Chapter 81

**Chapter 0081**

**+25 BONUS**

“Let me do your hair and makeup now,” Nan said, picking up her bag filled with hair supplies and makeup. I smiled at her and sat down at the vanity across from me.

The room was filled with a warm light as she started to work on my hair. She carefully brushed it out, making sure there were no tangles, before blow-drying it. Then, she picked up her curling iron and styled my hair into soft waves that flowed beautifully around my shoulders. To keep everything in place, she added a hairpin, securing the look perfectly.

I held my hair back to keep my side bangs out of my face. Then, she started working on my makeup.

By the time she was done, I hardly recognized myself.

“Wow,” I said, amazed at my reflection.

“You look amazing,” she replied, smiling as she finished up.

She put her arm around my shoulders and said, “He’s going to be shocked when he sees you.”

Then, she picked up a bottle of perfume and sprayed it towards me. I flinched as some of it got in my eyes.

“Sorry,” she laughed.

I could tell she was just having fun, but it still stung a little.

Then, the doorbell rang, and I froze.

“Oh my goddess!” she nearly shouted, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the door. “He’s here!”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and followed her outside.

I stepped out of my room and grabbed my purse from the door handle before closing the door behind me. I quickly followed her down the stairs. She picked up a pair of black heels that were tossed in the corner of the living room.

“I saw these earlier. You have to wear them,” she told me.

I frowned. “They’re my mother’s,” I replied.

“She won’t mind,” she said, brushing aside my concern. “You two are just alike.”

“I think these heels will look great with that dress,” she said.

I hesitated for a moment but then decided to try them on. When I slipped my feet into the shoes, I noticed they made me about an inch taller. It wasn’t too much, though. Walter would still be a good foot taller than me. She smiled as she watched me, clearly pleased with my choice.

With one last look, she gestured towards the door.

“I’ll hide; you get the door,” she whispered before quickly disappearing around the corner. I shook my head at her decision but didn’t have time to argue. I reached for the doorknob and turned it just as he rang the bell.

The bell rang again, and he froze when he saw me. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Wow,” he whispered, taking in my appearance from head to toe. “You look…” His voice trailed off as he struggled to find the right words.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I said, thinking he would compliment me back. He really did look great in his suit and red tie. His curly blonde hair was styled neatly, pushed away from his face. He looked sharp and confident.

I smiled at the effort he put into his appearance.

“We should go before we are late for our reservation,” he said, pulling his eyes away from my cleavage and looking back at me.

I glanced over my shoulder at Nan, who was peeking her head around the corner. She gave me a big grin and a thumbs up.

I smiled back as I closed the door behind me. I then followed…

He walked me to the red car waiting out front. He opened the back door for me, and I slid inside. He got in behind me.

A young man was sitting in the driver’s seat. He looked only a bit older than Walter, and he seemed friendly.

Walter smiled at me through the rearview mirror when our eyes met. He was wearing a suit, but it wasn’t as sharp as Walter’s.

“Judy, this is my subordinate, friend, and future Beta, Maxwell,” Walter introduced him.

Max smiled from the front seat. “You can call me Max,” he said warmly. “It’s nice to meet you. You’ve been the only thing I could talk about since we met this morning.”

I felt my cheeks turn red at his compliment and I looked away, trying to hide my smile.

Walter was staring at his future Beta. Max felt small in his seat and focused his gaze out the front window.

“We should get going,” Max said, clearing his throat.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Walter replied.

The rest of the drive was pretty quiet. When we arrived at the restaurant, Walter quickly ran around the car to open the door for me before I could even get the chance to do it myself. He took my hand and gently lifted it to his lips, giving me a sweet kiss.

Walter gave me a gentle kiss before he helped me out of the car. I smiled at him as I followed him into the luxury restaurant.

“A table for two under Walter Landry,” he said confidently to the hostess.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she heard his name.

on Walter, she smiled back at him warmly.

“Mr. Landry… it’s such an honor that you are dining with us this evening,” she said, bowing her head slightly in respect.

Walter smiled in response and then put his arm around my shoulders. When her gaze shifted to him, her face lit up with a bright smile.

She frowned at me but then quickly forced a smile.

“Right this way,” she said, picking up a couple of menus and leading me through the dining area.

As we walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

I looked around the room and then my eyes landed on him. He was sitting across from me, and when our gazes connected, I felt a rush of emotions. My heart dropped into my stomach.

What was he doing here?