The following day, Leila and Johnny had breakfast together. Since it was late when the latter got home from the pack house, they didn’t talk.
“You didn’t know her complete name; you didn’t even ask which pack she belongs to?” Johnny took a sip of his coffee and asked in disbelief.
Leila frowned but didn’t immediately answer because she knew Johnny had a point. “How about her picture? You should ask your pack if they know her,” she retorted after a second of silence.
Johnny took a deep breath while shaking his head. “Since the festival is approaching, I don’t have the time to find out the identity of your new friend, so until then, you need to be careful.”
Leila smiled and ignored Johnny’s warning. For her, Eunice looks harmless. Add to that; she needs her advice and companionship because she often feels bored. “By the way, does the gathering we’re going to have a theme?”
“It’s a masquerade ball theme, and you know what it means, right?” Johnny responded, while raising an eyebrow.
Leila’s eyes flashed with excitement. “That’s great... So we need a similar outfit for the party, and I’m certain you don’t have time to buy yours—”
“Don’t bother yourself; I have suits in my wardrobe—”
Leila slammed her hand on the table while shaking her head. “No! You said we need to ensure that everyone will not notice something unusual in our relationship. And this is one way to show that our relationship is perfect and envious.”
Johnny just looked at Leila, stood up, and put his utensils in the sink. “I don’t want to attract attention, so as much as possible, I want our attendance at the gathering to be quiet.”
“Trust me... And one more thing, as your wife, it’s my job to do this little thing for you.” Leila reasoned, while smiling widely. Then she stood up and left the kitchen without waiting for Johnny’s response.
“I wonder what she is up to...” Johnny uttered and signed. Then he left the house to go to the pack house. As he told Leila, everyone is busy preparing for the festival, and he is more active because Bradley is doing other things, so all the preparations for the festival are left for him and Luna Maurice.
Meanwhile, when Leila heard the car, she immediately called Eunice to tell her about the party. The two of them agreed to meet at the mall where they first met.
———
“Hi dear! I’m sorry I’m late. Have you been here for a while?” Eunice asked with a broad smile on her face. She is in a good mood because she has already prepared a plan to get Leila off her path completely.
“It’s okay; I didn’t wait that long...” Leila responded with the same energy as Eunice. However, she is surprised by the excellent mood seen in Eunice; just yesterday, she was crying, but now? She looks like in cloud nine.
“Then let’s go!” Eunice excitedly retorted and pulled Leila into an establishment.
They enter a formal section where everything needed for formal events can be found.
“My husband hated attention, so I need a low profile dress...” Leila explained to the saleslady who was handling them.
“Your husband seems different... Everyone wants to be noticed, especially since he is new to the pack,” Eunice commented and leaned on the soft couch. The two are in the VIP room, so they are comfortable and keep privacy while choosing a dress.
Leila shrugged. “My husband and I wanted to live discreetly... Probably this is the first and last gathering we will attend.”
Since Leila’s back was turned, Eunice couldn’t stop arching her eyebrows. “Really? I’m not sure about that... Since your husband joined the Sapphire pack, I can assure you — you will not have a simple and quiet life.”
Leila straightened up because she heard the certainty in Eunice’s voice. Then she turned around to face her. “Why did you say that? Is there a problem with the Sapphire pack?”
“Ha Ha Ha! Emily, you are so naïve... Of course, there is a problem with all the packs. That's why it's impossible for us to feel the serenity of life!” Eunice's face lit up with a wide grin.
‘Hmm... Eunice has a point. Every pack encounters problems, but Johnny said there is no danger at the moment. “I’m sure the pack can handle anything, so all I have to do is take care of myself and the baby in my womb...” Leila affirmed.
Eunice smiled and nodded, but her hidden fist was clenched tightly. “Right... Your baby—There’s a need for extra caution because right now, there’s a lot of danger around...”
“Yeah...” With a beaming smile, Leila explained why she'd chosen to remain home after the gathering - to take care of her pregnancy.
“Ma’am, these are some of our pairs...” the sales representative said while pulling a stand full of elegant clothes.
“Thank you...” Leila kindly responded. She came and inspected the clothes. Like she requested — the clothes are simple, but you can see the polished artistry, and she likes everything.
“Ma’am, if you like, you can put it on... I’ll help you with everything.” the saleslady’s smile was friendly.
Leila agreed, so the sales representative took a piece of clothing and guided Leila through the fitting room. Meanwhile, Eunice stood there, also choosing a dress for herself.
‘The Leila Aragon I know hated simple things, so I wonder if she also forgot her old mannerisms... Eunice murmured to herself while taking the lava gown surrounded by tiny crystals.
"This one is so sparkly, it feels like it was made for me...” Eunice knew she would go to the event, but wanted to keep it a secret from Leila for her own reasons.
A few minutes later, Leila came out of the fitting room wearing a semi-mermaid gown that was off the shoulder.
“Ma’am, it’s perfect for you... I’m sure your husband will not leave your side!” The eyes of the sales representative are full of envy and admiration.
“Thanks for the compliment...” Leila admired her reflection in the mirror and said, “I’ll take this and the pair for my husband,” with a smile.
“Okay, ma’am...”
“Prepare this one for me... I’ll take it,” Eunice said as she handed the lava gown to the sales representative. Then she looked at Leila. “You look lovely in that dress...”
“Thanks.” Leila giggle and enters the fitting room again to change.
After paying for the gown, Eunice received a call, so she needed to leave Leila.
“You can go now; I’ll buy some accessories, then I’ll go home...” Leila uttered with a sweet smile.
“Okay... I’ll call you later!” Eunice retorted, and left.
When Eunice was away, Leila continued shopping; she entered the boutique where masks were available. Her attention was drawn to the white cover with an engraved flower. But the problem is—it’s only one, and the pair has already been sold. Regardless, Leila bought it.