Ever since I was born, I always knew luck was never on my side.
From the moment I drew my first breath, it seemed the universe automatically decided that luck and I would never be friends. Every step I took felt like a stumble, every chance I grasped slipped through my fingers like grains of sand. Life wasn't a fairytale or even a tragic poem for me, it was a long endless sigh of misfortune.
I wasn't just an unlucky kid, I was the kid! I was the kid who had no friends, the kid who was always picked on, the kid lost her parents before she even knew what loss meant. The one who got stuck with a shitty uncle who lived in a shitty apartment and mostly saw me as an inconvenience.
And just when I decided to end it all when I was forced to marry a cruel man, who was twice my age, luck still wasn't on my side. It ended with my fates being swapped into another life. A luxurious but confusing one.
I gripped the stem of the champagne flute a little tighter, hoping no one would notice just how nervous I was. My nerves felt like they were on fire, and the black corset dress I was wearing now felt like a suffocating prison. Every breath seemed harder than the last, each shallow inhale straining against the lace cinching my torso. My feet screamed for mercy, crammed into a pair of Louboutins and made to walk around for hours. To top it all off, my cheeks ached from forcing a smile that had long since stopped from being genuine.
"Lovely party you've thrown here Andrea!"
The voice broke through my daze and I quickly turned to face the owner. Mr. Jacob Kowalski, shareholder of the company and also a very important guests! My mental checklist lit up in bright red letters as I plastered on yet another practiced smile while stretching my hand for a handshake. "It's a pleasure to have you here Mr. Kowalski."
He took my hand with a firm grip, nodding his head in approval as he gazed around the room with sharp blue eyes. "You've outdone yourself once again Andrea, everything looks perfect!"
"Thank you!" I said trying not to cringe at the compliment.
Perfect? Please it was far from perfect! When I had learnt that there was going to be a party during dinner with the executives, I almost lost it right there. I had smiled through gritted teeth as if I remember the party and what I was supposed to do when I was completely freaking out on the inside!
Mr. Jacob Kowalski nodded his head as if pleased, he then turned to look at his companion. It was a woman who looked younger than him, leaning closer to my age. Was she his wife? Girlfriend? Mistress? Honestly, I didn't know and didn't want to. But I decided to acknowledge her all the same, out of politeness of course.
"You look lovely in that gown." I said shooting her a warm smile.
The woman's gaze lit up as she stared down at the red dress she was putting on. "Why thank you Andrea, you gave it to me as a birthday gift."
"I did huh." I said while downing the last of my bubbly drink, slightly freaking out at another thing I did not remember. The alcohol burned slightly as it went down, but it didn't ease the rising tide of dread. "I see I have impeccable taste just as Mr. Kowalski. You suit each other!" I added forcing out a chuckle.
The smile vanished from the woman's face just as Mr. Kowalski's brows furrowed at my statement. Alarm bells went off in my head and I realized too late I had stepped on a landmine. The woman frowned at me before she released an incredulous scoff.
"Really Andrea?" She asked her tone cutting, "Is this a polite way of you telling me I'm starting to look as old as my father?"
What? Shit! "That…that's not what I meant!" I said out loud, "I only meant….I only meant…" My mind scrambled for what to say to ease the situation.
"Please do not take my wife's joke to heart!" A new voice interrupted smoothly.
I turned wide eyed only to see Grayson approaching us. He was sharply dressed in a sleek black tuxedo that oozed confidence, his every step deliberate and commanding. His smile was warm, disarming even as walked towards me. Grayson wrapped an arm around me, drawing me closer towards him while placing a quick chaste kiss on my lips as if it was the most natural thing in the word to do. The gesture was seamless, like a well-rehearsed act but it left me feeling more cornered than comforted.
Turning to look at our guests with a charming smile on his face, Grayson took over the situation. "Come on Tatiana, you do know how Andrea jokes. Besides it more of a compliment," Grayson spoke and I couldn't help but frown at him even Tatiana didn't look convinced.
"Is that so?" Tatiana asked, her voice still tinged with skepticism.
"Absolutely," Grayson replied, his arm still around me, his grip just firm enough to remind me who was in charge. "She simply meant your father's health is getting better, improving so fast it almost look like he is getting younger."
At that, Mr. Kowalski let out a boisterous laughter. My shoulders relaxed a little bit at that, even Tatiana had a smile on her face as she stared at her father with a look of pride on her face.
Mr. Kowalski beamed up at me, his laughter echoing in space around us. "Now that's a compliment I'll gladly accept," He said, his voice rich with amusement. "You've got a sharp tongue but I like it!"
I released a relieved breath while plastering a smile on my face. "Why thank you. I am glad you took it in the spirit it was intended."
Tatiana's expression softened but I could see the tiniest bit of doubt lingering in her gaze as she stared at me. She opened her mouth to speak, likely to question me further but before she could we were suddenly interrupted by a group of guests entering the room. Relief washed over me as I spotted the guests who turned out to be my family entering the room.
My eyes lit up at the sight of my father shaking hands with a group of executives who had approached him. For a moment, the tension in my chest eased and I allowed myself to breathe. The attention would be shifted on him now and I was going to get a little bit of rest.
"Hey, you okay?" Grayson asked me, his tone oddly gentle.
"Hmm mm…" I hummed, not taking my eyes off my father as he exchanged polite smiles and nods.
I stood still smiling and waiting for when my family would get close to us when all of a sudden, there was a an unexpected screech of feedback which echoed from the microphone, slicing through the hum of conversation.
Frowning, I wondered who it could be. Turning to face the podium, my breath hitched.
There, standing in the harsh spotlight was a figure I didn't think I would be seeing anytime soon, and even if I did, I was going to be avoiding her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," She began, her voice smooth yet laced with an edge that sent shivers down my spine, "I hope you do not mind but I have a little announcement to make about Andrea…"
My heart plummeted as every pair of eyes in the room turned to look at me just at the spotlight shone brightly at me.
Oh no!