210–All Eyes On Me
Nora:
Ball Day:
My perfectly curled hair was adorned with side braids. Lord Atwood had sent me a golden crown to wear with the gown. The red slippers. reminded me of Cinderella. I felt like a princess.
Honestly speaking, after the last few days, I really felt beautiful now that I was wearing that red gown and was ready to leave the room.
I hoped for a peaceful day even though I knew Natalya and April were already downstairs with their boyfriends. My body flinched whenever I thought about it.
After I was all set to go, I heard a knock on the door. Upon opening it, I welcomed Lord Atwood into the room. His eyes were wide open at me, his face showing that he liked the way I looked.
“Do I look good?” I asked, giving my gown a full circle.
“You look like a true queen,” he smiled, his comment making me blush.
“May I walk you downstairs? Your boyfriend is waiting for you,” he held his arm out for me, and I shyly wrapped my arm around his, imagining Brody’s face when he would see me walk downstairs.
Lord Atwood escorted me to the stairs before we stopped, and he stayed while I started making my way downstairs with my hands. holding my gown to prevent it from coming under my sandals.
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I looked down and found Brody standing near the and a look of shock on his face.
He looked so handsome in that gray suit.
last step, his head up
But right behind him was Ryker in a black suit, his eyes fixed on my face, making me anxious. With him was Cain in a dark gray suit, unaware of the stories Natalya was telling him. His head was up, and his eyes scanned me.
Nash wore a white suit and stood alone near the door, observing me. Having such attention focused on me was not something I was used to, at least not anymore. It made me wonder if I really looked that good.
Silas appeared in his regular black hoodie, arms folded over his chest as he leaned against the door frame, watching me.
Once I reached the last step, Brody extended his hand to me, and I took it. “Wow!” was all he could utter as we joined the others.
April was in a blue gown while Natalya was wearing all white. It seemed a bit odd since my first gown was also all white. I shook the thoughts away, deciding not to entangle myself in any more messes and to live my life peacefully now.
“Kids, you go ahead. I will join you with the council,” Lord Atwood. spoke from the top of the stairs, and we all nodded.
A limo was prepared and waiting outside for us. We all piled into one car to avoid arriving late. Brody got inside first, and as I was about to enter, I heard Ryker comment, “like a princess.”
I turned to Ryker and noticed how quickly he looked away, making Nash uncomfortable with whom he was talking. I then continued to enter and sat right next to Brody, who instantly held my hand as if to
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tell everyone I was his date tonight.
Natalya jumped beside Cain, who was leaning comfortably with one leg stretched out, hands in his pockets, making it difficult for Natalya. to hold his hand.
April sat next to Ryker, not saying much.
Nash was in the passenger seat with the driver.
As our journey began, it grew more awkward as nobody was really talking. However, soon Brody took the lead as he turned to me and passed me a quick glance.
“The white one was ruined,” I whispered, reminding him about the incident I had told him about in his apartment.
“Oh yes, you told me about it at our apartment,” he nodded.
“Our apartment?” I didn’t expect Ryker to be listening in on us. Or maybe he wasn’t. He just got lucky because nobody else was talking.
“Oh yes, why don’t you tell him you got an apartment for both of you,” April, who had been silent ever since she saw me walk downstairs, suddenly chimed in, amused. Obviously, she found a reason for my stepbrothers to argue with me now.
Ryker narrowed his eyes at me, giving me a very threatening look.
“He is my boyfriend and-” Before I could finish, Cain shifted in his seat and muttered,
“And you’ve been to that apartment?”
My body flinched at his question. Didn’t he say we would stay away from each other? So why was he questioning me now? But I didn’t
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snap at him because I had a good response to his query.
“Your girlfriend frequents the mansion. It’s normal for a girlfriend to visit her boyfriend’s place,” I said, not even sounding defensive. I just knew I was in the right.
“Because she’s not a novelty,” the way Cain didn’t even care that
Natalya got hurt with his words was not surprising. He was like that- selfish and rude.
“Does Dad know about it?” Ryker questioned, making me a little.
anxious.
“Dad knew I was going to get an apartment-” I didn’t even get to finish.
“You went to his apartment and didn’t even tell Dad? And that old man worries all the time for you,” Cain almost let out a grunt that shook me.
“I will speak to her father, and I’m sure he will be fine with the idea. I have actually mentioned it before that I am buying an apartment very soon so that she can come visit me there,” Brody, who had kept his calm for a while, finally snapped. The brothers shared a very intense glance before turning to look his way.
“We’re not talking to you,” Ryker hissed, sitting down when he attempted to get up because April wrapped her arms around his, restraining him.
“You’re talking to my girlfriend, and I will not allow anyone to scare her off,” Brody finished, and thankfully, we arrived, and the topic was interrupted by the chauffeur opening the door.
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