Chapter 3 The Beginning Of Trouble

Vicky's pov

Alicia shoved me out of the lounge and I almost stumbled, and if I hadn't caught myself just in time, I could have fallen face down and had my face disgusted or even dead.

Alicia pushed me again, and the tray crashed from my hands to the floor; her voice sounded down the hallway with a sharp, biting edge. I didn't know what to do that instant but I knew that I was just in deep shit.

She slammed the door with such force that the walls shook, and I almost jumped out of my skin, my stomach dropped, and I knew that I was in deep shit.

The guests had gone minutes ago and now it was time for me to save the devil himself.

" Never embarrass me in such a manner again. " She hissed, and before I knew what was happening,, she had slapped me hard across the cheek,s, and I felt my head spin like I had been hit by a bazooka.

Tears stung my eyes as they flowed down my eyes like rivers, I bit my lower lip in anger that it could almost draw out blood.

There were a thousand and one things I wanted to say, to lash out at her and give her a piece of my mind, but I just couldn't say a single word.

Embarrass her?

What does she mean by that?

She was the one who had embarrassed me and had continued to do so.

"You filthy piece of a wolf." She spat." Mother will hear of this." She said." Get out of my sight."

She said and pushed me again.

As I ran down the hallway, my heart still thumping from the ordeal and so much embarrassment, my fists clenched in silent rage, and the other hand holding my reddened cheeks that had received a sharp slap, my eyes also reddened, and I just stopped crying.

Alicia always wanted things her way; every day, I wanted to remind her that I wasn't her servant, but what good would that do? I just couldn't, my tongue tied and I was scared.

I would probably get more beating and insults, perhaps, and I didn't want to starve for days, too.

Life was just cruel, and every day, I wonder why bad things do happen to good people.

I could still picture Lucas's sharp eyes, his devastatingly handsome face, and his deep voice saying, Mate.

I wished he had taken me with him, away from this stupid place.

The memory washed over me and I found myself smiling sheepishly. I leaned against the door of my room as I remembered the way that he had stared at me like I was the only one in the room.

That's what I had always wished for, for someone to stare at me like I was the moon goddess herself.

That unexplainable connection pulled at me like an unseen thread drawing me back to him. I had also called him my mate, does that even mean he was?

I shook my head as if doing so would make the thoughts and his handsome face vanish from my memory, but it stayed there, waiting for me to resurrect it.

What did it mean, though, and why? I shook my head to concentrate. I had lots of things to do than stand here thinking of someone who wasn't probably thinking about me.

I had never had a boyfriend or a mate, so I didn't know what having a mate meant, and I couldn't ask Alicia either. I would only look so stupid.

I left my room and everything that I was thinking about and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

I concentrated on cooking and doing the dishes. But doing all that was as difficult as climbing a mountain because my thoughts kept going back to him.

My stepmother would surely come up with another nasty method to torture me if I wasted too much time in the kitchen.

The sounds of conversation and laughter drifted in from the lounge, sharp and annoying, as I washed the dishes in the kitchen.

Although Alicia's high-pitched laughter was like paint on a whiteboard, my thoughts were scattered and kept returning to Lucas.

And I didn't want to hear the sound of her laughter because it was just too annoying.

I had actually become confused by his intense gaze, the smell that surrounded me, and the low tone of his voice then that I wouldn't keep it from my mind.

It was a sensation I had never felt before and it made me uneasy and happy at the same time.

I shook my head, trying to shake off my thoughts, and I muttered under my breath ." What is wrong with me?" And then exhaled.

I was already exhausted and then to rest.

"Focus, Vicky. You still have lots of things to do." I said to myself as I remembered that a party would be held tonight in the grand hall that was just two blocks from our house.

People like Lucas lived in a world that was very different from mine, so I should stop thinking about him. He was Alicia's mate, not mine.

I wasn't ready to get into any trouble and having my little daily scraps was also important to me.

---.

By evening the mansion was bustling with activity. The air was heavy with the rush of excitement and the heady scent of pricey perfume as guests arrived dressed for the party.

The guests had arrived while I was still in the kitchen.

I had to take a hot shower, combed my short hair, and grabbed a short, almost dirty gown.

It was the time of the annual gala and my stepmother had managed to make me a servant once again.

When I was thinking, at least I could escape from being a servant.

As she pushed a tray of champagne flutes into my hands, she yelled ." Vicky, stop wasting time and prove yourself; go serve the guest. Don't try to embarrass this family please.'

"But-." I started to say, I thought I was even invited.

Her eyes held me with disgust. "You should count yourself lucky that you are even permitted to remain in this house ." she broke off and pushed me aside.

As I entered the grand hall, I swallowed my saliva in fear, nodded silently, and clutched the tray with shaking hands.

The chandeliers shone their golden light over the throng of tastefully attired guests illuminating the lavishly furnished space.

I was a glorified servant in a place that should have felt like home, and to think my father had turned a blind eye to all this.

I moved, slicing through the sea of people like an invisible shadow.

Across the room, I caught a glimpse of Alicia comfortably nestled in the middle of her group of friends, enjoying the attention she was receiving.

As her dress glistened in the light I briefly felt jealous of her-not because she was cruel but rather because she seemed to control every area she occupied and she had the freedom and love she wanted.

"Pardon me" a voice cut through my daydream. He was standing when I turned.

Lucas. Our eyes met again and my breath caught in my throat.

The air between us seemed to crackle and the indisputable bond from earlier seemed to return in a flash.

"Uh..." My voice trailed off and I quickly turned away because I was embarrassed.

With a smooth murmur, he took a glass from the tray and said "Thank you. "

As his fingers touched mine I felt a shock of electricity.

My heart thumping in my chest, I stood motionless trying to gather myself.

Alicia was at his side in an instant, her arm draped possessively over his before I could bring myself to speak.

" Don't just stand there, Vicky," she yelled her eyes filled with hatred.

"You're causing discomfort to my guests."

Embarrassed, I bit my lip and quickly pulled away my face burning with shame.

Later that night I took cover in the kitchen and tried to calm the chaos that was brewing inside of me.

The party continued, but I didn't want to go back to that world.

But Alicia, as usual, had other ideas.

With her trademark flair, she burst into the kitchen and exclaimed.

"There you are. You cannot spend the entire night hiding in here, sis. It's time you put together and make yourself look beautiful for the party. "

I was suspicious of her motives

"Beautiful for what?"

She smiled slyly and threw a dress at me, a fairy tale- kind of deep red and lavishly beaded.

"Why are you giving me this? I asked in a small voice.

She sneered ."Don't flatter yourself. I'm only letting you wear it to show to my friends my generosity. Now hurry and get dressed. "

Even though I was hesitant, I shrugged.

I liked Alicia as my sister and maybe tonight she was feeling so generous.

Alicia gave me a glass of wine when I came out.

"Drink this," she ordered with an unusual grin

I gave her a suspicious look, but before I could object, her smile changed to one that was more calculating and icy. She said in a venomous tone, "Don't make me repeat myself, how are you supposed to get a boyfriend when you are always so naive."

I took the glass reluctantly and took a sip. The flavor of the sweet wine lingered on my tongue.

I tried to relax but something told me this night was going to be long.