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I need to tell her the truth.
I need to tell Pandora Oakes I love her before it's too late...
18
> Pandora
I'm saying goodbye to Eden Falls today.
Nobody knows but Lai, and I've sworn him to secrecy. I can't risk this going back to Dex - I'm certain he'd try to stop me before I so much as made it to the train station in town. There's one last thing I need to do before I leave Eden Falls.
I need to end this town's sick hierarchy that made me feel on top of the world and worthless at the same time.
At Lai's house, I've been given the luxuries I've become accustomed to - a gorgeous guest bedroom with an adjoined bathroom, access to the rest of the stunning villa and the promise that I'd meet Lai's stepbrother, Dion, that night at dinner.
Lai has opted to give me privacy, and I'm immensely grateful for it. I can't bring myself to deal with my own feelings just yet. I can't even think about Dexter without feeling sick down to my stomach. And Lai doesn't ask questions. He keeps a respectful distance, giving me room to breathe.
I get ready on my own in the guest bedroom that night. I put on a pretty dress and half-heartedly do my makeup to make sure I look presentable. My mind circles around them - Dex. Father. Minnie. My siblings. I wonder if I'll miss them when I leave. I wonder whether I still want Dex to come with me.
It's only been a few hours but I already miss him, and I hate myself for being so weak for the boy who hates me. I tell myself I'll give him another chance. Just one more. If he doesn't prove how he feels about me this time around, it's officially over.
Setting my hairbrush down with determination, I scrutinize my appearance in the mirror.
I look good. Good enough to make Dexter jealous when he finds out who I'm staying with.
With a self-satisfied smirk, I walk down the stairs to the dining hall where dinner will be served.
Lai isn't there yet, but I notice another shadowy figure standing by the curtains, staring out into the gardens with his back to me.
"Hi," I speak up. "I'm Pandora Oakes. You must be..."
He turns around sharply. Just like the rest of this town's inhabitants, he's ridiculously handsome. He towers above me. He's not muscular, but instead lean and dangerous-looking, with a chiseled face you could cut your lips on.
"Dion," he speaks up. "Dion Grayberry, Lai's stepbrother."
He extends a hand and I shake it. He holds my palm so hard I struggle not to wince.
"So you're the new Oakes girl," he mutters. "Better than the last one, by the looks of it."
I smile, secretly pleased with his Lily Anna aversion. "What was wrong with the last one?"
"Spoiled little bitch." He waves his hand dismissively while I drink in his features some more. He really is painfully good looking. "Didn't care for her one bit."
"Good," I reply resolutely. "I can't say I do either."
He smirks and motions for me to sit down. I feel nervous without Lai there but I do as I'm told, sitting to his left. He watches me closely as the maids fill our glasses with drinks.
"You look nothing like her."
"Good," I repeat. "I don't want to."
"But you do kind of have the same attitude."
"Excuse me?"
"See?" He laughs. "Right there. A little brat, just like that intolerable girl."
"I'm not a brat." I lean back in my chair, glaring at the guy.
