Dane's Date
by kiwibat
Tess couldn't believe this was happening. She couldn't believe her husband had been so fucking stupid. Losing five thousand dollars in poker was bad enough, but then borrowing another five and losing that too? It wasn't just idiotic--it was pathetic.
She stormed through the luxurious, modern lobby of Holliday Enterprises, ignoring the receptionist's attempt to stop her. Heavy glass doors loomed ahead, reflecting her own scowling face back at her. Without slowing down, she pushed them open.
Dane Holliday looked up from his desk with an amused grin. At thirty-five years old, he was heir to the Holliday fortune. A spoiled playboy just waiting for his father to hand over the reins to the empire. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time. His father still held the official title, but retirement was near, and soon, Dane would inherit the billion-dollar company, whether he deserved it or not.
Dane leaned back in his chair. "Tessy. What a lovely surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure? Looking for your husband?"
She slammed an envelope onto his desk. "It's Tess. And you know exactly why I'm here."
Dane opened it, thumbing through the stack of bills inside. "This is only twelve hundred."
"Take it or leave it."
His grin widened. "Sorry, sweetheart, but your husband owes me five grand."
She clenched her fist.
He's enjoying this.
"This is ridiculous. You knew exactly what you were doing when you invited him to that stupid poker game. You set him up."
Dan shrugged. "Not my fault your husband doesn't know when to walk away."
Tess took a deep breath. This wasn't going anywhere. Not with someone like Dane.
"Fine. I'll get your money. I was just hoping that maybe you weren't as much of an asshole as everyone says, but I guess they were right."
She turned to leave.
"Wait."
His voice was calm. Almost amused.
She hesitated. "What?"
"I'm not heartless. I understand that's a lot of money for someone like you. I'm not trying to ruin your life. How about we make a deal?"
Tess narrowed her eyes. "...What?"
"The corporate charity gala is tomorrow, and my date cancelled last minute. I need a beautiful woman at my side. Stand by me, laugh at my jokes, smile for the cameras."
She eyed him with suspicion. "That's it? I just have to go with you, and you'll wipe the debt clean? Seems a little hard to believe."
Dane's eyes swept over her body, shamelessly admiring her curves. "Being seen with you is worth every penny."
She tried to hide her disgust. "And you promise no funny business?"
"I swear."
She didn't like this. It felt like a trap...but what choice did she have? Dane was a man who delighted in control and if she didn't agree, he'd bleed her husband for every penny.
She reached out and shook his hand.
"Deal."
***
When Tess got home, her husband John was sitting on the couch watching TV like nothing was wrong. Like he hadn't just gambled away their entire savings and left her to clean up the mess.
"We need to talk."
John sighed. "I know, I messed up, alright? You don't need to rub it in. I feel bad enough as it is."
Tess scoffed. "Oh,
you
feel bad? I spent the afternoon begging your boss's son to cut you a break while you sat here doing fuck-all."
John's eyes widened. "...Why would you do that? I...I told you I'd figure it out..."
"When? Are you gonna pull five grand out of your ass before Monday?"
Silence.
Tess took a deep breath. "So...I made a deal."
John's head snapped up. "What?"
"I'm going with Dane to the charity gala tomorrow night."
John shot off the couch. "The hell you are!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You're not going. I
forbid
it."
Tess laughed bitterly. "Oh, you forbid it? Will you also forbid us from going bankrupt because of your stupid decisions?"
John's face turned red. "...You know what people are gonna think if they see you with him..."
"Oh,
now
you care what people think? Where was that concern when you were losing all of our fucking money?"
"I'll--I'll talk to him. Work out some kind of payment plan. He can take it out of my paycheck."
Tess shook her head. "It's not about the money, John. He wants to humiliate you. He wants to see me--" She stopped herself, looking away.
"Exactly. You know what he wants. You know what kind of guy he is."
She sighed. "Yeah, I know."
John grabbed her hands. "Then don't do this, babe. Please..."
She pulled away. "I really don't want to," she said softly. "But thanks to you, I don't have a choice."
"We'll find another way. I promise."
Tess loved her husband. She wouldn't be doing this if she didn't. But promises weren't going to pay off their debt to Dane Holliday.
She sighed.
"It's already done."
***
The next morning, Tess discovered a large bouquet of red roses on the front porch.
They looked...expensive. Perfectly arranged. Each individual rose was flawless, not a single blemish. She didn't need to check the card to know who they were from, but she did anyway.
For my very lovely date
.
--
Dane
John appeared behind her. "Jesus. He's already sending you gifts?"
"They're
just
flowers."
"Right. That's how it starts."
Tess rolled her eyes and grabbed the bouquet. She didn't want the neighbors to see. She set them down on the kitchen counter and spotted a small white envelope tucked inside.
She opened it.
Arrive at noon.
All expenses paid.
Make sure you look stunning for me tonight.
At the bottom was an address.
Tess knew the place. An ultra-exclusive salon downtown. It was the kind of place where celebrities went, where a haircut cost more than their rent.
She tossed the note onto the counter. "This wasn't part of the deal."
John scoffed. "You thought he was going to be the perfect gentlemen? He wants you dolled up like one of his sidepieces."
Tess rubbed her temples. All this stress was giving her a migraine.
"I didn't ask for this."
"You didn't say no, either."
She snapped. "You want me to say no? Fine. Let's call him right now and tell him the deals off. I'm sure he'd love to hear that you're ready to pay him back."
That shut him up.
Tess grabbed her coat. She needed to get out of the house.
"...Where are you going?" John asked.
"To the salon."
***
The moment Tess stepped inside, she was greeted like a VIP.
"Welcome, Miss Hawkins," the receptionist said. "We've been expecting you."
The woman smiled and gestured toward a black leather chair. "Mr. Holliday has taken care of everything. We'll be making sure you look perfect for tonight."
Tess wasn't sure what she'd expected. A stuck-up attitude? Some kind of indication that they knew she didn't belong in a place like this. Instead they treated her like she'd been coming here for years. Like it was completely normal for her to be in a luxury salon, sipping fine wine while a high-end stylist examined her hair.
The stylist was beaming with excitement. "We'll add a little volume, some curls...men just
love
that style."
Tess hesitated. This wasn't part of the deal. She was just supposed to show up, play her part, and then leave.
"You'd look absolutely incredible with just a touch of blonde highlights. It'd really bring out your features."
Tess almost laughed.
Of course
Dane would want her to have blonde highlights. She knew exactly what this was--just another one of his games. Making her look more like the kind of women he surrounded himself with. The kind of woman her husband could never afford.
The kind of woman her husband could never have.
This wasn't just about making her look good. It was about making John look pathetic. When Dane paraded her around that gala, everyone would see her the way he wanted them to...as his latest conquest.
This was a trap. Every step of it, carefully planned. She should say no. She
should
remind him that this was just a business transaction, not some makeover fantasy.
Instead, an unexpected thought popped into her mind.
What if I say yes?
Not because Dane wanted her to, but because John didn't.
He'd be furious. He already hated that she was doing this. Hated that Dane was dressing her up like his prize. Hated that the moment she walked into that gala, every man in the room would be staring at his wife on Dane's arm.
Every time he saw her over the next month, with her blonde highlights and fake nails, he'd be reminded of his fuck-up. Maybe then he'd actually learn his lesson.
Tess looked up at the stylist and forced a smile. "Sure, let's do it."
The stylist grinned. "You're gonna love it."
She ignored the pit of dread in her stomach and leaned back in her chair.
The next few hours went by in a haze. The nail tech painted her nails a deep, glossy red. It was a color she never would've picked for herself. Then the makeup artist took over, skillfully blending and contouring her face. When it was all done, Tess hardly recognized herself. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, she was surprised to realize...she kinda liked it.
She liked the blonde highlights and the voluminous curls. She liked the glossy red nails and the perfectly styled makeup. She looked like she had on her wedding day.
Except...
even better.
For the first time in a long time, she felt...
stunning.
***
Tess arrived at Dane's penthouse feeling on edge.
An amused smile filled his face when he answered the door. He stepped closer, tilting her chin up with his finger.
"Look at you. Incredible."
Tess slapped his finger away. She folded her arms, standing her ground.
"Let's just get this over with."
He stepped aside, letting her in. "Relax, sweetheart. We have all night."
The penthouse was incredible.