Admission of Love Read Online Free Page A

the small town.
    If Holtsville was anything like her mother said, then it had to be pure paradise compared to the constant hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps… New York.
    “Well, sista friend,” Anika said, turning to show Chloe how the lipstick perfectly suited her coloring and the outfit. “Whatever you decide to do, I’m behind you one hundred percent.”
    Chloe nodded, feeling sure of her decision.
    “Okay, Chloe, let’s hit the streets. Wesley awaits!”
     
    ∞
    Six Months Later
     
    Chloe hated to admit that she was excited about the gala party being thrown in her honor. She sighed and sunk down low into the honey-and lemon-scented bubble bath. Her chin touched the water and she closed her eyes. As the steamy water gently lapped against her body, she blocked out the noise of preparation coming from the other side of the hotel suite’s bathroom door.
    Woods Modeling Agency and Ashanti Cosmetics had collaborated on this mega-event have a final farewell to the beauty who had remained firm in her decision to retire, a decision that many questioned the reasons for. A suite of rooms at the Plaza Hotel were at her disposal to prepare for the evening. The outer rooms were filled racks of designer original dresses on loan from some of the hottest names in fashion, all of whom wanted her to be seen in their creation for her last formal appearance. A representative from Harry Winston Jewelers, along with four burly security guards, had a selection of diamond jewelry for her to choose to wear with whatever gown she selected, also on loan. Hair and makeup stylists were primed to accentuate her natural beauty.
    All were outside the door, waiting to help her celebrate her farewell to a highly successful career. They, like many others, wondered why the beauty would retire now when she was still at the height of her profession. They also wondered what her plans for the future were, a question that Chloe had avidly dodged in the press.
    Downstairs the ballroom was surely bustling with activity as last-minute preparations were made. This would be her last big who hooray, and Chloe would admit, only to herself, that she was a little melancholy. But she was also sure that retiring was what she wanted. Her plans for the future were already in motion and she was anxious to start the new chapter in her life.
    Chloe stepped out of the elevated tub, engulfing her glistening wet body in a plush embroidered bath towel. She descended the steps leading from the platform and crossed the carpeted floor, flinging open both the double doors. The activity in the outer room halted as all eyes turned toward her. With a warm smile characteristic of her fun-loving personality, she said, “Make me beautiful.”
    “God beat us to it,” someone yelled out and they all agreed.
    Chloe blushed like a schoolgirl. “Y’all full of it.”
     
    ∞
    “Chloe, you chose my dress. How wise of you!”
    She turned to find Jeffrey appraising her with a critical eye. She smiled and struck a dramatic pose. “How do I look, Jeffie?”
    He was amazed, as he was each time he saw her, that she was so beautiful and graceful. She truly would be a loss to the fashion industry. “You look fabulous as always, Chloe.”
    Jeffrey had designed the dress with her in mind and it suited the mocha-skinned beauty perfectly. The cut of the slip dress was simple with slender spaghetti straps and a straight, square neckline. The fall colors were not true to the current hot summer weather, but the rich gold, rust and deep browns perfectly offset her chocolate skin and the rich auburn color of her shoulder-length tresses. She brought the sequined creation to life and he was truly honored that she chose to wear it.
    As she turned once again for his approval, he decided he would give her the dress, which could retail for six thousand dollars. No other woman could do it justice.
    They posed for several publicity shots before Jeffrey moved on, eventually disappearing from