Chapter 55
The next morning, I wake up feeling like the ball was a dream.
:
The kind that starts like a nightmare but ends up with you going to Disneyland with Santa Claus.
But then, after the usual stylists, Jessica and Lucy show me online reactions from the ball, I realize that it truly happened, and holy shit, the reactions.
Okay, what is that dress??? It’s giving grunge Cinderella!
I heard someone trashed her dress before the ball, and she fixed it with her bare hands. We love a resourceful queen!
She’s literally so gorgeous!
I’ve never been so invested in rich people shit like I am in this situation.
Nah, if #Lupril happens, I’ll take it as my sign to join The Bachelor next season.
I frown, looking up from Jessica’s phone. “What’s ‘Lupril?“” I ask in confusion.
Jessica and Lucy exchange a look before Jessica reaches out and takes her phone. She swipes for a few seconds before handing the device back to me.
༦)
June presses against my back, her chin digging against my shoulder as she angles to see the screen.
My breath hitches when I see the new article Jessica brought up. It shows two pictures side by side.
The first is of Lucas and me, taken at the moment when he pressed his cheek against mine. His hand is dangerously low on my bare back, and we look…intimate. As I stare at the picture, Lucas‘ words echo in my head.
Wanna play with me?
I tear my eyes away and glance at the second picture. It’s of Lucas and Lara during their dance.
She must have said something funny because his head is thrown back in laughter, and she’s beaming as she looks up at him.
My heart in my throat, I read a few lines from the article beneath.
Rumors Swirl as April Farrah Emerges as Surprise Contender for Lucas Ashford’s Heart
Despite repeated denials from the Ashford family, speculation continues to grow that Lura Ellington is poised to win Lucas Ashford’s hand in marriage. However, recent developments suggest that the race for the oldest Ashford heir’s heart may be far from decided.
At the highly anticipated Ashford ball, underdog April Farrah not only made a stunning impression, capturing attention with her elegant appearance, but in a surprising turn of events, she was the first to share a dance with Lucas Ashford, sparking whispers among attendees–and the general public–about a budding connection. The pair appeared remarkably close throughout their dance, leading many to wonder if this isn’t a real–life Cinderella story in the making.
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Chapter 55
The comments below are somehow worse than the article.
A
#Lupril NEEDS to happen.
#Lupril is my new Roman empire!
#Lupril is cute, but I’m sorry, I still ship #Lucara, they just fit so well!
#Lucara all the way
If #Lupril works, I’m asking out the cute guy in my History class!
1 drop the phone in my lap, stunned.
People think Lucas and I have the potential to be a thing? The thought of marrying Lucas Ashford, of being his plaything for the rest of my life, makes bile rise in my throat.
June huffs. “Lucas?” she mumbles to herself. “That’s not right.”
Oh, my sister has no idea just how ‘not right‘ it is.
Just then, a curt knock sounds on my door. At my nod, Lucy opens it to reveal a guard.
He clears his throat as he puts a foot over the threshold. “Miss Farrah, I’m here to escort you to the Ellington Estate.”
My eyes widen, and I momentarily forget about the abominable article in my lap. “Really?”
The guard nods. I glance at June in excitement. I told her all about my conversation with Lily last night so she understands how amazing this is.
I stand to my feet, handing Jessica her phone with shaky hands. “We’re ready, I guess,” I say, my voice shaking, too.
The guard raises a brow and glances between me and June. “We? The invitation and exeat were extended to just you.”
My excitement deflates immediately. “Surely, Lily—”
June tugs on my sleeve, drawing my attention to her. “It’s okay,” she says, smiling sweetly.
I shake my head. “I hate leaving you behind.”
She shakes her head, too. “Don’t you see? It’s time for you to stop living for me. Big things are happening for you and you’re finally getting to live a life that’s yours.”
A ball of emotion builds in my throat. My sister is only nine. How the hell is she such a sage?
June grins. “Go, and have fun.” But she points a finger at me, “But you better bring back some fancy, rich people snack for me.”
***
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Chapter 55
“And this,” Lily says as we move on to another mannequin, “was the last dress I wore down the runway in Milan in two thousand and three.” She leans in and whispers conspiratorially, “I was six months pregnant with Lara, but you should have seen me, I rocked the
show!”
1 laugh. “I’m sure you did.”
Lily beams. “So, what do you think?” She points to the dress. “I helped design it.”
I study the dress, feeling inept. My untrained eyes can’t possibly give intelligent feedback. But I remember what Lily said when we first started the tour of her studio immediately after a delicious brunch, during which I was too nervous to eat anything.
She said, “If an outfit is not interesting through color, it must be interesting through shape. If it’s not interesting through shape, it must be interesting through texture. And if it’s not interesting through texture, it must be interesting through color.”
I stare at the dress with all its intricately woven straps that make up its entirety. I imagine it can’t be worn conventionally, and each strap must be installed individually on the model’s body. I glance at Lily. “Shape.”
She raises a brow like she’s expecting more. I reach out and run my hands through the fabric. “Genius,” I whisper.
She smirks. “Why?”
“You made a dress of intricately woven patterns out of a fabric made of intricately woven patterns.” I smile at Lily, “So it’s interesting through shape and texture.”
Lily gives me that wide–toothed smile again. “I like you, April Farrah,” she declares.
My cheeks burn, and I stop myself from declaring that I love her.
She adds with a shrug, “Lara likes to wear the clothes, but she’s not really interested in the design process, so you can imagine how much fun this is for me.”
At the mention of Lara Ellington, I remember the article from earlier this morning. I haven’t seen her since I’ve been at the Ellington Estate, and I wonder if she’s seen the article and what she thinks about it.
Speak of–well, think–of the devil; the door to the studio opens, and Lara walks in.
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