by Ivy Clyde
“There he is,” shouted Gabrielle over the loud music.
I walked with him to reach Liam. He stood in a corner, drinking from a flute of champagne. Brianna was wrapped around one of his arms as he watched a couple of kids do the robot dance with a bored expression on his face. His birthday suit was an impeccably-tailored tuxedo that accentuated his tall frame and broad shoulders. Brianna was in a slinky black dress, midnight-black hair falling down her shoulders like a curtain of black silk. The sight of them together made a small burn flare up in my chest.
“Hey!” shouted Gabrielle, creeping up behind Liam and slapping him on the shoulder. Brianna jumped away, glaring like a startled wolf but when she saw who it was, she smiled.
“I was wondering when you’ll show up,” she said with a sickly sweet smile. “Holly has been looking everywhere for you.” When her gaze fell on me, her expression soured immediately. “What is she doing here?”
“Happy Birthday,” I said, ignoring her and looking up at Liam. “Hope you like these.” I held the box of macaroons in my hand for him to take.
Brianna scoffed. “Is that all you could afford?”
“Paris made these,” said Gabrielle. “From scratch!” He casually draped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me against him. “If you don’t want these, I’ll take them. They taste fucking amazing.” He made to grab it from my hands but Liam was faster, picking up the box before his friend could.
“They’re mine,” said Liam. His brilliant blue eyes stared into mine with such intensity it drowned the music around me. For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in that garden.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to eat those.” Brianna’s voice broke me out of the trance and I was back to standing in the middle of the loud party. “What if they make you sick? God knows what she added in them.”
Before I could say a word, another annoying voice sounded nearby.
Holly had spotted Gabrielle. She wore a shimmering gold dress that was so short she risked flashing her panties to everyone in the party without even needing to bend down. Her blond hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail. With lips painted a rich crimson, she looked sexy. I had to give her that.
Sidling up to Gabrielle, she let her hand snake up around his arm and she grabbed onto it just like Brianna held onto Liam’s. “There’s something I wanted to show you,” she said in a sweet tone, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Will you come with me?”
“Do I have to?” asked Gabrielle. “I just got here.”
“Come on,” she purred, tugging at his arm.
“Fine.” He let Holly take him back into the house, leaving me with Brianna and Liam.
“Have a happy birthday,” I said to him, taking a step away from him. If I didn’t get out of there, Brianna would make things difficult for me. Since it was his party, I didn’t want to ruin it by getting into an argument with her.
As soon as I got some distance from them, I began looking for Zoya and found her surrounded by a group of seniors. She wore a thigh-length dress of navy blue chiffon that perfectly flowed around her slim curves. It was both cute and sexy, very much like Zoya herself.
She looked up just as I reached her.
“Why aren’t you dressed up, Paris?” she asked, looking fed up with me. The expression made me laugh, reminding me that underneath that expensive dress and loud makeup, she was still my best friend.
“She’s always trying to be apart from the crowd,” said another voice. Turning around, I saw Gianna, wearing super-tight skinny jeans and a slinky top with rhinestone straps that hung off her bony shoulders. “But it just makes her look like the help she is.” She thrust her empty glass at me. “Get me another cherry lemonade,” she said, flipping a lock of her blond hair.
“She’s not here as a help!” hissed Zoya. Taking the glass from me, she thrust it back in Gianna’s hand. “Get your own fucking drink.”
I grabbed onto Zoya’s arm, trying to tell her to stop. It was Liam’s party and it shouldn’t be ruined over me.
“Why don’t we get you dolled up too, huh?” said Gianna, leaning down on her long, bony neck towards me. “There’s a spare dress in the trunk of Brianna’s car.”
“Ugh! I’m fine as I am,” I said. There was no way I was borrowing Brianna’s clothes.
“Of course, you are,” said Brianna’s snide voice from a corner. Somehow, both Liam and Gabrielle had managed to shake off Brianna and Holly. The three girls rounded on me. “Don’t you think people will talk when they see you dressed like this? You look sloppy as hell. Even worse than what you look like on a regular day. You should’ve at least showered.”
Even as I frowned at her, I knew there was some truth to it. My uniform was messy after the few hours of baking.
Catching the doubtful expression on my face, Brianna said, “At least, change into something better for the sake of Knightswood’s reputation. The mayor and other important people are here tonight. Don’t make a joke out of the academy just because you’re fine with looking like a hobo.”
“Let me see the dress first,” said Zoya. “If you girls are trying to play a stupid prank on her, I’d know.”
“How suspicious, Zoya,” purred Holly, twirling a lock of blond hair around her finger.
Brianna clapped her hands. “Enough! I am getting the dress. Meet me in the bathroom off to the main entrance hall. It’s big enough to change clothes in.”
Gianna and Holly looked excited while Zoya and I stared at each other worriedly. They looked a tad bit too happy to be helping the charity case.
“Maybe it’s better if I just go up to my room,” I said. “It doesn’t feel right to borrow Brianna’s dress.”
Zoya looked torn.
“Wearing Brianna’s dress won’t give you hives,” muttered Gianna, crossing her hands across her chest. “It’s just a dress.”
“I’ll make sure there’s no chance of a wardrobe malfunction,” said Zoya as we followed Holly and Gianna through the crowd to go to the bathroom. “It’s a really great party though,” she whispered to me. “Some of the boys at the academy are really friendly.”
“Made any friends?”
She nodded. “Tell you all about it later.”
“Get inside,” said Holly, holding the door open for me.
Things kept getting weirder. Once Brianna entered the bathroom with a bag, Gianna locked it from the inside. The bathroom was definitely bigger than the cabin I was living in.
“You should be thankful to Brianna for letting you wear this dress,” said Holly. “It’s really pretty.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” said Zoya, grabbing the dress from Brianna. She unfurled the long gauzy fabric, revealing a dress of sky-blue chiffon. The skirt was asymmetrical, short at the front and growing longer as it draped around the waist. With a halter neck made of rhinestones, it looked very pretty and would perfectly match with my indigo hair. “Actually, looks fine,” said Zoya with a frown.
“So I can wear it?”
“I guess so,” said Zoya, handing the dress to me. “The stitches are sturdy enough.”
“Just go wear it,” said Gianna. “Brianna is doing you a favor. Just take it as it is.”
It still felt strange but I went inside the stall to change into the blue dress.
Quickly changing out of my academy uniform, I donned the sky-blue dress. It felt light against my skin and the fit was perfect for me. Zipping the back, I stepped out.
“You look gorgeous in that dress,” said Zoya, beaming.
I turned towards the mirror set into the wall and took a good look at my reflection. The dress really did fit me well. It was a stark change from what I usually wore but the shade, fabric, and cut were quite elegant. It wasn’t showy but absolutely made me look pretty. My reflection smiled back at me.
Brianna, Holly, and Gianna had evil grins on their faces as they fist-bumped. I still couldn’t understand how the dress was supposed to get me in trouble but my instincts kept telling me t
o take it off.
Stepping forward, Brianna gently pulled away my glasses. “No lens?” she said, poking a finger through it.
“Nope.”
“Good. So, you won’t miss it.”
Gianna moved forward and ran her bony fingers through my hair, fluffing it up. I exchanged a glance with Zoya. These girls hated me. Why were they suddenly being nice?
“Let’s get back to the party,” said Zoya.
“Wait!” Brianna called out. “Don’t forget the shoes.” She put down white stilettos on the floor.
“Thanks,” I muttered, stepping into them and testing the heel. Maybe they wanted me to trip over and break a leg? When the shoes felt sturdy enough, I walked out of the bathroom. In that gorgeous blue dress, I felt like a princess. Part of me wanted to show off.
“Let’s go to the poolside,” said Zoya, taking my hand. “I’ll introduce you to some of my new friends.”
I nodded, picking up a canapé from a passing waiter and popping it in my mouth. It was a tasty morsel.
Going back to the poolside, I danced a few songs with Zoya. After a while, a few of the older boys wanted a turn with her. The attention made her happier, so I stepped away, wanting to go look for Gabrielle. Part of me wanted him to see me in that dress.
Up ahead, I saw Liam, standing alone by the poolside. Looking around, I found Brianna at a table, drinking champagne with Holly and Gianna. I looked back at Liam and felt a tug in my heart. He looked lonely and sad. Even his parents weren’t home but he had to put up with loud kids from school and other strangers.
After the way he came forward to save me yesterday, I felt differently about him. Even if he did it to keep his word to his mom, at least he was a good son. Had he been truly evil, he would just sit back and watch me get hurt.
My feet moved towards Liam on their own accord. My need to comfort him rose so high, I forgot about every mean thing he’d ever said to me.
“Hey,” I said, softly.
Liam turned towards me.
A strange emotion flitted through his eyes and for a moment, he didn’t even seem to be seeing me. There was a faraway expression on his handsome face. Just as suddenly, he snapped back to reality. Rage flared in his gaze as his mouth curved in an angry sneer.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he hissed, stepping close to me.
“What?”
He grabbed the front of my dress and jerked me against him. “How dare you wear her dress? How dare you take what’s not yours?”
“What are you talking about?” My shocked face was mirrored in his dark blue eyes as my fingers scraped against his knuckles to loosen his hold over me. What did I do to make him this mad?
“You went too far,” he gritted out. “Too far!” He shouted, getting the attention of everyone around us. Before I could utter another word, he pushed me away from him with full strength. The force was enough to throw me backward.
My body felt weightless for a single second as I fell through the air, but instead of landing on the hard ground, I felt a cold, yielding surface break against my back. Liam had thrown me into the pool.
My body sank into the frigid water. It was probably the shock of it all but I’d breathed in before realizing I was in the water. My nose and chest burned while I desperately clawed at the darkness. I’d never learned to swim, but now I kicked my legs with all my might. However, no matter how hard I fought against drowning, I felt my body sink lower and lower.
Would I die this way? I wondered as my chest burned from lack of air. I closed my eyes, the tears flowing out to mix with the cold, dark water. At least, I’ll be with you, Mom. That thought brought me solace, driving the panic I’d been feeling before.
However, the pain in my chest didn’t subside. The last of the air in my lungs escaped in a flurry of bubbles, sinking me to the bottom of the pool.
17
Paris
Just as death loomed behind my closed eyelids, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body. I felt water currents shift past me and within seconds, I felt cold air skim over my wet face. My eyes slowly opened. At first, I couldn’t see beyond the darkness but then Gabrielle’s face loomed in my vision. He was as wet as me, water dripping from the strands of his dark hair. His face was set in a stony expression.
My mouth opened wide and a hacking cough overtook me. My nose, chest, and limbs burned as I coughed out the water lodged inside my lungs. Exhaustion overtook my senses. The only thing I cared about at the moment was to clutch onto Gabrielle’s wet shirt and press my body against his heated skin.
“You almost killed her,” he shouted, making me jump. I followed the direction of his gaze and was momentarily glad it wasn’t directed at me. He was glaring at Liam.
I dropped my gaze immediately, not willing to look at him. Pain flooded my chest, different from the choking feeling in my lungs filling with water. I thought there was some good in Liam. That doubt was forever removed. He just wanted me gone. He didn’t care much about the method.
A sob wracked through me. People around us stared. Loud music thudded in the background but I was the center of everyone’s attention.
“Oh, dear child!” Ruben’s voice shook as he rushed to me with a large towel, covering my shivering body. “Master Romano, if you’d please follow me to young miss’s room.”
Bending down, he easily picked up my limp body in his arms.
His face was set in a grim expression as he carried me through the guest-filled corridors until we reached the quieter upper floors. Cold seeped into my bones despite the warmth of the house. How could Liam do that to me? The thought thrashed around my mind, bringing fresh waves of tears to my eyes. I even baked for him, hoping we could be friendlier towards each other. I didn’t want him to hate me but all that was my foolishness.
Liam was the heir to such wealth, he probably didn’t even care about someone else’s feelings. Only his demands mattered. Whatever he wanted, he got. Even my death.
Gabrielle sat down on my bed. I was still clutching onto him, refusing to let go of my safe anchor.
“You’re safe now, Paris,” said Zoya’s voice. “Let him go.” I looked up to find her leaning towards me. Unknown to me, she’d followed after Gabrielle and Ruben.
“It’s all right,” said Gabrielle in a deep, grim voice. “I can stay with her as long as she wants.”
“That won’t do, Master Romano!” Ruben argued in a desperate tone. “You’ll both catch a chill. I’ll get you some dry clothes to change into.”
“Come on, Paris,” coaxed Zoya. “Let’s get you changed into something dry and warm too.”
My chattering teeth were enough indication that I was cold despite my unwillingness to part from Gabrielle. Slowly, I forced myself to remove my hold over him and slid out of his lap. Looking up into his eyes, I saw nothing but regret.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” he said in a soft voice. “But you’re okay now. You’re safe.”
I nodded, standing up on shaky knees. “I’ll be fine,” I said in a falsely cheerful voice. “Ruben can find you something dry, right?” I looked towards the elderly butler who gave me a nod. He looked anxious enough already with me drowning and the guests who were still downstairs. “Zoya can help me here.”
“All right, then Miss,” said Ruben. “Call for me or any of our maids if you need something. In the meantime, I’ll get you some hot tea. That ought to make you feel better.”
“Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile on my lips.
Gabrielle left with Ruben. As soon as the doors closed, I sank into the bed again. Brushing away my tears, I looked up at Zoya.
“Some party, huh?” I said.
“Not funny, Paris!” she scolded. “You could have drowned if Gabrielle didn’t get to you in time. No one else bothered to jump in after you. It even took me a while to notice what happened. I heard a splash in the pool but didn’t think much of it until I saw everyone staring at the water. That’s when I knew someone fell in there. I di
dn’t even know it was you until Gabrielle brought you up!” She sat down beside me and exhaled a long breath. “Liam is an asshole but I never took him for a psychopath. You should come home with me right now.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I am fine now. You should get Javier to drive you home.”
“Paris.”
Getting to my feet, I went to the large closet in the room. Throwing it open, I gestured at it. “See? Plenty of clothes here. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m just going to change and wait for Ruben to get me some tea. He’ll make sure I’m fine.”
Zoya looked hesitant to go but I had to make her. There was no point in going with her and becoming another unwanted charity case under her stepfather. People like me were burdens no one wanted anyway. I just had to wait till I turned eighteen, got my degree and went away to university. Until then, I’d just have to grit my teeth and accept the charity the Davenports offered me. It was as comforting as ashes in my mouth, but it was better than getting caught up in foster care.
Taking a nightdress out, I went into the bathroom. A look at the mirror told me how hellish I looked. My skin was so pale it almost looked translucent. The long strands of my wavy, indigo hair hung in wet tendrils. Green eyes shimmered with emotion as I stared into my reflection.
Tearing my gaze away, I stripped out of the beautiful blue dress and stepped under the shower. Hot water drummed on my frozen skin but failed to remove the cold that had settled deep in my heart.
Switching off the water, I put on a robe and took up the hairdryer.
By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, I knew I didn’t look like a pitiful wet crow. My hair was dry and brushed. A sexy nightdress of silver satin hung from my ample curves.
“You look much better now,” said Zoya. She brought me a cup and saucer. “Ruben left this for you. It’s a ginger and honey tea.”
“Thanks,” I said, taking it from her and sipping the hot beverage. It was good and comforting. “Don’t let me spoil your mood. If you want to enjoy the party, go ahead. Just make sure to call Javier when you leave.”