Her sharp green eyes fix on my face. Those eyes are just like Eason’s, but they glint with an icy shine that makes the hair on my arms to stand up. “Do I know you?” she asks in a sharp tone, as if I’ve already offended her. I instantly regretted calling her. Hell, why can’t I just keep my mouth shut and quietly walk away? “Umm…” under her perching gaze, I gulp nervously before saying. “I’m Natalia. Natalia Moore. Maybe you didn’t remember but—” “Oh,” she raises her brow. “Right, Natalia.” She studies me, from head to toe, as if she’s examining a livestock. The way she looks at me is so arrogant and condescending that I can’t say I’m not embarrassed at all. “I’ll bring over your water Ms. Griswold,” I say hastily trying to get her to stop looking. “Wait,” she raises a hand. “Do you work here?” “Yes.” “But why?” she leans back squinting at me. “You and your mom don’t really need the money, right? Since…you have Shawn now.” I instantly understand the implication behind her words
Natalia’s POV “Me? Your date?” I frown. “What about Valerie?” “What about her?” “You brought her shopping for evening gowns the other day. So I thought you were taking her to the party,” I snort. “She stood you up, didn’t she? And that’s why you are coming back to me now because I’m your backup.” “You are unbelievable,” he sighs. He runs his fingers through his hairs as a spasm of frustration flits across his face. “Stop piecing everything together in your mind!” he growls, lowering his eyelids to avoid my gaze. “I took her shopping, but we didn’t go shopping for evening gowns. If you don’t want to come with me to the party, I might as well go alone.” That’s when I notice a pink tinge appears on his cheek and his ears are turning red. Is he embarrassed for being so honest? He almost never shares his real thoughts and true feelings with me, and this is actually the first time. Oh god I love the honest Eason way much more than the manipulative jerk he used to be. This is the ch
Time really flies by. Without even knowing it, we are only a few days away from the anniversary party. The party will be held at a lakeside country house. Mom is in hysterics, getting herself all worked up about everything looming on the horizon. She moved to the country house two weeks ago to make sure everything goes perfect. And three days before the party, she called me nonstop asking for help. I have no choice but to take a few days off from school and come to her side. Eason volunteers to drive me there. He picks me up at school in a red convertible, which is absolutely conspicuous in the school parking lot. People are actually turning their heads to look when I open the door and hop inside. “How many luxury cars do you own?” I ask him when he exists the parking lot. His hands are on the wheels, eyes straight ahead, as a playful grin appears on his lips. “Do you really want to know? Or are you just being ironic?” “I was being ironic, but I am also curious now,” I giggle. “L
The despise behind her tone is so obvious that I clench my fist immediately. The look on mom’s face couldn’t be uglier. She glares at Caroline and grits out, “I have other plans for my daughter.” “Everything else seems perfect, except for my room,” that vicious old crone smiles. “Shawn and I just finished a long discussion about our upcoming business plan. I’m quite exhausted. I’d really appreciate it if your daughter can help the cleaning lady get the room ready.” She is so evil and manipulative! Just like her son in some ways. I feel sad for my mom. I know she hates the woman, but she also can’t defy her because of her power and status. I have a gut feeling that Caroline will destroy anniversary party that mom has been planning for so long. I take in a long breath and make up my mind. Mom has done everything she could to protect me, and now it’s my turn to do the same for her. “Fine,” I say, looking at Caroline. “Where is your room? I’ll see what I can—” Right at this moment,
Natalia’s POV The sound is so annoying that it stops me from falling asleep. “What the fuck?” I groan, jumping off bed and heading towards the window. Then the next second, before I grab the handle, a bright and flashy beam of light shots up in front of my window. It’s a firework! I’m so amazed by the view in front of me that I freeze up on the spot. Those starry sparks explode into a thousand glamorous particles of light, like rainfall of diamond and gems, and completely light up the velvet summer night. Moments later, the show finally stops. I immediately rush forward and shove the window open. Looking down, I find Eason standing on the ground, holding a few firework sticks, grinning at me. This is probably the scene every girl has been dreaming for, a hot boy waiting in front of the window, lighting the firework. And on top of everything, Eason himself is every girl’s dream. “What—what are you doing here? Where did you get this?” I ask, breathing fast. “I brough it from yo
And we finally get to the day of the anniversary party.If this party dragged on any longer, mom would die out of anxiety, and she would take every single one of us down to hell with her.On that day, she forces me out of bed at 6 o’clock sharp and pins me down in the makeup chair. Before I even realize, there are already three people doing my hair, face, and nails at the same time.“Mom!” I protest. “This is your big day. Just leave me be.”“Oh honey, but I want you to look great as well…Apply more contour to her nose.” She instructs the stylist, while wearing a super expensive facial mask which costs like 100 USD per piece.Luckily, my makeover is done a little past noon. Just when I thought I was finally able to grab a bite, mom told me that I should stay famished, to better fit the evening gown.“Are you crazy?” I snap. My temper becomes worse because of hunger. “I’m not going on a hunger strike just because of a stupid fucking gown!”“Language!” Mom dodges the stylist’s brush and
Natalia’s POVThe person I fear the most—the person I thought I would never meet again—appear in front of my eyes out of nowhere.It’s Zack!Why is he here? Shouldn’t he be in the hospital? I thought our family lawyer would take care of him. Why on earth is he at my mom’s anniversary party???A short exclamation escapes my lips and I immediately turn to run. But my freaking long dress holds me back, causing me to stumble and fall. I am so afraid that I start crawling away with my legs and hands. But suddenly a cold hand catches my ankle from behind.“Ahhh—” I cry in fear, kicking my legs and trying to get away from him.“No! No Natalia! Shh…please listen to me!” he shushes me and pleads. “I am sorry, but I meant no harm! Please trust me. I’m terribly sorry for what I did!”I am half shocked and half terrified. He quickly lets go of my ankle and spreads his hands, showing his sincerity.“Why are you here?” I clench my dress and ask sternly. “I thought you are still in the hospital! Did
Eason’s POVA spotlight hits me and people are turning their heads at my direction. I vaguely hear the host’s voice coming from the distance, asking me to take my dance partner and join the dancefloor.“Eason!” mom grits beside my ear, pinching my arm. “Go invite the girl now. Or you will regret it later.”She is pushing me. I know if I say yes, I will become her puppet once again, which is exactly what she wants.I take in a deep breath and pull myself free from her grasp, taking a step back.“Mom,” I meet eyes with her. “I don’t care if she’s a princess or the daughter of the richest man on earth, I won’t dance with her.”There is only one person I want to share my first dance with.And she is not here.“Don’t be stupid, Eason! As the Ramirez’s heir, you have a responsibility to—”I cut her off, “Mom, stop fucking control me. I am the Ramirez’s heir. Not you.”Her lips part slightly in shock. She’s obviously astonished by my outrageous words. But I don’t give a damn. She can go nuts