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I click my tongue as I mull over his words and debate on how to steer the conversation in the direction I need. “Could it be about that silent investor you were talking about?”
The praise is clear in his voice as he agrees with me. “They aren’t the only ones either. The pot’s been stirred, Sweetheart. A lot of people are trying to figure out just who did it and how they could benefit off of it. The Halstead’s are practically chomping at the bit for information but no one has any.”
“New money?” I throw out there. Sometimes when a family is attempting to carve their way past the barriers of elitism, they will team up with a family with a long history. Someone to back them. To help ease their way into society without many of the plights they would face on their own. Not all money is created equal.
“Could be,” he agrees, but by his contemplative tone, I can tell he’s not set on one answer.
We talk a little bit longer as he fills me in about other things for the Thanksgiving ball I’ll be returning home for. Apparently, my mother is having a blast planning it with the twins’ mom. I can only imagine how extravagant this year will be compared to last year with all the excitement going around. Who knew one deal could have so many ripples? I smirk, knowing the consequences for Carson aren’t quite over yet.
I get a few other helpful hints and tips from my dad that he never even realizes he gives me before ending the call as I can barely keep my eyes open any longer. My eyes are heavy as I throw my phone on the table next to the bed, but my body and heart feels so much lighter after talking to my dad. I should have called him earlier. I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face.
By the time I wake up the next morning I feel better rested, lighter somehow.
It’s a bit of work to get the room back in order, clear everything away and get my bag packed, but once I’ve done that I get myself dressed. Showering first, I make sure to take something for the pain before I get myself cleaned and back into Montgomery order. My hair is freshly blown out and I put on a long sleeve sweater with some fitted pants, before covering any remaining bruises with concealer. Once I feel like myself again, or the new version of myself at least, I call for a car and head down to reception to check out.
The drive back to campus is short, but I go over all the information that I have stored in my phone and recite it to myself to remind myself what I’m doing. I fire off a quick text to Shelby and by the time I am pulling up in front of our building she is already outside waiting for me. I let the driver help me out and grab the bags before I thank him, tip him, and say goodbye. Shelby takes my bags from me, scowling at me as she does.
“You left me for nine days and I said nothing, I am carrying your bags.” Her tone is playful and teasing but still it causes tears to gather at the back of my eyes.
Her face drops and I have to fight back my cry. “I’m fine, I promise.” I swipe my cheek of the stray tear that fell and clear my throat. “I just missed you, that's all.”
“I missed you too, B.” She pulls me in for a tight hug that hurts more than I want to admit, but thankfully she must realize because she pulls back and mouths a silent apology.
I smile, shaking off the pain. “Come on, let’s head up and you can catch me up on everything I’ve missed.”
She looks a little relieved as she smirks. “Now, that I can do.”
Shelby leads the way upstairs and when I walk back inside the dorm room I almost stumble. The sight of it is harder than I thought it would be. The flash of Carson is instant. His fists on my body, his fingers on my breasts. I feel the vomit churning in my stomach, but I mash it down quickly before Shelby can notice my rising panic. I take a silent deep breath and move towards my bed only to find a huge box obstructing it.
“Shelby, what did you do?” I take in the black satin of the box and the orange ribbon tied around it. It’s beautiful.
When I turn to her she is already shaking her head. “Not me, your favorite foursome,” she muses with a smile. “They dropped that off for you two nights ago, and said it was part of your reward.” She wiggles her eyebrows as she dumps my bags to the floor and takes a seat next to the box on my bed.
A zap of excitement shoots through me at the thought of my reward. I knew to expect something, but after how the night of the undie run ended, I guess I hadn’t really thought about it since then. I didn’t want to. I want the game to end. I don’t want any more bets, or I guess I should say more punishments, but I always loved the rewards. Looking down at the box I can’t help but let my mind wonder. What the hell could it be? The box is huge and I’m almost scared to open it, but like a kid on Christmas I can’t wait.
I reach out and slowly slip off the orange ribbon until it falls away from the lid and take a deep breath before I lift it. Shelby rises slightly, already trying to peer inside to get a glimpse of what’s in it, which is pointless because whatever it is, is covered in black tissue paper. I almost roll my eyes at how much effort they have put into this, but I can’t because the warmth that starts spreading through my chest chases it away.
There is a thick cream envelope laying on the top with my name on it, and I know from the writing that Elias has written it. I’d recognize his penmanship anywhere. I tentatively flip it over and rip it over, a slight tremble in my hands that I pray Shelby doesn’t notice.
I’m still reading over the words when Shelby gets impatient. “What does it say?”
I shake my head with a smile. “It’s an invitation to a Halloween party.” I put the note down on top of the discarded lid and rip into the tissue paper. The gasp that leaves me takes my breath away as I stare down at the beautiful costume.
They remembered.
This time last year the guys and I had one of our usual bets going on and their punishment if they didn’t complete it was to dress up with me in themed costumes. I had a whole plan of what we would go as and who would wear what. I’d never hoped so hard before that they’d actually fail one of their tasks, but of course they didn’t.
My hands reach inside the box and trail over the smooth blue dress and silk white apron. It’s so simple, yet stunning at the same time. The apron has the shapes of a deck of cards around the bottom, and I can see there is a matching blue satin headband, and some striped stockings. It’s perfect.
The perfect Alice in Wonderland Costume.
Tears gather in the back of my eyes. I can’t believe they really remembered this. I reach out and pick the note back up and reread Elias’s words.
The reward is late, but let’s do this, Baby B.
Attendance is mandatory and so is the costume.
So commanding, so typical, so Eli, and I find myself wanting to blush under the old nickname that I have missed hearing. It feels familiar and safe, something I have been lacking lately and I can’t help but dream of actually going.
