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"Watch your step, asshole," I spit out.
"Excuse me?" he narrows his eyes, finally giving me the attention I'm craving so desperately. "Were you speaking to me?"
"Fuck you," I snarl.
"For what now?"
"For acting like a selfish, self-entitled, mean prick who-"
"Lily Anna!" My father roars to life, staring me down until I turn into the meek sheep he's been trying to force me to be this whole time. "Manners. Don't make me remind you again, because you won't like the second warning."
I quieten down and Dex smirks at me before heading into the building. My father shifts his attention to the next guest while Tianna steps closer and surprises me by squeezing my hand with hers.
"Behave," she mouths at me, and I manage a small smile as we return to greeting the guests walking into the Estate.
I really couldn't care less about the event and what it stands for, and it seems as if most of the people here are in silent agreement. They'll take any excuse to get drunk and party. The parents aren't that much better than the Firstborns - I can tell where these kids got their bad habits from.
By the time we're done greeting the most important people, I've seen two business-clad Dads snorting coke, one right off the entryway mahogany table and the other during a conversation with my father. Some people are already drunk, and it's getting loud and boisterous in the luxuriously decorated hall.
The staff helps us move into the house, where there are three designated seating areas - one for Firstborns, one for the founding members, and one for everybody else. I'm shown to my seat by Belle and am none too pleased to find I'm sitting opposite of Dexter, and next to Caspian and Lai.
Araminta is there too, but since Julian's party, I haven't really trusted her. She's one of those people who picks alliances based on whatever works for her in the moment, and I have a feeling I'll never be able to trust her completely. Now, she winks at me, showing off her pearly smile as her eyes meet mine. I look away.
We fill the room up, but I'm the only one sitting at the table, nervously toying with the hem of my dress. I want to be anywhere but here right now.
The sound of a bell announces the food's about to be carried out, and soon, the seats fill with other people. I feel Dexter's cold gaze on mine as he sits down in front of me, but I refuse to acknowledge his presence. Serves him fucking right for treating me like an object when I'm just as important as he thinks he is.
Chatter erupts around the table as the servants start bringing out food. I spot Belle and Minnie working together, and the pretty blonde offers me a shy smile as she sets down a bowl of cucumber soup in front of me.
"Hi, Minnie," I whisper, grateful for my only friend in the room.
"Hello, Pand-Miss Lily Anna," she replies formally, catching herself before she can finish the sentence.
But it doesn't go unnoticed.
I feel Julian's eyes on me, and when I look up, the calculating look on his face tells me everything I need to know.
"Awful friendly with the staff there, Lily Anna," he says coolly, and I blush to the roots of my hair.
"I hardly see how that's any of your business," I clip back, giving Minnie a quick look to let her know I've got her back.
"Well, it's setting a bad example," Julian goes on thoughtfully. "I really think we should address it now before it gets even more out of hand." "Don't be ridiculous," I hiss in response. "Minnie's a friend."
"A friend?" Lai scoffs from the other side of the table. "You've made friends with the maid?"
Minnie flushes, setting down two more bowls before attempting to get away, but Julian won't let her. His hand wraps around her left arm, and their eyes lock. She's terrified, he's smug as hell, and I know I've just gotten my only friend into some serious trouble.
"Dexter," I hiss, trying to get my fiancé’s attention. "Do something."
He looks up from his plate, staring at me intently before shifting h
is attention to his friend and the maid. An expression of fury crosses his face briefly, but he doesn't acknowledge it, instead just pushing his dark hair back and sighing loudly.
"Dexter!" I remind him again. "He's hurting her."
I don't know if I'm right, but the grip Julian has on Minnie's wrist looks fucking painful, and she's pale as a ghost.
"Let go of her, Julian," Dexter drawls out, his tone bored. "I don't have time to deal with this right now."
