AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My mother shakes her head. “You already lied to me once. Why would I believe you now?”
Tired of her bullshit, I stand my ground and decide not to cave in. “I don’t owe you an explanation, I’m not a baby anymore,” I remind her just as fast.
“I know that.” Mom pauses, her attention drifting to the fireplace as she ponders something. “And I also know that you could have met a fine young man at that ball, but instead, you wasted your time with him.”
“It’s Sebastian that I want,” I tell her, my voice steady. “And you won’t change my mind.” And with that, I storm out of the room, my heart heavy with the weight of my mother’s disapproval.
As I walk away, I can feel my resolve hardening. I won't let anyone stand in the way of my love for Sebastian. Mom might not believe that what I feel is real, but it is, and she’s just going to have to accept that one way or the other.
With nowhere else to go, I simply make my way to my bedroom, throwing myself down on my bed with a thump and rolling onto my back, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes. Why does the first thing to make me happy in such a long time have to piss my mom off at the same time? I know she loves to make my life difficult, but this is taking it to the next level. I’m an adult, it’s ridiculous that she still thinks she can control me this way.
I reach beneath my head and rummage around under my pillow until my hand finds the cold rectangular item that I have hidden there. Pulling it out, I hold it up to look at, feeling my heart go soft. Right now, this picture, a photograph of Sebastian and I dancing at the ball, is my most prized possession. I trace our figures with my fingers, mind drifting back to that night and those first few thrilling minutes when we got to know each other.
Remembering the way he held me on the dancefloor makes me feel flush, and I can almost sense the heat of the photograph in my hand. The colors swirl around in a blur of emerald, sapphire, and gold. A laugh escapes me as I remember how I had almost backed out of going to the ball that night. If I hadn’t gone, I’d have missed meeting the man of my life.
The way his hand felt on my waist, his fingers intertwining with mine, the way his eyes locked onto mine, all of it felt like a dream. I never believed in love at first sight, but with Sebastian, it felt like the stars had aligned.
I glance over at the clock on my bedside table, realizing it’s been nearly an hour since I’ve been back in my room, and I’ve been lost in memories this entire time. I take one last look at the photograph and tuck it back under my pillows, hoping that no one will find it. As much as I love Sebastian, I know that my mother is furious that I’m still seeing him. I can’t imagine how irate she would be if she found a framed picture of the two of us in my bed.
But I can’t help it. Every time I think of Seb, my heart swells with love and longing. I know that he’s not perfect, but to me, he is everything.
* * *
SIX WEEKS EARLIER…
The knocking on the frame of my bedroom door continues, unrelenting, no matter how long I ignore it.
“I know you’re in there, Julia,” Mom protests, her resolve just as strong as before. She then twists the handle once more as if it would open by magic. “Let me in.”
Gosh! Why did I even bother to come back home for the weekend? I have finally started college and settled into a small, but cozy apartment in Amsterdam, and yet, Mom somehow managed to convince me to spend the weekend here. What a mistake!
Tired of her insistence, I long sigh escapes me before I get up, go, and unlock the damn door for her. “Fine, come on in, then!” I say loud enough as my mother enters my bedroom, interrupting my studying session.
When she sees me laying on the bed, book open in front of me, her neutral expression turns into a scowl. “Are you really not ready yet?” She’s eager to take me to yet another society ball, but I couldn't care less and rejected her invitation just like I did for the previous ones.
“Mom, I really think that this event will be a waste of my time. I don’t know anyone there.”
Planting her hands on her hips, she gives me a scathing once over before stomping to my closet to go through dress options. “One more reason to go!” she snaps over her shoulder as she does so. “You will make some new friends.”
“You know I don’t care about making friends. I have plenty of friends back in Amsterdam, and I have got a lot of studying to do,” I counter.
She begins plucking dresses from the closet, laying each choice over her arm as she goes. “Darling, it’s Saturday night and I promised everyone I’ll be there with my eldest daughter at my side.”
“You did that, not me. I didn’t make a single promise,” I huff, but I can’t ignore her when she gingerly sits on the edge of the mattress and stares down at me until I look up at her.
Her expression turns more genuine, making her almost seem like a kind and caring person. Almost.
“It would mean so much to me, Julia,” she pleads, looking at me with hopeful eyes, and it breaks me down. These soft moments from my mother are so rare that I’m helpless in the face of them.
“Okay! You win!” I relent, knowing that there’s no point in arguing with her any longer. “But it’s the first and last one I go to.” Mom nods in agreement, and I can’t help but exhale louder at it. “Now leave me alone so I can get ready to go to this stupid event.”
With a quick smile, my mother lays her choices of dresses on the bed next to me and finally leaves, giving me a chance to breathe now that she’s acquired her victory. Nothing that she’s picked out would be my first choice, but I quickly get dressed in a pale, pink gown, adorned with delicate lace and pearls. It's not my favorite dress, but it will have to do. It’s not like I want to start another argument with her by going against her outfit wishes, as well.
Mother is waiting for me in the foyer once I finish my hair and makeup, opting for a natural, subtle look and soft curls. It was the best I was able to do with such short notice, considering that I’ve been trying to avoid the topic of this ball all day. Lady Margaret, though, looks flawless as always, in a dark turquoise gown and her hair pinned back to draw attention to her gracefully aging, perfectly made-up face.
“You look gorgeous, darling,” she coos, adjusting the neckline of my dress and patting me on the cheek. “I was really hoping that you would pick this dress.”
“Of course you did,” I mutter, letting her take me by the arm as we walk out to the waiting car together. Her grip is gentle, as if she’s just a doting mother wanting to be close to her daughter, but I know all too well that Mom always has been all about appearances above all else.
