Narrator-
Three hours after breakfast, Liliana was stepping out of Frantz's plane, and onto New York soil. The sun was out, and it was a beautiful day for a ball. During the flight, Lili didn't have to play hostess since it was her day off, so she simply distracted herself by reading her books. Well, she made a show of distracting herself, though the book in all honesty served as an object Liliana used to scrutinize while she felt Frantz constantly watching her.
Liliana-
After Frantz burst through my door last night and caught me off guard with his declaration, I've felt as though I haven't been able to breathe correctly. I was now constantly conscious of his eyes on me. And the more I felt him staring, the harder I prayed. No one told me that staying abstinent was going to be this difficult. And every time I slip up and allow myself to be taken over by lust, I never fail to mentally scold myself.
I have never been in this serious of a relationship, and it occurred to me that any little thing could have Frantz on edge. It was never my intention to set him off this morning, had I remembered all the little high school girl gossip pointers, maybe I would've stopped myself from rubbing against his body, though it was unintentional.
I had to admit, I did feel bad, and maybe a little concerned for Frantz.
He said, he loved me, and I was over the moon, but I still feared that he wouldn't wait much longer. This fear caused me to bite my lip in apprehension. He was an experienced man. He has known pleasure from a woman, yet here I was restraining him from his manly nature. Was I being selfish?
Before I went any further, I shook my head to stop myself from doubting. Of course I wasn't being selfish. This was my decision, it was my body, it was my heart on the line, and I had to do anything in my power to protect myself.
Not that I feared that Frantz would hurt me. He has proven to me over and over how much he cares for me. And when he spoke of his brother, I realized that this was not something he did for everyone. I hated myself for this, but for a moment, I wondered if he had shared this heartfelt story with Christina. But as soon as I thought of her name, my stomach churned with nausea. I didn't want to think about that woman.
Taking a deep breath, I chanced a look towards Frantz who had opened his laptop and had begun typing away. When he read over his work, he had this cure habit of furrowing his brow deeply, as he muttered his words on his lips. And if he wasn't doing that, then he had the signature lean against his elbow, with his index finger resting against his lips.
"See something you like Ms. Chavez?" He asked, though his eyes remained on the screen, and slightly embarrassed that I had been caught, I scoffed and said, "hardly."
"Well I am offended." He said, wounded.
"As you should be," I replied, then added, "you should never assume Mr. Cavalier."
"Who said, it was an assumption?" He smiled, and I simply shrugged, and looked away, unable to stop the smile that lingered on my lips.
"Don't turn from me when you're smiling, I love seeing you smile." He complimented, and I giggled, unable to stop myself from hiding my face. He laughed at my reaction, and I shook my head. How did I fall so hard for this man? I would never know. But I knew one thing for sure, and it was that I loved him with all my heart.
Narrator-
The couple finished their trip in comfortable silence, when they landed Frantz had Armagio take he and Lili to his hotel, and there they had a quick lunch before they headed to a dress shop. The moment Liliana stepped foot in the store, her jaw hit the ground.
She didn't even have to look at the price tags to know that these outfits were expensive.
Dresses upon dresses of different shades and colors, and lengths graced the halls and aisles of the store. Liliana looked around in wonder then she gulped as turned to Frantz and said, "this is too much, Frantz I'm used to fancy dresses from Burlington, but this is overwhelming."
"Lili babe, why can't you just appreciate the idea that I want to spoil you and make you happy?" Frantz asked, her softly, "because money doesn't make me happy Frantz, you do. I-I'm not used to this, and I don't want you spending money on a dress I may never wear again."
"Alright, let's make a deal. We buy this one dress, and next time I'll let you pick the place you want to shop." Frantz decided to bargain with Liliana. He didn't want to overwhelm her, and he was willing to compromise.
Liliana looked into Frantz's eyes, but realized that he wasn't going to back off his deal, so with a huff, and an "alright," Liliana agreed.
Frantz smiled as if he won the lottery just as the store owner appeared. He was a short and peppy man with really good taste. He kissed Liliana's cheeks one too many times and may have been a little too close for comfort, but by the time their shopping experience was done, Liliana had purchased an off shoulder rose gold sequin dress, with a split to show off her right leg.
Next Frantz escorted Liliana to get a manicure and pedicure, and for that Lili did not complain. After the special treatment to her hands and feet, Liliana and Frantz stopped for pizza, before she was taken to her hair and makeup appointment. When Liliana realized that she'd have to get eyeliner applied, she almost ran back to the car.
By the time all the pampering, hair pulling, and eye poking was done, Liliana was very sleepy, but there was no time to nap.
The couple returned to the hotel and had to get ready. Frantz was ready before Liliana, and when she stepped out of her guest room, his eyes widened in shock.
Her long brown hair had been styled and pinned in a side bun. Her make up appealed to her natural beauty, and she was a sight to see.
"Wow," Frantz whispered in awe, and Liliana giggled softly as she looked down and asked, "how do I look?"
"Absolutely amazing." Frantz responded, then he looped their elbows together, which Lili was grateful for, and he led them out of the hotel.
During the car ride, Liliana kept playing with her fingers, and Frantz could tell she was nervous.
"Don't worry, it's a ball similar to last time." Frantz reassured, and Liliana sighed as she looked at Frantz and asked, "Are you going to be nicer this time?"
"What do you mean?" Frantz asked, perplexed, "to the contract seekers, the ones who greeted you kindly," Liliana clarified, and Frantz groaned annoyed as he explained, "why do I have to be nice to them? They're nothing but opportunistic leeches."
"Wow, I see you made quite the improvement on your social skills." Liliana rolled her eyes and laughed, and Frantz simply scowled and looked out of the window.
"Look," Liliana sighed, "you don't have to give them a contract, but you still need to be nicer to them. Tell you what, for every person you greet and treat kindly tonight, you'll get a kiss." Liliana baited, and Frantz looked her way quizzically before he said, "Alright deal."
It was Liliana's turn to smile as if she won the lottery, but her smile quickly faded, the blood draining from her face when the limo pulled up to the red carpet which was swarming with paparazzi.
Frantz noticed her discomfort and grabbed her hand as he squeezed it and reassured, "just like last time, you hold on to me, and you stay close." With a quick nod and a nervous breath, Liliana intertwined her fingers with Frantz's just as Armagio pulled up to the red carpet. The cameras were flashing even before the door was open, and when they realized who it was, it was as if the crowd went into a craze.
Bright flashes blinded Liliana, and she turned her face into Frantz's neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist protectively as he led her through the crowd.
"Mr. Cavalier over here!"
"Mr. Cavalier turn to here!"
"Mr. Cavalier!"
"Mr. Cavalier!"
From right and left the couple were getting bashed with camera flashes and shouting.
When they had finally made it inside, Liliana sighed in relief, and now it was Frantz's turn to be unsettled. The fact that he had to play nice with the other CEOs annoyed him. But he was willing to do anything if it meant making Liliana happy... that and the fact that there was a kiss, or multiple kisses waiting for him at the end of the night.
When they entered the ballroom, they were welcomed by the hosts of the ball, and Mr. Cavalier was thanked for his handsome donation to the fundraiser.
Surprisingly, Frantz played it cool when he met the other CEOs, he only time he didn't seem so friendly was if someone took too much interest in Liliana, and at that point he would simply pull her closer to his side, and she would look at him, and he would give her swift kiss on the cheek and a smile.
Liliana played along well, and when they had finally sat down, she smiled thankfully, ready for an awesome evening.
Until Christina walked in that is.