5 Chapter 4

Liyana:

It's been a weak since Ashton visited our manour. I wasn't sure why he suddenly popped up here. If it was just to meet with Luciana. I'm not sure why dad have been hanging out with him so much suddenly either. Although I know he liked Ashton a lot more than he let on.

The Wades and Caldines have been friends for generations. The only difference in these two families were that Caldine were mostly connected to blue blood while Wades were famous for their advantage in bussiness and trade. I once heard from my grandmother that the reason these two families became close to begin with was that they travelled to new lands together after the war.

Since Caldines are part of European royals, they had a name for themselves even before they started to settle down in America. Where as Wades innovative trade and industry bought them the fame they have now. With change of time, their business and relation changed as well. But one thing stayed the same. The Caldine were still proclaimed as the blue bloods and the Wades were still the richest in the high society.

As to how I know so much is because I was groomed by my grandmother to be a proper lady of Caldine. I doubt I even fulfilled half of what was demanded of me. They say a Caldine never cowers away, while that's what I've always done. Although I can hold myself perfectly fine in gatherings. Despite my flaws, I can't afford to lose on the battlefield of high society. It's the one place we cannot help but act as a member of the cold blooded heartless people. Here, they'd die but not let you win a fight. If you lose, death if better than the defaming that followed. I've had my fair share of hurt from them. Even Luci never acted out of order here in fear what it might to do our name.

Tonight, we are invited to a charity ball. I call it the hunting gala. The charity is just for show, just a way to flaunt your power and money. The real game is in the gossips that follows. Politics, bussiness, profit and loss, marriage, rumors etc are their faviorite topics. There are more such as who lost bussiness, who lost power, who's wedding crashed, who divorced etc etc. It's a never ending cycle of people trying to crush one another.

Two knocks on my door pulled me out of my mind. I instantly replied getting up from my dressing table,

"Come in."

Céline walked in with a sleepish grin closing the door and sat down by the bed.

"Have you chosen a dress yet?" She asked slowly looking around, probably for the unknown dress.

"Still interested in putting up a fashion show for my wardrobe?" I asked smiling. She still likes to play dressing when her mood strikes. That's one thing that didn't change from our childhood.

"Aw, don't be like that. Your closet should always be open for playing dress up. That's one rule for being a woman, chéri." She let out gleefully with her beautiful french accent.

"You and your dress up. Somethings never change. I'm sure Luci would appreciate it more if you choose her dress though. She's the dress up queen after all." He let put a chuckle at that.

"Who said I didn't already. She's the one who suggested I help you out too." She shrugged.

"How nice of her. Does she still think I have a poor fashion sense?" I said rolling my eyes.

"Well, considering you still haven't picked a dress even though we have just two hours still the ball, I can guess why she suggested. You can't blame her." She said getting up and walking into my closet.

"How generous of her." I mumbled following her.

Although truth be told, I really didn't think what to pick. Normally I'd just about go with anything that falls first in my range of view. But even I know a minor mistake while dressing up in such events would end up catastrophic if not done perfectly. So I'd accept just about any help.

"How about you go with this?" I heard as she pulled out a dress out of my last section of closet.

Inside was a dress in the transparent bag. It was sleeveless white at the top connected with black skirt with a decent split. There were ruffled flowers in silver, gold and black sewed in on the shoulder and waist which gave the dress an elegant finish. I can see why she picked this one, it was simple elegant but not out of style yet. I wonder when this ended up in my closet to begin with.

"It's not bad." I replied openning the bag to pull out the dress. The material was soft as I expected.

"Put it on, let me see how it fits." She said pushing me to my changing room.

Moments later I stepped out in the dress. It was comfortable to say the least. I'm not a big fan of big, out of the world dress since it takes a lot of effort to carry it and the usual posh dresses makes me uncomfortable. So this does feel nice for one. The silk skirt was soft but heavy while the satin top was smooth to the touch. I wonder when I bought this. Or maybe Céline filled it in my closet. Who knows. I barely buy any dress anyway.

"It fits perfectly. Your figure looks stunning in this." She said checking in every detail.

"Isn't the split a little too high. I'm not so fond of big splits." I let out noticing how much it shows my leg.

"Honey, it looks perfect on you and the skirt is big enough that the split is almost unnoticeable. Here put these on, this will make it more understandable." She said handing me a pair of black stiletto sandels.

It was true that it did fit me nicely and putting on the heels made it more easy to grasp how it would look. Céline looked pleased by choosing this dress. While I was just relieved to be free of my dimela.

After a while she made me sit down, forcefully might I add as she did my hair. I mostly kept my hair tightly clipped or in a pony tail since I barely ever took care of it. But Céline always said that my hair had the perfect shade of blonde one can ask for. She liked it much more than I ever could. But personally I'd say she was much prettier than anyone I've ever met.

Her dark shade of red curly locks looks amazing on her lightly tanned skin. That followd a rare matching pair of reddish eyes. I wonder if she was ever scouted to be a model. Maybe in France she did. I sometime wonder what made her leave such a beautiful and colorful place and end up entering such a cold world.

Céline, as one can guess is my stepmother. After my mother passed away, our house fell into a crumble without her stready head. And as they say every big house needs a mistress to run it. My father was so busy blaming himself for being ignorant of his wife's condition that he almost ruined the Caldine heritage. When my grandmother had enough of him acting like a lost man, she met Céline through a friend. And found out that she was originally a friend of my mother as well.

My mother and Céline both studied together at a french academy. My mother was from a much higher status than her, so when my mother's marriage was set with my father, the two drifted apart. But since my mothers passion for writing was known, she kept in touch with Céline through letters and so on. When we first met her, she seemed to be already aware of our existence and the situation we were in. With how much she already adored us, grandmother couldn't stop herself from asking her to be part of our family. She didn't deny it since her love for children won her over and with how she couldn't conceive of her own, it made her even more accepting of the offer. But father was dead set against it.

It took some time, but her visiting our home all the time and with how Luci got attached to her made him succumb and he finally agreed to marry her. I'm not sure if she accepted this proposal because she loved us or pitied us. Or if she ever liked my father to begin with. But whatever it may be I'm grateful she came none the less.

As for why I address her personally by her name is probably because I never got attached to her as much as Luci did. I never could since Luci would get jealous whenever I went to her too much than necessary. I was much more attached to the memory of my mother. In the end, I closed her off a lot and mostly stayed with my grandmother. Our family always had the oddest relationships but I do admire her for putting up with us and taking care of everything.

"All done!" Her word pulled me out of my reverie as I blinked at my image in the mirror. I looked anything but myself in it. But this is better. I'd rather not look like myself in front of them.

"Thank you so much." I said getting up as she only smiled.

We arrived exactly on time thankfully. I noticed a lot of people getting out of their cars as well. My parents arrived here earlier than me and Luci since we were in a seperate car. In the past few days, I barely saw Luciana at all. She's been very busy helping dad as well as her shoots. It's only ever been small conversations while we ate.

"I barely know most of the people from the other families. Your helping me out." She stated before stepping out of the car. I followed sighing. This is not new. She barely if ever remembers people she meets.

Her tall figure that always made me look shorter overlooked the venue confidently. As she started walking in her navy figure hugging dress that made her ever so thin figure even thinner, it sparkled as it hit the lights making her even more stunning than she usually is. The straps of her dress tangled around her showcasing her best parts beautifully. I can see why the heads around us were turning. My sister was gorgeous and there was no denying it.

Walking inside, I spotted my parents instantly. But then I noticed more familiar faces that were surrounding them. Our other Caldine members and most of all, The Wades.

Without wasting even a moment Luci boldly started walking up to them as I only followed behind her without a word. I could see her ever so famous bussiness smile and her change is posture. She knew what was at stake here and she did a damn good job at handling her image. I, on the other hand prayed no one stopped us in our tracks. Its been a while since I went to any parties and I'm a bit out of practice at the moment.

"Ah, here comes our Luci and Liya."

A man with curly light brown hair in his late 40s smiled instantly spotting us. A smile instantly pulled up on my face noticing his warm presense. Marco Caldine, our uncle.

"Hello, Uncle." We both greeted as he took both of us for a hug. Luci let lose first probably in fear of ruining her hair with her professionally styled. While I stayed in his embrace a bit longer. I missed him dearly.

"How have you both been, my two beautiful birds?" He said addressing us in all familiar way. He used to call us that because birds were our family emblem.

"We're fine, uncle. How have you been?" Luci asked as I let out of his embrace.

"As fit as I'll ever be. Getting old doesn't suit me you see." We both chuckled at that.

"When did you return?" I asked wondering how come I didn't know he was back in the country. He was in Dubai for a horse race. He's always travelling for the same reason, since he owns riding schools and race tracks all over the world.

"Just yesterday actually. I wanted to visit but your dear aunt was a bit too jet legged." He explained which made sense.

"Speaking of her, where is she?" Luci asking looking around as I did too.

"She's probably with her crowd. You'll see her in a bit." He said as we reached our parents.

"If it isn't the famous Caldine sisters." One of the Wade said chuckling. He's probably from a branch family.

We both greeted everyone there was one by one as usual before I noticed that the Wade brothers are missing. Most importantly Ashton wasn't there. His brother never really attends anyway, so he's always the center of attention. I carefully took a look around wothout getting noticed but didn't find him. Is it possible he didn'tcome at all? I never saw him miss one event before, especially as big as this one.

"How have you been Luci?" I turned to see Mr. Owen Wade coming closer to my sister.

"I've been well, Mr. Wade. I hope you're well as well?" She replied confidently.

"Never been better. I was searching for you for a while, my mother has been looking for you." He stated directly looking at her.

"Of course." She smiled back.

I was a bit taken by the fact that he completely ignored me but I guess at this point I'm used to it. Mr. Owen Wade is someone who only talks to you if your useful in any way to him. It's a known fact. And being my sister who's very well known and famous, she is quite useful to anyone. Ignoring them, I moved behind to gram muself a glass of champagne. It's better to have a drink in your hand when you have nothing to say than just stand there awkawardly. The art of socialising, they say.

My sister suddenly nudged me while I was sipping my drink as I turned to her confused. Then she slowly smiled and whispered to me something as I saw Mr. Owen busy with another person.

"Who is his mother?" She asked as I almost rolled my eyes. Three generations of friendship they say and herr we have Luci who doesn't have a clue.

"Mrs. Quinn Wade is the eldest of house Wade. She's very well respected. Everyone knows her. Ashton never mentioned this to you?" I whispered back. She just shrugged.

"Even if he did, I doubt I'll remember. I rarely if ever remember people's name aside from bussiness associates. Since that's vital." She states as I sigh. She says as if this isn't vital enough.

Disrespecting Quinn Wade is equal to war with the Wade here. I wonder if she realizes this. I'm aware she isn't ever fond of elderly people since her experience with our grandmother wasn't the best woth her strict nature. But still she should be careful with these things since all elderly people are mostly the one holding the rein of power in every houses.

"Grandmother was her friend. She owns a famous chain of quilting shopping brunch. Our mother used to buy all our quilts from her. You even own one yourself." I filled her in slowly to make sure she can atleast hold a conversation.

Mrs. Quinn was a close friend of grandmother and most of all she really was fond of our mother. I've seen her once in a while when she visited grandmother or grandmother visited her with me. She was sweet lady, very different from oir grandmother. I've never seen her raise her voice even when her grandchildren were being naughty. Those are few of the memories from my childhood I have in the Wade manor.

"Liyana Caldine, wasn't it?" A man in his 70s approached me. I immidiately turned in his direction and tinkered my brain in prospect of finding who he is or if I know him somehow.

"Um yes. Mr. Lixian, if I'm not mistaken." I replied finally remembering him from a previous event. He was a very charming man for his age.

"You're correct my dear." He laughed replying as I smiled back.

"How have you been, sir? How's your knee?" I asked remembering him having a hard time standing up that day.

"Oh, it's better now. I was brave enough to go for my knee surgery after speaking to you." He smiled which made me remember my repulsive opinion back then when I said that he should go for a risky choice with a healthy body rather than a safe choice with a flawed one as long as their's option for a better life.

"I hope you didn't mind my repulsive input back then." I asked honestly. He had looked very surprised then.

"Oh, never. In fact, I wouldn't be standing here perfectly fit if not for sharing your brilliant outlook on life." He chuckled making me smile as well.

"I'm just happy your fit and fine, sir." I replied nodding.

"Sir Lixian, are you acquainted with my daughter?" We both followed the voice with me perfectky knowing who interrupted us.

"Mr. Caldine, I do indeed know this beautiful daughter of yours. She's quite smart for her age might I add. And very kind hearted." He said almost making me blush. I've never really been complimented in front of my father before. Never had the opportunity to either.

"She is talented, my youngest daughter that is. Her sister after all is my dear Luciana Caldine. She's quite remarkable as well." He said as he asked Luciana to join us.

Father introduced her immidiately as she and her bussiness smile as usual took the spotlight when many others followed her into this crowd. Mr. Lixian was someone of power after all. And adding Luciana meant ecen bigger deal and good circle.

I was used to this. Dad liked showing off Luci. She was better than me and I didn't deny it. I was proud of it in fact. I was happy that he at least acknowledged that I am good too. My life's accomplishment isn t as brilliant as my sister, so it didn't interest the crowd. Here people starved for new achievements and fame. Whoever got it more gets the most attention.

"Liya!" I heard from behind me and saw Uncle Marco standing alone. So I excused myself and came to him.

It's been so long since I spoke to him. Out of all the Caldines, he was probably the only one I was most closed to. He was the youngest Caldine head and when we were small he was still unmarried. So sometime he'd sneak me here and there to save me from my grandmother's strict rules. I have the best memories of fun with him. And I am thankful because even with how busy he was, he gave me his free time, to a kid like my age.

"I missed you, uncle Marco." I said when I was close enough.

"I know, I've been so busy that I barely had any time for myself." He explained and I understand. His work needed a lot attention to maintain properly.

"You've tannaed since I last saw you. Did the dubai Sheikhs treated you well?" I smiled asking which made him erupted in laughter.

"Well, what do you expect? Now, forget about me and tell me about your life." He said which made my smile fall a bit.

"I'm the usual, uncle Marco. Work to home to work." I replied nonchalantly.

"Oh, really? And what of the book that I have been seeing on the top charts?" He said which made me shh him. He is the only one I actually told about my writings and books. Except for Luci who found out on her own.

"Still hidding in the shadows, I see. Liya, your talented. You have it, so you should flaunt it. Why hide in the shadow forever? We both know it's not because you're shy." He hits exactly on mark like he always used to. It's partly because of this that I never could hide anything from him.

"Its not that, uncle Marco." I sighed before continuing,

"I'm just scared what it might do suddenly if I come out in the light. People doesn't even know me properly. Plus the fact that I work in the media's most famous magazine has its perks of being noticed. I just want a simpler life." I let out whathave been going on in my head for years now.

"Liyana, you know as well as I do, being born as a Caldine, you'll never have a simple life. People will always try to find flaws in you. They'll always keep you in spotlight. That's the price you pay for being born in a famous bloodline. So, why try for something that will only crumble in the end?" I used to like Uncle Marco's wisdom. And I still do. But maybe now, I'm too afraid to accept that he's right.

"Also, I noticed you opened up to Luciana. I was surprised to see you both together. What changed?" He asked curiously

"She approached me. Told me she was sorry for being childish for so long. She said she suddenly felt that in the end I'm the only closest family she has and it'd be a waste to not accept it." I replied which made him smile.

"It's better that way. You always thought Luci was better than you. But in fact, both you sisters are equally exceptional and talented in your own way. The only difference is, Luci learned to accept and embrace it. You on the other hand, hid in the shadow and went along with it. I'm not judging. But my advice is still the same Liya, follow your heart. Give yourself to rest. You're too hard on yourself. Live a little." He repeated the lines he alwyas did my whole life and I smiled at the nostalgia.

"I'll try. Where's aunty?" I changed the topic looking around. They used to always stick close to eachother, so this is new.

"Over there, some woman caught her there and haven't let go ever since. They are all parents of prospective horse racers searching for a way in." He grumbled as I chuckled at his reaction. He is still just as always smitted by him wife.

"How about I help you get her back?" I said before approaching her with her group.

There were lots of women surrounding her, calling her put suddenly would be rude so I ised the usual trick.

"Mind if I join in with your conversation?" I asked slowing coming toward them.

"Miss Caldine, ypir so hard to find these days. You barely attend any events." One of the lady said.

"I've been a bit preoccupied, Miss Mabel." I replied politely. I was watching my aunt on the opposite side of the group but someone was busy with conversing with her so she was yet to notice me.

"Miss Liyana is quite famous for her etiquettes. Your grandmother groomed you personally, am I correct?" Marilyn Manson said smiling. She is quiet knows herr for being the flower of high society now a days. I never thought she'd compliment me.

"Yes, Mrs. Mason. I'm very greateful to her for that." I replied back as the ladies laughed.

"Oh, she was right. You really are a sweet young lady." Someone said giggling.

"Thank you, Miss Maven." I said while rrying to catch my aunts attention when out eyes clicked I immidiately smiled.

"Please excuse me ladies, but I'll entertain you in just a bit." I said following toward the woman who's eyes looked tired.

"Aunty Mary," I called and the sweet woman turned and sighed in relief. I can guess why.

"Oh, Liya. I've been missing you so much. We have so much to catch up." She said helping me enter the circle.

"I have all the stories to fill you up with." I replied smiling back. I know what she is doing as does she.  

"If is isn't the Liyana Caldine with the most exquisite stories. Tell us, what have you found new this time?" One of the lady there asked. They always fell for this. And since I knew this would happen, I made my own research. Part of the reason why I was late in choosing my dress.

It's not as if people ignored me. They knew I work in a famous magazine. So they were aware I had the best stories as well about all the celebrity world. I did fill in interesting details to fill in the crowd's gossip genre amd relived my aunt of the exhaustion.

But after a while I felt exhausted myself and tired of pulling out interesting things from my basket of details, so I excused myself for the ladies room. I choose one in the farthest corner with the least crowd so that I wouldn't have to continue the show inside there too. People might not give me attention as much as Luci but they knew I am a Caldine which automatically meant they'll approach me. I didn't really appreciate the unwanted attention.

Stepping inside, I sighed heavily. Even after so many years, I'm still not used to these events. Grandmother would have scolded me if she saw how tired I looked. She always said I have to like I can win the world in front of everyone here.

"Are you Liyana Caldine?" A girl around my age with short bright colored hair asked when she came into the bathroom. I was surprised since barely anyone came to this side.

The girl had a nose of a cartoon character or drawn by a lazy artist at least. The bridge was so low as to be barely noticeable; so that on the face of the honeyed hue, her nose was just a bump above her dusty red lips. There was no way about it, that she is cute. And a silk golden dress slithering her figure made it look sexy on her. Cute face with a sexy look, who can ignore that?

"Um, yes. And you are?" I asked as she was fixing her makeup. It's only proper that I know her identity too.

"Aulia, Aulia Jules." She smiled finally turning cheerfully. I recognised the title immidiately. They have beautiful jewellery branch all across the world.

"Nice meeting you." I replied which she laughed at surprising me.

"Oh, don't be so formal. I came here to run away from there. It's so suffocating to always act all proper and posh." She let out sitting up beside the vanity. I was surprised but laughing took the best of my expression.

"You talk like my sister, although here she's more polished up than me." I let out being a bit eased up.

"Goodness, are you talking about Luciana Caldine? She is anything but unpolished to us. I modelled for a few shoots for our own company with her and she is the most arrogant and confident person I've ever seen. Please don't mind though, I'm just blunt." She shrugged. She is quite jumpy for her age. But then again, I'm the one who acts much older than I am.

"I won't, you can rest assured. I know she has one hell of an attitude and with her confidence, she can crush anyone as she wishes. I'm her sister, I'm aware of it." I let out honestly. It's been a while I was this honest about my sister in front of others.

"You've got a pretty smile by the way. That's what I wanted to say but it'd sound weird to suddenly say it, so I followed you." Her honestly made me chuckle ever more.

"Thank you, but if I'm to be honest, you're pretty all over and I love what you've done to your hair." I said which made her blush.

Aw, isn't she cute!

"Thanks, people call it wild here. But why would I care what they say? I liked you company, Liyana. Can I call you Liyana?" She asked clsoing in.

"My all means." I nodded turning to her as she got off the counter.

"I relaxed a lot. I gotta go, but exchange numbers with me, won't you? You're much different than you let on." She said immidiately pulling out her phone and asking me for mine.

After I handed it to her, in split seconds she saved her number and gave it back.

"See you around, Liyana." She winked and left.

I was bit frozen with how she came like a strom and left just like that. It was somewhat refreshing to meet someone so different here. 

Finishing my bussiness, I stepped out after I felt a little refreshed. But I was stopped in my track by a very sharp yet deep voice.

"Miss Liyana Caldine, right?" Following the cheerful voice, my eyes met a pair of blue eyes thst felt familiar to me.