Iris walked back to her room after spending some time downstairs.
She pulled out her phone and quickly opened her messages.
Iris: I'll see you at the gala.
A few seconds later, Sienna replied.
Sienna: Okay. Don't disappear on me, Mrs. Blackwood.
Iris rolled her eyes with a small smile.
She put her phone away and opened the door to her room.
But the moment she stepped inside, she stopped.
Her eyes widened.
There were three boxes sitting neatly on her bed.
A large clothing box.
A shoe box.
And a smaller black jewellery box.
Iris slowly walked toward them.
"What...?"
She noticed a small note resting on top of the clothing box.
She picked it up.
There was only one sentence written on it.
I hope you like it. You can wear it for the gala. - Damien
Iris stared at the note.
Damien?
He bought these?
She looked back at the boxes, curiosity taking over.
Slowly, she opened the clothing box.
Her breath caught.
Inside was a stunning wine-coloured strapless fitted gown with a slit.
The dress hugged the figure elegantly before falling into a graceful floor-length skirt. Intricate gold patterns decorated the lower part of the dress, creating a delicate shimmer whenever the fabric caught the light.
Iris carefully lifted it from the box.
She stared at it in disbelief.
"This is beautiful."
She ran her fingers lightly over the fabric.
Damien had actually picked this out for her?
She shook her head slightly.
Why would he do this?
Her attention shifted to the shoe box.
She opened it.
Inside was a pair of gold heels.
They were elegant and delicate, with thin straps and a subtle metallic shine that perfectly matched the gold details on the dress.
A small smile appeared on Iris's face.
"He actually has good taste."
She placed the heels beside the dress before reaching for the final box.
The jewellery box.
She opened it carefully.
And froze.
Inside, resting against a soft velvet lining was a breathtaking gold necklace.
The necklace was made of fine, polished gold links that looked delicate yet unmistakably luxurious. At the centre hung a beautifully crafted pendant-a slender teardrop-shaped piece of gold surrounding a small, brilliant diamond that caught the light with every movement.
It wasn't flashy.
It didn't need to be.
Everything about it screamed expensive.
Iris gently lifted the necklace from the box.
The gold felt cool against her fingertips.
She stared at it for a moment.
Then, I looked back at Damien's note.
Her smile slowly faded into a thoughtful expression.
She wasn't used to Damien doing things like this.
They had an agreement.
Nothing more.
At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
She looked at the dress again.
Then, at the necklace.
A quiet smile returned to her lips.
"Thank you, Damien."
She carefully placed everything back on the bed.
Tonight was going to be interesting.
Iris sat in front of the large mirror at her vanity, carefully finishing her makeup.
Her makeup brushes, foundation, powder, eyeshadow palette, mascara, lip gloss, and other beauty products were spread across the table.
She leaned closer to the mirror as she applied the final touch of lip gloss.
Her dark-blonde hair fell in soft, glossy waves around her shoulders, with a few loose strands framing her face.
She smiled at her reflection.
"Done."
She reached for her perfume when she suddenly noticed something in the mirror.
Her eyes moved toward her shoulder.
The zipper of her dress was still down.
"Oh, come on."
Iris stood up and reached behind herself, trying to grab the zipper.
She pulled.
Nothing.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
She twisted slightly, trying to get a better angle.
"Seriously?"
She tried one more time, but the zipper barely moved.
A quiet chuckle came from behind her.
Iris froze.
She looked at the mirror.
Damien was standing near the doorway.
She hadn't even noticed him come in.
He was dressed in a perfectly tailored wine-coloured suit, almost exactly matching her dress. His black shirt and subtle gold accessories completed the look.
Iris looked at him through the mirror.
"What?"
Damien nodded toward her back.
"Need help?"
"No."
His eyebrow lifted.
"You sure?"
"Very."
She turned slightly and tried the zipper again.
It refused to cooperate.
Damien folded his arms.
"I can help."
"I said no."
"Right."
Iris gave him an annoyed look through the mirror.
"Stop watching me struggle."
"I'm not watching."
"You're literally watching."
Damien's mouth twitched.
Iris turned back toward the mirror and tried again.
Nothing.
She sighed.
"This stupid zipper."
Damien remained quiet.
A few seconds passed.
Iris looked at him through the mirror again.
He was still standing there, waiting.
She hesitated.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
Damien unfolded his arms.
"Fine?"
"Can you help me?"
He nodded.
"Of course."
Iris stood up from the vanity.
She walked toward him and turned around, presenting him with her back.
"Just the zipper."
"I know."
Damien stepped closer.
He reached for the zipper.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Iris suddenly became very aware of how close he was.
She could hear the quiet sound of his breathing behind her.
Damien carefully took hold of the zipper.
Slowly, he pulled it upward.
The sound of the zipper moving through the fabric seemed unusually loud in the silence.
Iris stared straight ahead.
Damien finished and let go.
"There."
Iris looked at their reflections in the mirror.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Neither of them moved immediately.
Their eyes met in the mirror.
Just for a second.
Then Iris looked away.
"We should probably go."
Damien nodded.
"Yeah."
But neither of them said anything about the strange little moment that had just passed between them.
Iris picked up her clutch from the vanity and took one last look at herself in the mirror.
Damien was already waiting by the door.
"Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
They left the room together and headed downstairs.
The grand staircase was illuminated by warm golden lights, and the rest of the family was already gathered in the foyer.
Eleanor smiled when she saw them.
"Oh, you two look wonderful."
Iris smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Theo looked between them and grinned.
"Okay, matching outfits? I see you two."
Iris glanced at Damien.
"He planned it."
"I did not," Damien replied calmly.
Theo laughed.
"Sure."
Alexander and Victoria soon joined them, followed by Richard and Annie.
Lucy arrived with Sarah, who immediately ran toward Theo.
"Uncle Theo!"
Theo laughed as he picked her up.
"Hey, troublemaker."
Sarah giggled.
After everyone exchanged a few words, they finally made their way outside.
Iris expected to see the usual black sedan waiting for her.
Instead, she stopped.
A sleek, deep, red-colored Bentley Continental GT was parked directly in front of the mansion, its glossy finish reflecting the golden lights of the estate. Subtle gold detailing ran along the edges, making it look almost perfectly coordinated with Iris and Damien's outfits.
Iris stared at it.
"Smooth car." She said.
"Thanks, get in." He said.
"What?" She paused. "I think I'm fine with my driver."
"Nope, you're pulling in with me."
"Fine."
She walked over to the passenger side and stood there.
"Get in!" He said. "What are you waiting for?" He asked
"And here I am thinking you're a gentleman."
He said and walked toward her and opened the door.
"Princess." He teased.
"Funny." She said sarcastically.
Iris rolled her eyes and finally got into the passenger seat.
Damien closed the door behind her before walking around to the driver's side.
A moment later, he slid behind the wheel and started the engine.
Iris glanced around the luxurious interior.
The wine-red leather seats, dark wood trim, and subtle gold accents made the car feel just as expensive as the mansion.
She looked at Damien.
"You really like showing off, don't you?"
He glanced at her.
"I prefer quality."
"Of course you do."
He pulled away from the mansion.
Iris looked through the window and noticed the other cars leaving behind them.
"Is everyone going to the gala now?"
"Yes."
"Your entire family?"
"Pretty much."
She smiled faintly.
"That should be interesting."
Damien glanced at her.
"Why?"
"Because I've never been to a Blackwood family gala."
"You'll get used to it."
"I don't plan on getting used to anything."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Two years is a long time."
Iris turned toward him.
"Don't remind me."
A small silence settled between them.
Then Damien glanced at her dress.
"The dress suits you."
Iris looked at him suspiciously.
"Another compliment?"
"Don't make it a big deal."
She smiled.
"Too late."
Damien shook his head, but the corner of his mouth lifted.
The car continued through the city of New York, their matching outfits catching occasional glances from people passing by.
Neither of them said it aloud, but they both knew what tonight required.
They had to look like a couple.
And judging by the way they looked sitting beside each other in that Bentley...
They were already doing a pretty convincing job.