“Oh, right,” she said faintly. Emily laughed again, snapping Holly out of her daze.
“You really didn’t know? Wow. And here I was thinking you were playing him to get close to Estelle.” Emily clapped. “So, you really do like this guy. Just for being him? How interesting.”
Holly frowned, offended that Emily had made the assumption that she was playing a game to get up the career ladder.
“Do you know what? I’m going to help you. My best friend is a seamstress. She designs the most exquisite dresses.” Emily picked up her phone and eyed Holly with a slow nod. “When I’m done with you, Estelle will be asking me to introduce you to her.”
Chapter Twelve
Holly couldn’t breathe. This time it was because Emily had her wearing a dress with a built-in corset. The navy-blue organza twisted around Holly’s curves in a way that cascaded down her body like a waterfall. Embroidered lace draped over her shoulders and hundreds of diamantes lined the hem.
The production team had their stylists work on Holly’s hair and make-up. They pinned her long blonde hair into a loose knot on the back of her head, and sculpted her face with makeup that was surprisingly natural-looking.
It had been a long day, and Holly did not have a moment to look at her phone, let alone talk to Thatcher about the party. Physically, she was more than ready to make her grand appearance. But mentally, she was underprepared.
Without a pep talk from her best friends, she didn’t know what to do.
“Good luck tonight. You look breath-taking,” Emily said, beaming with pride as she surveyed her. Holly gave her a weak smile in return.
“Thank you for this. You’re like my fairy godmother,” she said with a giggle. Emily looked at her with horror.
“Let’s say sister. I’m not old enough to be your godmother,” she corrected, prompting Holly to chuckle again. She had not expected Emily to take her words so literally.
“Now, you go out there, and you show the world what you’re made of!”
Holly walked into an empty reception area and looked back at Emily who followed.
“Oh yeah. The party started twenty minutes ago,” she said with a cheeky grin. Holly gawped at her, but Emily stared back affronted.
“What? You’ve never heard of being fashionably late?”
She smoothed out her black dress and sighed.
“Right. I’m going in. Count to one hundred and come in after me.”
Holly watched Emily strut to the double doors and disappear behind them. The upbeat music faded as the doors swung shut and Holly’s heart thumped against her ribcage.
“Act cool. This is it. William is going to see you and he’s going to fold to his knees,” Holly whispered to herself. Her palms were sweaty, and she could already feel her face growing clammy.
William’s mother was Estelle. The fact sent her mind in a spin. Now that she knew, she didn’t know how to act. An ugly thought sat in the pit of her stomach: what if the producers want to stir up a scandal? Was she being set up to look like the career-driven model using William to get to mommy?
“Hey––wow! You look incredible.”
Holly jumped and realized she had been standing still lost in her own head. William stood next to her in a dark suit with his hair gelled to the side. The plume of his sandalwood cologne was intoxicating.
“I didn’t think you were going to come,” he continued, dipping his head and looking at her through his lashes.
“Well, I’m here,” Holly said, spreading her arms. William’s smile broadened.
“Yes, you are.”
Holly blinked at him in thought. Should she tell him she knew about his mom? Or would that open up more questions?
“Well, we better go in separately. Don’t want to look too biased.” William walked to the double doors but paused as he grabbed a handle.
“You take my breath away, you know that?” he said, turning back to her.
Holly’s spirits lifted even more.
“So does this corset,” she blurted. Then she laughed softly at the puzzled look on William’s face. “That came out wrong. It takes my breath away.”
William gave her an amused look before opening the door and disappearing inside.
Holly tried to take a deep breath, but the dress was too constricted. Instead she pursed her lips and exhaled slowly. Then, she picked up her skirt and walked to the doors.
It’s show time.
“And here comes Holly Barratt, who has finally decided to make an appearance,” a man stood with a headset beside the doors and gestured for the camera crew to come over.
“How are you feeling, Holly? Tonight’s the big night. How confident are you that William will choose you?”
Holly blinked into the bright lights and tried to act professional. The room was full of people and a sea of faces had turned in her direction.
“Uh-sure. I’m excited, I guess,” she said, blinded by light.
Someone moved the spotlight away and Holly allowed her eyes to adjust. She scanned the room, looking for Thatcher. She found him in the far corner, taking shots of the other billionaire bachelors. But William was nowhere to be seen.
“Oh snap. This is a twist, that’s for sure,” said one of the camera crew. A wave of exclamations washed over the room and Holly looked around to find out what was causing all the commotion.
“Well it looks like one of our billionaires has made his choice,” another cameraman said.
“Quick. Focus on Holly so we get a reaction shot.”
Bewildered and overwhelmed with the crowd of people and cameramen, Holly made a beeline for Thatcher. She had only made it halfway across the room when the crowd parted and she caught sight of William locked in a passionate embrace with ninety-four percent woman. They were kissing with so much passion it made Holly nauseous.
She looked away and took in the amused faces of the people around her. The cameramen were grinning like Cheshire Cats, and just like that, Holly was transported back to prom night.
Holly kept her head held
