CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS SPIRALED from the ivory-coloured ceilings, illuminating the golden polished glided patterns along the walls. Inspired by European architecture, ornated carved Corinthian columns were the first thing that caught my eye. The center of the ceiling was glass, and I could only imagine how beautiful it was at night. 

Upon entering, the only thing that kept me from turning away and heading home was August's hand. There were three scholarship students on this trip, and one of them was me. Word travelled quickly. Outsiders didn't belong, and these people made it evidently clear that I was an unwelcome guest. After the announcement of our arrival, I hesitantly unzipped the oversized trenchcoat and handed it to the attendant by the entrance. The dress had caught everyone's attention. In moments, the looming and judgemental stares shifted into venerated and envious ones. It was almost unsightly of how quick they seemed to change. Gratefully smiling, the female attendant blushed, anxiously and carefully taking the coat. 

Attempting to avoid tedious conversations, I tugged August by the hand and ventured into the ballroom. With fascination swirling in my eyes, I observed the design and structure of the building. It inspired me, and it was a shame that I didn't have a sketchbook on hand. After August was caught in a meaningless conversation, I scanned my surroundings. 

On the far right of the room, a troupe of violinist and pianist sat on a large platform. Skillfully, the melody flowed together seamlessly. It left me in awe, watching their bodies sway and the genuine love for the instruments through the song. I hummed along, immediately recognizing it. My father loved classical music, and it was blasting through the house all the time. Mazurka in A minor by Chopin. 

While surveying around, the third thing that caught my attention was the five-foot triple chocolate fountain. When August witnessed my child-like grin, he finished up on his conversation and tilted his head in the direction. "One bite," I promised with a pout. 

August looped his fingers with mine, "Go ahead," he replied, following behind as I took the lead. His thumb lightly rubbed my hand, and I found myself enjoying the warmth. Most of all, this side of August was my favourite, even if it was all a facade. 

Twirling the strawberry around with a skewer stick, I excitedly took a bite. After doing so, I extended outwards that August could take the remaining mouthful. Raising a brow, he dipped his head and bit it. And all I could think was how tempting the entire dessert table seemed. Withholding the urge, I glanced up, startled when August's thumb wiped my bottom lip. Licking it, he cheekily smirked, "Sorry, you had a bit of chocolate on your lip," and although he apologized, he certainly didn't seem apologetic at all. 

Whenever I was put into embarrassing situations, I impulsively needed to laugh it off. As if the world was on my side today, a man in his late forties greeted August. He released his hold on my hand, sanitized it, then shook the man's hand. I hadn't noticed it until now. The middle-aged man stood a few inches shorter, wrinkles adorning around his eyes when he smiled. While they exchanged pleasantries, I identified him as a well-known business owner of several of the largest established architecture firms in the world. Harrington Hills—everyone wanted him in their project but failed to even cross paths with him. He was the man they wished to meet but couldn't, and he was currently standing in front of me, in the flesh. 

Perhaps noticing my attentive eyes, he averted his gaze, nodding to acknowledge me. "You have a good eye, miss," Harrington winked, "It's rare to see such admiration."

"I know real beauty when I see it. The Corinthian pillars are a phenomenal touch!" Gushing out, I added smoothly, "As lovely as it is though, instead of the flat surface of the ceiling with the center being glass," I trailed off, gesturing apprehensively, "I think, perhaps if it was a dome of glass, it would be simply breathtaking at night. I believe dancing beneath the stars is a captivating idea. For winters, you would have a closed-dome roof. And from the inside, although it would look like a dome, the outside would be flat. This would also be interchangeable throughout the seasons," contemplating on a suitable analogy, I meekly said, "Like a convertible." 

He exchanged an odd look with August, and I wondered if I had been unnecessarily outspoken. "If I recall, you're Calista?" Harrington asked with an unreadable expression. When I nodded in reply, he flashed a friendly grin, "That's an amazing idea, and I think you have a lot of potential in architecture. If you're interested, have August contact me," he rambled, "And while I would love to have a thorough conversation with you, August seems unhappy that we've completely ignored his presence," and as Harrington strode away, whispering within in earshot, "If things go south with August, I have a son." 

"Harry, don't you have people to greet?" Grumbled August, relocating his hand around my lower waist. "My girlfriend and I won't be breaking up anytime soon, but nice try." And to emphasize it, he bent his head down, kissing my temple affectionately. It was a shame August was a businessman because his acting skills were definitely top-tier.

"There are about a dozen others curious about the lovely lady next to you," he waved, striding away and then winked. "I'm glad you upgraded your preferences. The last few were a questionable choice." 

If only you knew, Harry. If only you knew. 

Deciding to play around coyly, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and I didn't realize how tall he was until now. With my five-foot-one stature against his six-foot-three, I must have looked like a dwarf next to him. The only thing that was pulling me together was the uncomfortable heels giving me an extra five inches. "He's a sweetheart, don't worry," laughing, I half-jokingly added, "But, I'll keep that in mind." 

"She's joking," August assured, flicking my forehead.

Harrington chuckled, "Do check out the balcony and garden, Calista. You won't regret it." 

With my arms still around August, I caught a whiff of his cologne. It was a soft blend of a fruity and woody fragrance. Oddly enough, I felt relaxed and warm. Had it not been that I remembered we were built of lies, I might have stayed in his arms a little longer. 

Untangling myself from him, I found Liana in front of me, blocking my way and refused to move like an impenetrable fortress. Her conviction was strong, but it was tiring and annoying. While enduring her pointless bullying, instead of hating her, I pitied her. She was surrounded by people waiting for her to fall, sucking up to her because they wanted to be acknowledged. They were all made with two perfectly and dainty composed faces. Wealth was often a blessing and a curse. And for me, I preferred to be a scholarship student because I saw the real face. There weren't any facades, and I didn't need to be suspicious of backstabbing bitches. 

She was a prisoner of her own beauty, and perhaps, was aware of it. High cheekbones, full lips, upturned eyes that enhanced her mesmerizing cobalt dark eyes, the way she carried herself was truly worth the title of a Royal. But it all was shamelessly for naught when her personality was sinfully rotten. "You should be careful around here, else you'll really get hurt," she cooed sweetly, twirling her bouncy platinum blonde balayage. Instinctively, I searched for the two scholarship students that were to attend but found them absent. From the beginning, this event was intended for the rich, and by the scrutinizing stares I received, it was I who was out of place. "Without August, you wouldn't be here. So when he gets bored with you, you'll understand why the hierarchy exists." 

"Are you finished spewing nonsense?" His voice was sharp, cold and venomous. The smile he had earlier vanished, left with a threatening stone exterior. August took a generous step forward, whispering in a low tone. "Did you forget? She's my property, which means you should understand the hierarchy," her face had grown expressionless, pale and cautious. Although his words became incoherent, I was able to catch a few, "Secrets are best when they're shared." 

She laughed, but nothing about it was humourous. Fixing her composure, she cleared her throat, refusing to let the perturbed and furious expression slip. Her nails dug into her palm but still gracefully, nodded her head. To her, image and presentation meant everything. "I hope the two of you enjoy the gala," she chatted smoothly, "Beautiful dress, by the way, Calista. It flatters your figure wonderfully." 

The offhanded compliments slid off her tongue naturally as though she had done this a hundred times before. Walking past, she patted my shoulder then squeezed it firmly. Biting my lip to prevent myself from wincing, her grasp loosened until the sound of her heels faded into the gossip and music. "You think that pissed her off enough?" I nudged his abdomen. 

"We have plenty of opportunities. I've been wanting her off my back for a while, but she's persistently obsessed," he sighed out amusedly, "We should go see the balcony and garden before the gala really starts." 

Pulling him by the wrist as he trailed behind, I pushed open the unnecessarily heavy glass doors. Letting go of August, I leaned on the railings of the balcony. In discomfort and ache, I tossed off the heels and exhaled in a sigh of relief. "It's beautiful," I said with an airy voice. In the distance, an extravagantly lit greenhouse stood, surrounded by over a dozen different types of flowers. I could make out the precision and meticulous carvings of Flora—the Roman Goddess of Flowers and Spring. She was laying down in the middle of a fountain, flowers adorning her hair with a wreath around her neck, holding onto a small bouquet. Surrounded by petals, jets of water sprung every few moments that made you stop and admire.

Ambling down the steps, my eyes travelled to the left-wing of the garden and landed on an enormous waterfall pool. August, on the other hand, had picked up my heels. While night approached, LED lights in the pool alternated colours every few minutes. Although it certainly wasn't my first time seeing one, I had never seen one this grand. With small fountains on the side, it felt oddly tempting to jump in. Had it not been that I was currently at a gala and had an inconsistent fear of water, I may have.   

The fear I had came to an extent. Although I was an excellent swimmer and able to make it far, after the incident, I stopped. I began having erratic panic attacks—sometimes it happened, and sometimes it didn't. My father had grown frantically paranoid and worried that I was kept away from pools unless I was with my family. 

Drawing closer to the pool while maintaining distance, a sudden cold breeze left me shivering. August shrugged off his blazer, placing it atop my shoulders as I found myself snuggling closer. Along the way, there were different coloured irises, and I knelt down to smell them. "Should we head inside? I don't want you catching a cold." 

"In a bit," I brushed off, "I just want to be away from the commotion a little longer. Do you think you can get me a drink? That way, you can get a few conversations in tonight." 

"Will you be okay out here? It's cold," he nagged lightly, crossing his arms. 

Shaking my head, I hadn't yet explored the entire grounds of the garden. "If it gets too chilly, I'll come to find you," I reassured, "I'll be fine. If anyone bothers me, I'll mention I'm your girlfriend." 

"Stay put," he pointed, "Rosé champagne?"

I grinned at his accurate guess, and when he was out of sight, humming, I strayed back to the pool. Standing from afar,  I studied the small details, taking note of all the things I would tell my father. My favourite part of it was the jacuzzi that was divided on the very right end. All that seemed to be missing was an area to lounge in, preferably a gazebo. 

After a few minutes passed by, the footsteps returned, "That was fast, August. Were you that desperate to escape confrontation?" 

"What did you do to get him? Blackmail?" It was lethal and full of malice. Pivoting, I massaged my temples. She scoffed incredulously. "There is absolutely no way in hell that he would give you the time of day out of his own free will," her eyes lit up and laughed, "You aren't really dating, are you? He's using you. You're his pair for the games!" 

I retorted, suppressing an eye roll. "Why are you so goddamn obsessed?" She must have been delusional if she thought he was using me. If anything, it seemed as though I was benefitting more than he was. 

"Because I love him!" She snapped, clenching her knuckles. Upon realizing she was accompanied by Daniel, I chewed on the side of my cheek. "I have known him and been there for him ever since she died!" Livid was an understatement. Beneath her beauty, she was a viper. Venomous, dangerous, and crazy. "From the moment you stepped into the academy, you haven't realized your fucking place. You're a Humilis!" 

Taking a step back to create distance between us, she took an intimidating step forward. "Liana–"

"Do you think you can seriously stand beside August?" She giggled in a ridiculing way, lifting her arched brow up. Her heel tapped the cement impatiently, "You think I can't get rid of you the way I did with her? She was so fucking stupid too," Liana added knowingly with a smirk, "I saw that look in your eye. The discomfort and vigilant, I mean. You're terrified of water, aren't you?"

Panic automatically slipped in my veins, and I suddenly couldn't move. Despite my mind screaming for my limbs to run, I was stuck. And when I put everything into reacting, the rough hands held me in place. I couldn't breathe, but I had never been so glad that by tonight, Daniel wouldn't be able to show his face to the public without being shamed. 

Liana's acrylic nails lifted my chin up, tilting her head with a calculating gaze. "Have fun," she purred, patting my shoulder gently. "On your swim, of course." And I felt my body lifted up as I kicked to free myself. My father had put me in self-defence classes for this exact reason, but I couldn't gather my thoughts together. 

The freezing water made me gasp out as I struggled to keep my head levelled. Memories resurfaced, crashing on me like a tsunami. They had put me into a transparent water tank and shut the top. I remember vividly when the water began rising, sobbing as I begged them to stop. I remember holding my breath, lightheaded, silently and repeatedly punching the glass. And while I was drowning, my vision blurring, they had laughed. Heartless and impenitent—a phone recording my every moment, demanding half a billion as ransom. 

Reality struck me as I sunk further, exhaustingly I pushed myself to paddle to the edge. Splashed with water, I coughed, "H-Help, please!" I screamed, swallowing mouthfuls of water. Narrowing her eyes, she increased the intensity of the waters. Retreating, she took one last look pridefully before she disappeared inside with Daniel. 

"Calista?!" Shaky hands lifted me from my hysteric state. A crowd formed, murmurs speaking of how I did this for attention. 

And it was the threatening voice the boomed through the crowd that made everyone stiffen. He was the type of man who didn't need a reason to destroy one's reputation, sever business deals or relationships, or waste away billions like water. He was never provoked for a reason, and others knew better than to piss someone like him off. The only thing he liked more than money was power. But the one thing you never messed with was family. "What the fuck happened here?"

But the voice—it didn't belong to August.