Chapter Sixty-five
Faelen’s POV
After our intense afternoon together, I thought the day couldn’t hold any more surprises, but as evening came, I found the estate bustling with preparations for a dinner Hunter had promised.
Everywhere I turned, people were rushing about, arranging flowers, polishing and setting tables.
The energy in the air felt different, and I couldn’t help but feel it was all a little strange… like this dinner was somehow just meant for me.
I tried to help, slipping into the dining hall to see if I could lend a hand, but Caleb quickly intercepted me.
He crossed his arms by the doorway, giving me a stern look that didn’t quite match the grin on his lips.
“Faelen,” he said, “tonight isn’t about you helping anyone. Let us take care of things. Hunter wanted everything to be perfect. He wanted you to relax and enjoy your moment.”
I hesitated, feeling a little strange about it. All this effort just for me felt… extravagant. But Caleb just shook his head with a smile.
“Trust me. He’s not going to let you lift a finger tonight. Go on, get ready. Enjoy it.”
With a grateful nod, I let him shoo me off, heading back to my room. As I stepped inside, I stopped, stunned by what I saw.
Laid out on my bed was a beautiful dress… a deep blue dress that almost shone in the low light.
Beside it, was a small note. Certain it was from Hunter, I picked it up, feeling a thrill as I read the words… ‘Wear this tonight.’
I held the dress up, admiring how the rich color seemed to highlight every detail. It was more beautiful than anything I’d ever owned, no doubt.
Just holding it filled me with a sense of awe. Hunter had gifted it to me, and I couldn’t help but imagine him picking it out.
The thought that Hunter had chosen it for me sent a warmth feeling through me. Picturing me in it, felt unreal.
If I knew Hunter well, he wouldn’t take no for an answer anyway, so there was no point in fighting it.
His scent still lingered faintly in the room, and I found myself smiling stupidly as I held up the dress.
Catching myself, a little laugh escaped me, also at the way he’d gone out of his way just to make me feel special.
But underneath all that excitement, there was an uncertainty that still lurked around in my mind.
Hunter and I hadn’t fully confessed our feelings for each other yet, all we’d done was acknowledge that we couldn’t stay away from each other, no matter how hard we tried.
But did that mean that there was more between us? Was he really thinking of me that way, or was it just the pull of our bond?
For a long moment, I stood at the foot of my bed, captivated by the stunning dress. I felt as though I was staring at something precious, almost too beautiful for someone like me.
My heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness as I thought about wearing it. Wear this tonight he’d said.
Those words lingered in my mind, making me fantasize about something that seemed to mean more than just a simple dinner.
Finally breaking free from my thoughts, I made my way to the bathroom to draw a bath. The sound of running water quickly filled the air as I did so.
I took my time, watching the steam rise above the tub. Staring at the rushing water, I hoped that it would calm my nerves.
As the tub filled, I let my fingers run along the edge, thinking of Hunter and how he had chosen to honor me with this evening.
The anticipation made my pulse quicken… it was just dinner, I told myself, but everything felt like it wasn’t just that.
Once the tub was full, I stepped in, letting the warm water overwhelm me, providing a soothing feel.
A soft sigh escaped my lips as I sank deeper, the heat relaxing my muscles and washing away the tension of the day.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to feel every sensation… the gentle heat against my skin, the soothing sound of water splashing around me.
I rubbed soap unto my skin, letting it glide over my body. Each scrub felt like a moment to appreciate my body in a way I rarely ever did.
As I washed, I let my mind drift off, thinking of Hunter. I imagined how his eyes would light up when he saw me tonight, how I wanted to make him proud.
I then focused more on letting go of my insecurities, trying to convince myself that I deserved this moment.
I observed the curves of my body, feeling the softness of my skin beneath my fingers, and I couldn’t help but smile at my reflection in the water.
When I stepped out of the bath, I felt renewed and alive. I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel, the soft fabric comforting against my skin.
As I caught sight of myself in the mirror by the window, I paused. My long, red hair was damp, and I ran my fingers through the strands, letting them fall down my shoulders.
I took a moment to admire the way my hair shone brightly in the light, the red color so vibrant that it almost glowed.
I grabbed my brush, and as I worked through the tangles, I took my time at it. I could feel my confidence building with every moment I spent caring for myself.
My hair was thick and long, curling slightly at the ends, and I took pleasure in the way it flowed around my shoulders.
As I brushed, I gazed at my reflection, appreciating the beauty of my features, the delicate curves of my hips, and the way my breasts looked naturally firm.
I couldn’t help but admire the way my complexion glowed, revealing the hint of pink on my cheeks from the warm water.
Once I finished with my hair, I placed the brush down and turned my full attention back to the dress waiting for me on the bed.
The fabric shone as I approached, the deep blue color captivating. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I was worthy of something so exquisite.
With a shaky breath, I slipped the towel off and stepped into the dress, pulling it over my head.
It slid down my body effortlessly, settling against my curves in a way that felt both thrilling and surprising.
As I adjusted the neckline, I noticed how it hugged my waist and curved gently at the hips, detailing every part of me that I usually tried to downplay.
I turned to the mirror, letting out a soft gasp at my reflection. The dress made me feel beautiful and confident, a side of myself I hadn’t really embraced.
My heart raced as I smoothed the fabric down, marveling at how it made me feel like a different person entirely.
I felt a strange mix of pride and nervousness bubbling within me. Would Hunter see this side of me?
Would he notice the effort I’d put in, this captivating transformation I had undergone for this single evening?
I took a deep breath, preparing myself for ahead. I had chosen to wear the dress, but it was so much more than just fabric.
Maybe I was nervous, but deep down, I was excited about what the evening was all about. It was time to face it, and I was ready.
The note he’d sent with the dress lay there on the bed, which made me smile slightly again. He’d written in that bold, unmistakable handwriting of his.
It was simple, direct, like Hunter himself. I could almost hear his voice as I read the words the umpteenth time.
I imagined that low, deep tone that seemed to pierce straight into my chest and pull at my heart when he spoke.
I pressed the note to my chest, wondering what this evening would bring. But as the warmth filled me, I struggled with doubt creeping in once a while.
Of course this wasn’t something I was used to… being the center of attention, dressed up in such a fine dress, invited to a dinner in my honor.
It all felt… too much, too good. Like I’d stepped into someone else’s life for a night.
And then there was Hunter himself, who’d been so unexpectedly gentle and open with me ever since the attack, showing a side of himself I hadn’t really witnessed before.
But even though we’d shared so much passion, we both hadn’t spoken the words, not daring to say what exactly was building between us.
A part of me was still hesitant, still unable to believe I was worthy of him, or any of this. I was just Faelen, the girl who’s been caught in webs she barely understood all her life.
And yet, here I was, in his estate, wearing a dress he’d chosen for me, preparing for a dinner held just for me.
Every time I looked at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back.
The dress clung in all the right places, I almost didn’t believe it was me there in the reflection, looking so… classy, and confident.
Trying to settle my nerves, I took a deep breath and smoothed my hair one last time. He wanted me to wear this, so tonight, I’d give him that.
After what felt like hours of fussing over every detail of my appearance, I finally gathered myself and opened the door.
Caleb was waiting just outside, a grin tugging at his mouth as he looked me over. “Told you Hunter would have everything covered,” he said, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “You look gorgeous, Faelen.”
I felt my cheeks warm, unable to hide the smile that crept over my face. “Thank you, Caleb,” I said, trying to sound grateful as possible.
“Come with me.” Caleb then said, offering an arm.
I took it and followed him.
We walked through the corridors towards the grand dinning hall. But when we arrived at the hallway, Caleb’s attention was quickly drawn elsewhere.
“Forgive me, Faelen. I have to go see to something really urgent.” He said when a man signaled to him. “Do make yourself comfortable.”
“Uh… okay. Sure, go ahead, I’ll be fine.” I answered, trying to sound less nervous than I felt.
With that, I was left alone there in the hallway. I stood breathless. The sounds of the bustling estate soon died down, leaving just the sound of my own heartbeat filling my ears.