Chapter 457 WINNER
1516words
A Few colourful hairpins were used to style my hair after successfully curling it. I wore a beautiful black dress which exposed most sensitive part of my body, as Veronica helped with my silver heels.
I stared at my reflection through the oval-shaped mirror, after the maids were done with my makeup. Veronica brought out a piece of diamond necklace from a red box and a pair of earrings as she placed them around my neck and the earrings on my ears. The earrings dangled as I moved my head from side to side still in doubt how beautiful they've made me look.
"You look so beautiful miss Penelope." I heard her say with a smile. I could see for myself how beautiful I looked. "What's the occasion for tonight?" I finally asked curiously.
Blunt never told me what I was getting dressed for, he just announced Mr Lloyd wanted me to attend an event with him. It's part of our marriage contract that I attend special events with him as his wife and nothing more. I was his wife only in the eyes of people but not in here. Though few good things were attached to this, I didn't want this life for myself.
I've always dreamt of getting married to the man I loved and who would love me back, not a marriage with a man I barely knew anything about. Someone who cared less about my existence. I wanted out of this mess.
It's been three days since I arrived in this mansion, I haven't been able to step out of this room, neither have I seen Mr Lloyd since our dinner. I've been so focused on reading a few books from the shelf which has consumed a lot of my time. My escaping plans were still in place, I just needed to find the right time to leave. I desperately wanted to leave, maybe run far away from all of this mess.
A slight thud was heard on the door and after a few seconds Blunt stepped in, "Miss Penelope, the Lord awaits you in the lounge." He stepped out after his words. I could feel my heart skip at his words, I was going to see him again was all there was in my head. My head was in chaos and it wouldn't calm no matter how hard I tried to calm down.
I took in deep breaths and exhaled calmly blinking many times as I stared at my reflection one last time before stepping out of the room. One hand held the rays of the stairs and the other held my black dress as I stepped down. My steps were quiet taking one step at a time till I arrived in the lounge. Those cold grey eyes were directly on mine, I quickly deflected my eyes from his staring at every other thing in the lounge except him.
He was in a black suit, seated on a couch, his legs were crossed against each other as he stared at me so unfazed. My entire body tensed up under his gaze as my cheeks turned warm. My heart hit more rapidly than usual and I gulped down my nervousness which kept popping up making my legs weak. It took forever before he rose to his feet.
"Let's go." Was all he said to have me tail behind him, my small figure was completely lost behind this huge man. I still could not believe I was married to someone. Seeing him now, I quickly recalled the first time we met. He had said it wasn't his choice to get married to me which had me wondering whose choice it was then.
We stepped out of the mansion and into the black car parked just at the entrance of it. My eyes went to the water fountain with the scary woman and the same pain returned. I had no idea why I felt this way, I wanted to ask what was behind the sculpture but I held it in. I didn't want to sound absurd, but what's the use of knowing when I'll be leaving soon anyway.
Our drive was quiet as Mr Lloyd focused more on the road staring at it as if something was about to get us. "How has your stay in the mansion been little one?" He suddenly asked, his eyes never leaving the road. "I... It is good, I've spent most of my time reading." I said.
"Reading? what kind of books?" "Random books with really good stories," I responded. "Hm." He hummed and we were visited by another storm of silence again.
"Mr Lloyd...?" "Lance little one, call me Lance."
The name Lance sounded strange in my ears but I tried to say it, "L... Lance." I breathed in, "Where are we going to?" He finally met my gaze. "Supper, family supper, my family wants to meet you." He said calmly.
His family wanted to meet me, I almost choked with my own saliva. How could I forget that I haven't met any of his family members? Not that I wanted to meet them since I wouldn't be staying for long.
Now I wondered what they looked like, I was curious to know if they looked like Lance or something else. Maybe they're as beautiful as he is, or even more beautiful. "Stay with me at all times and don't go wondering about." He instructed and in a few minutes, we arrived before a mighty mansion. It was dark unlike Lance's mansion, it felt more creepy than usual.
He stepped out of the car and stretched his hands at me which I held as I stepped out. "Come here." Lance brought out a white lace glove from his pocket as he placed them on my hands. "Here you go." I blushed at his action and cursed myself inwardly for acting that way. Anyone can do what he just did, there's nothing special about wearing me gloves. I tried to convince myself.
He held my hands in his as we both stepped in...
Stepping into the ballroom which has been set up for what seemed to be a grand event. My bizarre eyes scampered around the lit room, as they went up to the diamond chandelier dangling brightly at the centre of the room giving little sparks from one end to another. But what showed even more under the light was the jewelries of the prestigious women in there.
Many wore different lengths and sizes of luxurious diamond jewelries hung in their ears, wrist and neck. A few others wore the rearrest pieces of pearls, the ones that were found to not be in existence. It was obvious this event was for the rich and wealthy people of the society. An event where wealth was being displayed to its maximum effects.
Many round tables were splotched respectfully and then there was a large rectangular table placed before the rest. All tables were swathed in white and golden linens. A few flower vases were placed on the table, exuding the colours red, white and golden.
Wines and silver glasses were placed on each table with clothed cutleries and plates, which were all arranged beautifully on the table.
I have never seen such extravagant in my life, from the deco to the beautiful paintings on the wall. Paintings that could be worth millions of dollars. The people gathered in different groups and small circles, people that wore really expensive clothes worth millions of dollars. I didn't need to think twice to know they were not just anyone in the society, they were all powerful people in the society, most celebrities were present, my favourite models, actors, and artist. I couldn't believe I was in a room with them, but no one cared about them.
In fact, they looked like the smallest of the affluent people in the hall, they were like normal people before the wealthy, like you and me. I was thankful Mr Lloyd had picked this outfit for me.
All of these luxuries had me wondering who the Lloyd's were. The media didn't give off any information about them.
The scream of a woman brought me out of my trance state and I searched among the crowd to know where it came from but found no one screaming or in pain, rather, I saw a few couples dancing at the centre of the room in their colourful attires. A maid passed carrying a tray of drinks to which I called and took a glass just to keep myself busy with one.
"I wouldn't drink that if I were you." I heard his deep voice the moment the glass almost touched my lips.
