Viola
I went up to my room and sat on the bed for a little while, trying to calm down after everything downstairs. I grabbed my phone and called a couple of my friends, then sent them some quick texts to check in.
"You'll see the surprise tonight," I messaged one of them with a winking emoji. I had a big crush on one of my classmates-he had beautiful hair and an amazing build. All the girls at school chased after him. Honestly, I really wanted him tonight. I wanted to feel something exciting, something that was just for me.
The dress Mom's husband had brought with the outfit? It was perfect. Definitely, the guys at the party would be all over me tonight.
I kept checking the clock every few minutes, waiting impatiently so I could get up, start getting dressed, do my makeup, and style my hair. I wanted everything to look perfect. And sure enough, as soon as it hit 6:00, the maids knocked gently on my door. "We're ready to help you get dressed and prepared for the party," one of them said politely. "It's in an hour-that's Mr. Mark's orders."
"Fine," I said, trying to sound casual even though I was buzzing with excitement. What did that mean exactly? 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 first time, and hook up with someone new.
Dad, I'd win the bet-everything. And honestly, the makeup, hair, everything-they were pros. They worked quickly and made me look incredible.
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 headed 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 better-looking 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 had been 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 slightly.
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 of whatever looked interesting.
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 first time any time, and she was shocked.
"What?" I said. "Don't act as if 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 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 heck 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 punish you right here in front of all these people, and no one would say a word."
"You? Punish 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, and finally feel like a real woman.
