Chapter 16

Rome:

I knocked on Julia's door three times before she yelled for me to enter.

"I need you to—" I paused what I was about to say and stared at her.

She was standing in front of the mirror wearing a short peach bathrobe that complemented her skin. That wasn't what surprised me, though. It was her hair.

It was now straight and rested a few inches above her shoulders.

"Do you like my bob?" she turned around happily, her arms resting on her hips.

Her beautiful chestnut curls were gone. Taking a seat on her bed, I continued to stare at her. I had to admit that I liked her hair the way it was before.

"Julia, tell me that's a wig."

She turned around to look at her hair in the mirror. "Don't you like it? I decided I would make a change. I don't like looking like Goldilocks."

"Is that really what you want, or is it because of what Kelly said last night?"

She ignored me and continued to brush her fingers through her hair. That was all the answer I needed.

"I thought that you were different from everyone else." Standing up from the bed, I walked over to her. "I can't believe you would let the words of a woman who is miserable with her own life change the way you see yourself."

She looked up at me with her big hazel eyes.

"This has nothing to do with your bitch ass girlfriend, and when did you start caring what I do or don't do?" she said, now glaring at me.

She was right. It was none of my business. Instead of arguing with her, I took a step back and brushed my hand over my hair.

"I need you to accompany me to a charity auction tonight."

She stared at me with wide eyes and her pink lips apart. It was hard enough to ask her, and now she was just looking at me like I was a strange object.

"Don't get the wrong idea now. I will be participating, and I would rather pay you off to bid on me rather than have one of those fake women do so."

I watched as she walked over to the closet and took out a short casual black dress and black shoes.

"Am I supposed to feel flattered?"

I should have known this wouldn't be easy, but I figured it was best to ask her, considering that she already lives here, and I had to spend twenty-four hours with the person who bid the highest.

"Will you go with me or not?"

She gave me a look that I did not like. "Say please."

I rolled my eyes; I was not going to say please.

"I'll give you my card for you to get the things you'll need. Invite your friends and buy them whatever they want as well," I say, hoping this will get her to agree.

"Jimmy is working, and so is Josh."

"I don't mean those two idiots. Don't you have female friends?"

She smiled at me and held her palm out. Her new hairstyle framed her small face. I missed her curly hair, and I hoped it was a wig she wore, even though this one didn't look so bad either. "I'm only doing this because my friends will be getting something nice out of this, and they deserve something nice."

It was better than nothing. Removing the card from my wallet, I gave it to her. "Don't worry about how much you're spending. Get as many things as you and your friend need."

She raised a brow before taking it. "Can I invite them over too?"

"I'm not your parent, Julia, and you're not a child. Do whatever the hell you want," I told her before leaving the room.

This damn tie didn't feel right; it didn't look right either. Tossing it to the side, I undid the two top buttons off my shirt. This looked much better.

We had to make it to the auction over in Palmville by eight, and it was now 6:42. I could hear laughter and chatter coming from Julia's room. I knocked before a foreign voice said I could enter.

I walked into the room and looked around. The rude cashier was sitting on a chair in front of the mirror, glaring at me. Ignoring her, I looked at the girl sitting on the bed beaming strangely at me.

She had straight black hair and hazel eyes, and even though she was starting to look like a crazy fan, she did seem nicer than the glaring cashier girl. She sprinted off the bed so fast that I took a few steps back in shock.

"It's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Kylashay Monroe," she said with her hand held out.

I stared at it before meeting her gaze. Her cheeriness reminded me of Julia. I didn't do handshakes, but I'd make an exception for her. I wasn't going to lie and say it was also nice to meet her, though; therefore, a handshake was all she was getting.

As soon as I let go of her hand, she turned to the glaring cashier and showed it to her as if it were now glowing or something since I touched it.

"Where is Julia?" I decided to ask.

"She's in the bathroom putting on her dress," said Kylashay. "By the way, thanks for allowing us to get things for ourselves too."

"Yeah, it was nice of you," the rude girl said.

"It was the only way I could get Julia to come with me."

The smile on Kylashay's face disappeared. She returned to her seat on the bed while the mean girl said, "I told you he was an asshole."

Right then, Julia entered the room. She was wearing a tight dark red dress that stopped a few inches above her knees and black heels. Even though her hair was not the same, she still looked gorgeous.

"Can you zip me up?"

She also wore a silver bracelet with matching earrings and necklace.

A chuckle followed by Emmie, I believe, storming past me to zip her friend's dress brought me back to reality.

"All that money must have been the reason for you to be so dumb."

"Watch your mouth, little girl."

"And what if I don't, Mr. Big Bad Billionaire? What are you going to do?" she said, now standing a foot away from me.

"Julia, keep your friend here on a leash before I put her in her place."

"Alright, you two, that's enough. I'll see you two later," Julia said before hugging the rude cashier, then Kylashay.

"Bye, Mr. Livingston!" Kylashay yelled as I made my way out the door.

I didn't bother answering her. I stormed down the chairs with Julia behind me, trying to keep up.

Julia:

I felt uncomfortable. This was far from my scene. I sat around a small circular table with Josh, Rome, and three others. They were talking about business that I could no longer keep up with; therefore, I stuck to sipping my champagne every once in a while.

I looked around the room. It had a stage, a dance floor, and about thirty tables like the one we sat at, each having five to six people sitting at them.

"Are you alright, Junebug?" Josh asked. He was sitting at my right and Rome on my left.

I gave him a slight nod with a fake smile. I wasn't going to tell him that I would rather be anywhere but here. I knew this was for a good cause, but couldn't they just have the people send the money instead? These people needed to learn the meaning of entertainment.

Josh chuckled, causing me to look at him. "No need to lie, Junebug. It's written all over your face. Don't worry; the good part will start soon."

I took a sip of my drink before replying, "I sure hope so."

"I still can't get over the fact that you changed your hair. It does look lovely on you, but I'm going to miss your amazing curls."

"Just give it a couple of months," I said, now starting to regret it.

My hair made me stand out from the rest. It was unique. Even Gina's hair wasn't like my own; she had to wear curlers, and her curls didn't even come out perfect. I always wondered if I got it from my father, but I guess that was something I would never know.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over. It's time for the best part of the night, the part I know all of you came here for," a blonde woman said from the stage.

The people in the room started cheering, everyone except Rome, of course.

Typical Rome, I thought.