LOGINABIGEALI STARED at Marcella in stunned silence for a few moments, noting that everyone else was staring at her as well. Then I laughed. “Jasmine, I know your mother is a nut job but I didn't realize that she's actually crazy,” I said.“Listen to me. I'm not crazy.” Marcella hissed, her hand still on my shoulder.“That's what all the crazy people say.” I said, shrugging off her hand. Today was already going bad enough without some rich old woman trying to adopt me just because she fancies me.“Abigeal, wait.”I refused to look at her as I started to walk away. “I know you've had this weird obsession with me since we've met, but that needs to stop. Jordan, come get your mother.” I'd gotten to the sliding doors and nearly escaped inside when she spoke again.“If you won't believe me, at least tell me if Ezekiel is okay.” She blurted.I stopped dead as my blood ran cold and I turned to face her. “How the fuck do you know that name?”I whipped my head at Jordan. “I will kill you right now
ABIGEALBY THE time dinner was over, I’d tasted nothing and was only happy to be away from the table so I could escape Marcella’s stares. Someone started to play somber music on the piano before someone else nudged him out of the way and started to play something else that brought cheers from the crowd.Before long, the speakers in the house were booming with 90s music and everyone was dancing. Even Marcella was swaying with a man on the dance floor.Jasmine shot me a bemused look as an older gentleman led her past me and whispered something about calling an ambulance in case any of these old people broke a hip or two. I shook my head at her, but had to admit she had a point.Somewhere during the night, Jordan and Blaine had to leave for an emergency at work. Something about the way Jordan said ‘emergency’ and the sour look on Blaine’s face made me think there was more to it than they were letting on.Now that everyone was otherwise occupied, I snuck up to my room, took off my heels w
ABIGEALJASMINE HURRIED me down the hallway, anxiously whispering about how late we were and how her mother was going to tear us a new one. I didn’t see what all the fuss was about, but I lifted my dress and increased my pace anyways.We paused at the top of the stairs, taken aback by all the people we found milling about at the bottom. I slowly turned to Jasmine. “I thought this was supposed to be a family only formal dinner.” I said in a low tone.“I thought so. Someone must have invited them last minute or something. That’s it. We’re leaving.”I agreed. “Perhaps if we just back away slowly…”We started to do so, until my eyes found Blaine’s in the crowd. The way he’d looked at me before paled in comparison to how he gazed at me now. Like I was an oasis in a scorching desert.“Abigeal, come on.” Jasmine hissed, but it was too late.My hesitation had cost us the few seconds advantage we had. More people had noticed us and were murmuring amongst themselves. Blaine cut through the cro
ABIGEALAS THE day rolled into dusk, I heard a knock on my door. I blew out a frustrated breath as I tried zipping the dress Blaine had bought me for the tenth time.I couldn't get the zipper more than halfway up my back and I was going to be late for dinner if I spent any more time on this because Jasmine was supposed to be here in less than ten minutes to help me with hair and makeup.At this point, I was ready to toss it all and say I wasn't coming down.The knock sounded again, reminding me someone was there. I gritted my teeth at the thought of having to ask for help but I was still practical enough to admit I had to. “Come in.”The door opened and I looked at the person stepping through in the mirror. My eyes met Blaine's and it immediately became difficult to breathe.He was wearing a deep blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up that matched his eyes and black slacks. His hair still glistened like he'd just gotten out of the shower and the curls fell over his forehead i
ABIGEALWE HADN'T been here up to thirty minutes and things were already going south. As soon as we walked in, we encountered Jasmine trying to console a weeping maid.I took one look at the already packed luggage beside the lady and would have turned around if not for Blaine's restraining hand on mine.“Jasmine, hey. What happened?”Jasmine looked frazzled. “Steph here wants to quit, because she feels trodden upon by… some occupants of this house.”The tact wasn't necessary; we all knew who she was talking about. The maid- Steph, I assumed- broke away from Jasmine's hold and glared at her.“Trodden upon? That's putting it lightly. That ugly hag called me fat and said no one would want me!” She blurted.I felt a tiny burst of surprise and respect when Jasmine shot her a sharp look.“Now, Stephanie, I sympathise with you but I won't stand by and let you throw insults at my mother. And maybe you really should cut down on the sweets.” She snapped.Steph paused in her weeping long enough
ABIGEAL“I DON’T really have to do this, do I?” I asked, my voice dangerously approaching a whine.“Abigeal, if I’m going down, then you’re going with me.” Blaine said firmly.“But you’ll be at Jordan’s house, which is practically a fortress. You don’t need me with you.” I protested, folding my arms.The thought of spending the next 72 hours in what was no doubt going to be a tense situation was very unappealing to me.“Yes, I do. The only other way I’m going to survive this is to drink myself to stupor, which I’m not going to do.” He replied. “So hurry up and finish packing so we can get going.”I eyed him balefully. “You’re not even attempting to hide the fact that you just want to use me.”“Not at all.” He said cheerfully, flopping down onto my bed.I threw a pillow at him which he caught with a grin. “Oh darling, you shouldn’t start what you can’t finish.”I lifted a brow as I returned the stare. “Who said I can’t finish it?” I challenged him.His eyes didn’t leave mine as he got







