“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 25

Chapter 24: The Dinner Party Part 1.

***\-Rabena’s POV:***

Aaron dropped me off at Charte’ Boutique right before 3pm. The ladies were already there, he’d already sent a car to pick them up at the hotel. My-husband-to-be was very thorough, I couldn’t help but laugh.

*“What are you over there giggling about?”*

Aaron looked at me with a mischievous grin.

*“Oh nothing, just admiring how thorough my future husband is. It’s quite the turn on.”*

Aaron’s eyes slightly darkened. If Rabena kept up this flirtatious act she might not make to the boutique. The urge to turn the car around and head back to the hotel was racing through his thoughts.

*“Well, I supposed I’ll have to be rewarded later on, right President Price?”*

Rabena could feel her face starting to burn, he was clearly better at flirting than her. Stumbling on her words, Rabena began to exit the car.

*“I…I suppose so.”*

Almost tripping as she left the car, Aaron couldn’t help but laugh. He’d make sure she stayed true to her words.

As soon as Rabena entered the boutique, the hostess Valarie greeted her with a huge smile.

*“Welcome to Charte’! I’m Valarie the boutique’s owner. You must be the lovely Rabena Price.”*

Rabena smiled shyly, clearly her fiancé made quite the impression.

*“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Valarie.”*

Valarie slightly blushed. She was already anticipating what type of people she would be hosting. When she learned Chairman Michales wanted to rent her entire boutique for several hours just so his fiancé and her entourage could pick out dresses, she’d imagine a bunch of snobby uptight women from the western continent. But that wasn’t the case, all the ladies were cheerful, polite, and talkative. They’d complimented how beautiful her store and clothing were and asked if she was willing to travel for business. Valarie never had that type of respect from some of the elite socialites in Banton, she wanted to make sure she fulfilled the Chairman’s wishes.

*“I’m not familiar with Banton’s clothing stores but I was told your boutique has some of the most beautiful designs and evening gowns, is that correct?”*

Blushing.

*“Oh, yes Chairman Michaels, you were told correct! May I ask who you would like to buy a gown for?”*

Aaron was looking around the store, from what he’d seen so far, he was glad he chose this place.

*“It’s for my fiancé. I’m going to be announcing our engagement at my charity ball, and I’d like her to look like a queen. Would you be able to do that for me?”*

Valarie could still remember that gorgeous smile on his face as he made reservations to book the entire store. With the challenge accepted she wouldn’t let him down. She’d turn Rabena Price into the queen of the night, luckily, she was absolutely gorgeous with a petite but structured figure. Dolling her up would be an easy task.

Rabena made her way to dressing room where everyone else was at, laughing, looking at dresses and drinking wine. Gracie was the first to notice her walk in, running over she gave Rabena a big hug.

*“Auntie Rabena you’re finally here! We’re picking out dresses!”*

Gracie took her hand a led her to the seating area as if she were the shop’s hostess, all the women laughed as she explained some of the different type of dresses the boutique had. Valarie bent down and gave Gracie a hi-five.

*“Ms. Gracie, you might have some sales talent in you for fashion! Would you like to be my assistant for the evening?”*

Gracie’s eyes instantly lit up as she yelled “yes!” Everyone laughed as she followed Valarie to retrieve some more clothing. Pera handed Rabena a glass of wine as she sat down.

*“Alright gorgeous! Your hubby has informed us we’ll need make sure you’re the bell of the ball for Friday’s gala, but you’re going also need something for tonight’s dinner!”*

The family meet and greet dinner was tonight. Since the Michaels were all coming to the charity ball, Aaron that tonight would be a perfect opportunity for the families to meet before the wedding.

As Rabena and the ladies began looking at gowns, Lisa started going over the list of family members.

*“Mom, exactly how many of our family members are coming tonight?”*

Lina looked up to the ceiling as if she were counting to herself.

*“Well, quite a bit I imagine. Your brother booked out the entire restaurant for the evening.”*

Rabena couldn’t help but laugh, Lina had no idea how extravagant her son was. He’d done the same thing just for a dinner of two. Lisa started counting on her fingers while naming some of their family members.

*“Well let’s see, we have Dad, all five uncles, all five aunts, 27 first cousins, about 12 second cousins, and 7third cousins. Their spouses, Grandmom. Am I missing anyone from the Michaels side?”*

Rabena’s eyes nearly bulged out the sockets, were THAT many family members coming to this dinner. Not to mention, that was just the Michaels side! After the engagement, Uncle Pete called every Price he could think of with all of them saying they couldn’t wait to come. Although she was feeling a little overwhelmed, Rabena couldn’t help but laugh, going from practically no family to a huge family after five lonely years, she’d take it.

*“Ruby what about the Prices? Are your extended family members coming tonight too?”*

Gloria was able answered that question more thoroughly.

“We do have quite a bit of family members coming.”

Although Pete and Paul were the only children of Pierre and Marla Price; their father had two sisters and four brothers, while their mother had four sisters. All of them had children and grandchildren. On Grace’s side the Martins, she had three sisters whom all had children, and the two families were all close. Rabena spent many summers growing up going to her extended family vacations and reunions, had the Crests never interfered, she would have more than enough family to love and support her.

Giggling, Rabena started looking at some of the gowns Valarie brought over.

*“Is there going to be enough room at the restaurant?”*

*“Oh yeah! Aaron had Vincent verify the Restaurant space and it’s pretty big!”*

Catherine, who was now trying on a gown behind a dressing curtain, poked her head out.

*“Not to worry Ruby, Sean said tonight’s dinner will be just us, Pete, Damon, the grandparents from both sides and the aunt’s and uncles. Everyone else you’ll meet at the ball.”*

That made Rabena feel much better, although she was excited to see and meet everyone, it felt like everything was happening at a rapid pace. Suddenly, Rabena spotted a gown she instantly fell in love with. It was royal blue with silver and diamond trimming throughout the gown. It reminded her of a dress in a fairytale book her mother read to her once she was a child. This would be the dress she would wear for the gala. Valarie noticed Rabena admiring the gown.

*“It’s beautiful isn’t it?”*

*“Oh, my goodness, it truly is. Did you design this?”*

Valarie blushed with pride; this dress was an original creation of hers.

*“I think it’s just your size but let’s try it on in case I need to make some last-minute touch ups.”*

After Rabena and the other ladies chose their gowns for the gala, they decided to also purchase some dresses for the family dinner. The time was now 5:30pm, knowing their women would be pressed for time, Aaron had a team of hairstylists and makeup artists meet the ladies at the boutique so that they could get ready there. By 6:30pm a stretched limo arrived to take them all to the restaurant.