Chapter 257

Judy’s POV

I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but the dress Irene had created for me was the most gorgeous thing I had ever worn. After Irene finished doing my hair and makeup, I stared at myself in the mirror, and I barely recognized myself. I took my own breath away. Irene stood behind me, a smile lighting up her face as she took me in.

“You look gorgeous,” she breathed, folding her arms across her chest. She had a smug smile on her lips, and I knew from that look she was planning something. “My father isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you.”

I turned to look at her, a frown marring my lips.

“I’m not going to this thing for Gavin. I’m going for you,” I reminded her. “So, please don’t try to set up or anything.”

She looked almost hurt for a moment.

“What? Me? I’d never,” she teased, and then she winked. I just gave her a stern look, making her sigh, and then her face grew serious. “Okay, won’t do anything. You have my word.”

I nodded.

“Thank you,” I told her.

“Besides, I won’t have to tell him anything. The second he sees you, he’s going to go insane.”

I roll my eyes at her.

“You have high hopes,” I tell her.

She grins and then shrugs.

“Yes, I do, “she told me. “Because he already likes you. He just needs a reminder of that.”

My stomach knots at her words; I didn’t want to get my hopes up that Gavin would notice me during this event. But I couldn’t help but wonder if he would or not. I had to admit, I did look gorgeous.

“Holy fuck,” Nan said as she walked into the room, her eyes wide with wonder. Judy? Is that you? I barely recognize you.”

I roll my eyes at her.

“You are being dramatic. I still look like me,” I teased.

“No, you don’t,” Nan chuckled. “You look hot as fuck.”

“Gee, thanks,” I said, ignoring her teasing laughter.

“But seriously girl; Gavin is going to lose his mother effing mind.”

“I told you,” Irene said, beaming. “My stylist knew what she was doing when she created this dress for you.”

I sighed and turned back towards the mirror. Suddenly, a knot formed in the pit of my belly, and I was nervous about this event. I had to remind myself that I wasn’t there for Gavin, I was there for Irene. My family was also going to be there, so that made things a bit easier.

“I need ot get dressed too,” Irene said as she gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t mess up your hair or makeup.”

“I won’t,” I assured her. She left a moment later, leaving Nan and me alone. I turned to Nan, a worried expression clear on my face. “I’m terrified, Nan.”

Her expression softened as she approached me.

“You are going to be fine. It’ll be over before you know it, and then we can spend the entire week taking finals at school like none of this happened. Remember what’s important. Your future… if Gavin isn’t a part of that future, then that’s his loss.”

I wrapped my arms around my body like I was desperate to hold myself together.

“Do you think he’ll even notice me tonight?” I asked her; a hint of vulnerability in my tone.

She grinned and gave me a once-over.

“He’d be stupid not to notice you,” she told me. “And if he doesn’t, someone else will. It’d probably make him jealous to see you being hit on by other men. Maybe you’ll find one you’ll like.”

I let out a laugh; this was typical Nan.

I wish you could come,” I told her, feeling better already.

“I promised Irene I would babysit tonight,” she told me.

I nodded, and then I frowned as I looked around.

“Where is Emalyn anyway?” I asked.

“Napping,” she told me. “Chester is keeping an ear on her while he works in the kitchen.”

I nodded, relieved that Nan and Chester were the ones taking care of this baby while we were gone. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Despite their many problems, they’ve been learning to communicate and get along with one another. I’d actually argue to say they were falling in love with each other, and it was nice to see.

“Thanks for doing this for her,” I say.

Nan just shrugged.

“I’m actually excited to take care of a baby. I love babies,” Nan admitted. “Plus, it’ll be interesting how Chester handles fatherhood.”

I chuckled, knowing she was right. Truth be told, I couldn’t imagine Chester as a dad, so this would definitely be interesting.

I glanced at the clock and sighed; the event would be starting soon. The closer the time got to the event, the more my stomach would knot up with anticipation. I had no idea what to expect.

I went with Nan out of the room and towards the front parlor, where Irene was just finishing getting ready. When she turned around to face me, my jaw was on the ground. She was stunning in her off white gown that brought out the colors in her natural features and highlighted her blonde hair. The dress fit her body like a glove and made all her curves noticeable.

Chuck would be on the ground if he saw her.

“Irene, you look beautiful,” I told her.

She beamed at the compliment before looking at the clock.

“Erik will be here soon to pick us up,” she told me. “Are you ready for this?”

I thought about it for a moment, my fingers nervously fiddling together as I nibbled on my lower lip.

“Maybe,” I told her, not wanting to admit how nervous I truly was, though it seemed she could see right through me because she gave me a soft and compassionate smile.

“It’s going to be okay,” she assured me. “We are going to a charity event, one we’ve both been to on countless occasions, and we are going to have a good time. No pressure… no boys… It’s a girls' night.”

I relaxed at her words and nodded in agreement.

“A girl’s night,” I repeated, letting my body relax.

There was a knock on the door, and my entire body tensed again. Irene chuckled and put a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s just Erik,” she assured me. “He’s taking us to the charity event.”

She grabbed her purse off the chair, and I shouldered mine, my entire body trembling as we walked towards the front door. Irene opened the door to see Erik’s smiling face back at us.

“Hey ladies,” he said, his eyes scanning each of us. He lingered on me a bit longer, his eyes dilated. “Wow, Judy. You look gorgeous.”

Erik always spoke to me informally because we had become friends over the years we’ve known each other. I blushed at the compliment and gave a small bow in response.

“Thanks,” I say to him, making him laugh.

“Shall we go?” He asked, offering us each an arm. We both took one of his arms, looping it with ours. I turned to look at Nan, who watched from the doorway with a bright smile. I waved at her and she waved back.

Erik unhooked our arms once we reached his car and opened the back door for us, helping us into the car without ruining our hair, makeup, or dresses.

“Thanks,” Irene said to him just before he shut the door and ran around to the other side to sit in the driver’s seat.

As we sat in the backseat, watching as the mansion grew smaller in the distance, Irene hooked her arm with mine and gave me a gentle squeeze.

“Tonight is going to go fine,” she assured me. “Stop worrying so much.”

I bit my lip and nodded, wanting to believe her.

Just then, her phone chimed; she frowned as she reached into her purse to grab her phone. She glanced at the screen, her frown deepening even more.

“What is it?” I asked her.

“It’s a link to a live feed,” she told me as she clicked on the link and brought up the live feed. She smiled when she saw what it was. “It’s a charity event. Someone I’m following is there and is live feeding the entrances.”

I looked over her shoulder as important high-ranking individuals walked through the crowd of onlookers to get to the charity event. Everyone looked gorgeous and very important.

I pointed when I saw my parents making their way through the crowd, ignoring the paparazzi as they often did at these types of events.

Then something else caught my eye, and my heart stopped in my chest.

“Hey, it’s my dad and Rachel,” Irene pointed out what I had already noticed.

It seemed the paparazzi were already eating up his date, trying to figure out who she was and her importance to Gavin Landry.

“Gavin, is this your new girlfriend?”

“What happened with you and Miss Judy?”

“Who is your date this evening?”

Gavin didn’t bother responding to any of them, but he didn’t have to. His body language was enough. He draped a protective arm around Rache’s waist and pulled her close to him, making the crowd gush in their favor. He held onto her tightly as he guided her through the crowd.

Just before Irene shut off the live feed, I heard someone in the background saying, “That must be his girlfriend… she’s way more suitable and stunning in his arms than Judy ever was.”