Enora:“In last place we have…”My fingers were crossed. I had never felt this pressure before, except when I was writing my finals.“...Luke and Emily.”A sigh of relief escaped my lips and I could feel my heart beating normally. I don’t know why I was so anxious. It wasn’t like I was drunk and I was an adult with much more experience. If it was something I was uncomfortable with, I could have easily said ‘no’.Anthony and I were after Luke and Emily, placing us third and just a point higher than Emily and Luke. Bridget and Eliot were second and Gina and Nicky won the game.Soon the room was chanting and everyone circled a flustered Emily and an anxious Luke. What was the dare going to be?Gina gave Nicky a nasty smile and immediately, Nicky disappeared inside and emerged a few minutes later with a small box.“Here you go, Emily. Enjoy. And make sure you put in on.”Emily’s eyes widened and she shook her head slowly as she smiled. My heart was racing. What was in the box? Curiosity w
Enora:The party continued and there was wild dancing. The music was loud and fun. Anthony did some sick break dancing and took everyone by surprise. I was so excited that I was hopping on one foot and clapping like an excited little toddler. This was so amazing.Time flew by so fast that I didn’t even know that it was already past midnight until Bridget tapped me on the shoulder and told me that it was time we headed back.I pouted and took a sip of my drink. I was tipsy and the floor seemed to be moving beneath my feet.“Do we have to?” I groaned. I was just starting to enjoy myself and Anthony said he was going to show me his head spiny thing.“Come on Enny. We have to go. We didn’t make provisions to stay over and I have some work I need to get done at home. Eliot is going to drop us off.”My lips turned down at the corners, almost instantly, at the mention of his name. My emotions were on the surface.“Does he really have to take us home? What about an Uber?”“It’s too late for a
EnoraIt was Saturday and I lay in bed and looked up at the ceiling. I was up later than I usually would be.As silent as I was, my mind was working overtime. The events of yesterday still haunted me and whenever they took centre stage in my mind's eye, my heart skipped a beat.I was also supposed to move to my condo today. Emily and Anthony were supposed to help me but now, I was considering changing plans. I wasn't sure I could face Anthony after what almost happened.Urghh!I knew he liked me. He told me clearly and somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew he was going to try to kiss me and even with everything spelled out for me in black and white, I still chickened out.Something just clicked for me in that moment. I had had a great time with him but when he came to kiss me, something felt odd.He felt strange and those butterflies flew away. It was like they were never there to begin with.My phone was stuffed in my bag and on silent mode. He had probably sent me dozens of texts
Nathan:"Come back and sit, Enora."I had been watching her the entire time, at breakfast. I didn't need to look at her to know that she was squirming like a little caterpillar.She turned to look at me, her eyes moist, itching to burst out into tears.I took a deep breath. I didn't see why she was looking like that.She sat down slowly on the chair that faced me. Her fingers knitted into each other, restless and unable to find a position to confirm to while they were on her lap."What is on your mind? You've been jumpy all day."She was silent. Her face was lowered as she stared at the floor, at the feet and her nervously curled toes."I... I... I'm sorry."I closed my laptop and put it aside, giving her my undivided attention even though she evaded my gaze."What are you sorry for, Enora?"Her mouth opened and then shut almost immediately as no words came out. Her fingers knitted themselves even faster and her toes curled even more."I am waiting," I added calmly, easing into my sea
EnoraI hurried up to my room, slammed the door behind me and threw myself onto my bed. Tears streamed down my face and my heart felt like it was shattering.What did Mr. Wright just say to me? What was he even talking about? I didn’t… I didn’t want to be just his employee.What was I even saying?I buried my face deeper into the pillow and cried even harder. Who was I to suddenly want to change a decision I had already chosen to make? I was the one that told him that I wanted space and now that he had given it to me, I was now whining and complaining about it.Fuck! I didn’t even have a reason to cry about this. This was all my fault, all my decision. I wanted this and I didn’t dare have the right to feel bad.I was the one who was complaining about Bridget knowing and how I wanted more. I said that he wasn’t going to be able to give me more. I was the one that said that he didn’t love me and now that he was cutting me loose, I was actually being a bitch about it.I took a deep brea
Enora“Anthony! Emily!”They came up the stairs and greeted me with a big smile. Emily was in a good mood today. She was jumpy every day but today was a little different. I guess she and Luke had a great time last night.“Oh my goodness! Good evening Sir. It is a pleasure to meet you.”Mr. Wright offered Emily his hand she shook it eagerly. My heart was racing. He smiled politely but I knew he wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were slightly above her head was were locked in a gaze with Anthony, who stared back unafraid.Yeah, I couldn’t take this anymore. Things were getting too dicey for comfort.“Okay, let’s get this packing started,” I blurted out, breaking the eye contact between Mr. Wright and Anthony before the room spontaneously combusted. “We still have to meet Bridget to get the rest of my things from there.”Emily hurried into my room and squealed.“Oh my god! You have Harry Potter!”I smiled nervously, grabbed Anthony and pulled him away from Mr. Wright. Well, I knew one thin
Enora:I continued to cough and Bridget rushed to my side patting my back and getting on her knees.“Enora, are you all right? What is going on? Why are you coughing?”I lifted my head and I was in all of my own acting skills. I have no idea how I was able to get tears to come out of my eyes.I had Elliot where I wanted him to be. All I needed to do was to tell Bridget that her boyfriend was trying to get with me again just like you did those years ago and she would break off with the asshole. I didn't understand what she saw in him anyway and he had proven more than once that he didn't deserve her and I was not going to let her sit back and make the same mistake over again.I'm fine, it's just that...Was I really going to do this? What if I told Bridget about her boyfriend and she didn't believe me just the way she didn't believe me when the incident first occurred? Was I really willing to take that risk?"...Got a face load of dust bunnies and they are making me cough. I must be al
Enora:I watched Anthony and Emily leave and just as they drove out of the gates, the rain began to fall. Not a soft drizzle but a torrential downpour with blustering winds that blew the plants and hedges strongly to the side.Without wasting time, I dashed inside and closed the door behind me before rain could invade the living room.Fiona was already working to get all the windows closed and I joined her.“Miss Lopez, don't worry yourself. You just got here and you need some rest. How about you get yourself settled in while I make dinner for you? I am sure you must be famished.”I really wanted to help but I knew that arguing with her wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I knew that she was just trying to do her job. And come to think of it, I was really tired.With nothing else to do and I load of things scattered in the living room, I guess my best option was to get it all sorted out as soon as possible. I grabbed the lightest thing and hoisted it up the stairs to my room.Each step f
Enora:The woman was relentless. Did she not know when to give up?“What are you doing here?”She took a step closer, her arm wrapped around her husband's.“Is that really any way to talk to a friend.”I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Friend? Pft! I’d rather be friends with a starving grizzly bear.Her smile didn’t waver and her eyes darted to Mr. Wright’s arm where he clutched the contract.“It seems that you two owe us a ‘thank you’,” she said softly, “We told you about the contract and now you have it. Congratulations.”My eyes widened slightly. What game were these two playing? Just as I was about to say something else, a guard walked in with our driver beside him. Finally! It was unsettling seeing the way Mrs. Vermont’s eyes would occasionally drift to the contract.Mr. Wright gave it to the driver and sent him on his way. All our eyes followed him until he was out of sight, through the door.“My darling,” Mr. Wright purred, pulling me close, his eyes not leaving the Vermonts. “Let’
Enora:All eyes turned to Mrs. Vermont and her mouth clamped shut immediately. I wanted to laugh but I swallowed it and it came out as a nasty croak that made Mrs. Vermont’s eyes darken.She glared hatefullt at me, grabbed her husbands armand pulled him off the stage. They disappeared into the crowd and everyone followed them as they walked to the exit.“Good riddance,” I muttered and smiled warmly at Mr. Wright, eho plnted another kisson my forehead.“Well, I guess we shall continue our party,” the host announced and the party’s lively vibe came back. A slow waltz was playing in the background and everyone made their way to their tables for dinner.“Would you please come with me,” our host said and the De Bances, Mr. Wright and I followed him.I clutxhed Mr. Wright’s arm excitedly. I was happy rtthat we won but even happier that I shut Mrs. Vermont’s mouth up. She was all prim and proper but completely lost it when she realized that she was in last place. It was a picturesque moment.
Enora:We got to the main banquet hall just in time. There was a lovely murmur everywhere. Not too far away, a couple was talking happily and smiling with the host. There were some paper slips on the stage, and the couple were chatting excitedly amongst themselves.“...can’t believe that they won the competition…”“...heard they paid the host and his firm.”“You’re wrong. They have good ties with the host. That was why they won.”My heart was racing in my chest. Did they call out the results already? Did we win?My eyes searched the hall for sparkly, snobby Mrs. Vermont, and I finally found her standing happily next to her husband, chatting casually with another couple. From the looks of it, she wasn’t overly posh and was doing her usual flaunting of her diamonds.If I wasn’t mistaken, another game was played, and the couple that were chatting excitedly with the host had probably won. I exhaled and felt my tension ebb away for a moment. I guess there was still a chance that I could bu
Enora:My face burned red and I felt my breath nearly escape my lungs. I pulled myself away from Mr Wright’s grasp and fumbled with my dress, trying my best not to catch the eye of the couple that stood in front of us: dumbfounded and their jaws loose.“Uhmmm… e-excuse us.”I grabbed Mr. Wright’s arm and we hurried out of the elevator. I wish I could atomize and disappear. This was so embarrassing.“Why are you smiling?” I asked with slight annoyance, looking up at Mr. Wright’s beaming face and his bright brown eyes.He stopped and in one swift movement, he grabbed me and pinned me to the wall. My heart was racing. My face was still red, but the thrill of getting caught again made this even more exhilarating.“We can’t do this here,” I whispered harshly. “You are going to get us caught.”“And what is the matter with that?” he asked slyly, taking me in with burning desire, pressing harder to me and inching closer and closer to my lips. “Do you not want to be seen with me?”“I…”The wor
Nathan:I felt her body tense up and I smirked. Even when she didn’t mean to, my kitten was competitive and it was one of the many things I loved about her.“The winner of this competition is…. going to be announced at the end of the party.”“What?!”All eyes turned to Mrs. Vermont and she cleared her throat and hid her unruly outburst with a smile. I looked down at my feisty little kitten and she was giving her a nasty stare. I couldn’t help but laugh. She was such a character when he wanted to be.“Thank you so much for participating. You may join the others.”We all went down to join the rest of the audience. Mrs. Vermont was trying to keep her act together but her eye was twitching in rage.I heard a light giggle and saw my kitten with her hand over her mouth, smiling and fighting to keep in her next fit of laughter.“Funny?”She looked up at me and her face became serious.“I’m… I’m sorry. I just…”I raised an eyebrow at her and she pouted and exhaled in defeat.“Fine,” she sighe
Enora:The lively tango music filled the air and Mrs. Vermont was quick on her feet. Her jewelled heels peeked from underneath her dress as she stepped quick and her husband dipped her low, following her movements.She was one with the beat, following the music as her husband dipped her low and pulled her close in a sensual dance that made it look like they were making teasing love in public.The crowd wooed and clapped and I turned away in embarrassment and felt my face burn.“Looking away, are we, kitten?” Mr. Wright teased, grabbing my chin and making me look at him. “Does that dancing bother you that much?”“N-No,” I scoffed, nervously, still unable to look at the dancing couple. The way Mr. Vermont pulled her in close, his lips teasing her neck, his hand sliding up her thigh, it just felt… I mean… they should get a room.The lively sensual dancing continued with eccentric moves and spins that made my head spin.I took a deep breath and watched them and at an interval, Mrs. Vermon
Enora:Mr. Wright pulled me tightly to him and smiled warmly."Last I checked, me and you make a pretty good team. Want to do it again?"My body shivered in delight. Was that even up for debate? Of course, I wanted to dance with him again."We shall only be allowed three couples to dance together. And I shall draw at random from the box."My spirits slightly fell. I couldn't tell how many people had put their names in the box, but it was very likely that Mr Wright and I wouldn't be picked for the dance.The host put his hand into the box and swirled it around for a bit. My breath got caught in my throat as I watched eagerly and prayed that our names would be called. It felt like a one-in-a-million chance, but still, I hoped for the best."The first couple to be dancing will be–"He pulled out the paper and squinted his eyes."–Mr. and Mrs. Vermont."An elegant couple moved through the crowd and got up on the stage. Despite their masks, I could tell they were lovely and rich.Mrs Vermo
Enora:He looped his arm and I slipped mine through. He smiled warmly at me and I felt my heart flutter. For the first in a long time, it felt like I was living a fairy tale.He guided me inside, smiling warmly at guests and pulling me close when eyes wandered in my direction.My dress sparkled in the light and I turned heads as I walked by.I could hear whispers and gossip and a few men smiled and winked at me.I stole a glance at Mr. Wright and he seemed to almost read my mind and unlink his arm from mine and pull me close to him from around my hips."Wouldn't want any male thinking that you are available," he said with a whisper to my ear followed by a soft kiss than made many of the oggling male gazes turn away.I smiled. I couldn't explain the joy I was feeling. I felt like a beautiful damsel with my prince charming, walking beside me and keeping wishful eyes away.We got into the banquet hall and I nearly gasped. The ceiling was adorned with jeweled chandeliers that refracted th
Enora:I stared at myself in the mirror and did a little twirl. I still couldn't believe that I was wearing Versace’s most expensive dress. This was still like a dream.I raked my fingers through my curls and smiled. This was going to be a good evening. I felt it. Something just seemed right. The only thing out of order was the dozens of missed calls and angry texts from Anthony.I didn’t seem to care anymore. Normally I would call him back but my entire body was humming to Mr. Wright. I would close my eyes for a few minutes and I would see that look he gave me, etched in my mind's eyes. Even his voice resonated in my brain, saying that he needed me. It just felt… different.Those words, when he said them, I could feel the yearning dripping in every word. I saw him almost every day but he said them like he hadn’t seen me for a lifetime.“Deep breaths, Enny. No need to overthink it. He probably is going through something very… moving. I mean, he did just have a big fight with his daugh