Aside from forcing Lucian to produce more pillows, our schedules and habits have remained relatively unchanged.
Okay. Maybe my take-out food situation has lessened~
And there's always a big dog waiting at home.
But the most surprising change was the tracking.
One morning, Lucian suddenly handed over a new phone with access to his whereabouts.
I had expected him to ask for access to my location, but I didn't expect him to give me his locator.
"You're okay with letting me know?"
"And why couldn't you know?"
Well, Jasper would throw a fit when asked.
So to have this on 24/7? The little shit would have a meltdown.
I returned the same favor.
My parents have long established a system to track me. I've had an implant since I was young. After all, they're not kidding when they say that people were lining up to kidnap me. They really were.
But Lucian couldn't access that, so I decided to hand over my phone.
Instead, I received several boxes. He just said we'll use these instead. The box had jewelry—lots of it.
Let's pick the ones suitable for daily use.
If I had originally been inconspicuous, wearing the fancy ones would call upon thieves instead.
But the guy wasn't done and handed me another box. "This is?"
He opened the box for me, and in it was a gorgeous ring with a tapered teardrop diamond. I was speechless and figured that if I ask him why he's giving me this, he'll give me shit about my self-respect again.
"Here, try it on. If it's not up to your taste, I can get you something else."
The ring felt a bit heavy and was definitely blinding. Hopefully, the guy didn't take this from some poor couple.
"This was customized and did not come from some unfortunate soul. It took a while to find a non-obnoxious cut, so I've only given this to you today."
Nice to know.
I don't have a problem with inherited jewelry; those are great, too.
But with how unfortunate I am, I won't be surprised to pick the one that carried the souls of some ancient evil.
Then I'll randomly set it free into the world. That unlucky.
Lucian reached for another box. This time, I was greeted with two platinum bands. Like my new engagement ring, he asked for my hand for the wedding band.
"You're surprisingly detail-oriented about these things." For a guy who's only fond of business and statistics, I didn't take him as the traditional type.
He even waited for me to put the ring on him—that traditional.
"Eliana Selene Thornhill Sinclair, this is but a small token for the inevitable pain of changing all your identification."
Oh God.
I forgot about that.
Maybe I shouldn't have turned down all those assistants.
Just thinking about it has made me feel pained.
At least my hand looks great.
I like these new weapons.
__
The ball was probably in full swing by the time we arrived at the Golden Crest Hotel, the biggest hotel under the Thornhill banner.
Well, I'd say Thornhill, but it's actually owned by my parents, not something we inherited from the family elders. In fact, our businesses were all established under my Mom's name—a full display of Dad's cheesiness.
Dazzling lights and multiple wine towers were visible from the hall's entrance.
Various guests littered the corridors, and waiters fluttered around, handing out refreshments everywhere, like every founding ball the clan has hosted. The difference would be the guests.
Aunt Ingrid had always organized the annual founding ball. It was practically her crusade.
The way she described the preparation ordeal made it sound like she was performing open heart surgery.
Because my Mom generally didn't care about such trivial gatherings, she'd just authorize the event funding. But given the organizers, it wouldn't be surprising for most guests to be cronies of the dazzling duo.
But not today.
My Mom seems to have interfered with the arrangements in a not-so-silent protest.
We've got a slew of employees and company stakeholders instead of the usual "family" cheerleaders.
So, the atmosphere was a bit different when I entered. Instead of the expected judgemental stares aimed at the price tag of my ensemble, I was only greeted by inquiring smiles.
It's unsurprising because of my preference for staying low-key.
Today, I sported an offshouldered iridescent dress that shimmered as I walked. My short hair finally came into play, highlighting my shoulders and neck.
Alexa had always taken offense to my decision to keep my hair this short as if I was cutting hers instead. But what she kept on hating now highlighted the heavy weight on my neck.
Lucian decided to arm me with a piece that screamed, "Die plebians," and I'm here to bear this weight until the night ends.
The harmless guests seemed to like the view, while the cronies looked like they had accidentally swallowed a fly.
Because they know it's unusual.
And only an idiot would ignore the shifting of the tides.
I've always attended such gatherings like going through the motions and skipping everything that could be skipped. But today, I'm here for blood.
Grandpa was nowhere to be found, but luckily, I spotted my parents.
"Mom, Dad!" I excitedly greeted my parents, who looked surprised—especially my dad. Mom understood my love for comfortable clothes. So in reality all those princess dresses had come from my dad.
"Eli! You look wonderful, my dear!" My parents momentarily crowded over me before remembering to ask about Lucian.
"He's going to follow in a bit. He suddenly received an emergency communication and had to deal with it outside." Well, more like in the car.
My parents understood. But I was a bit worried.
It was unusual for him to get something that required him to stop suddenly.
"How's everyone, Mom? And where's Grandpa?" I whispered, wondering about the current atmosphere.
"He's with your uncle, entertaining a guest privately." Her expression wouldn't reveal much to others, but I'm her daughter. So I know something's up.
Ideally, the Sinclairs were slated to come as guests. After all, they're relatives now. But since Grandpa agreed to Aunt Ingrid's request to move up the ball, they've had to honor their original engagements.
But Lucian's never been one to need moral support. It's pretty much me who needs that tonight, especially since my Grandpa's not yet here. And there's not even a shadow of Alexa anywhere.
Her floral scent usually wafted around like it was no one's business.
But so far, nothing. Like she hadn't been down here at all.
I unknowingly wished Lucian were here. The guy had always been reliable in situations like this.
True enough. Seek, and you will find.
Clad in white like she's about to walk down the aisle, Alexa strutted in with Jasper.
If I didn't know the event, I really would've mistaken this for a wedding sans the wedding march.
At least they had the decency to enter first this time, unlike those several years they purposely entered after Grandpa.
She looked at everyone that looked interested in her. While Jasper looked around, searching for something.
Then, just as I looked over, Alexa finally noticed me. She tried masking it, but disdain flashed through her eyes. But weirdly enough, her mood suddenly improved, and she smiled ever so sweetly as if the same mouth had never touched an innumerable number of recycled dicks.
Itchy.
And slimy.
That gloating face of hers may even be able to repel the dead with how potently disgusting it is.
It was then that Grandpa came in with my Uncle, Aunt Ingrid, and a much younger guy in tow.
Grandpa nodded to a few people, which was normally the signal that he was now willing to receive greetings. So we followed my Dad over to pay our respects properly.
When it was finally my turn to greet Grandpa, I overheard Aunt Ingrid's grating voice calling for me.
"There you are, Eliana! I've been looking for you everywhere!" Her voice practically dripping with honey.
"Yes, Auntie?" the smile barely reaching my eyes.
Vibrating like a jackhammer, Aunt Ingrid could barely handle her enthusiasm.
Bad omen.
"Sweetie, you see, we'd like you to meet someone." She moved to the side, making way for the man who entered with Grandpa.
Sporting a clean cut, relatively lean, and just a bit shorter than Lucian, the man just stared at me.
Was he expecting some sort of special welcome?
Several people have started noticing Aunt Ingrid's overzealous behavior. Then she said, "This is Nicholas Bernard. You should be in charge of entertaining him tonight. That way, you'll be closer in no time."
She presented him like a circus animal but didn't get a round of applause.
Short of blatantly asking, 'Why the fuck should I do that?' I decided to ask with as much manners as I could still muster.
"I'm Eliana. Apologies, but I don't think I'd be the best fit for that role. I'd rather not cost you a pleasant time at this ball." I immediately made my case.
"Of course, that's not true! You're the best fit for this!" Aunt Ingrid exclaimed, calling the attention of even more people.
I didn't even bother to respond. Letting my eyebrow do the talking. Instead, I turned to look at Grandpa.
Because I wanted to see his face, expression, and body language.
I wanted all of those to be engraved in my mind.
Because I'd like to know how he feels about disappointing me again.
Because I know that whatever comes out of Alexa's mouth, who's managed to slither towards us excitedly, maybe a deciding moment for me.
"Only you could do the job. After all, he's here for you. Since that's Nicholas Bernard, your new fiance." Alexa sounded giddy. As giddy as a witch who's been promised someone's firstborn child.
And just like that, I knew the face of someone whose "love" had limits.
My very own Judas.