A/N: Check out Virginie's dress! I wonder if Alex is going to like it...hm...

"What can I do you for today, Mr. Stroud?" questioned the young man who greeted him at the door. "I do hope your last order was to your liking."

Alex had ended up at his tailor, La Rubicko Bespoke. They seemed to have something new in stock whenever he came in, something divine. His tuxedos and suits from here were a sight to behold and he needed that for this gala. He was trying to convince himself that he was just trying to look good for his date even though he couldn't care less about that empty headed bitch.

La Rubicko was a small yet exclusive shop in Manhattan. The insides were lined with rows of button up shirts, ties, bow-ties, tuxedos, and pants from all over the world and of the finest quality. The staff here treated him well and he was one of their top customers. He had been coming here ever since he started working at Borden Law and hadn't stopped. He never left disappointed.

Alex laughed nervously. "Of course it was, Ben. I'm never unsatisfied any time that I've come here. I was just looking for something a little bit different tonight."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Something other than your usual color palette, sir?"

Alex nodded and Ben beamed back at him. "I have been holding something in the back for you for quite some time, waiting for an occasion like this. I've thought that it would compliment you well but I didn't want to overstep my bounds. Please, wait here." Ben disappeared into the backroom of the store and Alex waited.

Ben returned and Alex's jaw dropped. The mannequin he had brought out was wearing a stunning cobalt tux with a satin finish tie. The jacket itself had one button, which Alex liked, and the accent pocket held a white handkerchief. Alex went up to the mannequin, running his hands up and down the rich fabric. It felt like melting clouds underneath his fingers.

"What do you think, sir?" Ben asked, his grin too large for his face. "It's beautiful, is it not? I hope this is what you were thinking of."

"This isn't what I was thinking of," Alex breathed. "This is even better. Can I have it for tonight?"

Ben nodded eagerly. "Yes, of course. This one has all of your measurements already done so it should fit you perfectly, like all of your other suits. I will wrap it and send it up to your penthouse."

Alex pulled him in for an unexpected hug and Ben chuckled. "You're very welcome, sir."

Alex broke the embrace, clearing his throat, not understanding what came over him. "You have a good day, Ben. Tell your father that I said hello."

Ben waved at him. "Will do, Mr. Stroud. Enjoy your date this evening."

Alex exited the shop without another word, not wanting to confirm or deny Ben's statement. He pulled out his phone to order an Uber back to the office. As he waited outside, his phone began buzzing and he checked who it was. He groaned before answering.

"Hello, Stephanie," Alex said through his teeth. "What a surprise."

She giggled before answered. "Hey Alex! I hope it wouldn't be a surprise because someone's supposed to take this lady out tonight!" She paused for a moment but then spoke again before Alex had the chance to say anything. "Unless you forgot," she whined.

"No, of course, I didn't forget," Alex laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. I wish I did."I just didn't expect to hear from you until tonight. How are you?"

"I'm wonderful, thank you for asking," she gushed. "I'm getting my nails done so that I look perfect for tonight. I have to look the part, you know?" He could hear a slight scuffle in the background that sounded like Stephanie was kicking the woman at her feet and cursing at her.

"These fucking immigrants don't know how to do a proper pedicure, holy shit," she whispered, giggling to herself. "Maybe I should just report them. I mean, they're all going to be deported anyway, right?"

Alex was very ready to hang up.

"Anyway, what time are you picking me up?"

I wish it could be never. "The dinner starts at about 9 so I guess around 8?" Even though these gala events didn't start on time often, he liked to be there early. He wanted to get to the alcohol first anyway.

"That's so early, ugh. Don't you want me to look pretty on your arm? Beauty this good takes time, you know."

I don't want you to touch me with a fifty-foot pole. He forced himself to laugh. "I know it might be a little bit hard for you to start early but it's better to be there before these things start. You don't want to miss anything."

She sighed. "I guess you're right, Mr. Man. I'll see you tonight!"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he grimaced.

The funny thing was, he meant it. But not for the reason that Stephanie thought.

❦

"Ah!" Virginie screamed, sitting up in her bed. She looked around her massive room to find her attacker but there was no one there.

Her bed was drowning in Egyptian cotton sheets and her thick comforter was suffocating her. She was uncomfortable because she was nearly naked, wearing only her bra and a pair of shorts. She hated the feeling of bed sheets against her skin. The softness felt alien to her flesh and she hated seeing her body.

She looked out the window, seeing the sun's red head disappearing behind the New York skyline. She felt everything rush to her head at once, and fell back on the bed, feeling a sharp pain in her shoulder.

She remembered what happened. She got shot and Colette took her home. She ran her hands over the now smooth skin, feeling the slight bumps where the stitches were. She was glad that Corey used invisible stitches so she wouldn't have to explain herself to anyone tonight.

The door burst open and Colette stood there, pale as a sheet. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Virginie smiled at her companion. "Nothing, I just thought I saw a spider." When the fuck did you start being afraid of spiders? When has there ever been a spider in this apartment, anyway?

Colette didn't look convinced but she didn't press her on it. She never did. "A package from that asshole came for you while you were out." She winked and left the room, motioning her to follow.

Virginie grabbed the nearest t-shirt and put it on. She jumped off the bed and slid across the polished wooden floors to the kitchen. On top of the marble island was a large eggshell colored package tied with a champagne colored ribbon. She ran her hands across the smooth surface of the box, then carefully untied the knot that held it together. Inside the box lay a strikingly white two-piece gown with a gold chain choker.

"For my little chocolate drop -R." the note inside read.

"'My little chocolate drop?' What kind of black fetishization?" Colette snorted, already walking away. "I don't want any man who isn't chocolate calling me chocolate. They don't have the right and it's creepy. That dress is gorgeous, though."

Virginie said nothing as she pulled it out of the box. The top piece of the garment was a silky crop top with spaghetti straps. It was loose with a slight v-neck. The bottom was a high waisted skirt with a high slit on the right leg. The loose and flowy layers felt like a cloud in her hands.

"What time is it?" Virginie asked, pressing the dress against her chest.

"It's 6:13. That asshole is coming at 8:30 so I would start getting ready soon." Colette took wild caught salmon and lemons out of the fridge, getting ready to make her dinner.

Virginie's eyes narrowed at her friend. "Why did I sleep for so long?" She already knew the answer but she wanted to hear her say it. She wanted to know why Colette would betray her like this.

Colette sighed, her hands resting on the counter. She did not want to turn around to face her because she knew that Virginie's face was full of anger and betrayal right now. Colette's eyes shifted down to the floor, trying to make the truth sound good. But with Virginie, there was no way to do that. "Corey gave you an anesthetic."

"Are you dumb or are you fucking stupid? How many times have I told you that I―"

"Shut up!" Colette shouted. Virginie looked taken aback. She had never been interrupted by her before. "You're fine now, aren't you? It was the only way that you were going to rest. Because let's be honest, you would've just continued doing work instead of going to sleep." She crossed the kitchen to face her. Although she was considerably shorter than Virginie, Virginie could feel the power radiating from her. "You think you know the best for yourself all the time but you don't. You have to let other people take care of you sometimes."

"Yeah, whatever," Virginie muttered, turning to go back into her room. She wasn't going to argue with her. She was kind of right so there was no point. "I'm going to take a shower and get ready. You need anything before I go?"

Colette rolled her eyes. "Did you hear anything I just―" She put her face her hands. "Never mind, no. I don't."

Virginie laughed as she walked away, the dress gliding across the floor behind her.

Although she knew Colette meant well, having drugs in her system just wasn't something that she was comfortable with anymore. She knew the consequences all too well.

"Just make sure you put my bonnet on next time!" She chided before closing the door to her room. "Got my hair looking like a whole mess and now I have to waste time fixing it. Hmph."

A/N: Ah, Stephanie. She's certainly...something. How do you think that this dinner is going to go?