The week leading up to the Caldwell’s Annual Beneficent Ball passed in a whirlwind of excitement. Elena had practically dragged Clara out of school the moment classes ended, insisting they go shopping immediately for the perfect outfit. Clara was a little nervous about the expense, the thought of using Adrian’s limitless credit card was both thrilling and terrifying. She tucked the card into her wallet and followed Elena into the world of high-end fashion.
Their day was nothing short of magical. They roamed through the most exclusive boutiques in the city, trying on dresses that cost more than Clara’s father made in a year. Elena had a keen eye for fashion, pulling out dresses that Clara would have never chosen for herself, but that looked absolutely stunning when she put them on.
They laughed and chatted like old friends, and Clara found herself forgetting about all her worries as she basked in Elena’s warm, bubbly presence. It was easy to get swept up in the Caldwell lifestyle when Elena was by her side, making everything seem effortless and glamorous.
As they were being served champagne in one of the boutiques, Elena opened up about her childhood, her voice softening as she recounted her story. “You know, I didn’t grow up with the Caldwells,” she said, swirling the champagne in her glass. “I spent most of my childhood in Russia with my mother.”
Clara looked at her, intrigued. She knew Elena had a different background, but she hadn’t heard much about it. “Really? How come?”
Elena sighed and leaned back in her chair, her gaze distant. “My father was still married to his first wife when my mother got pregnant with me. He kept us a secret for over a decade. It wasn’t until he divorced his first wife that he brought us over to the States. By then, me and Henry were already teenagers, my father had other two kids and it was… awkward, to say the least.”
Clara felt a pang of sympathy for Elena. It couldn’t have been easy growing up in the shadow of such a powerful family, knowing you were a secret. “That must have been hard.”
Elena nodded, her smile tinged with sadness. “It was. But my mother did her best to make sure I had a happy childhood, even if it was away from my father. When we finally moved here, it was like stepping into a whole new world. But even now, sometimes I feel like I’m not really a part of this family, like I’m just… pretending.”
Clara reached out and squeezed Elena’s hand. “You’re more than your surname, Elena. You’re amazing, and anyone can see that.”
Elena’s smile brightened, and she squeezed Clara’s hand in return. “Thanks, Clara. That means a lot.”
They continued their shopping spree, eventually landing on the perfect dress for Clara. It was a stunning Dior gown, elegant and sophisticated, with a silhouette that hugged her figure in all the right places. The moment Clara put it on, she knew it was the one. Elena insisted they complete the look with a pair of designer heels and a matching clutch, and Clara couldn’t help but feel like she was living a dream.
When the day of the ball finally arrived, Clara was a bundle of nerves. She got ready with Elena at the Caldwell mansion, the two of them giggling like little girls as they did each other’s hair and makeup. Clara opted for warm-toned makeup that brought out the natural glow of her skin and paired perfectly with the rich, luxurious fabric of her dress. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she barely recognized the girl staring back at her. She looked… stunning.
“I’m sure you’ll turn every head in the room,” Elena said, grinning as she added the final touches to Clara’s hair. “You’re going to be the belle of the ball.”
Clara smiled, but her heart was pounding. She couldn’t help but hope that Adrian would notice her tonight, think of how pretty she was looking and thirst over her all night. She hadn’t seen him in a while, and the thought of seeing him again made her stomach flutter with nervous anticipation.
When they arrived at the ball, Clara was awestruck by the sheer opulence of it all. The venue was magnificent, with chandeliers sparkling overhead and tables draped in the finest linens. It was the kind of event she’d only ever seen in movies, and now she was a part of it.
As she and Elena approached the Caldwell’s table, Clara was greeted with warm smiles and compliments. Mr. Caldwell himself stood to welcome her, his eyes lingering on her a little too long as he looked her over. “Clara, you look absolutely stunning,” he said, his voice smooth and charming.
Clara blushed under his gaze. “Thank you, Mr. Caldwell.”
Henry Jr. was there too, looking handsome in a perfectly tailored suit, but to Clara’s surprise, he barely acknowledged her. He seemed distracted, his attention elsewhere, which annoyed her more than she cared to admit. She had been expecting more warmth from him, especially after all the attention he’d been giving her recently.
As she took her seat at the table, trying to push aside her irritation, the doors to the ballroom swung open. Clara’s breath caught in her throat as she saw Adrian walk in. He looked as handsome as ever in his black tuxedo, exuding an effortless charm that made her heart skip a beat. But what really made her heart sink was the woman on his arm.