Chapter 15
“And the second winner of the competition, the girl who will marry Nathan Ashford is none other than April Farrabe
A large spotlight appears over my head, and a deafening roar from an invisible crowd erupts. With my heart beating wildly in my throat, I step forward towards Nathan, who waits for me.
Standing upon a raised dais, dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo, he stretches his hand out to me, a polite smile on his face,
I reach out and take his hand, shaking all over. That’s when I realize I’m in a wedding dress, and we’re no longer in the hall but in a church, standing in front of a faceless priest.
“Do you, April Lilian Farrah, take Nathan Edward Ashford to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
I gaze up at his gorgeous green eyes, and my answer is immediate: “I do.”
“And do you, Nathan Edward Ashford take April Lillian Farrah to be your lawfully wedded bride, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
Nathan squeezes my hand and leans forward. His lips brush the shell of my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
“You really are audacious, April,” he whispers. “Audacious and delusional.” Then he pulls back and gives me the widest, most sinister grin I’ve ever seen before announcing to the entire church: “I. Would. Rather. Eat. Shit.”
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I violently jolt awake to the sound of knocking and the sensation of June using the bed as a trampoline. “It’s today!” she squeals excitedly as she bounces, oblivious to the bleary–eyed mess I am.
The door opens as I sit up, and the usual stylists and makeup artists file in. Soon, in a flurry of activity, I’m getting ready for today’s event–our first public appearance.
While they poke and prod and fuss over me, my masochistic mind drifts back to the dream, tormenting me with every second of it.
Audacious and delusional. I am those things, to even dare to dream that I could win and become Nathan’s wife.
I should just focus on the benefits of being here–June’s health and care have never been easier on me. Even my personal well–being has never been better. Being able to eat three square meals again and not having to worry about school, tuition, or shitty jobs with handsy professors, I’ve actually gained weight, and with all the intimate care and treatment, my skin is glowing, and I look happy.
That’s enough.
I don’t need to go having pipe dreams about winning this impossible competition.
Take care of June, take advantage of the Ashfords‘ wealth. Go home with my dignity intact.
When all the flurry fades away, and I’m left standing in front of the mirror, I can almost imagine I’m someone else, someone who all this glamor
fits.
My dress is a stunning navy blue, and the material shimmers when I move, so it looks like I’m wearing the night sky. The dress cinches my upper body, the back open to my waist before flowing down my legs. My blonde curls are in a half–up, half–down style, with curly wisps framing my face.
I look beautiful.
But then I step into the grand living room, and my ego deflates a little.
Every girl looks just as gorgeous–even more so–as I do.
Valerie, especially, looks like a literal diamond in her sparkly silver dress and met gala makeup. She holds court at the far side of the room, flanked by two girls–most likely her new ‘allies.‘
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12:40 PM P P
Chapter 15
Tearing my envious gaze from her, I search the room for Eliza. But my attention is immediately drawn to the living room door when I collective gasp echoes through the room. And when I turn, my gasp joins the chorus in the room.
The girl standing in the living room doorway quite literally takes my breath away. I’ve never seen her before, which means she hasn’t been staying in the mansion because there is no way I could have glossed over a girl who looks like that.
“That’s Lara Ellington,” a girl whispers behind me as the girl–Lara–walks into the living room, a personal maid trailing behind her,
“I heard she’s been training separately, in her family’s mansion,” another girl replies.
“Why hasn’t she been here with us?”
“Are you kidding? She’s the youngest daughter of the Ellingtons. They’re second only to the Ashfords in Chicago, she makes the rest of us look like poor rats. We might as well scramble for the remaining two positions.”
“True, I heard that her father already met with Samuel Ashford.”
I watch Lara Ellington out of the corner of my eyes as more whispers fly around me. Dressed in a pure white A–line dress and an actual diamond tiara on her head, she might as well be announcing herself as a bonafide bride. She sits with a grace and poise you can only be born with–and she’s so unbelievably stunning.
This is who has a chance with an Ashford. Not someone like me. I could never stand next to her.
Forcing my gaze away from Lara, I look for Eliza again. I find her at the far side of the room, standing alone and I can see her shyness getting the
better of her.
However, before I can head over and keep my new friend company, Easton walks in and, as per usual, claps his hand to get everyone’s attention.
I notice him bow to Lara especially, once again cementing the fact that she’s levels above us, not only in beauty and grace but class as well.
“It is time,” he announces.
My nerves return in full force despite telling myself that I have no need to be nervous. I’m not in this competition–not really. I should just sit back and relax.
Still, my heart thunders as we line up like we practiced yesterday.
With Lara at the head of the line and June behind me, clutching the back of my dress lightly, we head into the grand ballroom, where I can hear the sounds of the reporters talking and the cameras being set up.
Here goes nothing.
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