I stared at myself in the mirror one last time before I headed out to the car waiting for me, I'd done my best to look exactly how my mother had asked. The driver pressed down on the horn and I turned away from the mirror.
"You're late," was the first thing Ms. Elliot said to me from where she sat in the passenger seat without taking her eyes away from her tablet. I rolled my eyes, it was just two minutes.
I hesitated with my hand over the door handle, did I really want to do this tonight? I was excited to be there for my sister, but could I spend the night with the man my family expected me to marry, pretending to be a happy couple?
"What the fuck are you waiting for?" She spat," get in, we're far behind schedule already and what is that on your feet?"
I shuffled my feet and stared at the ballet flats I'd switched into last minute. I'd tried wearing the heels, but they'd hurt especially with the injury, so I'd had to leave them behind.
"I hurt my feet, so I couldn't wear the heels. Sorry." I shrugged trying to look nonchalant but inside, I was terrified she'd force me to wear the heels.
"I gave you strict orders on what to wear and this," she waved her hand over my look, "was not it."
"It hurt far too much to wear them, and I'm sure you wouldn't want me to pass out from the pain in the middle of the premiere. You'd have a really hard time explaining that to my Mother." I chewed the inside of my cheek knowing I was walking a thin line, she could either call my bluff and force me to wear the shoes or play it safe.
"Your mother will be furious." She chewed her lip and I smirked knowing I'd won this round.
"I'll explain everything to her," I said calmly. As much as she liked to ignore it, she knew as well as I did, that her stay with my mother was only temporary. Elizabeth Kingsley never kept an assistant for more than 6 months, and as much as she tried, Melissa Elliot wouldn't be the one to change that.
"Now, do you expect me to open the door myself?" I quirked and eyebrow staring down at her. She nodded to the driver, and he slid out to open my door.
With a small sigh of relief, I slid into the car and poured myself a drink as the driver returned to his seat. There was no way I was getting through this night without liquid courage.
The cup was empty much faster than I'd expected, and I poured myself another one, carefully resting my head so as not to mess up my hair.
I closed my eyes trying to relax, but Jacob's angry face flashed before my eyes and the sound of smashing glass rang in my ears. I flung myself up straight and smashed my hand on the button for the glass partition.
I took deep breaths, sweat dripping onto the floor beneath me. I glanced around the small space looking for something to take my mind off tonight's earlier events, but there was nothing.
My hand shook, and I gritted my teeth willing it to stop, but it wouldn't no matter how hard I tried. I poured myself another glass, the drink splashing over the sides of the cup, I threw it back and poured myself another, forcing my body to calm down.
The city lights rolled past outside the window and I took it in, pressing my forehead to the window, and all of a sudden, I longed to be out there and be one of the many other people simply going about their normal lives.
"I can't do this." I muttered as my breaths came out faster and faster and my dress tightened around me. " I have to get out of here."
" We're here," Ms. Elliot called from the front. The glass slid down, " I'm sure you know the behaviour expected of you. You will not ruin this." My breaths came in even faster and the sound filled the car.
"What's, what's wrong with you?" She stuttered, looking confused.
"I can't breathe." I spat wheezing. I clawed at my throat, scratching as hard as I could.
"Stop that," She grabbed my hands. "You'll hurt yourself. Get it together," She grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard. "There is far too much riding on this, the press cannot get a single whiff of anything. Now, get it together and get out there. You're a Sander, goddammit. Tonight goes wrong, and you and I are both dead." She breathed heavily.
I stared at her in shock, her words sinking in. I gathered the scattered pieces of myself together and pulled out a compact mirror to fix my look.
"I can do this." I muttered, brushing my hands over my gown. I was a fucking Sanders, and we did not falter, it also didn't help, that I was a bit tipsy.
I collected myself together and got out of the car to blinding lights and constant clicking and flashing. I inhaled the crisp night air and squared my shoulders.
My security detail gathered around me, shielding me from the reporters, and I took the opportunity to put on my mask once more.
"Ms. Sanders, how do you feel about your sister acting in this movie? Some say it's her biggest role yet."
I tapped the arm of one of the burly men to let me through and faced the reporter, allowing the rest to take nice pictures.
"My family and I are very proud of her and look forward to seeing her in many more roles." I gave him a gracious smile and moved on, that answer had been perfect, mother wouldn't be able to criticize me.
"Rachel," another called. "What about, Adrian, will he be here?" Another asked.
"I don't see why not" I said, looking confused. "It is his movie, after all." The others laughed, and I smiled at the blushing man.
"Why isn't he here to greet you?" This one was from a mousey looking small man with a sneer on his face. "Scratch that, why isn't he escorting you?"
A bead of sweat dripped down my back and my palms grew damp. I discreetly wiped them on my dress.
"My fiancé is a very busy man, and needed to be here earlier due to technical difficulties. He was unfortunately unable to escort me because of these issues. I'm sorry, but that's all for now."
I nodded at them, and my security tightened around me. I paused at the entry and stared at the tall looming building before me. It was absolutely beautiful with gothic elements, yet it had this air of sophistication.
Calming myself, I climbed the stairs and braced myself for the rest of the night to come.