Forever Black

I rolled my eyes as I stood in a designer dress and Jimmy Choos. I felt incredible. I grabbed my phone and sent Co

“Hi it’s me Ellery, thank you for the beautiful dress, but it is too much and I do not feel right accepting it.” Seconds later he replied.

“You’re welcome and it is not too much, see you at 6pm sharp.”

I smiled at Camille, “I like this one,” I said as I ran my hands down my body. She snapped her fingers signaling the other women to pack up the other dresses.

“Mr. Black will be immensely pleased you chose his favorite,” Camille smiled as she walked out the door. I stood in the middle of the room trying to figure out what Camille meant by his favorite dress. Did he go to the store himself and pick a bunch out for her to bring to me? Then I wondered if this was a habit of his for all his women.

“You’re overthinking Elle,” Peyton said as she unzipped the back of my dress. “Go put your other clothes back on; you do not want to ruin this before tonight. I’m going to call Roger and see if he’s available to do your hair and makeup, he owes me a big favor.”

I went to the bedroom and put on a pair of jeans and a tank top with a sick feeling in my stomach. My phone rang, and that familiar number was calling again, I ignored it and sent them to voicemail.

Peyton and I took a cab to Color Me Beautiful, a hair salon our friend Roger owns. We walked through the doors of the luxury salon as Roger spotted us instantly. He walked over and embraced me tightly.

“Oh girl, I heard about you and Kyle and I think he’s an asshole.”

“Thanks Roger I think he is to,” I lightly smiled. He turned to Peyton and gave her a warm hug.

“Now, tell me where you are going tonight and with whom.”

Peyton jumped in, “She’s going to a charity event with Co

“The Co

I rolled my eyes, “Yes Roger, that’s the one.” He looked at me seriously.

“Elle, you do know about his reputation right?” I looked blank because I didn’t know anything about Co

“We are friends, nothing more.”

Roger waved his hand in front of his face. “Girl, Co

“I don’t care what he has; I’m going to this benefit tonight as his friend and nothing more.”

“Come on Roger, work your magic and fix up our girl so every guy at the event will be begging her to take them home.” I smacked Peyton’s arm as we followed Roger to his station.

I met Roger through Peyton. He used to work at the art gallery part-time while he was trying to launch his salon. He was a handsome man with brown spiked hair and just the right amount of facial hair outlining his oval face. He cut hair and did makeup like nobody’s business. He once worked as a hair stylist for Miranda Lambert, but gave that up to stay in one place and build a life with his partner George. I sat in the chair while Roger worked his magic on my hair and face. I never felt more beautiful as I did that day.

I stepped into my designer dress and Jimmy Choos and looked in the mirror at my lightly made up face and elegant curly up-do. For the first time, in a terribly long time, I forgot about all the bad in my life. I glanced at the clock, and it read 6:00 pm. I rolled my eyes as there was a knock. As promised, he arrived at 6:00 sharp. I opened the door as Co

“Were you afraid I’d get mugged between my door and your car?” I smirked.

“Very fu

I was surprised that he came to the door himself instead of sending De

“You look beautiful Ellery; nice dress.” I looked at him, stomach still fluttering and heart racing.

“Thank you Co

Chapter 11

The charity was for the Autism Speaks Foundation. It was to support the biomedical research for the causes and treatments of autism in children and adults. De

“Do you think you can behave yourself tonight?” I put my arm in his and smiled.

“I don’t know; I ca

We walked to the entrance and stepped inside. The ballroom was breathtaking as were the people who attended. Co

Co

“Good evening Co

“Hello, Robert, I would like you to meet Ellery Lane, a friend of mine.”

He took my hand and lightly kissed it, “You have beautiful friends Co

I gently smiled at his comment and looked over at his wife who was eyeing me up and down.

“This is my wife, Courtney,” Robert smiled.

“Nice to meet you,” she smiled at me.

Courtney was extremely attractive, and she was about 25 years younger than her husband. Robert put his arm around Co

“What was that about?” I asked.

 He looked at me at strangely for even asking, “Just business.”

He lightly put his hand on the small of my back and escorted me back to the table while he excused himself to the restroom. I was taking in the beautiful sound of the band playing soft melodies as Courtney came over and sat next to me.

“So, you’re Co

“Co

She shook her head, “Right, well I’m only saying this for your own sake, woman to woman because you seem like an i

I narrowed my eyes at her then looked around to see if Co

“Because Co

She walked away and left me sitting there pondering her words. The way she spoke led me to believe that she was a victim of Co