Chapter 7

Before they saw me, my eyes ran through her entire outfit again. She was dressed impeccably. Now I suddenly felt inferior in my jean shorts and camisole.

I hid away. No way was I going to let her see me like this. I was a mess with a chocolate stain on my camisole and my hair looking all frizzy. No, I would have to get dressed.

I pressed myself against the wall as I heard them talking, staying out of sight, until they eventually went upstairs.

I let out a sigh of relief at not being discovered.

I hurried back to my room as I watched the maids bring in luggage.

Wait, she was staying?

I didn’t wait to process as I ran into my room, closing the door behind me.

“Well, that was close.” I mumbled as I walked to my mirror.

I was average-looking compared to Celeste. It’s no wonder Cassian seemed happy to see her.

She also seemed so vibrant. A perfect lady for this manor. The same couldn’t be said for me though, with my timid self. Even the maids seemed to walk all over me.

I decided to spend the hours in my room. I wasn’t going to step out.

I was startled as a knock sounded on my door.

“Uh.. come in?” Was it Cassian?

“Ma’am, Mr. Rooke has said to inform you of dinner with Miss Celeste by 6 pm. Please, be punctual.”

I rolled my eyes. Please be punctual? If it wasn’t for Isla, I would have been punctual for the last one.

I nodded, and she left, leaving me to my thoughts.

Dinner time came quickly. I had already spent an hour trying to look for something good to wear. I settled on a jade-green floral dress and made sure I properly washed and blow-dried my hair. I looked good. At least, I felt so.

I made my way downstairs and saw the large spread laid out. I guess the maids were going all out. I sat down and nervously played with my fingers, anticipating the arrival of the…. Couple.

While I was nervously waiting, the maids kept on bringing in dishes and setting up. That’s when I saw Isla.

“Isla?” I called her, and she turned to me.

“Yes?” She responded.

I was puzzled. Didn’t she have something to say to me?

“Isla, you haven’t apologized for the prank you pulled on me. It wasn’t very nice.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Prank? I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Huh?

“You told me to come down for dinner by 7 pm when it was actually 6 pm.”

“I didn’t do that. I told you 6 pm, ma’am.” She widened her eyes.

“If I have offended you, ma’am, then I am very sorry, but please don’t try to fault me for your mistake. I really did say 6 pm.” She suddenly put on a scared look.

“What? Isla, why on earth are you lying? You told me to come down by 7 pm. I’m not even mad about it anymore, but you don’t have to lie.”

“Ma’am, you must have misheard me that evening. I am sorry if you misheard and ended up late because of it.” She bit her lip. “Can I go now? We still have a lot to do.”

She walked out.

What just happened? Did Isla try to gaslight me? Like seriously?

I realized then and there that I would have far more trouble with the maids than I realized. I sat still, waiting for the people who were supposed to be down over 10 minutes ago.

I heard her laugh again before I saw her. My eyes went to the stairs where she walked down with Cassian beside her. They actually looked like a perfect couple. She was dressed in a floor-length maxi dress, and her blonde hair was in a low bun.

She was still talking to Cassian until her eyes fell on me.

They finally got to their respective seats.

She furrowed her brows.

“Oh. Who’s this, Cass? I didn’t know you now had a caretaker, although you do need it.” She said as she took her seat.

Cass? Caretaker?

“Celeste, if you bothered to respond to my messages or read them, you would have seen where I told you I was getting married. She is my wife.”

“Married? You got married?” She raised a brow and turned to me.

“I never thought I’d see the day.” She laughed.

Cassian shook his head and beckoned to the maid, who started serving.

“What is your name?” She asked me.

“Elara.” I said.

“You are beautiful.”

“Oh.. Um.. Thank you.” I was flustered at the sudden compliment.

Maybe she wasn’t so bad after all.

“How is it living with Cass? I know he can be insufferable sometimes.” She rolled her eyes as she gave him a look.

“It is alright. I’m adapting.” I said.

“Good.”

For the rest of the dinner, I watched as Celeste babbled on and on with Cassian, intently listening to her, only responding when necessary.

I looked between them, feeling a bit of envy. They were so much better suited.

“Cass, how is Mother doing? I hope her blood pressure hasn’t hit the roof yet, considering how much she is always angry.”

“She is well. Still as stubborn as ever.” Cassian responded.

“And the twins? I bet those little rascals have not yet outgrown their childish ways.”

“They are doing well. You know, rather than asking me all these questions, you could go see them for yourself.” Cassian gave her a look.

“Oh, please, I bet she is still angry about what happened between us.” Celeste rolled her eyes.

What happened between them?

“W…what happened?” I suddenly found myself asking.

“Well, I turned down Cassian’s proposal.”

Proposal? Wait.

“Proposal for?” I asked.

“Oh, silly me, I haven’t told you yet. Cassian and I were supposed to be married. I mean, that was the original plan, but I just wasn’t ready.” She raised a brow. “Hasn’t Cassian told you? I thought you guys were close. I guess I thought wrong.”

They almost got married?!