Cressida

I composed myself and walked out of the elevator, trying hard to walk in those high heels with the gown I was in. I could see him walk towards the main lobby and then disappear, his bodyguards joining him. 

"Cressida" I heard a high pitched female voice, the source of which I was definitely familiar and not fond of. I turned to face my step cousin Shantel. She stood with her sister Precila. Both of them wearing over the top fancy gowns, which I am pretty sure dad paid for. Their faces covered in excessive make up. I thanked my stars for my personal make artists.

"Shantel" I faked a smile, "So nice to see you". We faked hugs and air kisses on the cheeks, pretending to be happy when I knew how jealous they always had been of me and how they have never wanted anything good for me. These two are almost on top of my list of most disliked people.

"The make artists did a fair job. You look nice for once" Precila said.

I wish I could say the same for them, but..

"I'll catch you both later" I said and walked away. Thankfully, I found Jasper and Liz waiting outside.

"My God, Cress. You look fabulous " Jasper said.

"You have a Cinderella cart waiting for you" Liz said, amazed, as she continued to stare at the said carriage. It definitely looked like a Cinderella carriage. And probably I did too. With my fancy gown and glass slippers. But my heels were far more uncomfortable.

"May I have the honor to escort you, Madamme? " Jasper offered his arm.

"Of course" I said taking his arm.

He carefully led me to the carriage and helped me in. Liz joining me inside.

"I'll probably get in the other one behind" he winked before closing the door.

The estate glowed at night. As the carriage moved towards the other direction. We were amazed at the size and beauty. Houses, small and large, a few small buildings, huts, few lanes moving towards other roads, a small lake, a golf court, a stadium, multiple parks, a large round about that almost looked like times square, and then, finally a large lake, with a magnificent glass dome, that was actually the grand hall where the party was being held.

"You are an actual princess, Cress" Liz said, as she got up. The door opened and she was helped out, and then itvwas my turn to move.

Anxiety was taking over me. I have never been crowd friendly. Social anxiety usually kept me hidden. With only limited friends and small company, I was happy in my small space. This, was definitely overwhelming. The size of the hall, the parking, the crowd already going in. This would be exhausting. I had no idea how I was going to cope with the people I had to meet now. This was the reason I was always kept hidden. But I guess I couldn't escape it anymore. I had to meet the people of my dad's circle. If only I had more siblings, who could make him proud, carry his legacy. But I could not.

"Cressida" I heard my dad's voice and relief filled me.

"As always" he kissed my forehead, "You look wonderful. Just like your mother". I smiled, the mention of my mother always brought pain, and beautiful memories. Days when I was a cheerful kid, more confident.

"Hey, don't be scared. No one would bother you. You can stay with your friends. Just.. "He took my arm and escorted me in, "I hope you won't mind a dance? "

"With you? Of course not" I smiled.

He laughed out loud, "No my darling. Your dad is too old to dance now. Shira!! " he called my bodyguard, "Take care of her please". She nodded.

"I'll be back soon. Enjoy" he kissed my forehead again and left.

"Woah! " Liz and Jasper both exhaled loudly, "This place.. Gosh.. so many rich people" Liz said.

"And hot girls" Jasper said, grinning at the rich girls wearing expensive, revealing gowns, with drinks in their hands. Some accompained with partners, others alone.

"Guys too.. But no one tops his gorgeousness" Liz pointed at Declan. My heart started thudding again as I saw him. Too handsome, truly. And he stood alone, with a glass in his hand. Occasionally returning the greetings of people who crossed him. He seemed to be least interested in the party too. His bodyguards stood beside him, but relaxed. Two of them not in sight.

"They switch places in parties, so everyone gets to enjoy" Noah said, appearing suddenly and handing us cocktails.

"All girls want him" Shira teased.

"Who wouldn't want him? " Liz said, "He is rich and so handsome "

"And? That's enough? We don't know anything about him. " I said.

"For a princess like you. But for us, yup that's enough " Liz said.

"What do you mean? What if he is abusive? " I said.

"Cress. That's the reason you are still single. You should buck up" Liz said.

Shantel and Precila were giggling and trying to get Declan's attention. But he paid no heed. He seemed lost or probably not interested. Maybe he was bored of this attention.

"Does he have a girlfriend though? " Liz asked Noah.

"Not that we know of. Never seen anyone with him. Neither has he been in a scandal. " she said.

I looked away, and watched other people. Dad was talking to a group of people, happy and cheerful. Jasper was trying to hit on the hot girls. And someone asked Liz for a dance and she agreed.

I decided to take a seat. But dad stopped me midway.

"A dance? " He asked again.

"Dad who am I..?  " I stopped mid sentence as Declan came behind dad and offered my hand. Dad wanted me to dance with him?

"I could have asked myself" he said, in his deep voice.

"And she could have rejected" My dad said, taking my hand and placing it in his. He pulled me into his arms, his arm wrapped around my tiny waist. An electric shop going all over my body.

"No one rejects me" he said, and spun me towards the dance floor.