Eleanor Vance POV
I woke up a few hours later. It was evening. Luckily, I hadn't missed the party yet. The event was at nine. It was only seven-thirty. I still had an hour and a half to get ready.
I wish I could have said no. I usually say no to everything. But this was the biggest night for the Blackwood Group. It was a welcome home party for Julian Blackwood. He had been away from the company for a long time. He was a Major General in the army. A real high-ranking soldier.
While he was away, his sister Margot Blackwood ran things as the CEO. She had help from their father, Alistair Blackwood. I heard that Alistair gave the whole empire to his kids after his own father passed away.
No one knows why he stepped down. It is still a big secret.
A night like this had no excuses. I had to be there. Showing up was just as important as finishing my work.
I got out of bed. The pain in my body was crushing. I bit my lower lip hard. I had to fight the ache just to get to the bathroom. I needed a shower to wake up.
I lowered myself into the warm water. I let out a soft moan of pain. It hurt so much. I sighed. I moved quickly so I wouldn't have to feel the soreness for too long.
After I was done, I put lotion on my face and body. I tried not to look at the marks on my skin. The scars were all over my back, my feet, and my left hand. My face had not been spared either. My cheek was a little red. I saw a small cut near my chin. I touched it slowly and closed my eyes tight.
My father had painted a very ugly picture on my body. A picture of ruin and violence.
I stood in front of my closet. I moved my hands through my clothes. I didn't know what to wear. Everyone there would be rich. They would be high class. I couldn't look like a beggar from the streets.
I picked out a blue dress. It was made of soft silk. It felt like water on my skin. It had thin straps that tied at the shoulders. The skirt ended just above my knees.
I slipped it on. I walked to the mirror. I had a lot of makeup on the table. I put on some expensive products. I finished it with a velvet red lipstick.
I put on some silver jewelry. I looked at myself in the glass. I turned around to check every detail. I looked like a rich girl. I looked like I belonged in Mayfair.
I put on some blue heels. They matched the dress perfectly.
I took one last look at myself. Then I grabbed my phone and my long black coat. I headed downstairs.
Ivy was in the living room. She was eating dinner and watching TV. I walked toward her. She didn't see me coming. She was too focused on the screen.
I tapped her shoulder. She jumped. I laughed. I love scaring her.
"My God!! You scared me, Eleanor! I almost had a heart attack."
She gave me a funny look. Then she looked at my outfit. Her eyes went wide. She rarely sees me dressed up. I never go anywhere but work and home. I never wear makeup like this. She looked at me with so much curiosity.
"Where are you going, Eleanor?" she asked.
"There is a party for the real boss at The Savoy. I couldn't say no this time."
I bit my lip. My body was screaming. My muscles were crying. If it wasn't for this stupid party, I would be sleeping. I would be resting after what that coward did to me.
"Damn him. I hope he rots in hell!!"
And why do we even need a party for this Julian Blackwood guy? He should just come back to work and be quiet!
I sighed. I looked around for my bag. The one my father dumped out. I couldn't find it.
"Ivy, have you seen my bag?"
She pointed to a long shelf. "I was cleaning up the mess that jerk made. I put everything back inside for you."
I blew her a quick kiss. I started moving my things into a silver bag that matched my jewelry. Then I stopped. My heart stopped too. My father stole my wallet. My ID and all my personal papers were gone!!
I cursed him in my head. I used the worst words I knew. I ran back upstairs. I lifted my mattress. I had some cash hidden there.
"Thank God I kept some money away from him."
I felt better. I stuffed the cash into my bag. My work ID was still with me. I needed it to get into the party. I put it in the bag and went back down.
I kissed Ivy goodbye. She smiled and hugged me. I knew what she was thinking. She thought I was finally going to have fun. She thought I would forget our life for a little while.
I wanted to tell her that it never works.
"You look amazing, girl!! Have fun!"
Ivy shouted those words as she ran to the window to wave at me. Her words made me smile. I felt like I was actually pretty for a moment. I waved back and got into the taxi waiting outside.
I watched her through the window until the car pulled away. We were heading to the party in Mayfair.
