Vivian's POV

"What do you think of this one?" Alex pulls out a green gown with net sleeves. 

"Nope." I rejected it. I am sure Kelly would wear green, to match Bennet's eyes and sappy stuff like that.

When I came back to the dorm yesterday, Bennet informed me that the official reason for the gathering was New Year's Eve.  I was also told that it would be extravagant, with a lot of people and with the media, so I had to dress accordingly. 

"How about this?" Thea asks pointing to a silver, one shoulder, mermaid cut gown. The shoulder was embroidered net, while the dress itself was shiny, in an elegant way rather than cheap way.

"It could work." I said after a minute. So I tried it on and bought it. 

Back at the dorm, Thea and Alex ran around getting things in order for em to get ready. This day went by too quick and now it was almost 7:30. I took a shower and got into the dress. It took the girls a lot of time to decide on what to do about my hair, while I sat there bored. 

In the end, they decided on a bun with loose curls. After a lot of pulling and pinning, a messy bun was done and Thea went on doing my makeup. 

My phone vibrates, so I check it.

Are you ready?  Sebastian messages.

Almost. Will be there in fifteen minutes. Look out for a black car.

Ok. What color are you wearing?

Silver.                                -V

See you then.                -S

Okay.                                -V

Okay.                              -S

Fine                               -V

Fine...                            -S

Bye.                              -V

After that he did not reply. 

"What are you smiling at?" Alex asks, stuffing chips in her mouth.

"Nothing." I say, making Thea scold me for moving.  

"Done!" Thea exclaims, after brushing off the baking powder. 

"So I am going now. The car is waiting down. Thanks for all this." I said, while taking in my look in the mirror. Elegant. Not bad. I take my maroon shawl and cover myself, it was already getting a little chilly.

"Have fun, Cinderella." Thea jokes.

"And punch anyone who ruins anything for you." Alex comments making Thea frown at her. "Wait, wear this ring, it goes great with your outfit." She said, passing a diamond ring at me. I had brought it last year and hadn't worn it a lot. I took it and slide it on.

"Bye guys. Love you both." I said, while putting on my heels. I grab my clutch and put my phone in it. I rush towards the elevator, I was already 5 minutes behind the schedule. 

"You are going there tonight?" I was asked the minute the elevator doors open. 

"Dustin. You here?" I ask him. 

"Yup, I got invited too." He replies, fixing his black tie. 

"No date?" 

"She's waiting for me to pick her up. You?"

"Gotta pick him up."

"Breaking the stereotypes, I see." He says as the doors open. We both exit and go towards our cars, he to a blue Porche while I to the black limo.

"Is Ray coming too?" I ask Dustin.

"I am." I feel an arm around my shoulder. "This douche here, didn't hold the elevator door for me. By the way you look great." 

"Good to hear, the look is thanks to the girls." I sit inside the car while Ray goes to his Lamborghini and Dustin in his Porche.

"Race you there, pretty boy!" Dustin shouted, slamming shut his car door.

"It's on!" Ray shouted back as both of them started their cars. Two men, in suits, racing like kids. 

"Ma'am should we go?" The driver asked.

"Yes." I pulled my shawl closer. Messaging Sebastian that I am on my way, I relax. My whole plan replays in my head. It's pretty simple, now Sebastian should play his role well. So that once and for all my parents understand they can't control my life and that it doesn't matter to me what they think. 

Breath Viv, you can do this. 

My eyes water, and before a tear can betray me and fall, the car stops. 

"Ma'am we are here."

"Call me Vivian, and thank you. We have to wait for someone." I said while simultaneously texting Sebastian that I am waiting for him. After a few minutes, the main door of the building opens and out he comes. 

My eyes widen seeing him. Sebastian usually wears black, and always casuals. So seeing him in a suit is a bit of a shocker. He had a tie in his hand and his hair were messy, as if he had been running his hand through them a lot. He spots the car and has a slight shocked look, but he composes himself fast and enters the car.

"Hi." He says, shutting the door. He runs a hand through his hair and hands me his tie. "I don't know how to tie it."

I laugh at this and take the grey tie. "You could have watched a YouTube video." I replied.

"I got ready just now, I was busy the whole day." He says, slightly out of breath. I scoot near him, and hit his hand. 

"Stop ruffling your hair." I glared at him, mockingly. Tying the tie as cleanly as possible, I thank the time I used to help Bennet for function, when we were young. Pulling it lightly I ask him, "Is it tight enough?" To which he nods. 

I adjust it and then run my hands over his hair. While my eyes remain at his hair, his were on me. I tried taming his hair, which wasn't a hard thing because they were soft enough. My eyes met his, and for a second, just that one second, time stopped but I knew reality. The moment the job was done, I was back in my seat, pretending as if nothing happened just now. 

"Ma'am we are here." The driver speaks again.

"Thank you." I then turn to Sebastian. "You need to act as if nothing here impresses you, no matter how big or how magnificent. Stay with me all the time. Don't smile, don't show any emotion and be as arrogant as possible. Avoid talking to my family as much as you can. And remember you look great and I look good too, so let no one, I mean no one make you feel small. We can do this." I give him a smile and then my poker face comes back. 

"Act's on." I say, adjusting my shawl. 

The driver aka chauffeur opened the door for me. The flashes begin, the moment I step my foot out. I get out of the car, while Sebastian comes to my side. I take his arm, that he offers, handing my shawl to the driver. We walk through the entrance and in the hall, all the while the press asking questions like,

"Miss Vivian! Who is this man?"

"Is this another fling?"

"Ma'am are you back with your family!"

"Ma'am Please answer!" 

I could feel Sebastian's hold on me tightens. He thinks I need his support, but little does he know that I am used to this. But it made me feel nice. Finally when we were inside did I take in the whole scene. I dropped my hand from Sebastian's arm. He took a step back and looked at me.

"You look really beautiful." He compliments.

"I know. You did a good job matching me." I tease, while he comes closer to me, putting his arm around my waist. 

"Hey Vivian." I turn towards the voice. Bennet and Kelly come towards me. Kelly was wearing a green gown, while Bennet was wearing a Black suit with a green tie. Kelly was stroking her belly which was now showing that there was a life in it.

"Hi." I said with a small smile on my face. Kelly and Bennet both hugged me, while Bennet shook hands with Sebastian. 

"Grey suits you." Kelly compliments.

"Thank you. Anyways, Kelly, Bennet meet Sebastian, my boyfriend. Sebastian, this is Bennet, my brother and Kelly, his wife." I introduced.

"Nice meeting you." Kelly says, while Bennet stares at him.

"The pleasure's all mine." He said with a smirk. That did something to me. 

Ignore, Viv. 

"Good evening, Vivian." I hear the voice of a lady, also known as my mother. She was dressed in black, with a simple pair of diamond earrings, showing off her elegance. A waiter passed by, so I took a glass of champagne.

"It isn't that good anymore, Mrs Jackson." I said with as much rudeness possible. Sebastian looked awkward for a minute but then remembered his role. His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me towards him.

"Who is this gentleman?" She asks, ignoring my comment.

"My boyfriend." I replied. She was taken aback by my answer. I never brought any guy to any of the functions, never dated anyone, always the one night stand girl.

"I am Liane Jackson, Vivian's mother." She extended her hand towards Sebastian. He took it.

"Sebastian." He said coldly. Mrs Jackson didn't look shocked, why? He withdrew his hand in a second.

"I should get going-"

"You should."

"To check on the guest. Bennet your father was asking for you." She says and leaves. 

"She is way too much drama." I mutter, while Bennet and Kelly leave.

 I drink the champagne in one gulp.

"You okay?" He asks me.  I keep the empty glass on a table.

"Been better." I answer.

"Oh so you are here with him. Sebastian, never took you as the high class party attending idiot." A voice speaks, which belongs to Dustin who appears.

"You just described yourself." Ray laughs.

"So who won the race?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"I did." Dustin says.

"Dude, are you disillusioned? My lambo bet your Porche so easily." Ray rolls his eyes. 

"Guys chill. I asked the wrong question." I laughed.

"I am gonna go and find the lady who came here with me." Dustin says.

"And I am going to get some drinks. You both want anything?" Ray asks once Dustin leaves.

"Nope." I answer, while Sebastian shakes his head. With that Ray departs, leaving Sebastian and I together. He led me to the dance floor, with a slight smile, which he covered up quickly. He offers his hand and stops.

"Dance with me?" He asks, so I put mine in his and he leads me. My one hand rests on his shoulder while the other is in his. Sebastian's hand rested on my waist. I move closer to him, my head resting on his chest. It felt so nice, staying here and swaying with him. I wanted this to last, partly because I was tired and a little because this was too good to be true. 

I pulled myself away from him, and realized that the whole hall had gone silent, with only Sebastian and I dancing. I stood up straight and he understood that something was wrong. 

I saw my father, Mr Jackson coming our way, along with Kelly's parents, so instead to stopping, I gave a wink to Sebastian. A smirk came upon his lips and his hand slid lower than my waist. I pushed myself close to him, so that my face was very close to his. As the song came to an end, he twirled me around and back into his arms. The crowd clapped, pleased with the entertainment they got, waiting for more to unfold. 

"Vivian, darling, you look beautiful today." Mr Jackson's voice filled in the silence of the hall. Sebastian's arm once again finds my waist, and we go on a straighter pose. 

"I agree." Kelly's father, Mr Wane Treii says. 

"I already know." I said, with a roll of eyes. With that the people once again went back to their business, and the place once again was filled with noise.

"Who's this man?" Mr Jackson asks. He waits for some kind of reaction from Sebastian but he remains stone faced. "Breece Jackson." He at last offers his hand. 

Sebastian 1

Mr Jackson 0

"Sebastian." He replies, taking his hand and giving one firm shake and withdrawing his hand.

"Your date?" Wane asks.

"Her boyfriend." Sebastian beats me at answering. His voice held so much arrogance that I was proud. 

"Oh. I was unaware of this arrangement." He says. 

"Why, did you have anything planned?" I ask him, and both the men look shocked. Wane goes to talk but I speak up, "Perhaps a setting between your son and me?" I looked at him with a cold look, as if he was below my foot.

"How- What?" Mr Jackson spoke up.

"Father, did you think I would let you interfere in my life? Make a choice for me, Again?" I gave a humorless chuckle. He looked taken aback by my words. "I think we are done here. Aren't they serving dinner now?" I turn to Sebastian. "Babe, we should go." 

"Sure." He said, leading me away from them. Once we were away from the crowd and in a corner I took a deep breath. My legs gave up and I was thankful for Sebastian's hold on me. "Are you okay?" He asks worried. "We can leave, if you want." 

To any other person it would look like we were busy in the corner, but how drastically changed the reality was.

"Can we stay for just until dinner, I want to talk to Bennet." I said, getting a hold over myself. He nodded. "Thank you." 

"Let's get settled?" He asks and I look over to the tables for dinner. He understood and we walked over there.

And then I saw him. I froze, my heartbeat dropping. Sebastian realized something was wrong, but it did not matter to me. My eyes were stuck to his face. He was enjoying with female company. And then the worst thing possible happened, he saw me. A smirk came over his face while he came towards us.

"Vivian, what's wrong?" Sebastian asked, but I didn't notice it. All that mattered was that he was coming my way. His eyes went over my body and a shiver went down my back. "Babe-"

"Viv, pleasure seeing you here." His smooth voice rang in my ears. My breathing stopped for a second, and then I reminded myself that I can do this. My back went stiff.

"Can't say the same." I said, with as much venom possible.

"Com'on you are meeting your childhood bestie after so long." He said, and then noticed that I was with a man. "Hi, I am Jason Quinn, Vivian's family friend."

"Sebastian." He said simply. His grip on my waist tightened a little, pulling me to his side. "Her boyfriend." 

"Oh I see. So how did you meet her? One night stand? Maybe a bar? Or-"

"Fuck off." Sebastian said, rudely. "No one talks about her like that. Understand?" He glares at Jason.

"News flash! Everyone talks about her like that, because she is like that." He has a smirk on his face.

I moved away from him. "I am like that." I said, staring right at him. "And if it doesn't matter to me, I don't see why it should be a matter of concern for you, Jason."

"Beware Vivian, not everyone is trust-able." He says, staring at Sebastian, as if challenging him.

"I learnt that long back, thanks to you." I give him a sarcastic smile. I see a flash from the corner of my eye. I turn to Sebastian and go on my tiptoes and slam my lips on his. 

He stood still for a second, and then his arms went around my waist while mine in his hair. It felt exactly how a kiss feels, the only difference I enjoyed this. My eyes were closed as I adjusted against him. After a few seconds I moved away. Sebastian looked shocked, with his eyes a little darker than usual. 

I noticed Jason had left. "Whoa." He exclaimed and then pulled himself together.

"Let's leave." I took his hand. I took a deep breath and collected myself, I felt a little dizzy but it's nothing I haven't felt before. 

"Okay." He answers, and then suddenly the whole room starts getting blurry, and I loose my balance. I feel his hands on me, stopping me from falling. "Vivian!" I heard him and then everything went black.

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A/N: I have a unit test tomorrow and here I am posting a chapter.

And here's the dress I imagined.