The day passed quickly and now we are here at the mall to find clothes and masks for me to use. It's a masquerade party so I need a mask to cover up my face.

Gizelle and I have been looking for it in various places for a while but until now we still can't choose anything. At first, Gizelle didn't even want to come.

If I hadn't said that the fare and food were free, I might still be forcing her to join me.

"Ash, the moon will fall first before we find you something to wear," Gizelle said while scratching her head.

An hour has already passed and still... there's no dress that fits our tastes. When I noticed that it was time for lunch, I invited Gizelle to eat at a nearby cafeteria.

I ordered four cups of rice and three different dishes. I also ordered drinks for us because I know how tiring the things we did.

"I'll go eat already, Ash. I've been really hungry for a while now." Gizelle said after serving the food I ordered.

I just grinned at her then started eating too.

We were in the middle of finishing our food when my phone rang. I looked at whoever's calling me and it's Jake.

I quickly picked up my phone and informed Gizelle that I would answer the call first because it was important. Jake initiated to put his number on my contact list. I don't know what for but now... I think his idea was great.

"Hello Ash." he answered from the other line. "My bodyguard called me and says you're not in your house?" I frowned at his question. Why does he have his bodyguard follow me?

"A-Ah, we're here today looking for a dress to wear for your party. But we haven't found anything yet, so we're still here-" I was cut off by him.

"No. You don't need to search for it. I already sent your dress for Friday. Don't worry because it suits you too well." he then put down the phone.

Maybe, that's the reason of why he knew I was not at home.

*****

"Huh? Going home? We haven't found anything yet?" Gizelle asked me when I asked her to go home.

I told her that I already got my dress delivered to my house. There was still confusion and wonder in her eyes but eventually, she agreed.

And that's exactly what Jake said. I have something here to wear already. Different accessories were also included. You can see that the materials used in this dress are really well managed.

The dress looked like a gown. It's simple but elegant. Its beauty can be seen by just looking at it once. I never imagined myself wearing this kind of clothes. Because the only right dress for me are the clothes that can be bought at ukay. Because those clothes were just the clothes I could afford to buy.

The day passed quickly and now, I'm getting ready for my face. I only put on light make-up because I don't really like thick make-up. After putting make-up on my face, I fixed my hair.

I stood up and left in front of the mirror to put on the clothes that were ready for me. The dress just fit perfectly on me. The color red dress with shining gold in it. The dress just perfectly fit on my fair skin.

I looked at myself in the mirror and when I received a message from Jake, I went downstairs.

I saw him on his car. He was leaning on it while staring at me, gaping. If I didn't know why he was here… I might think he was in love.

"Damn you're so beautiful," he said with full of adoration, desire, and hunger in his eyes.

My cheeks warmed a little because of what he said. This is not the first time I got complimented for my beauty but this is the first time I feel pretty because of the compliment that I have received.

"Miss, will you let me guide you in my car?" he asked me while in the act of asking for my permission.

I grinned a little and shook my head before accepting his hand.

"Yes, Jake," I said with a smile on my face.

He helped me into his car and when we got inside, he suddenly kissed my hand. His lips lingered there for a moment before he removed them.

He didn't waste any more time and got into the driver's seat and drove the car to the venue.

"The dress just fit perfectly at your body and beauty." Jake praised me.

He couldn't stand the silence inside his car anymore so he started to talk.

I gave him a small smile. "T-Thank you," then my eyes snapped down his suit. "Your suit just fits perfectly on your body and muscles too, Jake."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I love that dress. But... it's too bad it might just get ruined later," he said meaningfully and I know what he means by that.

I am not surprised by this because I know the reason why he is doing this.

He paid me. And I must abide and oblige to everything he asks me to do. I saw many fancy cars parked in front of a big house. I guess this is his house.

But before we got there, he stopped his car in a dark part. He removed his seatbelt then went near me.

"Fuck, I can't stop thinking what it must be like to kiss your lips and body," he touched my face then guided me to his lips.

He kissed me with so much pleasure and hunger. I felt my body being surrounded by heat and I knew what it was.

I pushed him for a while and took off my seatbelt. I then kissed him back with the same intensity he was giving me. We kissed and savored each other's lips like it was our first time to drink water.

We were both panting when we stopped kissing. He smiled and straightened himself before looking at me who was still stunned by the kiss we shared earlier.

"Fix yourself. I'll wait for you outside." he then walked out of the car.

I was left stunned there. I looked where he went but he didn't go far. I swallowed all the shame and pain I was feeling and composed myself.

I called him up when I was already done fixing myself. I didn't look at him again until I got to his house. He told me to put on my mask before opening the door for me.

He took me by the hand before leading me inside his house.

People treat you better when you are beautiful... because that's what only matters to some of them. Only the beautiful things. And when your beauty starts to fade... those who confessed that they love you... starts to fade too... as the time passes by.