Chapter 23: 13|Let the games begin!-2

"Yeah, why?" I asked, confused. "I was invited by my new business partner for dinner, today. He wanted to meet my family. Asher and Aiden couldn't make it but I thought at least you could come." I could totally imagine him running his hand through his hair. "Do you want me to can-" even the thought of cancelling on Alex disheartened me. I was that hyped up. "No. A dinner can be rearranged but an achievement can't be. You should go, princess." I love my dad for being so understanding. "Just don't drink or push your limits if you don't feel okay. This is a formal party and I suppose there won't be loud music as such." I bit my lip knowing fully well why he was concerned. Dad gets a lot of ball and party invites too but he never lets us attend. That's the only reason why the three of us are still living a life out of limelight. "What am I supposed to wear?" He looked deep in thought for a minute and I stole nervous glance at clock that mocked me while flashing 5:15 in bold letters. I heard dad take a shuddering breath. "O-open your mom's belongings." My eyes widened. "Dad-" "Just do it, princess." I gulped and took slow hesitant steps out of my room and towards the attic. I can't do this. "Dad, it's alright. I will-" "Open that, Astrid." I opened the lone, dust covered box with 'Caroline's' written in dad's scrawl. I felt my eyes well up. "Y-yeah?" "S-search for a lacy emerald green dress." I bit my lip to choke my whimper as I gingerly touched her belongings and tried to look for what dad wanted me to find. I don't remember any of these things. I don't remember her. I removed phone from my ear for a second and let a choked sob as my hands found the beautiful dress. "F-found it." "G-good. Pair it w-with the bracelet and earrings, I gave you on your 15th birthday and pair of nude heels Mrs Wesley got you last year." "O-okay." "Be careful, princess. Don't break your ankle, like your mother did because of those death traps." I laughed at that. "I love you, dad." "I love you too, princess." I hung up on him and rushed out of the suffocating room. I stared at the dress in my hand and sighed. "Here goes nothing." I quickly changed and put the dress on. It fitted me like a glove but was a little short. Mom was short. I shrugged it off and blamed my average height on sports and dad's genes. I sprayed my favourite perfume and buckled the bracelet like dad told me. It was an elegant one with emerald green pearls woven beautifully and a small heart dangling at node. I smiled at the memory of my 15th birthday. Asher and Aiden saved money on their own for a Disney trip. Even dad didn't know about their surprise and I was so proud of my brothers. I put the earring on too. They were simple emerald studs with small diamonds surrounding the green stone. Mom loved emeralds. I was snapped out of my daze when my phone pinged. I grabbed it from the nightstand on my bed side. Sweetheart Rose- Gonna be outside your house in 15-20 minutes. Are you ready? My eyes widened and I checked the time. It was 5:40 indeed. I punched a reply that I am almost done and quickly arranged my beige coloured clutch. I sighed in relief when I thought I was done and started putting my heels on. A knock broke my concentration. I looked up to see Liam looking at me in amusement. I furrowed my eyebrows and slid open the window. "Whats up?" "I admit that you're looking very beautiful-" my eyes widened at the abrupt statement and I blushed. "-but are you seriously going with the bird nest on your head?" and this time my eyes widened because of my stupidity. "Shit!" "Yeah, shit!" "Oh my god, Rose will be here in-" I checked my wall clock "-15 minutes and I don't even know how to do my hair!" "You don't know how to do your hair?" Liam chocked. "N-no. Asher does that for me and he isn't home...Oh god! I am screw-" "Moms can help." He shrugged. My eyes widened and a beam graced my lips, uplifting my frown. "Oh yeah! Thank god!" "Come over. I will tell them that you need help. Even Mama Sam is home today." I nodded and rushed downstairs as fast as I could in death traps. I locked my house and walked over to Liam's. Door swung open before I could ring the bell and Janet ushered me in without letting me greet her first. She led me to her room and sat me on chair. Samantha was already setting up hair wand and make up. "Let's doll you up, sweetheart." And that's what they did. Samantha started curling and styling my hair while Janet started doing my makeup. I didn't even had the heart to tell her that I don't wear makeup.