Will he like it?

Vienna's POV:

I stood in front of my dresser, holding the mascara wand in hand, trying to perfect my smile. I practiced again in the mirror, although it felt more like a forced rehearsal. 

Today was supposed to be a milestone birthday, but so far, it was turning into a day of endless embarrassment. But as much as I wanted to spend the rest of the day rotting in my bed, I couldn't skip the gala.

I had to get ready for the ancient rituals that were going to be held later. 

As I swept the mascara across my lashes, coating them evenly, my gaze drifted to the small open box of opal earrings sitting on the dresser. 

My father’s customary birthday gift… I snapped the box shut, feeling a pang of annoyance as I tucked it away into a drawer filled with identical boxes. 

Fifteen of them to be precise, stacked neatly beside one another. 

Every year, without fail, he tossed the same earrings at me, probably considering that it was a thoughtful gift. He didn’t even care to remember which ones he had already given me… just another token in the endless parade of his expectations and the acts he puts on for the sake of formality. 

I was pulled out of my thoughts when the door creaked open behind me. I saw her reflection in the mirror before I heard her voice. 

My stepmother, Tessa, dressed head to toe in a designer outfit and matching accessories, glided into the room.

Her one-shoulder gown was much fancier and more expensive than mine; but these things didn't bother me anymore. After all, she was a social butterfly, always enjoying the attention that came with her sparkling personality… at least from the outside. 

“You look more decent than usual today, I have to say,” she cooed, stepping closer to me and fixing the strap on my shoulder. 

Her sugary tone made my skin crawl, but I kept my expression neutral.

“Thank you,” I said flatly, not in the mood to speak with her.

Engaging with her would only escalate into an argument, and there was no point in that. 

Tessa was always going to win, no matter what.

She smirked, highlighting the mole above her lip before she opened her mouth. 

“Your dad wants to open the bottle of McKenna 65 for his guests this evening. Though, I don’t think the occasion is special at all...” 

She trailed off with a wave of her hand. “Anyway! If you’re done wasting your time dancing in front of the mirror, just go and be useful for once. Fetch the bottle from the wine cellar and bring it to your dad.”

Forcing down the irritation bubbling inside me, I nodded, lowering my gaze. 

“Sure, I’ll get it.”

Of course, I knew why Tessa said that; it was just another way to degrade me in my own eyes. 

There were at least a dozen servants who could have gone down to the cellar, not to mention the staff Dad must have hired to organize the party.

But no, she had to remind me of my place in this house. This party may have been for my birthday, but it was just a way for my father to put on a show in the eyes of the world. 

“Go on, I don't want to see your stupid face any longer! Do you need a map to go down to the basement now? How you've taken after your dumb whore of a mother…”

She snapped at me before storming out of my room, jolting me into action. I was still the unnecessary reminder of a mother who was no longer here. A woman my father hadn’t been loyal to, even in her lifetime.

Not wanting to create more drama tonight, so I took the easy way out. 

Walking up the narrow staircase leading out of the cellar, the stale air following me outside, someone stepped in front of me, blocking my path. 

Gemini, of course. Her smirk was already in place, as if she had been waiting for this.

“Well, well, look at you. Such a good little wardboy! I guess mom found a way to make you useful after all…”

I would have sidestepped Gemini, but the stairway was too narrow– I had no choice but to confront her. 

"What do you want, Gemini?" I asked, trying to keep the irritation from spilling into my voice, but it was hard. 

She grinned, all too pleased with herself. "Oh, I want lots of things, Vienna! But you don’t have control over any of those." 

She leaned against the railing, twirling a lock of her strawberry blonde hair between her manicured fingers. 

"So, tell me—how do I look?" 

She wiggled her eyebrows, playfully while I stared at her, dumbfounded. 

Had she seriously just stopped me on the stairs to ask that, of all things? 

I barely gave her a once over before answering. 

“You look fine. Now, move."

But Gemini wasn’t going to let it go so easily. She pouted to show her displeasure before whining loudly, 

"Don’t be so salty, Vienna! I can't help it if I look much better than you on your day of ritual. Who knows, even your mate will end up liking me more? Anyway, you can at least compliment me properly. Tell me—do you think Ashton will like me in this?"

She twirled on the staircase, showing off her candy-pink, skin-tight dress that ended on her mid-thigh. 

My fingers tightened around the neck of the wine bottle I was holding, feeling like I should break it over her head. But that will only bring her more attention, which is exactly what she wanted…

Did she really have the nerve to ask me that question, after everything she had done? Sure, I knew now that Ashton was nothing but a piece of trash, but once upon a time, I had loved him. 

And tonight…it was supposed to be the night the ritual would be completed, and he would become my mate. 

I counted down from ten in my head.

"I’ll give you five seconds to step aside," I said, my voice low enough to convey the threat. 

“Or don’t blame me for what happens next."

Gemini scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“Oh come on! Why are you so irritated? Just because he left you for me?"

That's enough, and I snapped. Pulling a sugary sweet smile on my face, I asked her in the same innocent tone she was faking. 

"Irritated? Why would I be? I’m actually thankful, because I got the best birthday present! You and Ashton are trash that took itself out. So technically, you saved me the trouble."

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she covered it up with a laugh. 

"Come on, why don’t you admit it, Vienna? You’re still hung up on him."