everything changed. He lost a lot of business when Laurelle left, so he kept on the traditions that she put in place and somehow that managed to help. The rumor is that he does it because he’s still hung up on Laurelle and is hoping that the lifestyle might draw her back, but when it comes down to Charles, it’s about business. It’s always about business.”
“Damn … the Carrington’s are messed up.”
“Understatement of the year,” he grumbles as his lips pull up into a grin, just as amused by the topic as I am. He takes a sip of his drink and glances down at me. “So, the rest of your week seemed a little better.”
I shrug my shoulders. “The whole week was pretty shitty,” I tell him, “but there aren’t any dead bodies and I didn’t have to spend hard-earned cash on bail money so I guess it couldn’t have been that bad. It definitely could have been worse.”
“True,” he says. “After all, you are finishing off your week at the most elite party of the month while wearing a twelve thousand dollar gown.”
My mouth drops. “Twelve thousand dollars?” I shriek, struggling to keep my voice down. My gaze drops to the figure-hugging gown that’s currently wrapped around my body like a second skin. Twelve thousand dollars? Holy fuck. The only time I’ve ever seen that kind of money was when I went on a job with Nic and it was either pay up or die.
“Geez,” Milo laughs, discreetly looking around to make sure no one could overhear us. “Way to make it obvious that you’re not from around here.”
I roll my eyes. “Look at me, Milo. I’m not platinum blonde with fake boobs and a nose job. I have split ends and did my own freaking manicure, I think it’s pretty damn clear that I’m not from around here.”
“Good point,” he says as we finish the loop through the gardens. “Let’s head back up. You need another drink, and I’m starving.”
My eyes drop to my glass to find it empty and my brows shoot up. How the hell did that happen? I hardly even remember sipping on it. Though for that to have happened, I must have liked it.
We return to the party a moment later and hardly get through the door before the waitress Milo had tasked to ‘keep them coming’ is there with a new drink to replace the old. I gingerly take it from her, feeling like some sort of princess. No one has ever gone out of their way for me like that. Is this really how the wealthy live their lives?
I’ve never been so jealous in my life. There’s such a contrast from the way I’ve been brought up to how things are in this world. Every little thing is done differently. Just getting breakfast in the morning is different. I don’t think I’ve had to make my own bed once since being here.
Milo leads me across the massive room, dodging all the people while being careful not to step on anyone’s gown. He brings me to a stop in front of a long table that spans the whole length of the big room. Every little section of the table is piled high with food, all of which I wouldn't be able to name to save my life.
“Here,” Milo says, handing me a plate with an excited gleam in his eyes. “Load it up. I have a feeling it’s going to be a big night and you’re going to need your energy.”
Well, who am I to say no?
Chapter 13
My stomach aches with all the food I’ve eaten, and the thought of standing up from this table and having people assuming it’s a baby bump protruding from my stomach is one of the scariest things I’ve ever felt. I don’t know why though. I’ve faced down all sorts of shit. Having a food baby shouldn’t be something that terrifies me but with all these elitist pigs at this party, one bad rumor could do a lot of damage.
I throw back what’s left of my fifth fruity drink as Milo laughs at the way his father just left the table. He’d come over to introduce himself to Milo’s special friend then Milo explained that I was Charles' niece from out of town, the same girl he’d heard all those stories about involving Coach Sylvester and Dean Simmons.
Realizing that I’m the only girl at school surrounded by five hundred boys, Milo’s father grinned proudly, clapped his