Page 103 of House of Bass

“You were right, I was but he calmed me down.”

“I’ll always be there to do so.” Arden said, kissing her forehead. Scarlett groaned in disgust.

He glared at her, “Argent, what are you doing here?”

“I have been asking myself the exact same thing,” she retorted. Then placed the tray of cakes into Annabel’s hands. “Bloss made them. She said good luck.”

Annabel cooed, then looked at them all seriously. “Surely you don’t expect me to eat these. Imagine the bloody calories.” Everyone in the room simultaneously frowned, but a smile peeked out. “Kidding! I’ll be sure to text her thank you.”

A knock on the door came and someone yelled, “Stage in five minutes.”

They said their goodbyes and proceeded to find their seats. By the time they reached there the whole room was brimming with people. Arden split away from them as he sat at the front with his friends.

The lights dimmed and the dance began. Harley had never seen Swan Lake so she wasn't sure what the story was but she was extremely excited to see Annabel dance.

It began with a group of men and some women clearly dressed as one too on stage and minutes later Annabel came out on stage and Harley couldn’t help but whistle and cheer in support. The story was somewhat easy to follow; it started with the prince’s birthday where eligible women came to present themselves. Then his mother, Annabel, showed up to gift him. A while later, the prince went to hunt as the party continued and found himself at the shore of a lake where he met Odette, Devon. She informed him she had been cursed by a sorcerer and could only take on human form at night. Odette explained that only true love could break the enchantment and the prince swore his eternal love for her, without realising the wicked sorcerer had witnessed this take place and planned on separating them. Odette and the prince said goodbye and Act I ended.

The whole room roared and cheered with vigour as the curtain closed.

Act II flowed by and the epilogue began which was when the first ping of a phone lights up but it's ignored, then another not too far from her which led to another. Suddenly, everyone was reading something on their phones. Harley had switched hers off because apparently she was the only one with any ballet etiquette, even for a beginner.

A nimble tap on her shoulder had her turning around to see Scarlett, her face twisted in an alarmed grimace. Harley was immediately apprehensive. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Harl…” she trails off.

“Spit it out, what is it?” she simply handed her phone over to her to read. Her eyes widened at the contents of what she was reading. It was an expose article that revealed the secret of her birth. Her entire life laid bare for the whole world to see.

Every eye in the room was already on her, the dancers on stage were still twirling about, no knowledge of the world around them. Annabel was on stage too, and Harley refused to ruin one of the few things that made her happy in this moment.

“Let’s get out of here,” Scarlett whispered, tugging her arm. They slowly walked out the hall together whispers following their every step. Harley couldn't imagine the damage that this will cause and no doubt William will have words with her. Her life was about to get very exhausting.

38

ST. ANNABEL

The last seventy-two hours have been crazy to say the least. My father has been trying to figure out who is responsible for the leak and also doing the damage control he already has prepped for this moment. I have a feeling he thought I did it from the deep glares he’s been throwing my way.

I didn’t.

Though a part of me wishes I did, just to spite him. However, I would never do that to Harley, the last thing she’ll ever want is that level of attention spotlighted on her. Now her name and face has been on the cover of every noteworthy magazine and newspaper hassling us on how many different ways they can use the words illegitimate and affair.

The minute the curtains closed on our show, I was on such a high. Maybe I didn’t get the lead but being on stage was better than any drug I’ve ever done. Only to be forced to come down from it at the news of what happened.

And yet, the show must go on. Tonight is the Bass annual charity gold gala, it is our Christmas and New years rolled in one. It is our biggest event of the year and my mother’s pride and joy, she tends to be fussier about any and everything leading up to it. Even more so now since the news dropped, doing whatever she can to avoid dealing with the issue at hand.

I wonder where I get my ability to run away from my problems?

The charity event is for the disadvantaged families across the country, one the Bass Foundation put in a dedicated time and effort into, it can’t be cancelled (tax write-off). Father has decided his plan is to officially introduce Harley to the world tonight, the headlines practically wrote itself. Especially since today is also her birthday.

My hair is in rollers and I look at the time to see we have a couple hours left to leave the house. We have been at Bishop’s Avenue for the last couple days, under strict orders especially since reporters are practically sleeping in front of our home.

I find our guest of honour sprawled across the floor, utterly undressed. Her expression, empty and vacant.

“The clothes won’t wear themselves,” I drawl playfully, as she turns her head to look at me. A faint barely there smile she directs my way before she stares back up at the ceiling.

“I’m not sure I can do this,” she whispers softly, her hands drawing little circles on the carpet she is laying on in the middle of her room. I notice she does that when she is stressed, likely something she picked up as a kid.

Careful not to mess up the rollers in my hair, I go and lay on the floor right next to her. “The whole night will pass by in a blur. It’s the beginning of the rest of your life.”