Chapter 10

Natalie

The maid did a thorough job scrubbing my skin till it was smooth like jade and really soft. The feel of their fingers against my skin felt relaxing.

After the bath, he started with my makeup.

“You have a really beautiful face, ma'am.” He complimented me.

I smiled back at him. My mind wandered back to when I was a teenager, I had always admired Anne Frank's work. His ability to bring out the beauty in people was always something I liked about him.

After the make up was done,the dress was brought into the room. It was an off shoulder emerald green dress with black lace and a strap at the back. It was beautiful.

Silver jewelry and a bag was also brought to match.

I couldn't wait to try it on. When I was done putting on the dress, I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked gorgeous. I wasn't used to wearing gowns though, but I loved this one so much.

“Now, we have to fix your nails and lashes.” Anne smiled. I sat down on the chair, munching on berries while he took care of my nails. For the first time in so long, I felt like a queen.

“Perfect,” Anne whispered.

I smiled, satisfied with my looks before leaving the room. As I reached the stairs, I could already see Lucien. He was dressed in a black tuxedo that clung to his well built body, his hair was combed backwards and he commanded a manly aura.

His eyes lingered on me for a while before he shifted his gaze, but I had already noticed. Slowly, I walked down the stairs.

Lucien faced Anne.

“You'll get double the original price.”

I rolled my eyes, was he trying to show off his wealth or what?!

On the drive to the venue, my gaze was outside the window as we kept passing by tall buildings. We passed by the company.

I sighed, remembering how I'd always promised dad that I'd take the company to greater heights when I finally inherited it. My actions took his life instead.

We arrived right in time to meet the red carpet. The place was swarming with cameras and bloggers, all waiting for her to get down the car.

“Be cool tonight, and don't try anything stupid.” Lucien said to me before he got out of the car and smiled at the camera.

He turned back, smiling in a way that flashed his teeth. He stretched out his hand to me, feigning to be romantic.

I rolled my eyes at him before sliding my warm hand into his cold one. His palm felt almost as cold as ice, but I felt his heart was colder.

Gently, he led me out of the car. Immediately I was out, he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me to himself. My eyes widened, surprised by the sudden move he had made.

“At least smile,” he whispered to me.

I quickly fixed my expression and changed my shock to a warm smile. The camera lights flashed in my eyes, almost blinding me, but I had to keep the smile. The car behind us zoomed off to park.

As we walked further, a group of people swarmed and surrounded me.

“Is it true that your marriage is fake?”

“Do you still have a position in the company?”

I frowned, but I knew it was best not to answer. “Excuse me,” I said as I made my way into the building.

The hall was beautifully decorated in a fairy themed way. Classical music was playing in the background as businessmen and women danced and talked business in hushed tones. The hall was dimly lit and gave me a comfortable vibe. But, it was still the enemy's territory, so I had to keep my guard up.

Leon's black blood with Verin started way back, I could only remember bits and parts. Their enmity started way before I was even born. Father always spoke of Verin with so much spite and hatred.

I was so sure he was going to make fun of my sudden downfall tonight, and I wouldn't let my guard down to be bullied by him. I was so sure Lucien wouldn't support me, so I was literally on my own.

I looked around, remembering the stranger's text last night, asking me to meet him at the rooftop after the party was over. I still had no idea about his identity or why he would even want to help me.

Lucien grabbed a drink and gave me a glass.

“Be good tonight.” He reminded me.

“Whatever,” I muttered.

I could see so many eyes glued on me and I could faintly hear whispers of my name. Whatever they had to say, I didn't care, I had a name to build. Freya still hadn't replied, I was starting to get really worried that something might have gone wrong.

Suddenly, the music stopped. A man walked up to the stage. He was dressed like a butler, and his face carried no expression. He announced that Verin’s daughter and her fiance were about to walk into the hall.

I looked, everyone was putting their masks on. I looked down at my shoes, Lucien hadn't given me a mask. Did he…set me up?!

I faced him angrily, wanting to ask him where my mask was, but he had left my side. He was standing beside Verin, smirking at me darkly.

It would be a sign of disrespect if I didn't put my mask on like everybody else. I gulped down saliva, wishing the ground could open up and swallow me to save me from this choking embarrassment.

The people beside me whispered again. Looking at me with utter disgust.

“What's wrong with her?”

“Where's her mask?”

“She's so disrespectful.”

“No wonder her father didn't want her to take over.”

“What a brat.”

I gritted my teeth, anger boiling in me towards Lucien.

“Natalie Banks.”

I heard a voice.

It sounded familiar. It was Verin's.

“How dare you disrespect my daughter?”