Chapter 30
on seturday, we don’t go to the office. I resime my work as the housemaid with a little more difficulty than usual. Unfortunately, the dust has accumulated all throughout the week since I wasn’t around to do my job properly. Instead of taking care of my chores one day at a time, I have to leave them all for the weekend and suffer more to complete them
curse under my breath while scrubbing the tall marble stairs and debating if I should tell ivan to hire additional help. This is getting ridiculous. I can’t keep up with the maintenance of this home on my even, and certainly not when he insists to take me with him to work every day.
His fiend’s birthday party will take place tonight. I don’t feel like going. Chave a slight headache from my lack of sleep and I’m sure there will be a lot wealthy, basing people there who’ll see right through my pretense. Even if I wear the most expensive diess, everyone will see that I’m nothing more than a lowlife..
I think Ivan already picked up something for me to wear. There’s a fancy box hidden in his dressing room. It was delivered this moming from a famous fashion brand. I’m not excited for the party but I really want to try that dress on
The Whitlocks sleep until midday and by that time, I’m almost done with most of my chores. More guards have been hired at the mansion since Ricardo broke in which means that need to cook more foreveryone. The stress is making me sick. This is not worth any type of salary and I’m not even getting paid!
No one noters my frustration as I serve lunch to the guards and to the Whitlocks. I wonder if they even notice how much time and energy it takes me to clean attes them and feed them daily. Escurry upstairs and lock myself in Ivan’s bedroom. My stomach is coiling in pain and it’s only when I sit on the toilet that understand why my treading period
Canthis day get any worse?
Tortured by cramps, a headache and a very nasty mood, I feel less and less assured by my ability to attend tonight’s party.
When I run into ban in the hallway, 1 decide to let him know
“I think I’m a little sick, master Whitlock…I don’t know it canaco
accompany you tonight.”.
The look he gives me is enough to send chills traveling down my spine and adding to my already strong feeling of discomfort.
You will be my date tonight, Catalins. There’s no way that you can miss this, do you understand?”
*But-
He raises his hand in a silent request for me to stop speaking. I squint my eyes at him as he brushes past me to walk into his study. Seriously, what an asshole. Every time I get closer to seeing the good side of bam, he makes it his responsibility to prove that he’s nothing more than a rotten plece of…Ugh.
We have to get there by nine P.M.1 start to get ready at right because I couldn’t finish my chores any sooner. Ivan comes to lock on the bathroom door twice while I’m showering.
“Hurry up, Catalina! 1 don’t want to be late.
1 mutter a large variety of curses under my breath. God help me, I don’t want to punch him in the face before the end of this night. After my shower, I put on the dress he brought me. It’s gorgeous. It’s strapless, made out of gold silk and with a huge slit revealing all of my right leg. It’s sexy and elegant. I like the way I look
Islip on a pair of heels and put on a sparkly necklace. As for my hair, I really don’t know what to do with it. Tying it up would make me look fancier but my hair has become so defiant lately, I doubt that it will accept to fit into anup de..
The door to the bedroom bangs open for the thousandth time. I tum with fire shooting out of my orbs and yell at the top of my lungs
“I’m doing my best, Ivas! Can you just gave me one focking minute to figure out my hair? Gad!”
Avoice in the back of my mind reminds me that I shouldn’t speak to ivan in this tone but right now I’m so irritable that I don’t even care about the consequences. He stands by the doostrame, staring at me with wide eyes. At first, I tell myself that I shocked him with my yell but then I see the way he’s taking in my appearance.
It’s the dress. I’m not the only who likes it.
think you hair is fine like this.” He gulps
“yes_Don’t do anything else
Hum formy election on the mirror. Long strands of black hair frame my face. Thrush them back quickly and decide that Ivan is not wrong. I think I look quite all night. I don’t have the time for anything else anyway. I wear a long coat and join him not of the bedroom.
He’s oddly put as we make our way down the stairs. We um into Valentinu who whispers a compliment to me when has his back turned. I wink at him before following the older bother outside. He’s going to drive us to the party It’s only when we are outside the gates of his mansion that he speaks to me again: “You’re beautiful, Ga
His compliment takes me of guard. He glances a few times toward me. I whisper a word of gratitude. A strange ana is filling the insides of the car. I’m starting to get maimundermyrat.
“You have to stick by my side, alright?” He adds, “Don’t go wandering off on your own tonight”
saud’s place is in the cotskirts of the city as well. I guess rich people really value their privacy, hub From afar, we can see the mansion with all its lights on and a series of cars getting through the gates. Ivan joined the guests and park at the entrance. He presents his aims to me and we intertwine them. I’m a little nervous while walking next to him in this overwhelming plane:
Everywhere Llook, Lonly see louities and people I shouldn’t be brushing shoulders with Suddenly, Isamtplaces a finger undering chin and turns my head to him. I get lost in his eyes
“Don’t look at anyone else.” He whispers tenderly. “Just me, doll.”
A little smile tugs at the comer of my lips. Ivan’s eyes fall to them and his jaw tighten a bit.
Welcome, myinen I’m so glad you made
Saud’s appearance puts an end to that unrequested moment of intimacy. Ivan smiles brightly and we walk up the stairs toward his excited friend. Already, I can see al few eyes turning to us and 1 force myself to keep my head high in confidence.
I’m here with Ivan. I look great. I will have a good time. I repeat these words relentlessly in my mind to force myself to believe them.
