A Version I never knew.

Emma’s POV

“I’m going to need a medic. Emma, I am literally losing my ability to breathe right now. Who is this diva?” Olivia’s voice drifted from behind me, thick with shock and admiration.

I couldn’t look away from the mirror. My eyes were glued to it, because…the person staring right back at me... she didn't look like me. She looked…so different. Like a version of myself I was never meant to meet. She looked prettier and so breathtaking.

I ran my hand down the fabric of the dress I had on. It was a floor-length, deep red satin that clung to my curves like a second skin, complete with a thigh-high slit. My hair, styled in soft, glossy curls, fell over one shoulder, framing a face I barely recognized without my glasses. Olivia really did a great thing with my make up. It was flawless, not too much and not too little. Just enough to make me look like I’m not trying too hard.

“’Looks like someone is keeping secrets now,” Olivia muttered as she paced a restless line behind me, her eyes glued to my reflection as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.

“Okay, I did some digging online last night on that dress and guess what?”. She finally stopped pacing and looked right at me. “ This is the latest custom piece by Valentin Laurent in Paris. They only put out twenty of these a year, Emma. Twenty. They don’t just make this for anyone. It’s for elites only. I mean billionaires and super rich celebrities. And the necklace? I don’t want to go there, because even if I sell my soul I still can’t afford that. So you're telling me Adrian Beaufort got you all of this out of the goodness of his heart?”

Here we were again. Olivia hadn't stopped the interrogation since the moment I walked through the door two nights ago.

The second I stepped inside with that bag Adrian handed to me, she had practically snatched it out of my hand. She’d been watching us from the window the whole time, and she didn't waste a second dumping the contents onto my sofa. An expensive looking dress, a set of heels that probably cost more than my rent, and jewelry that sparkled like real stars.

Olivia convinced me..well, forced me to wear it all for the wedding. I disagreed with her but she wouldn’t listen to any of that. Arguing with Olivia was pointless; It was like trying to chase off a hurricane with a little hand fan. She always won.

“Are you two sleeping together?” Olivia asked out of nowhere, her eyes narrowing.

I choked on my own breath, the question catching me completely off guard. “What the hell, Liv? It..it’s not like that!”

She crossed her arms over her chest, unimpressed. “I didn’t hear a 'no' in that sentence.”

I kept my mouth shut, turning back to the mirror to adjust the neckline of the dress. My face heated up as memories of that night flashed through my mind again.

“OMG!” Liv shrieked. “I was just telling you yesterday that you needed to forget Trevor and move on, without realizing you’re already getting your insides drilled by Adrian Beaufort!”

“It’s not a big deal,” I said, my voice turning serious as I caught her gaze in the mirror. “It was a one-time thing, nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious? You’ve got to be kidding me. That dude is a literal god, it’s like hitting a jackpot. Hot and rich in one.”

The absurdity of the question almost made me laugh. “If he were the only man left on this earth, I’d rather die single. He’s arrogant, he’s cocky, and just to worsen it all, he's a Beaufort.”

Olivia rolled her eyes so hard I thought they’d get stuck. “So let me get this straight, he agreed to be your date to his asshole’s sister’s wedding and he bought you a dress that costs more than a house. And you really think he doesn’t feel a thing for you?”

“Life isn’t a romance novel, Olivia. And yes, he doesn't feel a thing for me and the feeling is mutual on my end. I’m simply using him to get Trevor back, and he knows it too”

“Trevor, Trevor, Trevor,” she groaned. “That guy is a total scumbag, I don't know what you still see in him. But whatever, put that aside. Tell me everything. I mean everything. How did it happen? Don’t you dare leave out a single detail.”

I sighed, looking at my reflection one last time. “Well... the first and the last night it happened, it was in his…”

The chime of a text notification cut me off. My phone vibrated on the table.

“A minute”. I said to Olivia as I picked it up from the table. My heart did a little slow heavy roll in my chest.It was Adrian.

“Won’t be able to pick you up myself. My driver will be there in a minute.

I started to breathe a sigh of relief and scoffed a little before I texted back.

“Who said I need you to pick me up? I can go to the venue all on my own Mr Beaufort, your assistance isn’t needed.”

I saw several dots swimming on the screen. He was typing back like he’d been expecting my response.

His text popped in.

“I have a reputation to maintain, Em. I can’t have my date showing up in a yellow taxi and ruin my aesthetic. And tell me you’re wearing that dress, kitten.”

My cheeks didn't just heat up; they practically caught fire as I bit my lower lip. Kitten?. Since when did he start calling me that? I wanted to type back but I changed my mind.

“Is that him?” Olivia squealed, lunging across the room. Before I could lock the screen, she snatched the phone out of my hand and read the message.

“'Kitten'? Oh, yeah.,” she teased, dancing around the room with my phone held high. “He’s totally not into you. He just buys five-figure dresses and calls women kitten for fun!”

“Give me that!” I hissed, lunging for the phone, but she just laughed, dodging me with a wink.