Before you knew it the day of the charity gala arrived sooner that Emma anticipated.
Later that afternoon, Christy was bustling with happiness, moving up and down preparing for the gala like a queen getting ready for inauguration.
Stylish lingering around her, makeup artist giving her the final touches before spraying and locking down the make up. Her hairstylist working on her hair to give her the perfect glossy curls.
Emma quietly sat by the edge of the bed nervously playing with her fingers.
She felt so out of place. This whole new lifestyle is new to to her.
Everything around is glamorous and covered with glitters that screams expensive constantly reminding her she is a poor girl.
But Christy had insisted.
"You're coming with me right," she said. "Discussion over."
Now, there is no way she could escape going to the gala.
Christy's stylist motioned and talk to Emma.
"Miss Christy selected this gown for you." the stylist said warmly.
She held up the gown so high admiring the beautiful master piece before her eyes.
The gown is a deep burgundy color. The gown is simple yet elegant made of high quality material with so much fashion detailing, hand beaded all over the gown.
"This gown is expensive to pay my family annual rent." She thought to herself.
Emma swallowed a hard lump.
"I don't think I can wear this," she whispered.
Christy looked at her through the mirror with an intense gaze.
"Of course you will wear that."
Emma stood up from where she was sitting and walked towards Christy.
"Christy, don't you think this is a little too much."
Christy turned around and looked at her warmly then took her hands and give her a warm squeeze.
"When I say you are my best friend, am not joking I mean it with absolute sincerity. Tonight, we will walk down the gala side by side."
Emma finds it difficult to breathe properly while her chest tightened.
Never in her life has anybody elevated her with this much love and kindness
She slowly nodded her head fighting back some tears that was trying to escape.
She squeezed Christy into a born crushing hug that lasted for two minutes.
"Okay."
Later in the evening, Emma stood before the mirror gazed at her beautiful self.
Smiling big watching her almost unrecognized beautiful self.
The blue hugged every curves in her perfectly. Her hair was curled to perfection shining so glossy, the beautiful simple makeup highlighted her eyes.
She didn't look like the poor charity scholarship girl that grew up in a poverty sticking neighborhood.
She looked... different, beautiful and powerful at the same time.
And suddenly that very realization send a strong negative chill through her spine.
If I can mingle and look like them, I promise myself I will become one of them.
No matter how difficult and challenging the journey might be. I will walk through every step of the way face every obstacle just to fit in.
Christy walk down the stairs like a princess looking so elegant in her party gown hand in hand with Emma. Daniel look at them and quickly rolled his eyes adjusting his cufflinks while Mr. Sterling was busy checking his phone reply a quick message.
Then Emma stepped out and Daniel's eyes lifted and landed on her.
For the very first time Daniel was really impressed by Emma ever since he met her
"You look stunning in that outfit," he commented.
Emma glanced at him and reply. "Thank you so much."
Christy smiled cheerfully. " Is she not looking very beautiful?"
Daniel nodded in agreement.
"Yes," he said quietly. "She is."
The Sterling's family arrived in a convoy at the hotel hosting the night gala event.
Reporters all over the place calling names of dignified individuals, Red carpet rolled underneath expensive shoes and camera flashed on every face.
Upon arrival Christy stepped out of the car before anyone else, immediately she started socializing with familiar faces and exchanging pleasantries.
Emma followed and trailed behind her felling nervous and so out of place.
Whispers started immediately.
"Who's that girl following Christy Sterling?"
" I have never seen her before, her face is not familiar."
"She is a fresh face, is she a new model?"
"Did you just say a model?
"She's the charity scholarship girl i told you about."
Inside the hotel grand hall where the event is taking place, Emma kept her head high and straight just as Christy.
Champagne toast, Chandelier glittered above, music played and everybody is having fun and dancing to the tune of the music.
Emma was overwhelmed, everything was so new to her.
This was a whole different universe. And she want a taste of it and a slice of the pie.
Christy excuse herself and left Emma to great the patrons of the charity event.
Emma stood all by herself leaning over a pillar holding a glass filled with juice.
Suddenly a familiar voice greeted her ears.
"You look mind blowing tonight."
James Carter.
He towered behind her in his black tuxedo smelling so delicious and miscellaneously smiling at Emma.
Emma's breath stopped for a moment.
"Thank you," she said.
James leaned against the pillar beside her.
"I had no idea Christy have such a beauty goddess as a friend."
Emma's eyes flickered around at everybody except James .
"Trust me when I say this, she is the beautiful one," Emma replied.
"I'm just her escort."
James laughed lightly.
"Sometimes the moon shines brighter then the sun."
Emma laughed softly.
And all of a sudden, a forbidden union formed.
Daniel Sterling was watching and observing them closely from across the room without them knowing.
His jaw tightened and fist clenched and un clenched.
"Do you mind for a dance beautiful woman?" James offered
Emma indecisively held back.
"I don't think it's right..."
"Emma," Christy's voice appeared out of the blue happy as she returned.
"James what are you doing to my best friend?" She asked
"I will not appreciate you stealing my best friend on her first gala event."
James defensive raised his hands cheerfully.
"I was just offering a warm reception."
Christy smiled and brushed it off, but something twinkled in her eyes.
Possession.
Emma took note of it, saved it and learned from it.
Later on in the night as dark progressed, Emma found her way out of the hall and walked to the balcony to catch some fresh air away from everybody.
The view from the balcony was so refreshing to her, the city light spreads like broad day like. She felt something in her chest, something so longing for her, like a kingdom waiting for her to claim.
She closed her eyes and took a sharp breath. Just a little more patience everything will fall into place as promised.
This world felt irresistible intoxicated.
The power, the glamorous, the attention all this comes with great value and a heavy price.
"Ditching the crowd?"
A familiar voice greeted her ears from behind.
Daniel walk onto to balcony and stop behind her.
Emma turned to face him and straightened.
"Just catching a bit of fresh air."
Daniel held a lot cigarette between his fingers but didn't smoke it.
"You did a good job tonight, the way you handled yourself. But never ever forget what I told you earlier. This world is brutally dangerous." He warned
Emma fixed her gaze and met his eyes.
" I also told you I survived brutally in the past "
Daniel looked at her and studied her for a few minutes.
"In this world either be the dream the can't afford to loose...or the night mare they can't escape."
Emma smiled mischievously.
"Having both can not be a bad idea."
Daniel laughed under his breath.
"Mischievous answer."
Inside the gala hall, Christy spotted Emma standing very close to Daniel from the doorway
She saw the way her boyfriend James couldn't keep his eyes away from her bestfriend.
A strange feeling started roaming in her mind, making her so uneasy.
Not jealousy, it's too quick to jump into conclusions.
Not yet.
But something she's yet to figure out.
If Emma discovers the world very well... will I still matter, will she still choose to walk by my side?"
As the event finally came to an end, guest started making their ways out of the building.
Christy went out looking for Emma but Emma was no longer standing on the balcony. She's not inside the event hall either.
Christy got furious and matched directly towards her brother.
"Daniel have you seen Emma, I can't find her?"
Daniel's expression suddenly changed and darkened.
"Is she not with you, because Emma told me at the balcony she is going back to meet you."
Outside the entrance stood a luxury black tinted car parked at the entrance.
Christy's Playboy of a boyfriend opened and held the door hand.
"Please spare me some minutes," he said gently.
"There is something I can't wait to show you."
Emma stood by the open door with her heart beating super fast.
She knew the consequences of stepping inside the car means.
Even though she knew she's trying to cross the line she isn't supposed to cross.
And it may cost the beautiful friendship she shared with Christy, which is the ladder she hope will one day take her to greater places.
She knew stepping inside meant crossing a line.
But temptation was whispering louder to her ears, she became so blind to think twice of the consequences that might follow.
Slowly and steady Emma finds her self stepping inside the car.
Christy searched the entire event hall looking for her missing best friend...
While Emma disappeared with the man she is not supposed to crossed paths with.