Chapter Twenty Two

In spite of the lingering embarrassment, Kelly laughed.

"I didn't say he had a thing for me, point of correction" she said. "We just had a.... Some moments actually... But I don't think he has a thing for me, it's just sexual attraction... Doesn't mean anything"

Lizze cleared a throat in a funny way that made Kelly give her a look. "He definitely has a thing for you" she insisted.

Kelly didn't want to think about that right now, especially since she was still angry with Dimitri over what he did with Edward Franklin. Capitulating, she waved toward the living room. “These better be some shoes,” she muttered.

Lizzie walked ahead of her carrying the small pile of luggage, “One thing you should know about me. I don’t kid about stocks, world peace or footwear. Just let me do this for you, as a thank you for what you did for me at the fashion show”

Chuckling, Kelly let herself be led forward. An hour later, she stood in front of the cheval mirror in her bedroom. And stared.

This can’t be me, she thought. She knew Lizzie was good with make up and clothes, and that was why she had asked for her help getting dressed for the party, but Lizze had outdone herself this time.

She lifted her arm, about to press trembling fingers to the glass, but at the last minute, she aborted the gesture. Sheepish, she glanced over her shoulder to see if Lizzy had seen the foolish move, but the other woman was busy packing up her makeup case. Returning her attention to the mirror, Kelly again gaped at the woman gazing back at her.

Oh hell, she felt like freaking Cinderella.

Instead of hiding her abundant curves, the deep silver dress accentuated them. The boat neck flowed into a formfitting top that glided over her breasts and stomach. The rich satin skirt gathered at her waist before falling in stunning draping to the floor.

Lizzy had parted her hair down the middle and then gathered the thick strands into a bun low in the back. The pointed toe of stilettoes sprinkled with twinkling rhinestones peeked out from under the dress’s hem. Diamond studs that’d had Kelly nearly hyperventilating graced her ears and an impossibly thin silver necklace with a diamond nestled in the dip of her throat encircled her neck.

Forget Cinderella. She looked like a goddess.

It both delighted and terrified her.

“Thank you so much for all your help. I can’t believe you worked that much magic in an hour.” She said.

“Please,” Lizzy scoffed, squeezing Kelly's shoulder before releasing her. “Like I had to do much. You’re gorgeous, Kelly.”

“Thanks,” Kelly murmured.

“Here’s your wrap.” Lizzie said as she laid a matching length of satin over Kelly's arm. “Now make sure you have fun” Squeezing Kelly's hand, Lizzie disappeared out of the room.

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Kelly Darcy didn’t give a damn. She walked into the ballroom knowing she was the best-dressed woman in the room.

She crossed the room, smiling and waving at people she knew. She stopped for a quick double-cheek air kiss with an international textile associate, and after a small talk with him, she continued to move around the ballroom. Hopefully, most of the people present would decide to invest in Darcy Enterprises, she thought. She and her father were gradually running out of time to save their company, and after his speech and introducing her to everyone present, she was taking her time to talk to people individually, especially those who could be potential investors.

There had to be at least one hundred people in the massive ballroom. A band played while staff weaved in and out of the guests with trays of hors d’oeuvres and flutes filled with champagne.

Glitz and glamour were the theme on this party, with some of the top names in business wearing signature gowns and tuxedos.

She made her way towards up and coming business man, Felix Smith. She had vowed to make her father proud by convincing Felix to invest in the company. She’d practiced her pitch at least a hundred times as she’d dressed for tonight. Now was the moment of truth.

“Felix Smith, I'm so glad that you came,” she said, coming to a stop in front of the wealthy business man. Although this was the first time she was meeting Felix in person, she knew a lot about him and she had personally sent him an invite.

He was a slim man with a head of sandy-brown curls that fell to his shoulders. His signature black frame glasses and dimples were on full display as he grinned back at her.

“The impeccable Kelly Darcy, so very lovely to finally meet you" he replied. He snagged two glasses from the tray that was being carried past and offered her one.

Kelly accepted the glass and launched into her pitch. Ten minutes and another glass of champagne later, Felix was grinning as he said, “All you had to do was ask. I’d be honored to talk about the possibility of investing in Darcy Enterprises. The company sounds promising.”

He had a nice smile, Kelly supposed. She was more concerned with the answer he’d just given her. It earned him a genuine smile from her, even as she began thinking of how fast she could be done with this and go home. She had talked to various people, and things looked promising. The job she’d come to do was done, and more than anything else, she was ready for some time alone. To unwind and just be herself. Some-thing, she thought as her fingers moved over the stem of the empty glass she held, that she really loved to do.

“You won’t regret it,” Kelly told him. “Darcy Enterprises is more than its reputation. We pride ourselves on keeping a family oriented work environment. If you were to officially join us, you wouldn’t be just another investor or shareholder—you’d be family.”

He chuckled. “You don’t have to continue to sell me on the offer, Kelly. I’ve been following Darcy Enterprises success for a long time. And I’m honored that you came to speak to me about it. There’s no way I would turn down this opportunity.”

"I'm really glad to hear you say that" Kelly said.

"Come on, Kelly let’s dance,” Felix said.

He plucked the glass from her fingers and placed it, with his own, on the next tray to pass them. He was taking her hand before Kelly could cordially turn down his offer and in seconds she found herself on the dance floor.