Chapter 4 4

Viola.

I went up to my room and sat for a bit. I called my friends on the phone and sent them texts.

"You'll see the surprise tonight." I had a crush on one of my classmates-he had beautiful hair and a killer body. All the girls chased him. I wanted him tonight, honestly.

The dress that Mom's husband brought with the outfit? Definitely, the guys would be all over me tonight.

I sat thinking about how Mom's husband treated her and how bold he was. No way could her body turn the dining table into... well, anyway, I was obviously hot and bothered.

It made me want to sleep with just about anyone. Tonight, tonight-I had to lose my virginity tonight, no matter what, with anyone. It wouldn't matter who.

Of course, I checked inside my bag. I had brought condoms in case I hooked up with someone or had sex. Whatever.

I kept checking the clock, waiting impatiently so I could get up, start getting dressed, do my makeup, style my hair. And sure enough, as soon as it hit 6:00, the maids knocked. "We're ready to help you get dressed and prepared for the party. It's in an hour-that's Mr. Mark's orders."

"Fine," I said. What did that mean? I wouldn't go down to see the party guests, cause a little chaos, embarrass him in front of everyone, make him look bad, and then head to my own party, have fun, lose my virginity, and hook up with someone new.

Dad, I'd win the bet-everything. And honestly, the makeup, hair, everything-they were pros.

I was impressed, even with my own look after I got dressed. Then I put on the dress and shoes. It was about 7:10. They said, "Now you're ready. Mr. Mark has arrived-you need to go down now."

"Whatever," I said, and went downstairs. The atmosphere was straight out of a celebrity event-for a billionaire, no doubt. He really went all out.

The artists I saw? I'd only seen them on TV before, but they were even hotter in person. I couldn't have imagined the level he brought. I didn't get it-this party was supposedly for the wedding and moving to the new palace, or Mom's move-in.

The new palace? Clearly, this place was his for a long time. And everyone was all over him, showing him way too much respect. I even saw a couple of ministers bowing to him.

He must be super important, but not to the point of them kissing his feet or anything-just extra respect on top of the norm.

Of course, I didn't care. I went down and mingled in the hall. As soon as I spotted the bar, I started grabbing glass after glass.

Mom came over close to me and whispered, "How can you be drinking?" Her voice was super low-she was worried someone would notice. At 18, I could lose my virginity any time, and she was shocked.

"What?" I said. "Don't act like you care. You've never cared about me. All you care about is your life, living it up, getting married, falling in love, hooking up. Leave me alone-don't embarrass me tonight."

Mom got scared and backed off. She went to stand with her guests for a bit. Then Mom's husband came up to me and snatched the glass from my hand, handing it to a waiter. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

He leaned in low, close to my face. He was tall-about 30 cm taller than me, by the way. "What you're doing is wrong. You think you can embarrass me? I could beat you right here in front of all these people, and no one would say a word."

"You? Beat the hell out of me?" I shot back. "Who do you think you are? My dad? My own husband?"

He said sarcastically, "If I were your husband, I wouldn't let you out of your room at all."

I gulped nervously.

His words made my heart race-not interest or attraction, but straight-up fear.

I started looking at him differently, staring into his eyes. Was this the guy I'd dreamed about my whole life? How could Mom's husband be the type of dominant, strong character who protects me but controls me at the same time?

I'd always wanted a controlling guy, but I snapped out of it. 'He married Mom, idiot. Get him to kick me out, leave us both.'

Anyway, I backed away from him, pretending his words annoyed me. "I need to go to the bathroom."

I headed upstairs. After I got there, of course, I checked the time on my phone. My friends were waiting-I'd sent them the palace location. Great.

Without anyone seeing me, I'd slip out the back gate, head to the party, hit the bar, dance, flirt with someone-finally feel like a real woman.