Chapter 27
Chapter 27 Lousy Piece Of Scrap Metal
Julian picked two purple gowns for Annalise and told her to try them on.
He sat on the couch and was flipping through a magazine when she came out after changing into one of the dresses. As soon as he saw her, his eyes widened, and he could not tear his gaze away from her.
He thought in awe, "I know how beautiful she is, and I knew she'd look stunning in an evening gown. However, I never imagined she'd look incredibly gorgeous."
The corseted style of the purple gown accentuated Annalise's slender figure, and she exuded a sexy yet innocent air in a harmonious contrast that created a stunning sight beyond compare. "Does it not look good? I'll put on the other one, then," said Annalise.
"It's gorgeous! You don't have to try on the other gown. This one is perfect!" Julian replied.
Inwardly, he mused, "I don't think there's any other dress that would suit her more perfectly than the one she's wearing. It's just like how I feel there's no one more suited to be my wife than her." "All right. That's decided, then."
She was about to go and change out of the gown when Julian said, "There's no need to get changed. We're going straight to get your hair and makeup done."
"It's already past four o'clock now. The stylist usually does the makeup first, so that'll be the perfect. opportunity to get someone to give her a shoulder massage. She can take a short nap during the Judging from the faint dark circles under her eyes, I think she must've stayed up late last night," he thought..
massage.
Before starting the hair and makeup, Julian instructed the stylist to give Annalise a neck and shoulder massage. Since she had good skin, the stylist would not have to do much to prep her skin. Although Annalise did not say anything, she was moved by how thoughtful Julian was.
"Benjamin was gentle and caring in every way, but he wouldn't have thought about these little details," she pondered.
The stylist started giving her a shoulder massage as she lay on the bed, and in just a few minutes, she had dozed off.
By the time she woke up, the stylist had done her makeup. All that was left was to style her hair. Julian was waiting for her, and he gave her a tender smile when he saw that she had awakened. "After you get your hair done, we'll go and grab a bite first."
"What time is it?" Annalise asked.
"Six o'clock."
"I've been asleep for that long?" she exclaimed in disbelief.
Usually, she would find it difficult to fall asleep in unfamiliar places.
"It wasn't that long. Only an hour, Julian said, unable to hide the doting tone in his voice.
His doting tone felt like the gentle caress of a feather, causing Annalise's heart to flutter. However, she quickly forced herself to calm down and steady her heartbeat.
She glanced at the hand he held toward her, then placed her hand in his, thinking. "Familiarity is truly something scary. I can't believe I've gotten used to holding his hand and that it actually gives me a sense o security. The feeling of his large hand enveloping mine is so warm and comforting."
She felt an inexplicable sense of happiness blossoming within her as if her body was experiencing a surge of dopamine. She could not help casting aside the jumble of distracting thoughts in her mind, and her lips.
curved into a smile.
At seven o'clock that evening. Julian drove back to Hamilton Hotel since the charity dinner was at the banquet hall of the hotel on the first floor.
Although they arrived before eight o'clock, there were already many luxury cars parked in front of the hotel, and many more continued driving up to the hotel.
There were also many more valets than usual that evening.
As soon as a luxury car drove up, the valets would rush over to help park the vehicle or guide the driver with maneuvering into a parking space.
But when Julian drove up, not a single soul bothered to look his way.
Annalise smiled and said, "I see an empty spot over there. Let's park there."
He drove toward where she had pointed, but a valet hurried over just as he was about to pull into the parking spot. Although the valet greeted Julian politely, his general tone was somewhat discourteous. "Good evening. This parking space is reserved. You'll have to park somewhere else. There's a very important charity dinner at the hotel tonight, so outsiders aren't allowed inside."
"But isn't this an empty parking spot?" Annalise responded.
The valet did not sound happy as he replied, "Someone has already reserved it."
Puzzled, she asked, "When has it become a thing to reserve parking spaces like this?"
"Whatever it is, you can't park your car here," the valet insisted.
"But we're here to attend the charity dinner," Annalise said.
When the valet heard that, he gazed at them up and down, then glanced at their vehicle, which he estimated to be only worth around 30 thousand dollars.
Annalise frowned. "Parking spaces are usually on a first-come, first-served basis."
Unable to keep his temper any longer, the valet snapped, "I've tried to be respectful toward you, but it seems that you're just asking for me to burst your bubble. Judging from what you're driving, even if you did manage to scrape through and qualify as an attendee for the charity dinner, you wouldn't be able to afford to buy anything. All you'll be able to do is make up the numbers and broaden your horizons. Look at al the luxury cars around you. Do you think it's appropriate to park this lousy piece of scrap metal here?"
Annalise's anger flared as she thought indignantly, "That's it. I'm determined to park here today, no matter what."
Just then, a sexy, middle-aged woman wearing a red gown and holding a handbag walked over.
As soon as she got close enough, the woman went off on the valet. "Who did you say is only here to make up the numbers, huh? What's the matter? Is someone who doesn't drive a luxury car unqualified to participate in a charity dinner? Is doing charity only for the wealthy? I'll have you know that this lady here has been extending financial aid to orphanages since she was 13 years old. Do you think someone like you is qualified to criticize others? Get out of my sight!"
The woman was Madeline. She had arrived earlier, planning to meet up with Benjamin first. Madeline was surprised to see Annalise's car as soon as she arrived and was just about to greet the latter when she noticed the valet speaking rudely to her.
Unable to hold back her anger, she had rushed over to admonish the valet.
Noticing Madeline's dignified air and the string of large pearls around her neck that was clearly worth a fortune, the valet dared not talk back for fear of provoking her. Hence, he apologized immediately and hurried off to continue doing his job.
As soon as Julian parked the car, Annalise got out to greet Madeline. "Ms. Tuffin, didn't you say to meet at eight o'clock?"
"Well, it's a good thing I arrived a little earlier. Otherwise, who knows how badly you would've gotten bullied? See, that's why I told you it's high time you changed your car. Driving a car like that will only make others. disparage you wherever you go," Madeline grumbled good-naturedly.
Annalise grinned. "You're right, but it actually works out better this way. If someone looks down on me just because of the car I drive, that person is not worth befriending.”
In his heart, Julian strongly agreed with Annalise's response, thinking, "That's what Grandpa used to say all the time. While I was studying abroad, Grandpa would tell me to maintain a low profile in every aspect. He said that would allow one to see things as they actually are and make genuine friends, and it was those friends who would stick through thick and thin for the rest of one's life."
"And this is?" Madeline asked when she saw Julian. She thought excitedly, "Even at first glance, I was absolutely stunned. He's so handsome! They're a match made in heaven!" "Good evening. I'm Annie's hus-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Annalise quickly interrupted, "Boss. He's my boss, Ms. Tuffin. He has a pharmaceutical business."
As she spoke, she shot Julian a pleading glance.
Although Julian was upset that Annalise was unwilling to introduce him as her husband, he could not bring himself to refuse her silent plea. Hence, he nodded politely to Madeline in greeting and said, "Good evening. I'm Annalise's boss. My name is Julian Parks."