*****Erika''s POV*****


    I picked out a dress that looked quite professional yet ssy. It was a ck knee- length gown with a slit at the back, the pearl-brooch at the left side of my bosom added to the allure of the gown while still giving the aura of confidence andportment.


    "How''s this, girls?" I showed them the gown.


    "Perfect. Stylish yet professional." Pamented.


    "I like it. Beautiful yet bodacious." Kat added.


    "You girl have got it. Just the look I was going for."


    "What shoes will you be pairing it with?" Kat asked.


    I brought three different pair of shoes and two designer bags, one of which was a birthday gift from Jace. I loved the bag but there was another I also saw as an option, hence, I brought it out so my best friends could help me make the best choice of the two.


    "Here are three pairs of shoes and two bags. You girls make a choice for me." I stood aside and folded my arms, waiting for them to choose.


    I had already taken my bath and was ready for the meeting with the Elders, I have had Jace notified too. He was going to be there, the Elders and dad''swyer too. It was time to take my ce and find the truth.


    I would not dy anymore, there was no need to dy, it was either now or never. And maybe after today, people like Elder Grigshade would give me my deserved respect.


    "Go for the red." They both pointed at the red stilettos dad had just gotten for me during one of his travels.


    "So the ck with white stripes and the sunset yellow would not work?" I pointed to the other shoes.


    For every cloth I owned, I had shoes and bags, even shawls and hats - where or when necessary toplement them. I was a fashion freak and so were my friends. That was one of the bond holding our friendship, we gave one another fashion advice and suggestions.


    "The ck and white is beautiful but is better worn to a club than a meeting such as this." Pa opined.


    “And the sunset yellow would not give you the bodacious look you''re going for. It''s ssy, yes but not for this meeting." Kat contributed.


    "Well, my fashion designers have spoken. The red it is. Now, to the bag? The


    small red leather or the pearl adorned ck suede purse."


    "Both are very beautiful." Kat was in a quandary which to choose.


    "I know, right?" Pa sighed.


    "Go for the one Jace bought for you." Pa pointed at the pearl adorned ck suede purse.


    "Kat what do you say? Nicebination?" I asked her.


    "I agree with Pa''s choice. I was even having a hard time choosing, both are very beautiful."


    "If I remember correctly, you have them same but in blue." Pa pointed out. "Yes, Jace got two. One for me, the other for Rika." Kat confirmed.


    "Alright, girls, it''s time for me to get dressed." I began dressing myself, they - especially Pa, since Kat was still not fit to move around too much - helped me with getting ready. Pa was the best amongst us three with makeups, though that was not saying Kat and I could not make ourselves up, we could actually do something very nice on our faces.


    By the time I was done, Jace was knocking on the door. He came in at my invitation, he also looked dashing in his designer suit and loafers.


    "You look good, Erika." Heplimented.


    "Thank you." Our rtionship was still strained and tensed. The talk of him leaving


    was still parading the air, hovering over us.


    "Hi, Kat." He greeted.


    "Hi." Kat looked away.


    I saw his smile falter a bit, but heported himself and smiled at Pa. "Hi Pa."


    "You look good, Jace." She smiled back. Knowing Pa, she was trying to lighten the mood and also


    observing I and Kat''s responses to him, she decided not to make him feet too bad.


    "Thank you, Pa." He nodded.


    Silence ensued in the following minutes of my final touchups by Pa.


    "There, you''re all set." She raised herself to admire her work on my face. "Kat?"


    "You''ve once again proven your great magical artistry with your wand-brush, O great mistress of rouge." Kat did a mock bow.


    Pa bowed back, I just chuckled.


    "I''m all set, let''s go." I informed Jace who had stood patiently and quietly waiting for me. I picked up the purse, if he had taken notice of it, he did not say.


    "Okay." He opened the door for me and I set out to what would be the genesis of my reign in Iron w. Any opposition in my way, I was ready to kick them out and keep moving.


    Our convoy was already waiting. One of the guards, immediately he spotted us, came to open the door if the vehicle I and Jace would upy.


    Soon, we were out of the mansion gate, heading for the venue where the meeting would hold.


    "You carried the bag. It looks good on you." He told me.


    I spared him a cool nce. "Thank you."


    More silence.


    "I''m d you''re really taking this decision, I personally think it''s about time." He said.


    "I think so too."


    Another long, tensed silence...


    “I''m sorry, Erika. I don''t want us to go through this meeting with this tension between us."


    "What tension?" I pretended not to understand what he was talking about, that


    was the only way to keep the emotions at bay.


    He sighed. "The talk of me leav..."


    "It''s okay. Let''s focus on today''s meeting, Jace."


    "But it''s not okay Erika, I''m..."


    Sadness speared, but I pushed it back down and gave room for anger. Anger was better than sadness. "You can leave, Jace. I am not


    holding you back, but the on


    thing I


    will not ept is your unnecessary apology."


    The vehicle had gotten to the meeting venue.


    "Now let''s get this out of the way. And please, y your part, not for my sake, but for the man that singlehandedly raised us while running a pack and his many investments."


    "Erika, I..."


    I climbed out of the vehicle to get rid of these tears andport myself. Damn


    Jace! I loved the bastard, but he had chosen his path. Well, it was time to walk mine...