Suddenly, I Am Rich-Chapter 35: Not Ready

Chloe sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the clothes scattered across her room. Her closet door was wide open, hangers twisted in different directions. Dresses, skirts, jackets, and tops were everywhere—on her bed, on the floor, even draped over the back of her chair.

She had already changed outfits four times.

And now, as the clock came closer to seven, her heart could only beat faster.

"What am I even doing?" she muttered under her breath, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"It's just dinner. A normal one. It's not even a date!" She scolded herself.

She had been to dinners before. Plenty of them. Some with important CEOs, their children, and others with charity organizers. She had worn heels and practiced her smiles in the mirror.

She knew how to talk, how to charm, how to nod politely when someone went on about their success.

But this... was different.

And that scared her.

Because for the first time, she wasn't dressing up to represent the Lancaster name. She wasn't picking the most expensive shoes or the brand with the best logo.

She was standing in her room, struggling over what to wear, simply because she wanted to look nice for Gray.

She held up another dress in front of the mirror, a soft beige one with simple sleeves and a square neckline. It was pretty. It was not too formal and not too casual.

Maybe this one was safe.

"Ugh," However, a second after, Chloe let out a small groan, before tossing it on the bed again.

Then she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was already wearing makeup, her lips were red, and her cheeks were pink. Her hair was neatly curled, draped down her shoulder.

"Why am I acting like this?" she asked her reflection. "You're Chloe Lancaster. You've handled galas and press conferences. Get it together."

But the moment she looked back at the dress on the bed, her heart fluttered again.

She bit her lip and turned to her closet once more, this time calmer. If she was going to dinner with Gray, she wanted to look... like herself. Not the version people expected her to be.

Just Chloe.

Chloe stood in front of her closet one last time, her eyes scanning the remaining pieces of clothes she hadn't tossed onto the bed.

Her gaze landed on a black dress hanging quietly near the corner. It was simple. A fitted dress with short sleeves, with a modest neckline, and a soft fabric that hugged her body perfectly, just enough to show her shape.

It was one of her older clothes that she used to wear all the time.

"Yeah, let's just get this."

Without overthinking it again, Chloe pulled it off the hanger and slipped it on. It fit just right. She looked in the mirror, smoothing the fabric down gently.

It was the first time in a while she wanted to look pretty. She sighed and continued on dressing up, putting on a shoe and some accessories.

At exactly 7 PM, one of Lancaster's family maids answered the door. And standing outside was Gray.

Gray looked as if he had just walked out of a fashion show. He wore a clean, dark olive button-up shirt tucked into black slacks. A Silver watch gleamed on his wrist, and a soft brown coat slung casually over one arm.

His hair had been combed neatly for once, with just enough of a messy touch to make it look natural. He looked sharper than usual. It was all thanks to Lily.

Before leaving the house, Gray had tried on three different outfits and was ready to walk out in his usual jeans and shirt combo.

But Lily?

She blocked the door like a gatekeeper.

"No, brother," she said firmly while his arms crossed.

"What?"

"You're not going out looking like that," she huffed and puffed her cheeks. "I don't know who you're going out with tonight, but you can't wear that." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Gray blinked, halfway through tying his sneakers.

"Lily, it's just dinner."

"And I said no, Brother." Lily pointed to the closet. "Go and change now."

Gray tried to protest, but he quickly realized arguing with Lily was pointless. It was like trying to win a fight with a brick wall. He knew he wouldn't win.

And so, after thirty minutes of chaos, Lily finally gave him a nod of approval. She was even the one to open the door of their apartment to push him out.

"Now you look good, brother," Lily said with her hands on her hips like a proud stylist.

"Hi, is Chloe there?" The maid smiled politely at Gray's question, stepping aside from the door to let him in.

"Yes, sir. Miss Chloe is on her way down," she said softly, bowing her head slightly. "You may wait in the front hall."

Gray nodded with a small smile.

"Thanks."

Gray stepped inside and waited in the front hall of the estate. He stood there for a moment, shifting slightly in place, with his hands in his pockets.

He waited there patiently until he heard soft footsteps descending the stairs.

Gray turned his head, and his breath caught for a second.

Chloe walked down slowly, one hand brushing along the railing, her other holding a small black purse at her side. The moment she stepped into view, Gray saw her. She looked simple, and it made her look even more beautiful than he had seen before.

Chloe saw him at the bottom of the stairs, and her steps slowed ever so slightly. Her eyes widened for a brief second when she realized what he was wearing.

She expected him to show up in his usual laid-back clothes, but this?

She wasn't ready for it.