Hey guys here is chapter one. I hope you all will
READ
COMMENT
VOTE
ENJOY
xoxoxoxoxo
P.S Leigh name is pronounced (Lay) && Check out the trailer on the side——->
Choice Ball
Leigh Mercer had grown up with a certain fear and repugnance towards the McFarroll family.
Their family reigned over the elite community of Stonebrook and made sure that no one ever forgets it. Their mansion sat at the very top of the hill, as if looking down on the other houses in distaste. All of the houses in Stonebook were extravagant, nevertheless- but, there was just something about the McFarroll home that screamed superiority over others.
With towers and corridors going on for what seemed like miles, seventy nine bedrooms, forty three bathrooms, and let's not forget the employed staff of over a hundred people- the red bricked mansion was easily awe worthy.
Leigh shook her head, her hair of blonde singlet curls swaying with her movement. She couldn't even imagine how the McFarroll's came across such money; or how her family ended up entangled with the snotty family. She had never made it her business to learn about them. She knew all she needed to know, really.
They were selfish people; their hands so oily from gluttony that a pleasant hand shake was never in order. They strung people along, using their wealth and expensive family name to make you their bitch; which was exactly how she felt they treated her own family at times.
And then, there were the McFarroll sons- six of them ranging from twenty-six to eighteen. They were the reason behind the hustling heard throughout the town. Every household family was getting their daughters ready for a Ball- Choice Ball to be exact.
It was tradition in Stonebrook, dating back two centuries ago.
Once a McFarroll son became of age, a ball was to be held to find him an immediate wife. This year, Leigh owed the pleasure of the Choice Ball to the youngest McFarroll son, Jonah. She never thought twice about Choice Ball before, or even had this much anxiety about it. But, that was because she was young herself and it wasn't mandatory for her to come until she was of age. Now though, she was nineteen.
Leigh still believed that she was going to easily be overlooked. Stonebrook girls went all out for the balls, as if it was their very own wedding day.
Leigh's sister, Nora, was one of those girls. Even now as she watched Nora go over her sleek chocolate mane of hair with the flat iron, she could see a glint of determination pulsing through her clover green eyes. Leigh didn't blame her. After all, who didn't want to be a part of a stable family with not having so much a care in the world? Not to mention that each McFarroll son was feverishly appealing in their own way.
That was a fact.
With toned, tanned skin, a mural of wheat and dark hair, and let's not forget those silver grey eyes- oh yes, they were certainly beautiful. But, their looks didn't intrigue Leigh either. She just found it completely repulsive that she didn't have a say so in the matter. She had to go to the ball and if the McFarroll just so happens to take a liking to her, she had to marry him and glorify her family name.
To deny the McFarroll's was simply unheard of, and Leigh didn't want to be the first to do it, but she still had morals. "Why can't I just wear a paper bag over my head?" she asked her mother, her voice sounding all of defiant. "After all, it'll pretty much fit my mood."
"Stop being such a child, Leigh," her mother, Ana Mercer, said as she curled the last strand of Leigh's golden locks. "You're going to the ball and you're going to be the beautiful young girl that deep down, I know you are."
"Way deep down," chimed in her twelve year old younger brother as he passed by her room to get to his own. Leigh made a face, mentally making a note to reset his Xbox games so he'd have to restart each game from level one.
"Mom, relax," Nora stated calmly, adding a pink hue to her pale cheeks. "If Leigh doesn't want to get all dressed up, then don't make her. There are girls coming from all over who actually want and deserve this. It'd be nice having one less girl to compete with." Leigh rolled her eyes. Of course, she had made a bet with herself to see how long it would take for Nora to make a self-righteous speech. It had only taken an hour of preparation.
"Nora's right, in her twisted little way, but nevertheless she's right. I don't want to marry a McFarroll," she said, giving her mother a strong, firm look.
Ana sighed, frowning deeply at her daughter. She wanted what was best for her, and a life with a McFarroll ensured her of a golden future. But, she also knew that Leigh was bright and had dreams and aspirations. She was free willed and wanted to go to college and be her own person.
"Fine," Ana said. "I will still do your makeup, but you can choose what you wear. Just please, don't embarrass you're father and I." Nora stifled her laugh, thinking that it was humanly impossible for Leigh to not embarrass them. She had a weird fashion sense that consisted of being a weird, gothic jean head with a dab of pink accessory.
Leigh overlooked Nora, and instead, gave her mom a hug. "Thanks mom." She didn't plan to go to the ball in her usual apparel of jeans- but she wasn't about to be seen in frilly dresses made to feed the fetishes of a sexist pig. Don't get her wrong, she was feminine- but she liked darkness and mystery, earning the name of a gothic by her sister. Ana nodded her head slowly, backing her way out of Leigh's room.
"I'm going to go and call the sitter for your brother," she explained. "I expect both of you to be ready to walk out the door in no more than forty minutes."
She left the room, leaving Leigh to go to her closet and give it a quick scan. "Thanks for helping me convince mom," she said to Nora. Nora scoffed.
"Oh please, we both know that I only said it for my benefit. Mother is known to work appearance miracles, and we can't have Jonah or any of the other McFarroll boys thinking that you're the prettier sister," she got up from the vanity mirror, seemingly done with her make up. "Help me with my dress?" she asked as if she hadn't just insulted Leigh.
"Sure," Leigh said, her mouth forming a tight smile. "I would love to help shove it up your prissy little ass." Nora scowled at her, snatching her own dress up from the bed and headed out of the door.
"That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one day," she called out. Leigh ignored her as her eyes went back on her closet. She let out a deep breath, going passed her ripped jeans and down to her dresses. Most of them were casual dresses, but she had one in the very back that both appealed to her taste and served almost appropriate for the ball. Grabbing the dress, she walked over to the full length mirror and shimmied her way into it. It was a strapless number; with a tight bodice forming around her breast and making them look supple. The dress itself was a mural of royal blue and a vibrant purple- reaching just above her knees with a slit crawling up her left thigh. It flared out, giving it a young look.
Reaching in the top drawer of her dresser, she grabbed her fishnet stockings and slid them up her legs. She couldn't help but to smirk at what her mother would say at her appearance. Putting on a pair of plain black wedged heels, she gave herself a once over. Her hair was curled tight, forming around her shoulders and pinned elegantly to one side- courtesy of her mother's handiwork. Her full lips were coated in a nude color, doing wonders for her olive skin. Her mother had applied a light coat of mascara to her eyes, making her indigo irises look almost crystalizing.
"Let's go girls," she heard her mother call up the stairs. She let out a puff of air, not looking forward to this ball- but, also not having a choice either. Taking one last look at herself, she turned her light off and walked out of the door- going down her spiral staircase to join her family.
It was going to be a very eventful night.
The drive to the McFarroll mansion was short and uneventful, seeing as it was only a two minute drive up the small hill and into their gates. Leigh's parents went on and on about appearances and not embarrassing the family name, all the while, Leigh tuned them out as she frowned upon the materialistic home. The iron gates leading to the entrance was tall, almost the same height of a New York building. The driveway was shaped in a semi-circle with water fountains spurring to life. The whole place was lit up, looking like an early Christmas.
Their car stopped in front of the large double doors, and a valet was there to open the doors for them and let them out. Cautiously, Leigh stepped out, following after her family as they made their way inside. Almost instantly, melodic music filled their ears- making Leigh feel completely uncomfortable. She didn't like slow, classical music due to the fact that her parents forced her to take ballroom dancing lessons up until she got of age. The sound of wine glasses meeting and animated chatter was heard next, and before she knew it, she was entering a large round room.
The Ballroom.
Even though the theme behind the Choice Ball was disgusting to her, she couldn't help but to admire the beautiful decor. Bright lights filled the room, white veils swaying in the air with gold and white floating balloons hovering under the ceiling. Everyone from Stonebrook must have been there, dressed to impress with their expensive tuxedos and elite ballroom dresses. "This is breathtaking," Nora said her eyes huge as she looked around, hand over chest. Leigh's eyes went cross at her sisters' dramatics. Of course, the place was a beautiful scene- but her sister shouldn't have been so surprise. After all, she had been to a Choice ball before- how different could each one be?
Leigh looked around, not seeing anyone that she knew. All of her friends were at the college she attended to a little outside of town. And, she had never been one to make friends and socialize with the people of Stonebrook. She felt as though their priorities were so far from reality as it could get. Though, she did notice the family in honor- the McFarroll's. They all were lingering on the round staircase- peering down at everyone in the way that they always did.
Janice and her husband Jim McFarroll cleared their throats, holding their wine glasses high in the air as if to propose a toast. A waiter walked passed and Leigh and her family grabbed a glass of wine as well. The once happy chatter was now deadpan silence as everyone looked to the higher family. Janice was dressed in a floor length tan dress, her brown hair placed in a high bun as intricate jewelry wrapped around her slender neck. Her husband stood beside her, wearing a midnight black tuxedo that was similar to his sons. "Now that I have your attention," Janice began, her voice sounding sultry and thick, "On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you all for coming and supporting this year's Choice Ball." She paused, waiting for the crowd of people to applause her- seemingly not satisfied until we all found ourselves clapping.
"As you all know," Jim carried on. "Today is our youngest son, Jonah's, birthday and some time tonight; he will pick his future bride to be." Leigh looked back, taking in the McFarroll sons. Jason, Jeremy, Jared, John, Jesse, and Jonah. They were all there, standing proudly in all of their glory. Only two of them didn't have a wife on their arm though- Jason, the oldest and Jonah who would find his wife tonight. Leigh's eyes passed each one in disgust, landing on Jason who just so happened to be sharing a similar expression of his own- yet towards his parents. Jonah came to the microphone, clearing his throat and smiling boyishly.
"Even though this is an important night for me, I don't want you guys to stress out. Just be yourselves and have fun," he concluded, and just like that, the chatter went back up. Ana grabbed Nora and Leigh by the shoulders, bringing them close.
"This is an important time," she said, a light sweat coating her brow. "Nora, be delightful and Leigh...try to keep a low profile and-"
"Just don't embarrass us, please," Nora interrupted, flashing Leigh a scolding look and taking off towards the center of the room.
"What she said," Ana added, leaving Leigh standing alone as well. Feeling a bit invaded by all of the dancers, Leigh made her way to the outskirts- leaning against a single pillar. She ignored all of the disapproving looks she was getting from the other girls there who just didn't understand her. She wasn't trying to be noticed, hell, she was only nineteen she didn't want to be married. After all, she was going to be a successful writer, maybe even a journalist. She didn't have time to fit being a housewife in with interviewing celebrities or sport players. Her eyes fluttered to the center of the room where she spotted her sister desperately trying to get noticed by Jonah. He had a group of women around him, but Nora was determined to get as close as she could.
Another waiter with a cocktail tray had passed by and Leigh found herself quickly drinking the champagne in her hand and grabbing two more glasses gulping them down in an unladylike manner. That was the only good thing that came from this experience in her eyes. "A bit of a drinker, are you?" she heard a deep voice say from behind her.
"What else is there to do at a thing like this?" she asked, reframing from looking at him and instead taking a sip of a new cup.
"I don't know. I just thought a young lady like yourself would be out there," from the corner of her eye she could see his slender hand point towards where Jonah and the group of girls were, "trying to get noticed." She looked at the scene again, damn near scoffing as she seen her sister purposely spill her drink along Jonah's tuxedo. Just to get him alone, no doubt.
"Well, you're wrong," she stated proudly. "I don't agree with the means of this ball, in fact I find it quite pathetic." She snickered at her thoughts.
"Why pathetic?" the voice asked, curiosity laced in his tone.
"It makes me wonder, how horrible and atrocious are the McFarroll's if they can't even meet people the normal way. Like seriously, who forces a mass group of women here against their will-" She stopped mid-sentence as she turned to face the mysterious voice. Her words got caught in her throat and she felt her mouth go dry- eyes wide as saucers.
"No, please go on. Don't stop on my account," he said, his lips curving upwards into a smug smirk, exposing a set of dimples in his cheeks.
"Jason-" she stuttered, "I mean, Mr. McFarroll, I was only kidding. I think the wine is getting to me." She tossed the glass aside almost instantly, feeling her head pound. She didn't know why he had her so intimidated, but she always knew she feared the McFarroll's to a certain extent.
"It's quite alright. We're all entitled to our opinions," he said, moving closer and forcing Leigh to feel trapped in between his body and the pillar.
"Right," she said, standing a bit straighter. She didn't know what had gotten in to her. The McFarroll's money made them powerful, but she shouldn't have reacted the way she did.
"Just know that tonight, I'm only being nice," he explained. "Any other night, rest assured I would have made sure that you were..." he trailed off, looking at her from bottom to top, taking his bottom lip in to his teeth and running his tongue over the slight mark, "punished," he concluded.
Leigh cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze. "Well, I guess I should count my blessings," she said, tearing her gaze from his smoky grey eyes.
"Or, you can join me on the dance floor," he said, smiling down at her. She shook her head almost immediately.
"In case you haven't notice, I didn't exactly come here to be social," she bit out, biting the inside of her jaw nervously. He held out his hand, seemingly unphased by her tone of voice.
"It would be rude not to dance, you know?" he urged on. She looked down at his hands and then behind him where she seen her mother sending her a warning look. It was clear that Ana wanted her to dance with him. She could practically hear her mother's voice in her head.
Are you trying to shame your family? When a McFarroll asks something of you, you do it. I wouldn't care if they asked you to wear jumbo shoes bounce around on a pogo stick with clown makeup on your face and call yourself Booboo.
Rolling her eyes at her thoughts, she took his hand. "Okay, but one dance and nothing more." He dipped his head low to her, in a bowing way and pulled her towards the dancing floor.
"Of course," he said as he quickly twisted her in a circle, bringing her body plush against his. Leigh in took a deep breath, her hair whipping across her face with the sudden movement. She had never been so close to a man before, and even though there were at least a hundred other people around her, she couldn't seem to focus on anyone of them. "What's your name?"
Leigh panicked her mouth opening as she tried to recollect the answer to the simple question. What is my name? She couldn't help to think as her eyes grew wide. "No answer?" he asked, his breath fanning the top of her forehead. "It's okay, I like a little mystery."
"Mercer," she choked out, mentally slapping herself for acting so awkward; and worse, like a flustered fan girl. "Leigh Mercer."
"A Mercer?" he asked excitedly." I should have known. Ana is such a beautiful woman; of course, she would have a beautiful daughter." He slowly moved his hands down to the small of her back, watching intriguingly as she squirmed under his touch. Leigh kept her hands at his shoulders, glaring at his chest to avoid any awkward eye contact. "It wouldn't kill you to look me in the face."
"Well, maybe I'm not looking because I've seen better," she bit out, catching Jason by surprise. He cleared his throat and silence took over them for the first time. They paraded around, his hands never leaving her body as he swayed with her. He was impressed with her dance moves, and she couldn't help but to wonder just how long the damn song was.
"I'm glad you came."
"Well it was either caviar or sympathy casseroles," she stated truthfully.
"Sympathy casseroles?"
"If my sisters' friends found out that I didn't come, they would send the casseroles; taking pity on me by thinking I wasn't good enough to attend the ball." What came next, Leigh did not prepare for. He laughed, his deep voice rumbling as his chest caved up and down against her own.
"Do I humor you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I just find you very peculiar." She bit her lip. Great, the first encounter she had ever had with an older man and he thought she was peculiar? Don't get her wrong, she wasn't trying to gain anything from having this encounter with Jason, but if anything, it showed her that she was completely dumbfounded when it came to the opposite sex. "Don't worry, I find it interestingly attractive," he added, smoothing out the frown lines of her face with his thumb.
"Trust me, I'm many things, and interesting is not one of them," she said in an exasperated tone. The music slowed down, coming to an end. Jason grabbed her tight, dipping her body down to a point to where she thought her hair was going to scrap the floor. Smoothly, he brought her back up, running his hands up her spine and entangling into her hair. With his free hand, he grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him.
Leigh felt as if she couldn't breathe. There were so many people around, witnessing this and she didn't know how to act. She wanted to shove him off but how would that make her parents look? Yet, she didn't want to give Jason the impression that she actually enjoyed his company tonight. That would have made her the world's biggest hypocrite.
"You have a strange way of thinking, Ms. Mercer," he said, his eyes scanning her face as if it was some complex puzzle. "And I intend to explore and understand each and every thought." His words were slow and deliberate, making Leigh shiver involuntarily. The music came to an end and Janice's voice was heard through the speakers. Jason bowed slowly, taking Leigh's hand and kissing it. "Until next time." He walked away swiftly, leaving her to stare at his retreating figure.
"What was that about?" Nora said, her nose turned in the air as she came beside Leigh. Leigh shrugged her shoulders, utterly confused.
"That was Jason McFarroll," Leigh said as if it was common sense.
"I know that, but what did he want with you-" her voice was cut off and drowned out by the sound of the speakers.
"Today has been a marvelous event," Janice said through the mic. "Once again, I would like to thank everyone who came tonight. Now, Jonah is here to announce which family he would like to join us tomorrow night- and then, he will announce who he is claiming as his bride." The crowd applauded and waited for Jonah to speak.
"This has been a good evening and after such a wild night, I have chosen the Mercer family to join my family for dinner. I will then be marrying one of their daughters."
Leigh's blood ran cold at the mention of her family name flowing through the speakers. This couldn't be true, could it? She looked over, her eyes docking on Jason, and the sadistic smile on his face told it all.
She was going to be spending a lot more time with the McFarroll's- rather she liked it or not.
^^^^^
Hey guys I hope this was interesting. Of course stories have to start somewhere but the plot picks up rather fast.