Chapter 8

''My daughter looks so cute today!''

Today was the day I was not looking forward to.

My mother's tea party was going to begin soon and we were waiting for our car.

''Hold on, let me take a picture.'' She said and went to her room to search for her phone.

When she left, I relaxed my face.

'This is so annoying.'

After my entrance exam, my mother had been quite obsessed over the tea party. She made me go to stores with her, pick gifts, practice manners, etc. l began to avoid her as best as I could. That was the only time I had peace.

'Is this how it's going to be from now on?'

Rich people were always invited to parties and events, right?

I groaned at the thought, why are rich people so obsessed with parties?

''What's wrong?'' My brother came up to me.

''Oh- '' I got startled. ''It's nothing.''

He looked at me suspiciously.

''Is it the party?'' His eyes questioned me.

I paused for a little, could I trust him?

I mean, he wouldn't do anything.

''Yes.'' I sighed my answer. ''I don't get why mother is so obsessed with the party.''

''Hmm, I feel you.'' He agreed.

I raised my head quickly to look at him.

''You do?''

''Well, father does that often with his business meetings. I guess he brings me to brag to his competitors and introduce me.'' He said indifferently.

'That must be a lot of pressure for a 7 year old.'

I felt bad after I heard him.

'I really don't have the right to complain. After all, I'm technically 18 years old. A literal 7 year old is doing better than me.'

I smiled at him and understood the importance.

''You're right, it's for our image and future.'' I agreed. ''I promise I'll give it all my effort and bring pride to our family.''

Before he could answer, I quickly changed the subject.

''Right, are you going horseback riding?''

My brother had been going to practice most of the week. I would know everytime he went because of his training clothes.

I was somewhat jealous of him being able to leave the house.

'Perhaps I should ask my parents if I could-'

''Ah Felicia, I found the camera.'' My mother came running down the stairs with an overly excited smile.

''Oh, Konrad I thought you had already left for practice.'' My mother noticed my brother.

''Yes, I'm heading out soon.'' He answered.

''Wait! I just realized something important.'' She said and held her camera tightly.

''Here, Felicia move closer to your brother.'' She urged me to move closer to him.

''Alright.'' I agreed and followed her instructions.

Both my brother and I were standing next to each other, unsure of what our mother would do next.

''There, now both of you look so cute together.''

''What?'' Both my brother and I asked at the same time.

''Well, you look like a cute princess with your dress,'' she pointed to me, ''and with your cute uniform, you look like a cute knight protecting your sister.'' Her eyes glimmered. ''Now, smile for your pictures.''

'I sometimes wonder for her sanity.'

Both my brother and I smiled until our cheeks got sore and my mother took thousands of pictures.

''There, '' her eyes were glued to the pictures, ''oh right, Konrad you can go to your practice. Felicia and I will head out to the party.'' She dismissed my brother.

''Alright, goodbye mother and sister. I will head out now. I hope your party goes well.'' He turned around, and walked towards the door.

''Goodbye, brother!'' I said after him.

I saw him get into his car and leave.

My goodbyes were interrupted by my mother.

''Now, Felicia, let's get inside our car as it has already arrived.'' She held my hand and we began walking outside to our car.

Both of entered and we began to put our seatbelts on.

''Please take us to.. '' She began telling the address to our chauffeur.

'Please let this be a peaceful party.'

I silently prayed and the car began to drive.

---------------------

''Ah~ I have missed you quite a lot these days. You should visit more often.'' A lady around my mother's age began greeting her and hugging her.

''You should also visit my place. We could go to the pool, the gym, and shopping. You can never have too many clothes.'' Both my friend's mother and my mother began laughing at my mother's answer.

'They must be really close friends.'

''Don't worry, I'll make sure to visit next time.'' She reassured my mother and turned to me. ''By the way, is this who I think it is?''

''Ah, I almost forgot, '' she laughed. ''This is Felicia, I don't think you've met her since she was 2 years old.'' She made stand in front of her. That was a sign for me to properly introduce myself.

''It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Felicia Demm.'' I said formally with a hint of friendliness.

''Ah, she's so cute.'' She turned to my mother and she made an expression as if saying 'That's my daughter.'

''Anyways, you don't have to be so formal with me,'' she said like my father did. ''Call me auntie fron now on, okay?''

I nodded, ''Alright, auntie.''

''I can't it anymore,'' she dramatically said. ''I hope she gets well with my son.''

''I hope so too, maybe they can be great friends.''

Both of them smiled at each other.

''We should go inside, I have my gifts prepared.'' My mother said to her friend and gestured for me to follow both of them.

The three of us entered a huge mansion ( just like my home) and headed to a room full of people sitting on a table and chatting. I saw that some of them had their daughters with them.

''Everyone, welcome lady Demm and her daughter, Felicia Demm.'' My mother's friend announced our attendance.

After she announced our arrival, some ladies began whispering to their daughters with a cheerful face. Their daughters turned to me and greeted me with a gentle smile. Out of politeness, I also smiled back to them. Their faces looked flustered and had a look of achievement.

'Did they tell them to get a good impression on me?'

''I'll lead both of you to your seats.'' My mother's friend lead both of us to a seat next to a girl my age and another lady.

After I looked at the girl, she seemed quite familiar, but I couldn't quite tell where I had met her before, if I did in the first place.

Both of our eyes met and I saw hers shimmer as if someone had found gold.

At the same time, my mother began to speak to the surrounding ladies and daughters.

''No way, '' the girl next to me said in disbelief.

''Huh?''

''It must be destiny!'' She exclaimed.

'What is this girl saying?'

''What do you mean?'' I asked her.

''Don't you remember? I was sitting next to you during the Rendell entrance exam.'' She said proudly.

'Now that she mentions it, I do remember her being really talkative and excited.'

''Oh right, you were the girl wearing the red dress?'' I said to her as the only thing I could remember about her was her dress.

Her eyes were almost as big as a plate at my answer.

''Oh~ for Felicia to remember!'' She looked as if she was to pass away from excitement.

She leaned forward and was about to fall.

Luckily, I was there to catch her and held her in my arms.

''Are you okay?'' I asked, worried for her health.

'This girl is wild...'