EDITED: 17th March 2019.

Brooklyn.

I woke up due to my alarm clock buzzing, I groaned sleepily and further stuffed my head in the pillow trying to catch some more sleep.

That was until I remembered I had appointments to go to along with dress shopping for the business party Uncle Sam hosted today.

Uncle Sam was my mother's brother and probably the best uncle ever. He was fairly rich and always wanted to help us with our financial problems after dad's death but mom was too stubborn to accept anything, saying she didn't want to owe him money.

And even though he had a lot of money and was quite good looking for a 43-year-old, he didn't have love and hence asked to take me as his date today. As a family member, of course. Not that I could deny the offer.

I sat up in bed and looked at the time on my phone. 11:14 am.

Thank goodness, I still had time. The party was at 6:00 and my first appointment wasn't until 1:00 pm.

I wasn't one for dolling up but I knew it was a going to be a grand party with some very wealthy personalities and I didn't want to embarrass Uncle Sam even though he would never feel so.

I didn't have much money for all the fancy stuff, but I did know about this party since last month and I had been saving extra for it plus my job as an assistant manager of a small restaurant paid okay. Uncle Sam did ask to pay for everything but I didn't accept it. I couldn't always rely on him.

I stood up slipping on my bunny slippers and walking into the washroom. After doing all the necessary things, I walked out with a towel. I dressed up in a casual outfit and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

My mother wasn't home, she worked as a nurse at a local hospital and my younger brother was at school meaning I was home alone.

Yes, I was 23 and yes I still didn't live on my own but that was because I didn't have much money to buy or even rent myself a good place. I did settle for saving at least something every month from my salary and soon hopefully I would be living in my own apartment.

I made myself breakfast, consisting of a sandwich and a cup of coffee before slowly eating it. Halfway thru my coffee, there was someone at the door. I knew it wasn't my mom nor my brother so I carefully peeked from the peephole on the door.

It was a muscular man, in a formal suit standing looking too professional to be even on our porch. I leaned back and opened the door slowly. The man looked at me questionably before raising an eyebrow,

"Are you Brooklyn?" He asked me.

"Yes, and you are?" I replied.

"Mr. Francesco sent me to deliver your car back." He told me, handing out the car keys.

"Oh, well thank you and do come on in. You can sit in the lounge. I'll be a minute." I offered, taking the keys out of his hand.

He looked uncertain, but nodded and walked in. I walked upstairs, getting my wallet from my room I came back down to see him sitting in the same position, looking on guard.

"Thanks for waiting. How much will the repair cost?" I said, smiling.

"No, ma'am. My boss said not to take any money from you. He just wanted to give you this." He said, taking out a bag.

"What, why?" I asked, surprised. Why would he want to gift me something? Shouldn't I be the one gifting him?

"That is for you to check Ma'am. I'll be going now." He said, before walking towards the door and leaving.

To say I was astonished would be an understatement. Why would he want to give me anything, it should have been the other way around. I looked at the bag, hesitating to open it. I mean what if, there was a spider in there. I am scared of those creatures.

Pssh. The guy helped me in a difficult situation and was really kind, I don't think he would do anything to harm me. Reluctantly, I opened the bag only to find another one inside. But what embarrassed me was the name of the second bag. Victoria Secret. What a pervert.

I could just throw it away or something. No, it must be costly I can't waste money like that. Can I gift it back to someone though? No, that would make me feel guilty of not using the gift. Besides, I didn't really have any girl friends to gift it too.

I curiously opened it only to see a set of black lace lingerie. Mortified, I examined it. Not bad, I could deal with it. I never bought expensive undergarments. Simple white bras and panties were my usual. Guess I could use something different for once. I mean, he did gift it to me to use it.

Later on in the day, after attending my last appointment which was of spa and massage. I walked out feeling fresh and good. Wooh, I should do that often.

There was one last thing left, I had to just buy a beautiful dress and then I was set to go home. There was still 1 and a half hour left till the party so I knew I could shop relieved as this was the last thing on today's agenda.

Walking in different boutiques was tiring but I was finally able to find the perfect dress for the event and I was happy I could.

I was driving back home when I got a call from my mother. Not a big fan of driving and talking I accepted it but kept the speaker on, setting the phone aside.

"When are you reaching home, honey?" She asked.

"I'm on my way, mom."

"Alright. Love you."

"Love you too," I said and hung up.

--- I was ready and just setting my hair in the mirror when I heard a honk,

"Brook, Sam's here." My mom called out from downstairs.

Looking at myself in the mirror one last time, I slipped on my heels and grabbed my clutch before descending downstairs.

"Uncle Sammy," I yelled as I saw him standing and rushed towards him, magically not falling in my heels.

"Ah, my favorite niece. You look gorgeous, by the way." He said, smiling as he pulled away from the hug.

"Thank you, old man. You look good too." I teased.

Saying our goodbyes to my mom and brother, we sat in his limo, making jokes all the way. Our uncle-niece relationship was goals and I wouldn't change it for anything.

--- As I stumbled out of the car taking Uncle Sam's hand, there were camera's flashing everywhere. Putting my hands on my eyes, I started walking. God, media these days.

"Move it, guys!" Uncle Sam yelled as we weren't able to even walk without getting a microphone or camera shoved in the face.

Somehow, we reached inside the hall and I sighed as I was free from the commotion. I looked around and one word, WOW. I didn't know what Uncle worked as but he must have some money, A LOT of money to afford all of this.

Uncle Sam led me to a lot of business partners introducing me as his niece and date to the party making me smile at each one of them before greeting them.

"There is one more partner I would like you to meet. He is the wealthiest and probably the youngest here and his name is Mr. Diavolo Francesco. But let me warn you niece, don't even by mistake utter his first name." He told me as soon as we were alone and I nodded, secretly telling myself to be sweeter towards this man and not say his first name.

He gave me one more look before hooking our arms and leading me to this mystery man. I squinted my eyes as this Diavolo came in eyesight. Huh, have I seen him somewhere? Probably not.

But as we walked closer, I couldn't help but think the same again and as we stood in front of him I was in a state of shock.

"Mr. Francesco, this is Brooklyn. My niece and date to this party." Uncle Sam introduced us but my mouth was agape.

'Diavolo' smirked at me before taking out his rough hand,

"Nice meeting you, Brooklyn." He said in the same deep voice, I heard just one day ago while he was helping me with my car.

I mean at least I know his name now.

×××××



a u t h o r' s n o t e:

gosh this chapter took me some time to write.

i am sorry for this late update but its big so atleast that's a bonus right?

anyway, i probably won't be able to regularly update till a few weeks because we have this dance function coming up at school and i have been so caught up in the practice, i haven't been able to focus on my studies OR wattpad.

don't worry though, i won't isolate myself completely from here. i will try and write 1-2 chapters, no guarantee tho.

brooklyn and her gown for the party at the top;)

alright thats it folks.

thanks for reading :V

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much love,