The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 102 Pink Joy Cristos and | arrived at my boutique before nine-thirty in the morning. Like everyone else, | parked my car in the parking lot, right beside Cristos’ Range Rover.

Since my motif was pink like the color of the signage of my shop, Cristos had no problem donning his newly purchased pink collared dress shirt. He rolled the sleeves up to his elbows and paired his pink shirt with black skinny jeans and black leather pointed toe boots. I, on the other hand, decided to wear one of my designs to showcase what | had to offer. It was a particular design that | had sketched while I hid inside my room, just before we left New Salem. It was a sleevless white lace dress with a midlength tulle skirt embroidered with pink outfit with dainty flowers. | adorned my dress with a slim salmon colored belt and paired my light pink high heeled stiletto pumps and a matching pink leather shoulder bag. My hair | styled in a neat bun behind my head with my favorite bladed accessory hidden beneath small dainty pink flowers.

As Cristos and | walked towards my store, | noticed Xavier's people had already set up the large bouquets of pink and white roses on flower stands right in front of the storefront windows as well as an arch made entirely of pink foil balloons above the glass door to welccustomers to my boutique.

Last night, Xavier promisedhe would handle everything so | could cin late, including opening the boutique. He made good on his promise. Everything was ready except for the appetizers and refreshments.

Sebastian, who was busy placing a long white table in front of the store, turned his head at the sound of my heels on the pavement. Just like Cristos, he was wearing a light pink long sleeved dress shirt, but he had paired his with tight fitting gray slacks.

“The woman of the hour has arrived. I'm guessing you didn’t get much sleep,” Sebastian greeted us. “Chip, | told you to chere from the airport.” “Virtue’s house was closer,” Cristos argued, placing a hand on his hip. “Plus, she needed my help in picking her shoes.” Sebastian rolled his eyes as Cristos got into character.

“I asked you to chere because we needed your help to set up the decorations,” Sebastian scolded him.

“Det I" es wearing Armani Cristos whined. Sebastian scoffed at him, not caring what he was CHAPTER 102 Pink wearing. “Fine. What do you needto do?” “Well, I'm waiting for Bo to bringa pink tablecloth, Sebastian said. “After we decorate the table, you can help place the glasses and food for the townsfolk.” “That | can do,” Cristos said, grateful he wouldn’t have to do any heavy lifting. “I have to admit the complex is turning out to be like a scene from Barbie. | can’t believe there's so much pink.” “Isn't pink suppose to be your favorite color?” Sebastian mumbled. Cristos laughed.

“Yes it is, but onnot everywhere else,” he said, twirling around like a model. “Wait a minute. Where's the bubbly by the way?” “Sare in the chiller at Bo’s while | placed a number of bottles inside a chiller in Virtue’s office. We weren't able to get a license to serve because you and Dan left for Chicago,” a familiar male voice said. | turned to find Xavier wearing a light pink suit to my surprise. Xavier hated pink.

“Oh wow!” | exclaimed, stunned. “You look-" “Like cotton candy? Yeah, | know. The guys back at Bo’s have been making fun ofsince | stepped out wearing this,” Xavier said, looking at what he was wearing. Cristos and | giggled. while Sebastian looked at his own shirt in aghast. He didn’t want to be seen as a piece of cotton candy too.

“Bo, | was gonna say dashing, sort of like Barbie's Ken, but cotton candy works too,” | said, trying to stop myself from laughing.

“And | thought we were friends,” he said, regretting he wore pink. “I'm going to head back and change.” “Awwww, it’s just for the day,” | pointed out. “Remember... on Wednesdays, we wear pink.” “No, no, no... Just for this Wednesday. After this event, | am never wearing pink again,” Xavier said gruffly. “You do know I'm only doing this for you, Virtue. You owe me.” “You owetoo,” Sebastian piped up. I looked at the two of them astonished they would gang up onfor wearing pink.

There was already a coup.... sheesh! 2/6 CHAPTER 102 Pink “Ill take all of you out to dinner for helping me, | promised. “But for now, stick with pink and please... wear a smile.” “Easy for you to say,” Xavier said, sulking. “You look ravishing in pink.” Xavier turned to Cristos. “Chip, although | can tell you're wearing Armani again, | need shelp with the food and drinks.” “Hold on. Before | help you out, I'll call Dan and get that license. What are you going to serve, anyway?” Cristos asked.

“The usual finger foods. Pigs in a blanket, fried ravioli, mini tacos, gourmet pizza rolls, fried mozarella sticks, vegetable sticks, tomato bruschetta and mini red velvet cupcakes with watermelon juice and strawberry lemonade, Xavier replied. “My kitchen prepared everything. Con. It's almost ten.” After Sebastian tested the sound system | had Lou install yesterday, he and | prepared the pink ribbon for the ceremony, the plates, glasses and utensils while Cristos and Xavier placed the appetizers we were going to serve on the long table amidst the growing crowd of curious onlookers. It was relatively quiet until a small group of privileged middle-aged women pushed their way through the crowd. | glanced at Cristos and we both rolled our eyes.

pull “Bo, oh my gosh, you look stunning in your suit, Norma Martin gushed. “Not most men can that look off. Chip always looks great in pink, but seeing you in this makeswant to eat you.” “And there goes the cotton candy image inside my head,” Sebastian muttered under his breath. Cristos averted his face, snickering at Sebastian’s comment. As hard as he tried, he couldn't stop himself from laughing. | elbowed him in the ribs to get him to stop..

Xavier, hearing the comment, shot Sebastian a dirty look before quickly turning his scowl into a welcoming smile.

“Ladies! So nice of you to come,” Xavier greeted the four women who were all wearing something pink in their outfits. Xavier suddenly took my arm and pulledtowards his friends. “Ladies, | would like to introduce you to Virtue Sullivan, owner of Simply Virtue Boutique. Sullivan, | want you to meet Norma, Linda, Morgan and Charlotte. They were sof Cynthia’s closest friends.” | smiled at them, however they didn’t smile back. Instead, they looked atfrom head to toe.

376 CHAPTER 102 Pink They remindedof the Plastics from the movie “Mean Girls”.

“Sullivan? Norma asked, smirking at how Xavier called me. | think Xavier decided it would be fun to addressby my fake surnso it would appear we had a completely platonic relationship.

“Yeah. That's her last name, right? | like how it sounds. Makes her one of the guys, Xavier said, playfully punchingon the arm. “Right, Sullivan?” “Next, you'll be callingSully, Bo,” | answered dryly. “Just stick with Virtue.” | turned my attention to the ladies who were still staring at me. “Anyway, it’s really nice to finally meet all of you. Bo always speaks fondly of you.” | checked my watch. “It's almost ten. If you can wait patiently, our guest of honor should be arriving shortly.” “Is it a celebrity?” Linda Jacobs asked excitedly.

“Well, if you can call our mayor a celebrity, then yes,” | answered. She frowned, clearly disappointed, but Norma Martin had an opposite reaction.

“Sure, he’s a hero,” Norma said, smiling. “He savedduring the fire.” Liam obviously had Norma's loyalty. She was the one | had to befriend.

“And he shieldedfrom the explosion,” | replied. “This town has a wonderful mayor. He's willing to sacrifice himself for his constituents.” “Amen,” Norma replied. “And here he comes right now... with his entourage.” | turned to see Liam's black BMW, Dan's silver Subaru and Jack’s RAM pickup truck enter the parking lot one after the other. As | scanned the vehicles, | noticed Noah's pickup parked at the end.

Noah is here, but where is he? | quickly scanned the crowd, but | couldn’t find any sign of him.

The crowd parted to allow Liam through. He was wearing a dark blue suit with a pink tie for the occasion while Dan was wearing a dark pink short sleeved silk shirt, white chinos, and black leather shoes. Jack, on the other hand, had his uniform on. Well... he was on duty.

Liam greetedwith a warm smile on his lips. He quickly kissedon the cheek which drew the attention of the crowd. They began to murmur among themselves while Xavier's 4/6 CHAPTER 102 Pink “You look absolutely stunning,” Liam said while his eyes quickly roamed the length of my body.

“Thank you, Liam,” | replied. “You look really handstoo. And... you have a pink tie on.” | reached up and fixed his tie. We stood still for a moment, staring in each other's eyes like a couple in love. | heard the clicking sound of several smartphones. Our public display was news.

“It was a gift and has been hanging in my closet for stwaiting for the perfect occasion, Liam said. “Bo, Chip, Dom... It’s good to see you've been helping Virtue with the preparations.” “The least we can do for our new neighbor, Sebastian said, extending his hand to Liam. Liam grabbed it and shook it enthusiastically.

“By the way, Dan has the license you requested. You can serve champagne, just don’t allow minors to get their hands on a glass,” Liam said while he shook hands with Xavier and patted Cristos on the arm. After everyone exchanged pleasantries, Liam turned around to address the crowd.

“It’s nice to see everyone here. How are you folks doing?” While Liam did slast minute brown-nosing, | quickly picked up the microphone | had left on a small table Sebastian had set up for coupons and flyers.

While | prepared for my speech, | noticed a head with golden colored hair at the end of the crowd. There, standing beside Jack, was Noah. Both of them had scowls on their faces.

| guess Noah told Jack.

“Hey, Virtue... honey..,” Cristos said, interrupting my thoughts. “Let’s start.” | nodded my head and positioned myself beside Liam. | glanced at him and noticed how uncomfortable he looked. His face was flushed and he was sweating profusely.

He's scared | might refuse his proposal.

“Liam, are you okay?” | asked as he wiped the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. | placed a hand on his cheek to calm him. His lips moved upward into a small smile while he slightly nodded his head.

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