Lilliana POV

I sat on the bed staring at the red sleeveless velvet dress laid beside me with a note on it that reads;

 "wear this pretty lady"

"He doesn't expect me to wear this right?" I asked Lake who was rummaging through my closet for a shoe that would match the dress.

 She brought out my favorite black six inches heel. In a normal time, I would have said yes but then I wasn't even feeling it.

"Nope. I need something more comfortable.  Can I wear a flat please?" I said to her.

She gave me a side eye and took out a sliver heel instead.

"You aren't wearing a flat with such luxurious dress. Girl, let me be the stylist here."  She says as she threw the heel at me.

I laughed at her reaction. I really haven't known Lake for more than a day but it seems like I have known her for a very long time. She's so sweet, caring and it seems as though I have gotten a big sister.

"But honestly, the dress is way too expensive for a lunch date." I said. I gave the dress one look again. I could have worn one of my summer dresses for the outing. I didn't expect him to buy a dress. An expensive one at that.

"Stop complaining and enjoy the feeling." Lake said as she took my hand and dragged me to my feet, urging me to seat at the dressing table, while she brings out a box that was filled with different makeup items.

"You're not planning to doll me up are you?" I turned to her with a stern look.

She angled my head to face the mirror and looked at me through the mirror.

"Stop whining and let me do my magic." 

I didn't say anything as she proceeds. It made me realize that growing up, I never had any friends to do makeover with.  I was more to myself and never noticed. I always had my head buried in a book. 

"I heard about today. I'm sorry about your dad. I'm sure he was a good man."

I smiled as the image of my dad flashed in my head. An image of him laughing. It was a beautiful sight.

"Yes he was. He made me love books." 

She paused and looked at me through the mirror.

"That's sweet. Roman told me you own a bookshop. That was where he got the new books I have when they visited your pack." 

I nodded. "It's my safe haven. Funny, I have read almost all the books in the store. If you need more books I can have some sent down here for you."

She smiled brightly. "Really? Oh thank you very much. I'm feeling excited already."

I squeezed her hand and looked at her.  " Thank you Lake. I needed this."

 *****

His laugh was unique and soothing to hear and I wonder why I didn't see it this way before. 

We were seated at a garden. The flowers were all beautiful and the colors were very sensational. The air around us was filled with flower scents. I felt at peace and happy. He knew exactly what I wanted and I'm surprised about that.

He had a table set for us or maybe it has just been here. The only thing was that it was decorated with cloth and candles.

Nate wore a simple shirt and jeans. He had an aftershave look and it made him more handsome than when I first saw him.

"I don't know if I said it earlier but you look hot in this dress." He said with a smirk.

I blushed and looked down on my plate. We were already done with the main food and we were eating dessert. It was a homemade apple pie that he said Luna specially prepared for us. It made me wonder if the whole pack knew we're on this date.

Not thinking much about it, I took a bite from the pie. It has a very distinctive taste and it reminded me of home. 

Mom. How did I forget about her so quickly. A frown formed on my forehead.

"What's the problem Lily. You don't like the pie?" Nate said with a worried look.

"No. I love the pie. It reminded me of home and I wondered how my mom was doing."

"Oh. She's very well. I had our pack nurse stay with her. Don't worry she's in good hands."

I was taken back. "You did that?" I never knew he was that good. That means he knows about mom's drinking habit.

"It's alright love. You can visit anytime you want. You're not a prisoner here you know."

"Thank you very much Nate. I never knew you would do such. I need to see her actually. I snapped at her before I left the house, that day I came here. I need to apologize." I looked down at my plate with sadness as I remember how I spoke to her.

"Tell me about your mom." 

I looked up at him. His eyes had this intense curiousness and I wonder why.

"Mom. She's funny when she wants to be. She's actually the serious person between Dad and I." I chuckled at my words.

He gave me a sweet smile. "How long has she been that way?"

"Well, it was after Dad got sick and his health wasn't progressing. Mom began drinking at night. She said it helps her avoid thinking much."

"So when your dad died, I guess she lost it." He said calmly.

I nodded and stayed silent as I toyed with my food. 

"You know, you're one of the strongest women I have seen around, if you could really endure this. You're doing a pretty good job." He said reassuringly.

"But I snapped at her and I shouldn't have no matter what. I didn't know what got into me." 

He left his seat and came to my side, took my hands and made me stand up to face him. He is quite taller, I had to raise my face a little to get a good look at him. He hugged me all of a sudden. 

I stiffened at first but the warmth I felt made me feel at ease and I welcomed the hug. Before I could register what was going I was hyperventilating as I cried again on his chest.

He shushed me and patted my head in a soothing way. 

"It's alright pretty Lily. Let it all out. I'm always here for you." He whispered.