CHAPTER 173: GALA (2)

Selina’s condo smelled faintly of jasmine and some expensive candle Gray couldn’t name.

Gray furrowed his brows. It was the first time that her condo smelled like that.

They just closed the door, but then another knock came almost immediately.

Selina quickly opened the door after. Three people came in at once. They were stylish, confident, and professionally dressed. One of them was holding a huge silver makeup case. Another had what looked like a garment bag slung over their shoulder. The third had a case of brushes and sprays clipped to a rolling suitcase.

Gray blinked at it.

"What the hell."

The woman with the makeup case gave him a pleasant smile.

"You must be Gray."

"Yup. He’s the one," Selina confirmed as she closed the door behind them.

The man with the garment bag stepped forward. He took the garment bag that Gray was carrying and smiled at him.

"We’ll press this again before you leave. Do you mind if I check the fit?"

Gray looked at Selina, then back at the people in the room.

"Okay, seriously, what is happening right now?"

Selina, who was still in her robe, walked past him like this was a totally normal afternoon.

"They will help us with our hair, wardrobe, and makeup. Don’t look so shocked."

He gaped.

"You called in a team?"

"They’re not ’a team,’ they’re the team," Selina said, picking up a tablet and scrolling through what looked like a moodboard.

"You think I’m showing up to the Everett Gala with you looking like you just walked out of a quarterly meeting?"

Gray blinked harder. He sighed and glanced around.

"So I need... all these people?"

Selina stepped closer, her voice dropping slightly.

"No. We need all these people."

Gray blinked again then swallowed.

"...That’s a lot of pressure."

"That’s the point."

She smiled, softer now.

"And also, you’re going to look stupid hot by the time we’re done."

"Good." Gray huffed a quiet laugh. "That part I don’t mind."

"Good. Now sit down."

"Where?"

Selina pointed to the stool one of the artists had already set up.

Gray raised an eyebrow. "What happens first?"

A voice behind him answered, "We start with hair."

"And light concealer. He’s got good structure but we need to enhance his features more." Another chimed in.

Selina grinned and chuckled.

"See?They got us. I told you."

Gray ran a hand through his hair with a nervous chuckle as he sat down.

As the team moved around him, he became uncertain. They combed his hair, wet it, and blow dried it. One person made him close his eyes and started doing wonders on his face.

He had no idea how he ended up here or what they were doing to him. He just stayed still, closed his eyes and prayed that it was for the best.

When Gray finally opened his eyes, the world felt strangely muted. It was as if he’d just surfaced from a deep and comfortable nap.

The soft hum of the blow dryer was gone. The idle chatter had faded. Only the faint rustle of fabric and clinking of brushes in cups remained.

He blinked slowly, trying to think what happened.

"Did I fall asleep?"

"You did," one of the stylists said with a light laugh, already gathering their things. "Power naps are part of the process. Don’t worry."

Gray was still blinking when another voice cut in briskly.

"Gray, it’s time to change clothes. Now. Let’s move."

"What?" he mumbled, still confused. However, he was already being helped up. One of the dressers was at his side, gently guiding him toward the nearby rack where his suit now hung, steamed to perfection.

"Arms up, please."

Gray obeyed without thinking. He was too groggy to argue. They worked fast with expert hands adjusting his shirt, slipping on his jacket, tightening the cuffs, fixing the collar.

He heard Selina nearby, casually flipping through another set of accessories.

"Make sure his collar sits sharp. And the lapel should stay clean with no powder transfer."

"Yes, ma’am," one of the dressers muttered without missing a second.

Gray shifted his shoulders once the team stepped back. The fabric moved with him like a second skin. They were smooth, tailored, and luxurious. It didn’t feel like anything he’d worn before.

And then,

"Go look," the helpee said to him from behind him, almost teasing.

He turned.

The full-length mirror stood by the window, angled just enough to catch him fully in frame.

He paused in front of it.

"...Whoa."

That was all he managed to say at first.

The man staring back at him had sharp and defined features. His usually soft, sleep-deprived eyes now looked alert, sculpted, and refined. His dark hair had been styled back in a subtle wave. It was neat but not overly polished.

His skin had an even glow, and his jaw looked sharp.

But it was the suit that finished it.

The suit fit him so well. Its color compliments his complexion so well. He turned slightly and stared again at his reflection.

The guy in the mirror stared back at him again. He looked familiar and not. He suddenly looked more confident and dangerous. Like someone who belonged at a gala filled with CEOs and millionaires.

"Holy shit," Gray muttered.

From the side, Selina grinned, she was still in her robe but with rollers in her hair now.

"You get it now?"

He didn’t look away from the mirror. "I look like a completely different person."

"No. You just look like who you were supposed to be."

Gray exhaled, slow and long, letting it sink in.

There was a moment of silence.

"So this is what stupid hot feels like," he muttered.

Selina burst out laughing. "So stupid."

One of the makeup artists walked by, carrying a brush holder. "You’re welcome," she added lightly.

Gray chuckled, running his fingers through his hair carefully.

He looked over at Selina, her face was still untouched but it was already pretty.

"You’re up next," he said.

She raised a brow. "Oh, I know. I saved the best for last."

He gave her a look, then glanced back at the mirror.

He still couldn’t believe it.

Maybe it was the suit. Maybe it was the magic of professionals. Maybe it was just him.

But for the first time in a long time, Gray felt like he actually belonged at the top.

He smiled and chuckled

"Let’s do this."

Gray stepped away from the mirror and walked out of the room when they asked him out. His phone buzzed once in his pocket, but he ignored it.

The condo had gone quiet again, except for the occasional sounds coming from the closed door of the bedroom, where Selina was now getting ready.

Gray stayed there for a while. He fell to a nap again, and when he woke up, the prep team was mostly packed up now. One of them even gave him a small thumbs-up on their way out.

Gray leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. He glanced at the clock on the wall. They still had time before they had to leave.

But his heart was already speeding up.

It wasn’t the gala that had him nervous anymore.

It was the fact that he hadn’t seen Selina.

He rubbed his palms slowly against his knees.

And then—

The bedroom door clicked open.

He turned his head.

And froze.

Selina stepped out of the room slowly, her heels making a quiet tap on the floor.

Gray’s breath caught.

She was stunning. Devastatingly so.

Her gown was black hugged her body in all the right places. It was elegant, fitted, and utterly bold. It had a high slit that hinted at just enough, and the neckline dipped gracefully without being too much.

Her hair was swept back in soft waves, pinned perfectly to one side. Her lips were a rich wine red. The kind of red that demanded silence and reverence.

And her eyes, they were sharp and glowing under the lights.

Gray stood up without realizing it.

"...Holy shit," he breathed.

Selina raised an eyebrow as she walked toward him, a smile tugging at her lips.

"I look nice, right?"

"I—" he blinked and defeatedly sighed. "Yeah."

She stopped in front of him, tilting her head slightly.

Gray stared at her, eyes scanning the detail in the dress, the way her skin glowed, the confidence in her posture.

"I can’t even—Jesus. You look like you’re about to own the entire building."

Selina stepped closer, reaching up to adjust the collar of his suit gently.

"Don’t worry. You don’t look too bad yourself, Gray."

Gray couldn’t help but grin. It wasn’t just attraction. It was pride. He could feel his chest rising like he was standing in the presence of something powerful and rare.

He offered his arm after a moment.

"Are you ready?"

Selina took it with a smirk.

"I was born ready."

"Then let’s go, Selina. Let’s show them what we got."