Chapter 1

Anna's POV:

I was at home, slowly getting set for the evening's occasion, and now it was almost time to go and my companion was yet to arrive. 

I picked up my phone and called, no answer. I was about to start fuming when I heard a knock on the door. Mom answered as I stood up to apply my finishing touches. The arguments and mockery taking place downstairs made it obvious who was at the door because Kathy Anderson was the one person who can't stand my Mom and vice versa.

In three minutes I was downstairs, walking cheerlessly to the sitting room. I took a critical stare at Kathy and then at my Mom, giving them a bit of a questionable smug look before they both started to laugh.

"Really? I know I'm not looking very elegant, but I never knew I was THIS funny." 

"Oh shut up Lady Sherlock." Said Mom. 

"What's funny is the fact that you're trying so hard to seem like you're not looking very elegant. Don't you have a mirror in the room or something?" 

Well, that was unexpected, I thought I could act a fool to escape their mocking taunts on how I either look like an astronaut or a century-old cactus, like they always manage to imply, or worse. 

Now this time I'm getting a compliment. However, I'm not so surprised, I spent half of today preparing every part of my body for this party or ball or soirée, or whatever the heck it is as if I am the host or some special guest of honour.

"And what about you, Kat? What took you so long? Why didn't you pick up my call? And for once can you please try to ignore Mom?" I asked Kathy, rather sternly, as Mom got fed up with the both of us and walked away to the kitchen.

 

"Yeah shut it, Princess. Just cause your Mom says you look nice doesn't mean I got a carriage outside waiting for 'Her Majesty the Princess of asking bullsh*t that I'm not even gonna answer'. You're such a dramatic one, Nanna. That's why I always told your Mom to get you a babysitter." she jeered repeatedly before I eventually paused her stand-up gig. "So should we sit here and stare at you looking like a comic failure or are we going to this place?" 

Kathy knows me well enough to sense that she needn't give more attention to my bitterly rhetorical inquisitions. 

We've been friends right from pre-school, and not only did we have many things in common like having higher scores in our classes and being the two outstanding members of the school cheerleading squad, but she's the only person who can actually 'handle' my sassy bullshit like a pro. 

And I kind of loved her for it. When we were very young she couldn't call my name properly, continuously calling me 'Nanna', and somehow it stuck and she turned it into my nickname.

Presently, she shook her head and motioned her two palms at the door. I said goodbye to Mom and left. As soon as I stepped outside the door, I gasped and freed my jawline in surprise.

"Kat, you sure have leveled up, a Limo! Wait a minute you mean to tell me Tristan was in there all the time while we-" 

"No silly. He sent the driver to come to pick me up from home, and I directed him here." Kathy intruded. 

"Oh wow, okay let's get to this glimmer of a party."

Tristan Carrington is the son of a very wealthy businessman who met Kathy at a nightclub and got mesmerized by her. He invited us both to some milestone celebration party in their mansion at the edge of town.

I'm not a big fan of high-calibre occasions, but I admire what Kathy and Tristan have. We both got seated at the back of the Limo, and the driver began moving the lengthy and bright-coloured beauty. 

"Tristan is really into you huh? An invitation to an event of strictly hand-picked guests, and a Limousine ride too." I commented.

"Well you're one to talk..." Kathy scolded. "If only you don't keep scaring away the guys who approach you... And imagine if I was as beautiful as you are, then I can have two more Tristans, and you know what that means? Two more Limo rides." She spoke the last part of the sentence stealthily. 

"Kathy! The driver is listening." "Nah, no way girl. He ain't!" We both laughed.

After about 30 minutes we arrived at the Carrington Estate. We weren't very late but there were a handful of sumptuous cars and plushy-looking guests already inside and entering the main hall. Kathy put her right arm around my left and we proceeded inside.

Huge and pendulous chandeliers of different colours seemed like they were going to fall at any time. And the dresses of the guests, especially the female ones, made us feel like we had a wardrobe malfunction. 

Shit. I underestimated this party.

We were welcomed by Tristan, who toured us around to greet Mr Carrington and some others; friends and members of the family, and then a few famous people. This type of vibe isn't my thing, so I excused myself and went to stand somewhere with less crowding. I didn't notice that a waiter left a tray with empty glasses of wine on a stool just beside me.

I was still checking out the furniture in the hall when I heard something that rang a shocking bell in my eardrums. 

"Hey you there with the tray, go fetch us some wine. Be quick about it." I turned around and tried to talk, but instead, I was diving into a moment of curiosity and confusion. 

A handsome and bewitchingly dressed young man was staring right at me, with a raised eyebrow and bulging eyeballs. His fit and tall figure meant I had to raise my head to stare back at his nicely brushed dark-haired face. Before I could conjure up any responsive words, he spoke again, this time more irritating than the first. 

"Are you deaf? I said to get us more drinks, girl!" 

I spoke back at him. "Excuse me, Sir? Do I look like a waitress to you, or are you just a bit too tipsy already?"

"What the f*ck? Mind your tongue, and how was I supposed to know? Have you seen yourself?" 

Among the empty glasses, there's one containing some wine. I can't recall how I noticed it or what I was thinking, but in the seconds that transpired, I lifted the glass and poured the purplish liquid on his face, staining his nicely trimmed hair and expensive tuxedo. 

Soon after, the hall got quieter. I felt ogling eyes piercing my whole body. Without uttering another word, I dropped the glass then walked away from the speechless jerk, and hastily left the hall.

I thought of calling or waiting for Kathy, but I was feeling too enraged to even give another stare at the party, or at the scene I created, which gave me chills all over. I felt so damn pissed off and embarrassed. 

I stopped a cab outside the estate. I told the driver my address and he took off.