The Party

Xylia felt like she was in a daydream. She was on the way to the hotel where the party would be held. She sent a message to her mother earlier about the student council meeting.

Her mother told her to come to Bloomsdale Hotel after the meeting. She was told someone would pick her up so Aciel drove her to the school so no one would suspect anything.

She felt anxious, but before she went out of the car, Aciel held her hand and kissed it softly.

"Don't be scared. I promise I will come and get you. Wait for me." He said.

It was enough for her to lessen her worries. She believed Aciel, but she couldn't trust herself. What if she suddenly spills everything? Whatever plan De Silva had would fail because of her.

"Hey. Act as if nothing happened. Do you trust me?" He asked.

She nodded and then he leaned forward to kiss her. Then she heard him sigh after letting her go.

"What is it?" She asked.

He scratched his head and sighed again.

"Well, I want to spend more time with you. And I can't wait to take you away from Ivan." He said.

She smiled upon hearing those words from him. She knew it wasn't because he was in love with her, but it was enough to make her heart flutter.

The car stopped in front of the hotel and all of her thoughts about Aciel vanished. Only an hour left and the party would start. Two ladies came running toward the car when one of his bodyguards opened the door.

"Mistress, thank goodness you're here. Your mother and the others are waiting." One of her maids said.

She nodded and went inside the hotel. Her suite was located on the top floor and when she came, her fake mother, her father, her grandfather and other six members of the Antonov Clan were there.

"Why are you so slow Xylia? Go to the room and take a bath. We have an hour to prepare you." Her fake mother asked.

"Who's party is this?" She asked so no one could suspect she already knew about it.

"The Harlow's. And since we already agreed on your engagement, it'll be announced tonight." Her grandfather answered.

She sighed. "Isn't it too early?"

She saw her mother frown and then walked toward her.

"We can't afford to lose the Harlow's favor. You know what will happen if this engagement got cancelled, right?"

Her heart pounded staring into her mother's twin sister. They really looked alike, but her mother had kindness and love reflected in her eyes. While the woman in front of her had nothing but greed.

She nodded and stopped herself from talking back. She would not allow Aciel's plan to fail. It's for her and her mother anyway so she had to do her best to act like the obedient princess.

She went inside the room to prepare for the party. The two servants helped her with her dress, but she did her make-up and her hair.

She had to play her part so she just followed everything they asked her to do. She wore the dress they prepared for her. She didn't like it. It was a red short dress with a plunging neckline and an open back. She felt like a whore when she saw herself in the mirror.

She wondered what would Aciel think when she see her like that. She took a deep breath and went out of the room.

No one complimented her. One of her cousins smirked as if telling her she deserved to be humiliated. Although she was a payment for a gambling debt, every member of her family would benefit from her marriage to Ivan. So no one would dare to object to the elders' decision.

She didn't say a word and continued to walk behind her fake mother, her father and her grandfather. Her uncles, aunts and cousins followed them.

She kept pulling the skirt because it was too short and she felt like someone could already see her underwear. She heard some laughter behind her and she knew it was Crista and Alita, her cousins.

She took a deep breath when they entered the elevator. It was suffocating. Being with her family felt like she was in a cage and she couldn't escape from it. They weren't like that when her mother was still conscious. They were really happy and she could say a perfect family. But everyone was now consumed by their greed and desire to stay on top.

When they walked inside the hotel's banquet hall, the people turned to them. Xylia could hear chatter and murmurs from different directions as they looked at them with envy. If only those people knew that they were nothing but beggars now.

The media was also invited so it was broadcast around the city. She could hear the camera click and the spotlight on that night was focused on the Antonov Clan.

"Oh! We're glad you came!" It was Yelena Harlow, Ivan's mother.

She gave Victoria Antonov, her fake mother, a kiss on the cheek as a greeting. Followed by Yelena were her husband, Theodore Harlow and their son, Ivan.

The Harlow's greeted every member of her family and last but not the least, they greeted her with a huge smiles on their faces.

"Why don't you dance with Xylia, Ivan? I know you've been wanting to lay a hand on her." Her grandfather said.

The people around her laughed as if it was a joke, but for Xylia, there was a meaning behind those words. She wanted to run and puke, but she couldn't do anything. She had to pretend and wait for Aciel.

She felt the chills on her spine when Ivan grabbed her waist. She bit her lip and tried to calm herself. It'll be over soon. She thought to herself.

He took her in the center to dance and she accepted. But she didn't like the way Ivan was touching her. He was clearly caressing her bare back.

"Please stop it." She whispered.

"Stop what? You know you can't reject me, Xylia. You are mine so I can do whatever I want with you." Ivan smirked while slowly brushing his hand down to her bottom.

She closed her eyes and waited for Ivan's hand, but it didn't happen. When she looked at Ivan, his face was flinching from pain.

"Touch her again and I swear I'll cut both of your hands so you could never lay a finger on any woman."

Her eyes widened and she felt so relieved when she saw who it was.

"Aciel!" She called