A One Night Stand With Mr. Goldman

Tiara POV

It was almost six and the sun lost some of its radiance as it started to set, but it was still bright and high enough in the sky to create spectacular evening shadows overlooking the floor-to-ceiling glass window of the terrace located on the second floor of the elegant Goldman’s Mansion.

The silence that easily covered the mansion earlier had been replaced by the sound of excited voices planning a birthday.

Occupying the single sofa that looked like a king’s elegant throne was Laurel Goldman’s dad seated comfortably against the sofa cushion, with a paper in his hand.

Beside him, seated on the same elegant sofa, was his lovely wife and Laurel’s stepmother, Nina Goldman.

” Excellent dear”. Finally, Madam Lisa exclaimed when she was done measuring Nina’s vital statistics, after scribbling the details inside her journal, she let it close.

Eyes in the shade of warmth peered out of her extraordinary eyelashes.

Madame Lisa was a fine woman with high cheekbones, a perfect nose, and small plump lips.

She was around her mid-thirties and yet looked younger than her real age as if she’d been drinking some water from the secret fountains of youth.

Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed me from head to toe, then back to my head again, as if I were a subject from one of her experiments.

Madam Lisa is a distinguished fashion designer who creates great masterpieces like fashion gowns.

She’d been featured in various fashion magazines commending her exceptional talent that could bring out the best of her clients once her creation was worn.

I have read all about her in a magazine.

I saw some of the samples of her splendid creation and I must say it was jaw-dropping, truly a great creation coming from the woman of fashion.

All her work was amazing, but there is a single particular creation of hers that stands out among others.

It was a red transparent off-shoulder gown that exposed the figure of the person who wore the gown and that was the type of gown I wanted.

I want you to make my wife exceptionally beautiful. Laurel said to Madam Lisa

Madame Lisa shook her head.

I can’t make an already beautiful woman more beautiful. Mr. and Mrs. Goldman,

Even if she goes like that, she will steal the limelight and the crowd’s attention. She said

Heat crept into my cheeks, turning them into a shade of crimson.

I couldn’t believe that Madam Lisa complimented me.

Then, if she saw all the models, what would she say? Maybe she will say even if they wear rags they will still get the crowd’s attention.

I won’t lie, the majority of models in Los Angeles are very pretty and beautiful.

At times, I feel jealous, but not too jealous, because I think I am not as beautiful as them and when I finally get money I will be like them.

My husband smiled at Madam Lisa’s comments about me.

Somehow, he looked pleased.

Then bring out the best in her and the design she has chosen.

I will do my best, Mr. Goldman, she replied and left the mansion.

Madame Lisa has left the mansion, and won’t you tell me what is going on? I asked Laurel.

What is going on? I don’t understand what Laurel’s mom said.

They all pretended not to know anything.

Please, Mom, stop pretending like you don’t know what I am talking about when you do.

No, we don’t. Honey, Laurel said. ”

Okay, let me go straight to the point: why are you people organizing a big party for my birthday?

Also, the last time you gave me a credit card you didn’t ask for it back nor ask how I was spending the money, which is unusual for you, Laurel. I said

Horny, don’t worry you will find out tomorrow during your birthday party, and you will thank me later, Laurel replied.

I hope so because if this is a trap to involve me in something I don’t want to do or impose something on me, I am sorry. After all, I will not accept it.

Especially when it has to do with my baby. I said and walked upstairs to her room.

It was the day of my birthday, and it was almost time for the party to start.

I was already done with my dressing when I looked at myself in the mirror.

I wore a long black evening dress, a pair of Prada high heels, and a pair of pearl-studded earrings that were brought for me by Laurel.

I tied my hair up into a tight clean bun.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

But I still thought that something was missing.

Then I put on my black choker necklace with the small turquoise on it and smiled.

My father gave it as a gift to my mother and my mother handed it down to me.

Are you done? Come on Tiara, let me see. Can’t you raise your phone, so I can see you?

Jane and I were on a video call while I was getting ready for the party.

She was protesting loudly at the other end of the line.

I only have two hands. Jane calmed down.

I’m almost done.

Finally, I put on my favorite pink lipstick and pouted my lips to check the color.

Turn around, and let me take a look.

I looked at myself in the mirror and still felt uneasy.

I picked up my phone and angled the front camera toward myself.

Jane covered her mouth and stopped moving.

The picture had frozen.

Was it because of the bad signal?

Are you still there?

Oh, my God! Girl, you look stunning.

Oh, all the guys coming to this party are going to be carried away by how gorgeous you look tonight, including Nick.

Thanks for the over-the-top compliment.

So is everything okay now?

Yeah, just that my makeup artist and Madame Lisa are not here yet, but don’t worry.

I am sure before the party begins I will be through.

Okay, but don’t you think I have overdressed? Maybe I should just look for something a little simpler to wear. I asked Jane

What are you saying? Don’t just go there.

It is your day, so you need to look beautiful.

So that Laurel won’t be able to take his eyes off you at the party.

Okay, babe, thanks for the encouraging words.

I have to end the call, so I can have time to get ready.

Don’t forget it’s my party.

Alright, babes, see you soon.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and I walked to check.

It was Madam Lisa and my stepmother-in-law.

What do you think you are putting on? That was the first question my mother-in-law asked me the moment she stepped inside my room.

Mom, my birthday clothes. I answered.

What rubbish, you go and remove all this nonsense. Have you forgotten you are married to a rich man?

Will you, for once, behave like a lady from a wealthy background and stop showing people you are from a poor background? She insulted me in front of Madam Lisa.

Go take off all the stuff and come sit here and let Madam Lisa dress you up.

When Nina finished, I went to my closet and removed my clothes and even the make-up.

Come sit down, let’s get started.

The guests must be waiting for you. Madam Lisa said

And I obediently sat down for her to perform her magic on my body.

I almost didn’t recognize the woman staring straight back at me in front of the full-length mirror.

Perhaps she was a supermodel.

When I urged closer, she moved too, and when I made a sudden graceful turn, she did the same and I finally allowed the awe-inspiring transformation to sink into my head.

This is me, no longer the same insignificant woman anymore or the club waiter.

The off-shoulder long gown clung to my curves like a second skin.

The red color made a startling contrast against my pale complexion.

The off-shoulder cut enhanced my fine collarbone, as Madam Lisa said.

The gown looked so perfect, and I commend Madam Lisa for yet another masterpiece.

However, the neckline was cut a bit too low, making me conscious of displaying a bit of skin.

With how beautiful Madam Lisa has dressed me, I am not more angry about the insult thrown at me by my mother-in-law.

Tiara!” It’s almost time!”

Madam Lisa breathlessly sounded from the door which suddenly flung open.

She peeked inside my room and after seeing I didn’t move an inch she made her way in my direction.

As if sensing the fear in me, she held both my shoulders and captured my graze in her deep-seated eyes.

Stop worrying Tiara.

I am nervous….. I blurted out the truth, letting her see the emotions I dared not conceal.

“Nervous? What for, Tiara? Madam Lisa lifted my chin with her long delicate fingers which were pointed in scarlet.

Her eyes peered out from the extraordinary eyelashes.

Nervous about going out of this room to that party hall dressed like this. I replied honestly.

You have no reason to be nervous. Because you are so beautiful, and you should carry yourself with so much dignity.

Thanks for the word of advice.

Just breathe in and out. She said and I did as told.

Ready? She asked

I nodded my head to accept that I was ready.

She ushered me to the door, her palms resting behind my back.

Somehow, the gentle gesture helped ease my anxiety.

I heard the door close behind us. Madam Lisa turned to face me one last time as if surveying my features.

Lift your chin and smile, without doubt, your beauty will stand out in the crowd.

I took a deep breath. Madam Lisa has been very encouraging, and the truth is she has helped a lot in decreasing my fear and anxiety.

I feel much better now.

Thank you. I mumbled for the umpteenth time, I took a deep steadying breath, summoning all the courage I could master to move my feet when I heard my name being called.

The first thing that greeted my vision was the elegantly decorated grand hall.

My heart was hammering inside my chest.

It was so wild that I wondered if the room couldn’t hear my heartbeat.

When I reached the edge of the stairs, the sea of people waiting for my descent met my gaze.

There were so many visitors waiting down the stairs.

It was more than what I imagined.

I nearly made retrieving steps backward when all eyes landed in my direction.

“Oh! Couch! I muttered under my breath, surprised by the urge to fly from the sight before the lights went dim.

I caught a glimpse of Laurel at the bottom of the stairs.

A sudden surge of energy traveled down my spine, giving me the courage to move forward.

When the spotlight stopped at the top of the stairs to where I exactly stood, the crowd fell into a stunned silence.