The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Choosing my Outfit
Ding!…

Ding!…

Hera was abruptly awoken by a flurry of text notifications, followed by an incoming call. She groggily reached for her phone on the bedside table, her eyes barely open.

Without bothering to check the caller ID, Hera answered the call and settled back into her bed.

“Hello?” Her voice was still hoarse and lazy.

There was no immediate response, prompting Hera to reluctantly open her eyes and glance at the screen. She squinted at the glowing display, realizing it was only 6 in the morning, and the call was still connected. She repeated her greeting.

“Hello? Who’s calling?”

“Did I wake you up?” A hoarse male voice crackled through the line, causing Hera to focus on the screen again. Seeing a series of unfamiliar numbers, she confirmed it wasn’t someone she knew.

“It’s okay, I was just about to wake up anyway. Who’s calling?” She inquired, shifting in her bed.

The man on the other end of the line cleared his throat before speaking. “My apologies for disturbing you so early in the morning. I just wanted to inform you that you can pick up the contract at my office this morning,” he explained politely.

Still groggy from just waking up, Hera’s thoughts were still scattered, making it difficult for her to fully comprehend what the man was saying. “I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong number,” she replied, ready to end the call.

But before she could hang up, the man’s voice came through again. “Miss Ainsley, please don’t end the call,” he said, causing Hera’s hand to freeze over the screen. ‘How did he know she was about to hang up? Did he have eyes through her phone somehow?’

Sensing Hera’s confusion and realizing she might not have saved his number, the man continued, “Miss Ainsley, this is Rafael Briley. I was referring to the contract we discussed regarding my sister.”

As Hera realized who she was speaking to, all she could manage was a soft, “Ooooh…”

Rafael couldn’t help but chuckle at Hera’s response. It was a far cry from the composed, intelligent woman he had observed at the dining table just days before – a woman who exuded confidence and knew how to navigate any situation with ease. In the short time he had known her, Rafael had already witnessed several facets of Hera’s personality. Despite his usual impatience when met with delays, he found himself unable to lose his temper as Hera took her time to gather her thoughts and respond.

Instead, Rafael observed her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, intrigued by the complexities of this woman whom he unexpectedly met through a not-so-good reason.

Hera’s eyes widened in realization as she recognized Rafael’s voice, recalling their agreement for her to collect the contract from his office. Clearing her throat, she responded, “Thank you, Mr. Briley, for informing me. I’ll be sure to contact you once I’m at your office to pick up the contract.”

Rafael’s lips curled into a subtle smile, his tone softening as he replied, “Of course, let me know when you arrive, and I’ll have my assistant escort you.”

“Mr. Briley, no need for such formalities. Just ask the front desk to slot me into your schedule for today, and I’ll swing by. I’ll send you a message once I’ve sorted out my day’s agenda to confirm the time. No need to trouble your assistant; I’m sure they’ve got plenty on their plate already.” Hera’s tone was light as she spoke.

“Are you sure?” Rafael asked, trying to button his cufflinks with one hand while his earphones were in place in his ears as he communicated with Hera.

“Don’t worry, I can find my way to your office just fine,” Hera quipped, injecting a touch of humor to lighten the mood.

“Thank you for your time, Miss Ainsley. Looking forward to seeing you soon,” Rafael said, concluding the call. Hera tilted her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought after just waking up.

After gathering her bearings, she freshened up and made her way downstairs for breakfast. While waiting for her meal, she took a moment to check her messages for any urgent matters.

Among them, she found Athena’s message detailing the dress code and reunion time.

Hera scoffed as she perused the dress codes, remarking, “Seems like they’re intent on making things difficult for us.”

It was evident to her that the organizers were setting the bar high with the requirement of a black evening gown. They likely anticipated Hera and Athena arriving in rented or budget-friendly options. Hera couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought, pondering whether to opt for the most luxurious gown in her collection or to keep it modest.

Ultimately, the decision was clear. She had no intention of attending to flaunt wealth; rather, she was there to observe and understand their motives. So, she settled on a simple black satin silk evening gown with delicate straps and an open back. Though it might border on being too revealing, she planned to let her hair down to provide some coverage. Minimalism would be her choice for the occasion.

It was all about projecting a subtle form of affluence.

Hera informed Athena of her clothing choice to ensure they avoided overdressing. Initially, Athena had planned to make a bold entrance with extravagant attire, but after hearing Hera’s perspective, she reconsidered. Opting for a simple tube-style evening dress with a subtle left-side slit and minimal accessories, Athena decided to align her outfit with Hera’s understated elegance.

They arranged to meet in front of the hotel before entering together, both opting for a more refined approach to their attire.

After finalizing their plan, Hera enjoyed her breakfast and took a brief stroll around the garden to aid digestion, all the while exchanging texts with her grandfather to ensure his well-being. She also made sure to notify Rafael of her intended visit at 2 in the afternoon. Returning to her study after an hour, Hera delved into reviewing the company list once more, committing to memory the company rules and perusing reports from the past decade to gauge their market position.

Fully engrossed in her reading, Hera was oblivious to Cindy’s attempts to gain her attention, prompting Cindy to call her name multiple times before she finally responded.

“Sorry, Cindy, is there something you need?” Hera inquired, tearing her gaze away from the file she was studying to focus on Cindy, who stood before her with hands clasped in front of her abdomen, maintaining a poised stance.

“I apologize for interrupting your time, Miss Hera. I wanted to let you know that your customized cars have arrived in the garage, and lunch has been served,” Cindy said respectfully.

Hera’s eyes lit up at the news of her car’s arrival. Who wouldn’t be thrilled about new cars? Her excitement was palpable. “Oh, that’s fantastic news! I can’t wait to take one for a spin later,” she exclaimed joyfully, her smile stretching from ear to ear as she eagerly made her way to the dining room.

Cindy couldn’t suppress a smile at Hera’s infectious excitement as she trailed behind her.

Following her enjoyable lunch, Hera returned to her room and indulged in a quick shower. She followed it up with a simple three-minute skincare routine, applying some lotion before heading to her walk-in closet. With anticipation gleaming in her eyes, she retrieved the dress they had purchased from Dior.

Hera complemented the dress with Yves Saint Laurent Opyum pumps, crafted in sleek black patent leather with heels adorned with the iconic YSL logo in gold. Enhancing the ensemble, she selected ruby teardrop earrings and a necklace from Celine.

Her eyes then caught sight of the Audemars Piguet Sapphire Orbe watch. Its design, resembling a bracelet adorned with miniature gemstones, captivated her. At its center lay an orb encrusted with dazzling blue sapphires, its design reminiscent of gentle waves. While undeniably elegant, it exuded a tasteful refinement rather than overt opulence, unlike the other watches on the display shelf boasting larger gemstones that screamed wealth. Hera appreciated how the watch’s smaller gemstones formed an abstract masterpiece, adding a touch of sophistication to her attire.

Before departing, Hera retrieved a Beige Caviar Chanel Double Flap from the shelf to hold her essentials, including her phone. She opted not to style her hair or apply makeup, as her skin boasted a natural healthy glow and a hint of blush, while her lips remained naturally red and moist. Instead, she simply ran a comb through her hair, letting it cascade freely. This surely left a subtle yet alluring impression, she spritzed on a floral-scented perfume from Creed Les Royales Exclusives Jardin d’Amalfi Fragrance, a recommendation from their recent shopping excursion. She found the fragrance delightful and versatile, although she had also selected other perfumes for different occasions.

Hera cast a final glance in the floor-to-ceiling mirror before making her way to the garage, where Cindy awaited with a leather suitcase. Upon her arrival, Cindy opened the suitcase, revealing five keys aligned neatly inside. In front of her were the five cars she had recently selected for customization.

To complement her outfit, Hera selected the matte black Bugatti La Voiture Noire and retrieved the corresponding key from the suitcase. With a grateful nod to Cindy, she expressed her appreciation. “Thank you, Cindy. Please take some rest after this. I’ll be dining out with Athena today.” Her words were accompanied by a sweet smile directed at Cindy.

As Hera settled into the driver’s seat, she couldn’t help but sigh. “I had intended to opt for a modest choice, but I got carried away with the selection process,” she mused, shaking her head in frustration. However, she acknowledged that every woman enjoyed pampering themselves and looking their best, not for anyone else but for their own pleasure. With a shrug, she let go of her momentary frustration and drove out of the garage.