Thorns and Ribbons

“Are you really leaving all by yourself, Evelyn?” my roommate asked me as she packed her last bag into her dad’s car.

I gave her a small smile and nodded. “Yes. I just want to put my things in the trunk and head back early. Congratulations on graduating!”

“Congratulations to you too!” she called out before running off to join her cheering family.

I looked around the busy school compound. Everyone was shouting, laughing, and hugging their parents. Students were taking photos in their black graduation gowns, throwing their caps high into the sunny sky. Bright smiles and happy tears were everywhere.

I stood near the corner of the parking lot, holding my heavy cardboard box with both hands. I felt completely alone. But honestly, I was used to it. I had been alone ever since my mother married Arthur Vance six years ago and dragged me into their rich world.

I bent down to adjust my heavy canvas bag on the floor, hoping nobody would pay attention to me.

“Look! Isn't that Dorothy Vance?” a loud, sharp voice shouted a few steps away from me.

“No way! Dorothy Vance is here on our campus?” another girl gasped in shock. “Look at his suit! He looks like a high-fashion model!”

My heart stopped for a second. My hands froze on the handle of my bag.

I didn't even need to turn around to know it was him. I could feel the air change. The noisy crowd of over two thousand students suddenly grew quiet. People began whispering and pointing. Dorothy always had that kind of effect on people. Whenever he entered a place, everyone looked at him.

I kept my head down, staring straight at my old shoes. *Please don't walk over here,* I prayed in my mind. My heart was beating fast like a trapped bird. *Please just let me leave quietly. Let me take the bus home before anyone notices me.*

“Who is he walking toward?” the first girl asked, her voice full of envy.

“Is he looking for Isabella? I heard she bought a very expensive dress for today.”

“Isabella is not in this department!” the other girl replied. “Wait… is he walking to Evelyn? That quiet girl from the arts department?”

“Evelyn? His step-sister? You must be joking. She hardly talks to anyone. Why would the heir of Vance Enterprises come all the way here just to pick her up?”

Their words felt like a sharp needle in my heart. Step-sister. That was the word everyone used. It was just a polite title people used so they didn't have to call me what I really was: an unwanted guest in a rich home.

Two polished black leather shoes stopped right in front of me.

“Are you really planning to carry that heavy box all the way to the bus stop by yourself, Evelyn?”

His voice was deep, smooth, and full of charm. Hearing it made a warm feeling spread through my chest. I slowly lifted my head and looked up into Dorothy Vance’s handsome face.

He was tall, wearing a neat dark suit that cost more than my entire four years of school fees. His dark hair was styled nicely, and his sharp eyes were staring directly down at me. In his left hand, he was holding a single red rose wrapped in a black ribbon.

“Dorothy,” I said softly, looking around us nervously. Dozens of students were watching us, taking photos with their phones and whispering behind their hands. “What are you doing here? You didn't have to come.”

“My father asked me to pick you up,” Dorothy said with a light smile. But his eyes searched my face carefully. “Besides, did you really think I would let my little sister leave school like a criminal running away?”

“I'm not running away,” I mumbled, holding my box tighter. “I just wanted to pack my things before the road gets busy.”

Dorothy looked down at my cardboard box and my old bag. A small frown appeared on his face. Without asking me, he stepped closer, bent down, and lifted the heavy box out of my hands. His fingers brushed against mine for a second. That simple touch sent a sudden spark straight to my heart.

I pulled my hand back fast, feeling my face grow hot.

“You shouldn't carry heavy things in this hot sun,” he said in a gentle voice. He held out the single red rose toward me. “Congratulations on your graduation, Evie.”

I swallowed hard and looked at the red flower. “Thank you,” I whispered, taking the rose carefully so the sharp thorns wouldn't prick my fingers. “Is Isabella coming with us?”

Dorothy shook his head and laughed softly. He turned toward the road where his shiny black Maybach car was waiting. “Isabella is busy throwing a big fight at the dress shop downtown. Her dress was not fitted properly, so she is angry. She will join us at home later tonight.”

“Tonight?” I stopped walking immediately. “What is happening tonight?”

Dorothy stopped and looked back at me over his shoulder with a small grin. “Did you really think my father would let you graduate without a big party? The entire board of directors is coming tonight. Big business partners, reporters, and rich families will all be there. We are throwing a big graduation party for you at the house.”

My heart sank. A party. That meant a full night of fake smiles, cold looks from rich people, and Isabella dropping cruel comments into my ear when no one was looking.

“I don't want a party, Dorothy,” I said, my voice shaking a little. “I just wanted a quiet evening. I don't fit into your rich world.”

Dorothy turned around completely and walked two steps back to me. His playful look disappeared, replaced by a very serious and caring expression. This was the same look he gave me years ago when he saved me from my mean biological father. He leaned down slightly so his face was close to mine. I could smell his nice perfume—a mix of sandalwood and sweet tobacco.

“You don't need to fit in with them, Evelyn,” he said in a quiet voice meant only for me. “You just need to stay close to me. Nobody will say anything bad to you tonight. I will make sure of that. You trust me, right?”

I looked into his deep brown eyes. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

That was my biggest problem. He always treated me like a small, precious sister who needed protection. He saved me from bad situations and made sure nobody bullied me at home. But he had no idea how I really felt. Every time he touched my hand or wrapped his jacket around my shoulders, my heart beat wildly.

I was deeply and secretly in love with my stepbrother. But I could never tell him.

“Come on,” Dorothy said gently, opening the car door for me. “Let’s get into the car before the news people spot us.”

I took a deep breath, held the red rose close to my chest, and stepped into his big luxury car.

The ride to the Vance family mansion took about forty minutes. I sat in the soft leather seat, looking out the tinted window. Outside, normal people were walking, holding hands, drinking cold juice, and living simple lives. Inside the car, it was so quiet that I could hear my own breathing.

Dorothy sat next to me, looking at his silver phone and typing quick emails. He looked calm and powerful. Every few minutes, he would stop typing and check on me.

“Why are you so quiet?” he asked gently, placing his phone down.

“I'm just tired,” I lied, looking down at my hands. “And a little nervous about the party.”

“Don't be nervous,” Dorothy said, leaning back against his seat. “My father just wants to give a short speech about family unity so the company shareholders will be happy before the next voting season. It is all just business, Evelyn. You know how my father thinks.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I just don't like being used for business.”

“You are not being used,” he said softly, using the sweet nickname he only used when we were alone. “I won't let anyone use you, Evie.”

When the car finally turned onto the long driveway of the Vance estate, my heart began to beat fast again. The big iron gates opened slowly. Beyond the gates was a huge piece of land with clean green grass, marble water fountains, and a giant stone mansion that felt like a shiny jail.

Workers were running around everywhere. Some were setting up tables, some were carrying flowers, and others were hanging bright tiny lights on the tall trees.

When the car stopped, the driver opened my door. I stepped out onto the gravel path, feeling very small under the tall mansion pillars.

“Take Miss Evelyn’s bags up to her room on the third floor,” Dorothy told the head butler in a clear, commanding voice.

“Yes, Mr. Dorothy,” the butler replied with a bow. But I noticed the slight, fake smile on his face as he lifted my cheap cardboard box. Even the workers in the house looked down on me because I was not a real member of the rich Vance family.

“Go to your room and rest,” Dorothy told me, placing a big, warm hand on top of my head and patting my hair gently. “The dressmakers and makeup artists will come to your room in one hour to prepare you. I will come up to get you when it is time to go down to the hall.”

I looked at his bright eyes and handsome smile. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to tell him that I didn't care about rich parties or pretty dresses, and that the only thing I cared about was him. But the words got stuck in my throat.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “Thank you, Dorothy.”

He gave me one last warm smile before turning around to walk toward his office in the west wing of the building. I stood there watching his broad shoulders until he walked through the heavy doors.