This chapter is dedicated to peacesintheirplace for voting and putting a smile to my face with her words. Thank you❤
Chapter 13~ Take my hand(1)
"We're what?!" I screeched while Steven spat out his drink.
Stephan sighed, "we're all going to the charity ball hosted by the Blacks tonight"
"Are you crazy Stephan?!" I shouted.
This guy hated the Blacks with every fibre in his body, so why is he doing this?
"Look Choco believe me when I say the last thing I want to do is to enter the Black household and get buddy buddy with them" he said.
Steven shook his head, "so why are we going?"
"The rivalry between us is getting to tense, and me and Harold have decided to put it to and end" he breathes.
Steven and I stared at him.
Then Steven picked up his drink, took a sip then spat it out, "WHAT?!"
"We won't be friends with them but atleast the media will think we are and things would be a lot better"
I just sat there and stared. Does that mean I can be friends with Hunter now?
"Yes Choco you can be friends with him" Stephan muttered.
"Really?!" I found myself saying that with more excitment than I should have.
He narrowed his eyes at me, "he has to spend one day with both of us" he gestured to Steven.
I rolled my eyes, "he's not becoming my boyfriend guys, there's no need for all that"
Steven smiled, "we'll see"
I raised an eyebrow and sighed, "so much for lazy Sunday"
"I feel you sis" Steven mumbled.
I laid my head on a pillow, "when are we leaving"
"The limo will be here by 8:20" Stephan said, going through his phone.
"But the party starts by..."
He smirked, "8"
"Nice" Steven fist pumped him.
"Steph get your lazy ass up!" Steven grabbed my pillow and pushed me off the couch.
"Why?" I glared at him.
"It's one o'clock!" He started running around the house.
"And...."
"You don't have a dress, you need shoes, accessories, make-up etc" he said frantically.
I got up and rolled my eyes, "jheeze Steve, calm the fuck down"
He grabbed Stephan by the arm and startled him, "come on bro, we need to go shopping. Bye Steph!" He pulled Stephan with him and left the room.
I brought out my phone, there's only one thing to do.
Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
"Hello?" The voice said through the phone.
"Hey Letty, I need your help"
There was no reply so I sighed and said 3 words I swore never to say no matter how much Colette begged me to.
"Assemble the squad" I sighed.
I earned a high pitch squeal in return.
•°•°•°•°•°
"No!" They all chorused when I came out in what feels like the 100th dress.
I rolled my eyes, "come on guys! I'm tired"
Didi glared at me, "none of this would be happening if you wore a dress that's not black"
Alex threw a dress at me, "try this one"
I looked at the dress in disgust, "I'm going to a ball not a strip club Alex"
Colette tugged her hair in frustration, "what are we gonna do"
"I know what you can wear" Jake perked up from where he was seating.
Everyone except Addison looked at him in confusion.
"No Jake" she said sternly.
"Come on babe" he begged her.
"What are you guys talking about?" Didi asked.
"The new dress Addi's been working on" he said excitedly.
"You make dresses?" I asked her.
She turned pink, "no, I don't. I just like messing around with fabric sometimes"
"Are you kidding me? Her works are fantastic, remember that suit I wore for homecoming last year?" Jake beamed.
Alex jaw dropped, "I thought you said a top designer made that?"
Jake took Addi's hand, "she is a top designer" he grinned.
"That's amazing Addi" Colette smiled.
"Can we see?" Didi asked
"I-I don't-" she stuttered.
We all looked at her with pleading faces and Jake pecked her cheek, "please babe?"
She sighed, "fine"
We all whooped in excitment. I grinned, "thanks Adds"
"Whatever" she mumbled and got up.
"Come on guys lets go" Colette said excitedly.
We told the boys to go home (they weren't even invited in the first place)
Addison went with Jake to get the dress after describing to Didi what type of shoe and accessories to get.
I and Colette decided to head back to my place where we agreed to all meet up and get me ready.
"So what is this exactly?" I eyed the tub filled with a purple substance.
"Its a skin care lavender bath, now get in! Its already 4 o'clock" Colette scolded and left the bathroom.
After a while I started getting really tired, "hey Colette how lo...." I dozed off.
"Steph!!" A peircing voice screamed in my ear and I screamed in suprise.
Colette, Didi and Addison looked at me like I'd lost my mind.
"I can't believe you fell asleep in a bath" Didi said.
"How long have I been in here?" I mumbled tiredly.
Colette checked her watch, "about an hour"
I blinked away my sleep, "can I come out now?"
"Yeah" she grinned and left the room with the others.
I rolled my eyes. All this for a ball? Imagine when I get married, Colette would wrap me in tinfoil for 3 hours.
I got out and wrapped myself in my black fluffy robe.
I entered my room with a yawn, "alright-"
I was cut off by Didi grabbing me and pulling me to a chair. "No time to waste girl!"
"Where's Addi?" I asked looking around.
"Up here" I heard her voice say and looked up to see her on the second floor of my room where my library is.
"How many books do you have?" She asked in suprise.
"Well...without wattpad I'd say about 978" I said.
"I honestly didn't peg you as a book kind of girl" Didi muttered.
I sighed and gave a small smile, "there's a lot you don't know about me" I muttered.
Colette connected her phone to my speaker, "let's make Steph fabulous!"
We all laughed as she started dancing around to the music.
I grinned when I saw Didi muttering the lyrics of 'Old Town Road' under her breath as she brought a necklace.
Addison rolled her eyes at Colette who was behaving like a cowgirl and galloping around my room.
"You should let your hair down more often, its beautiful" she said as she combed through it.
I could immediately hear Jaxon's words ring in my ear.
"Don't you dare let your hair down again! You're using it to attract boys aren't you?! Slut! You disgust me!!" He grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped a chunk of my hair.
I watched with tears when it fell on the ground.
"Shit, darling I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that, you know I love you so much right?" His eyes were soft all of a sudden and he looked at me with concern.
"I know" I whispered.
"Steph?" Didi shook me.
"Yeah?" I said.
"We're done" she grinned.
I realized with horror that she put makeup on my face.
"Hey are you okay?" Colette reduced the volume of the speaker and walked over to me.
I'm never okay.
"I'm fine" I smiled. A fake one.
"Ready to see the dress?" Addi said nervously.
"Yes" we all chorused in excitement.
"I have to remind you, I-I'm n-not that good okay?" She mumbled.
"Just show us" I smiled.
She went out of the room and came back with a mannequin and our jaws dropped.
"Oh" I said.
"My" Didi continued.
"Nuggets!" Colette exclaimed.
Because staring right back at us was one of the most beautiful black dresses I've ever seen.
"See, I told you its not good. I'll just take it b-"
Colette slapped her.
"What the fuck Colette!" Addison exclaimed angrily.
"You dumb bitch! Its beautiful" she yelled at her.
"Really?" Addison looked suprised.
"You call this messing around with fabric!" Didi exclaimed.
I got up, "girl, you could sell stuff like this and make thousands" I told her.
She stared at us, "really?"
"But of course you'll give us a discount" Didi smirked.
"So it's okay?" She asked, her eyes shone.
"It's perfect" we all said at the same time.
•°•°•°•°•°
"I'm so excited, I feel like Cinderella going to the ball!"
"Except for the fact that you're a guy, in a suit, and you're filthy rich" I deadpanned.
Steven stuck his tongue out at me, "you're just jealous that I look better than you"
He was wearing a maroon three piece suit and had the first three buttons of his white shirt undone. Not gonna lie he looked hot, but I'm sure as hell not gonna tell him.
"Stephan looks way better than you" I told him with a smirk.
I saw the left corner of Stephan's mouth lift slightly and Steven glared daggers at him.
He was wearing a deep purple suit that looked amazing on him. It had a chain that hung on his chest and gold studs outlined the arms and collar.
How convenient that they're both wearing their favourite colours.
The car came to a stop and I realised that we had arrived.
Exactly 30 minutes late.
We got out and I rolled my eyes at the house sorry mansion.
It was gorgeous, not that I expected any less. The problem I had with it is that they're somethings that look too extravagant and classy for a home of 4.
We walked up the steps and I instantly felt nervous. This was the first time I've come for an event like this in two years.
I had a fear of them ever since the ball my grandparents died in. I only ever went to one ball after that, but I can't remember anything from it. It was weird.
I felt sick. "You guys go ahead, I need to get some air for a minute"
They looked at me in worry, "you sure? We can wait" Steven said.
"I'm sure, go ahead" I smiled.
My head pounds when I try to remember the happenings of the last ball but nothing comes back to me. Its so fucking frustrating.
I sighed and pulled my black gloves. I had them on so no one could see my scarred fist, rich people tend to be really judgy.
I climbed the remaining steps and clutched my purse with a huff. Why were there so many steps?!
I entered and immediately saw a maid smile at me, "the ballroom is the first door to your right Miss"
Thanking her, I and found the door and heared faint music from the other side.
I counted to ten and put on a neutral expression, not giving any emotion away and pushed the door open.
As expected people stopped what they were doing and stared with wide eyes and disgusted looks. Same old, same old.
I walked down the steps bravely, not giving them the satisfaction of knowing they're affecting me.
Once I got down the crowd parted for me immediately, not wanting to be anywhere near me. Though some younger looking people gave me small smiles.
They must not know who I am.
I saw my brothers, Stephan was in business mode and on a table talking with older looking men.
Steven was surrounded by girls, and one was feeding him grapes with a flirtatious smile.
I rolled my eyes. Ofcourse.
I almost jumped with excitement when I saw a table filled with chocolates and had a chocolate fountain with strawberries by the side.
Finally. My position.
Making my way to the table and ignoring the whispers, I grabbed a strawberry, dipped it in the fountain and moaned in delight.
"You might not want to make that kind of sound around men here" a voice said behind me.
I immediately recognized the smell of honey and faint lemons.
I turned around with another strawberry in hand. He was wearing a black turtle neck suit with his hair in its usual spike.
"Why do you always smell like honey?" I asked.
He looked at me in amusement, "honey?"
I took a bite of a snicker bar and nodded, "and lemons too"
He laughed and a few people near us stared in shock. What's up with them?
"Why do you always smell like chocolate?" He asked with a grin.
"I do?" I asked in suprise.
"Everytime" he shook his head. "But today you also smell like lavender"
I snorted, "blame Colette"
He smiled and took the snicker bar from my hand, "I smell like honey because I'm sweet" he took a bite.
I rolled my eyes and took the snicker back from him, "black suits you" I took a bite not caring if we're indirectly kissing.
He shrugged, "everything suits me" I smiled at that. "I wore it because I didn't want you to be the only one in black"
I looked at him in suprise and looked around, sure enough everyone was wearing vibrant colours of yellows, pinks, reds, blues but no black. Not even the waiters were wearing black.
"Wow, I expected at least the guys to wear black" I said.
"We're surrounded by people who wipe their asses with money and feed their horses diamonds. Black would be too simple for them" Hunter snorted.
"True" I said, picking up a chocolate in the shape of money.
I laughed, "this is ridiculous" I examined the very realistic looking 100 dollar bill and took a bite.
He chuckled, "you look amazing by the way"
We locked eyes and I swallowed my chocolate nervously at the intensity of his stare, "t-thanks"
He stared and I cleared my throat, "you look like a troll compared to me" I told him.
He started laughing and I smiled at him. It made him look so much better and younger.
"My, my, when they told me my son was laughing I thought they were lying" a chilling voice said.
Hunter immediately stopped laughing and tensed, taking my hand in his and stepping in front of me.
I immediately recognized the man as Harold Black, Hunter's dad. Its not that hard, he was a splitting image of Hunter and had cold green eyes. Eyes I so badly wanted to pluck out with a fork when I was younger.
"What do you want Dad" Hunter spat, looking at him with angry eyes.
Harold ignored him and stared at our entwined eyes. Hunter noticed and let go off me immediately, his faced flashed with regret for a moment but he immediately covered it up.
Why did that hurt me?
I
"Miss Roberts, its been awhile. Its a pleasure to see you again" his voice was anything but happy.
"I wish I could say the same to you" I told him with a sweet smile.
He clenched his jaw, "keep her in line son, wouldn't want to lose another one now, would you?" He gave a cold smile to Hunter and walked away.
"Asshole" I muttered under my breath.
"Come on, the bidding's about to start" Hunter grabbed my hand softly and pulled me with him to a table.
I ignored everyone's stares at us and sat down beside him, nodding at my brothers who were asking me how I was with their eyes.
I felt someone grab my stomach and squeeze me in a hug.
"Stephanie!" A very familiar cute voice said.
I glanced at her and immediately a huge smile made its way to my face, "Rebecca"
She grinned at me and climbed unto my lap, "I didn't know you would be here" I stroked her hair with a smile.
"You two know each other?" Hunter asked in ribena.
She stuck her tongue out at him, "she's my pretty haired friend I met at the shop" she stroked my hair.
"You went to the shop alone?" I heard a woman say.
I looked up at her and noticed her complete resemblance with Rebecca, except the eyes.
She shook her head, "no, I went with Jane"
The woman visibly relaxed and smiled at me, "I'm Ruby, her mother"
I nodded my head, already figured that out, "its nice to meet you"
I turned to Hunter, "and you know her how?"
He shook his head at me and ruffled Becca's hair, "she's my sister"
I immediately remembered him telling me he had little sister.
Becca glared at him, "unfortunately"
I laughed and Hunter glared at us. "No wonder you're friends, you're both the same" he muttered.
I and Becca giggled, I glanced at my brothers and saw them giving us weird looks. Almost like they were in pain. That isn't uncomfortable at all.
I felt Becca rest on me and raised an eyebrow, "how old are you?"
She grinned and showed me 6 fingers, "this many" she yawned
Hunter rolled his eyes, "you're 5" he deadpanned.
"And a half!" She glared at him.
"It's four months away" He said.
I looked at both of them in confusion, "then why is she here? She should be in bed" I said firmly.
"Because I said so" Harold's icy voice said as he arrived at the table and took a seat.
Rebecca jumped down from my lap and sat on her seat beside me straightening her back and trying to blink away her sleep.
I glared at him, "she's a child, she should be in bed. What is her job here?" I matched his icy look.
"She seems perfectly fine to me" he mocked.
I glanced at Rebecca and saw her eyes looking wide open, but anyone with sense could see the redness in them, she was also shaking her head every 4 seconds.
My blood boiled, "she's tired. Let her go to bed" I said with venom laced in my words.
He looked at me in amusement, "by 12 o'clock" It was 11:45.
I slammed the table and everyone stared with wide eyes.
"Now" Hunter flinched at my tone. Even I was surprised at the way I sounded. I just felt extremely protective.
Harold stared at me in surprise before giving me a wide smile, "Ruby you may take her to bed"
I saw Rebecca smile at me in appreciation, her head was on the table and she was shivering slightly.
Ruby stood up immediately and carried her up, "thank you" she whispered and took her away.
Hunter squeezed my hand under the table as a thanks and I noticed the slight worrying look he was giving Rebecca as she left with Ruby.
I felt someone staring at me and glanced at Harold, he was smiling.
"You definately haven't changed" he smiled and got up heading to the stage.
What the fuck did that mean?
The bidding started and I almost fell asleep at how boring it was. The only thing that kept me awake was Hunter.
"I don't know, I think she'll return" I raised my thumb but he saw my move and dodged.
We were playing thumb war and talking about Nicki Minaj's retirement.
"She's been at it forever Princess, its finally her time" he said.
"And now the final piece! A sure sight to behold! The S.K!"
I looked in amazement, everyone did. It was mesmorizing, It was a girl standing in some sort of garden at sunset. The colours and volume of the painting just screamed the pain of the artist, the girl was facing forward so we couldn't see her face but there was something very familiar about her.
"The artist has asked to remain anonymous"
Everyone gasped, such a painting like this could make the person famous. Why wouldn't they want to be known.
Immediately people started shouting.
"5 million!"
"8 million!"
"10 million!"
My jaw dropped, 10 million dollars?!
"10 million, going once, going twice-"
"12 million" a calm feminine voice said from the crowd.
"15 million!" The man from earlier said.
"20 million dollars" she said, her voice firm.
Everyone gasped, The fuck?!
Steven even chocked on his drink, I looked at him and saw him staring with wide eyes at the crowd.
He saw me looking and gave a nervous smile, I eyed him in suspicion. He gulped and looked away.
"Going once, twice, and sold to the lady in red!"
I looked for this so called lady, her voice was so familiar. Where had I heard it?
Everyone stood up for a dance and I lost sight of the lady but I saw a glimpse of her dress. It wasn't red persay, more of maroon.
I shook my head and focused on my drink.
"You're not gonna dance?" Hunter asked.
I shrugged, "I haven't been asked" I made an excuse.
He smirked, "Princess may I have this dance?"
I looked at him in suprise, "I haven't danced in a while, I may be rusty"
He shook his head and stood up extending his hand, "it's easy, just take my hand"
I stared at his hand for awhile then sighed, there's no escaping this. I put my hand in his and stood up.
I kept a neutral expression but I was nervous as fuck. So many what ifs of the situation running in my head.
"Princess, relax" Hunter twirled me.
I gulped, "easy for you to say, you're a natural" I glared at him.
He sighed, "there's an easier way, but you may not like it"
I almost stepped on him and cursed myself, "just do it"
He smirked and put his head in my neck and put his hands on my waist bringing me closer to him.
I heated up but relaxed, this was easier than the other dance.
Resting my head on his shoulder and looking to see wether he'd notice, I sniffed him.
"Did you just sniff me?" He asked, I could hear the smile in his voice.
"No" I said quickly, "I was breathing"
He laughed and I smiled, "you're so weird Princess" he chuckled.
His mouth was near my ear and I felt like jelly. Keep it together Steph, keep it together.
"I know" I mumbled.
"Aww isn't this romantic" a familiar voice sneered.
Bitch alert, bitch alert.
Hunter and I seperated and I think I imagined the hesitation in letting me go.
"What do you want Stacy" he said in irritation and I smirked.
She was wearing a gold cocktail dress that outlined her curves and had a slit that ran dangerously above her thigh. A guy was by her side and from the look of his face I could tell he wanted to be anywhere but here.
"Hunter baby, you look sexy" she put her hand on his chest.
Before I could understand what came over me, I growled and slapped her hand away.
My eyes widened and I saw the slight smile on Hunter's face, "go away Stacy" I told her.
"You bitch, you'll regret doing that. I can ruin you" she glared at me.
"Get lost Stacy, you're so full of crap that you could pass off as a toilet" I rolled my eyes at her.
Hunter bit his lip to stop himself from laughing and the guy that was beside Stacy cough laughed into his handkerchief.
Stacy glared at me, "wrong move Sunshine" She smirked and I froze.
"Come on John" she grabbed the guy's arm.
"It's Niall" he muttered.
"Hey are you okay?" Hunter looked at me in concern.
I blinked, "I'm fine, excuse me"
I half walked half ran out of the room and saw the maid from earlier, "where's the restroom please?"
She looked at me in concern, "second door to your left"
I thanked her and ran to it but as I passed the first door I heard very familiar voices.
"This was not what we discussed Harold"
"She's more fierce than last time and would be perfect for it Stephan" the icy voice of Harold said.
"My sister is not doing it" he said, his voice firm.
I held back a gasp and pressed my ear on the door.
"She doesn't know, does she?" Harold sounded amused.
Stephan remained quiet.
"I advice you tell her everything young Roberts, it would be a shame if she found out from someone else"
What?
I was about to kick open the door and demand some answers but a hand covered my mouth.
I wiggled from their grip and screamed in the person's hand.
I felt the person carry me up and run. I bit the person's hand over and over, I kicked and punched but the person had a tight grip.
A door swung open and I was pushed inside, I landed on a bed and hit my head on the board.
I felt someone climb on top off me and I trashed in the person's arms. I realized my hand was tied up.
I looked up and saw the person for the first time as his hands pulled down my zipper.
Angry tears filled my eyes when I recognized who it was.
He licked his lips, "I knew you would look wonderful on my bed"
He was shirtless and took off his pants, "don't worry, you'll enjoy this" he grabbed my mouth and kissed me