Silk again.
That was what ca to Mira’s mind when she got donned in a dress of silk and sequins. And the way it had fit her perfectly while hugging every curve made it seem like it was made specifically for her.
But then, it probably was. Lucas staff had in fact laid it out without a word, they didn’t even ask for her choice or opinions, they just expected it on her like she was so sort of doll being dressed for its owner’s amusent.
The car ride to the gala was very quiet, Lucas didn’t look at her once nor speak to her at all. He only stared out his window side while checking ssages on his phone like she didn’t exist.
But then Mira could not care less. She didn’t want to speak to him either.
The car door soon opened and the world exploded in a blast of light and sound as cara flashes popped like fireworks, almost blinding Mira.
As soon as they saw her coming out of the car too, a low murmur went through them imdiately and it was of course not a happy one.
"Is that... Lorena Sanders?"
"What the hell is she doing here?"
"Wasn’t she basically black listed? Who invited her?"
"Oh my God, did she already find her way into Lucas Atkins’ bed too? How does she even do it?"
Lucas didn’t acknowledge any of the noise, he didn’t even smile nor wave either. He just straightened his suit and waited for her.
Mira took his offered arm too as her fingers felt like ice against the fine wool of his sleeve, he felt more like a statue to her.
He walked her through the doors of the glittering hotel ballroom and then... stopped. Without warning, he gently but firmly removed her hand from his arm.
"Try not to cause a scene," he whispered in a voice that had zero warmth and then he turned and walked away, lting into the crowd of important looking people while leaving her completely alone.
Mira was dumbfounded. He might as well have slamd the door shut behind her.
What the actual hell?
Who leaves their date alone in the sea of people who do not like her at all?
Mira had never been in places like this, ever, but she forced herself to take a deep breath and just look around while avoiding the eyes glaring at her.
The hall was huge and filled with the clinking of champagnes. Giant crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings too as they threw sparkles of light over hundreds of beautiful wealthy people.
People who seed to be looking at her.
Whispers followed her every move like so cloud as she forced herself to take a few steps into the room.
"Did you see that? He left her almost imdiately."
"I think she begged him to escort her here so she can get in. He looks disgusted."
"Who wouldn’t be? Look at her trying to use another man just cause she knows her career is over."
"I never liked her anyways. She was always so rude!"
"How the mighty have fallen."
She tried to walk towards a server with champagne, hoping that a drink would give her sothing to do with her hands, but then a woman in a tight silver dress accidentally bumped into her causing a bit of red wine to spill near Mira’s feet.
"Oh," the woman said, "I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there." And then she walked away without any more glance even though Mira could tell that she had intentionally done that and was in fact not sorry at all.
Still, she had to force herself to look graceful, to act like the forr Lorena. Because from what Mira knew about her, she never put her head down.
So even though the sea of people felt like she was drowning, she was going to use this body well, she needed to.
Just then, the air in the room seed to change suddenly as a new wave of whispers started but this ti, they were different. Softer and admiring.
"Oh, look, it’s Callis Grace."
"She’s so flawless, that dress is perfection as usual!"
"She never causes drama, you know. Always so diligent."
"Do you know that she speaks five languages and she runs so many charities for children."
"These are the kind of people that deserve the fa they have. Not so Lorenas."
Mira looked toward the entrance and even she was srized by her simple pale gold gown that flowed against her skin. It was like she didn’t need to try hard to be the center of attention, she just was.
She smiled warmly at people while greeting them one by one by their nas.
And she didn’t stop to talk to any of them for so long. She had a clear destination.
Mira watched as she walked right up to Lucas while the crowd seed to part for her.
Lucas who had been stone faced all night actually... smiled. It was a real smile that Mira had not ever seen on him. He even leaned in to hear sothing she said and then laughed at whatever she said.
He looked so relaxed, happy even.
"Look at them," a woman nearby sighed. "That’s the pair that makes sense. They look so good together."
Mira forced herself to look away. She couldn’t care less, honestly.
But then to her complete shock, she saw Callis walking straight towards her.
"Lorena," Callis greeted in a voice that felt like warm honey. She reached out and took both of Mira’s cold hands in her own. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight, I’m glad you’re here."
After so many minutes of being treated like a goat, the kindness from Callis was like a lifeline that Mira almost flinched from.
"This color is so stunning on you," Callis continued with a smile that was never leaving her mouth. "And your poise... oh, I don’t know how you’re managing it with everyone staring. You’re so strong."
Mira could feel people watching them more now and she could already guess what they were saying.
She’s so gracious, look at her even lowering herself to talk to Lorena. What an Angel.
But in that mont, Mira didn’t care. She was so lonely and desperate for a friendly face so she clung to the attention from Callis.
"It must be so hard for you," Callis said in a now sympathetic whisper. "Carrying all these weight of rumors. They never understand how lonely it is to be at the center of such... attention, do they?"
Mira just shook her head because she didn’t know what to say at all. She was just happy to find so sort of ally in this shark infested venue.
But then even that shattered as Lucas was suddenly there.
His hand landed on Callis lower back, "excuse us for just a minute, Lorena." He said as his eyes only looked at her for a second. "I need to steal Callis for a mont."
Callis gave Mira an apologetic smile, "we’ll talk more later," she promised sweetly and allowed Lucas to guide her away.
They walked off together with his head bent towards her as they spoke softly.
The ssage was already clear for everyone to see. Callis mattered more.
The whispers were not even trying to be quiet any longer.
"He treats Callis differently every ti. Almost like she’s an egg."
"Yes, anyone can already see it. Callis Grace is the future Mrs. Atkins."
Mira rolled her eyes at that. She wished, she really wished Callis was Mrs Atkins and not her. Seriously.
But then who’s to say she couldn’t still beco Mrs Atkins, after all Mira wasn’t going to be that for long.
She turned away and started pushing through the crowd, she needed air. She couldn’t stand to be in this space for a second longer.
So she stumbled toward a slightly quieter corner near a balcony while she tried to stop her tears of sha from all the glares and whispers.
And that’s when she heard them. Two voices that she knew better than anyone else’s in the world.
"We’d be so honored if you could co, Mrs. Flinch," a man’s voice said. A voice that had once whispered promises to her.
"Yes," a woman’s sickly sweet voice added. "You’d brighten the day for us."
Mira could not keep hearing more, she had to turn around and see for herself.
And there they were. Standing with a group of people while looking so happy and completely at ho in this world of money.
Travis. And Naomi.
The man who had broken her heart and the best friend who had stolen him alongside her money, standing right in front of her.
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