your boss will kill me for wasting his secretary's time""Okay bff thanks for your great idea"He leftLisa thought deeply about the things Zen told
Later Lisa walked towards Adrian's office she knocked"Come in "She entered"Mr. Rains these are the documents you have to sign "He took the files"Mr. Rains there is something I want to discuss with you""Go ahead, bubu"Ignoring him she continued"Let's do a contractual marriage of 1 year, this will fulfill our parents wish and our company will make profit too"He got up from his seat walked towards her grabbed her by her waist and pulled her to his torso "how you cameup with this idea, it's not bad at all and I won't die in this one year hope so let's talk to our parents""You agreed to me Mr. Rains" she asked by making a questioning face"Yes I agreed to you bubu , let's marry early so that we can divorce early"She nodded