Chapter One

Maria

She reached for me and was engulfed in a hug.

"Oh Maria, it's so good to see you. Come in." She looked the same but had more wrinkles here and there.

She was in a jolly mood.

"Its good to see you too mum."

We entered the mansion. The decore has changed, there was a chandelier hanging in the middle of the hall, under that there was a table with flowers on it. In front of it were doors that led to the backyard. Stairs on either side which led upstairs.

"Well, why don't you get fresh and then come down for breakfast." She said politely.

"Yea ok."

I went upstairs. My bags were already in the room brought up by Olivia, she is our maid. Thankfully my room is left untouched. The bed was against the wall facing large windows which lead to the balcony. There was a coffee table with two chairs. On the right of the bed, there was an electric fireplace. Then a door led to my dressing room and bathroom.

It was 8:20 am now, so I still had forty minutes to go to breakfast. So I took a shower, wore some jeans and full sleeve white t-shirt, dried my hair and went downstairs. I'll unpack later, too lazy to do now.

Mum and Olivia are setting up the table when Theodore walks in. His eyes lit up and there was a huge smile on his face when he sees me.

"Maria!" He engulfs me in a hug.

"Hey, Theodore! You look quite different." With a smile I am not joking when I say that.

He is my older brother by 5 years so 26 years old, quite the ladies man and very protective of me. Four years back he was a bit slim but now he is covered in muscle and I can see that when he is wearing a suit! He has a light beard on his face, not cut his hair so they are long. His eyes used to be blue but now are a bit silver. He looked quite like dad, but a better version of it. He is 6"2.

"I hope nothing bad. You look thin, are you eating enough?" He examines me.

"Yes, I am. You have nothing to worry about." I brushed it off with a smile.

"Come on kids, breakfast is ready." Mum says.

"We are not kids mum, can't you see we are grown up. Well, I am not sure about Maria on that note." He jokes.

"Hey!" I gave him a light slap on his arm.

We sat at the table when dad walks in.

"Good morning Anna." He said, kissed mum and sat at the head of the table.

"Good morning Michael, you are just in time." Mum says with a smile.

He looks the same, but more Wrinkles. He is 45 years old and approximately 6"1'. What is with these men and heights? He is always dressed in formal which looked and smelled rich and power. His face is always neutral, I have never seen him genuinely smile.

Ah, sad life.

My mother on the other hand is very polite and shy. Not very social has brown hair and blue eyes like me, but in height, she is one inch shorter than me. I don't know what she saw as a devil as her husband.

We all started eating, the playful mood which was earlier was now filled with nervousness. He hasn't even looked at me, good at least he is not staring. Mum broke the silence by addressing me.

"So Maria, what are your plans for today?" Still keep her tone sweet.

"Well me and Jo are planning to go shopping this afternoon for the ball."

"That's great. Anything, in particular, you have in mind?"

"The ball is quite formal so I was thinking maybe black or silver colour dresses."

She smiles, "that will look pre-" she was cut off by my father.

"Wear something dark, that will hide your uneven curves and belly." He said roughly not even glancing at me.

That stung my eyes. Theodore gave me a polite smile.

"I think you will look beautiful in any colours as long as you are comfortable."

"Yeah." My voice was barely a whisper.

After breakfast I went back upstairs, Theo and dad went to the office mum went to the hospital for her shift. She is a doctor. Theo being the eldest son he got the family business of Reed Inc. I am currently looking for jobs similar to what my family does.

I unpacked took a nap till 1:30. Afternoons are usually me and Olivia, I do my lunch, went upstairs changed into jeans and a crop top. Tied my hair, put on some makeup. Me and Jo were meeting at the store at three, so I have half an hour to reach there.

Taylor was driving in my Mercedes. I am not allowed to drive even though I have a license. We reached there and saw Jo was standing outside the store. I walked towards her.

"Hey." I said.

"Hi. Come on let's go in."

We walked inside, Taylor was few steps behind us. Jo's family is a bit relaxed at security so she doesn't have a bodyguard. Me and her have been friends since kindergarten, so we get along well.

We tried many dresses and then I finally bought mine. It was black with some glitter on it, with a cut by side till my hips. It was sleeveless and had one shoulder.

I do not have irregular curves. I look beautiful. I do not have irregular curves. I look beautiful I kept repeating it in my mind.

Jo bought a silver dress with off shoulders. It was very fancy. After that, we bought some accessories, shoes. I was able to see Taylor getting bored, poor man. I told him he can wait by the car but he has been given 'orders' to follow me.

Jo dragged me to the next shop which made me nervous. Victoria's secret. I told her not to but stillI was standing inside the store. Taylor was enjoying himself, I mean why not at least

someone's having the time of their lives.

"You should buy one." She said happily.

"Um no. I don't wear those things I am fine with what I am."

"Oh please. You have no lingerie, at least try one."

"No Jo. Plus I don't have anyone to show it to." I tried reasoning with her.

"You don't have to show it to anyone. You can simply enjoy yourself. Come on live a little." She said with pleading eyes.

"No."

"Please for me. You never know what happens at the ball..."

"Well to be honest I don't know why you buy so many of them. Last week you bought three, you must be having a hundred at that rate you are buying. Where do others go."

At this Jo becomes red with embarrassment. I don't know what she and her boyfriend Tom do with it.

"Well... you know... Tom always has a knife with him... Soo.." she nervously scratches the back of the neck.

I am still not getting anything, what does the knife have to do with it. She sees my confused expression and then looks over at Taylor who is very uncomfortable and red with embarrassment. so she gives him a look and drags me to the nearby changing room.