Chapter 1
As I drove home, I felt this wave of sheer annoyance wash over me. I haven’t been home since last Christmas. There are several benefits to studying at a university far away from home. One in
Particularly was that I was far away from my overbearing mother, Sofia. I had been accepted at a
rather prestigious university, much to the joy of my parents but I really wanted to study art in
Paris. In a bid to keep the peace, I opted to study Psychology, like my brother Derek.
My parents, Joseph and Sofia, met when they were at college. My father ended up selling his
computer software program for an inordinate amount of money and then went on to create his
own technological empire. My mother, who was studying performance art, met and quickly married my father. My mother was from a modest family but had always set her sights on a life of extravagance. My father came from money but was desperate to make his own fortune. My mother always says she knew my father would go on to do great things. In short, she had helped to turn my father into the mogul he is today.
My brother, Derek was born first. 5 years later, I was born. Emily Winthrope. I was the apple of my father’s eye and his little princess. My mother never did like our closeness. Maybe she was jealous because, by the time I was born, their marriage had slipped into that dull, comfortable space that couples often like to claim doesn’t exist. My father spent a lot of time working and my mother, who had become your typical step-ford wife, became bored. Derek and I spent a lot of time with our constantly changing foreign Au Pairs while my mother attended luncheons or benefits to aid poverty or some new illness sweeping through underprivileged countries. Soon my brother got shipped off to boarding school in Switzerland and I found myself at an all-girls academy in London. When I returned home, I would often find my parents apart. On one particular occasion, I came home to find my mother in the arms of her yoga instructor. My father was either oblivious or indifferent to the affair.
My mother had groomed me to be the perfect socialite. Always making sure I was in high-end
designer clothes, immaculately groomed, well-spoken, and highly educated. I attended all of her
functions. That was my duty. It was important for my mother to have the most sought-after
daughter. I was known in every social circle. Naturally, I began to rebel. I spent my holidays
partying at the hottest clubs, getting wasted, hooking up with guys. I went from girl next door to
rich party girl. I was sent on a ‘rest & revive’ retreat when I was 17 but actually, I was sent away to a reform school. I came back a changed woman and immediately left for university where I excelled but fell off the party bandwagon again. I managed to steer clear of any scandal though and graduated top of my class. Now, I was moving back home but while I was looking for an apartment, I would be forced to live at home. As we got closer to the house, I sat up in the back of the black Jaguar and mentally prepared myself. William, my driver, smiled at me in the rear-view mirror.
“Are you happy to be home, Miss Emily?” William turned onto our street. His question brought me back from my reverie.
“How’s my father, Will?” I wasn’t happy so I chose to deflect. Will picked up on it and played
along.
“Well, Miss Emily. He couldn’t stop talking about you coming home.” Will punched in the security code at the gate and the big ornately carved gates opened up.
As we made our way up the driveway, I spotted several huge white trucks and people bustling about.
“What’s all this?” I asked William who stopped the car and got out to open my door. He reached his hand out to help me,
“Your mother is having a party tonight.” William closed my door and went to retrieve my bags.
I headed up into the house. Mother was talking to what looked like a flamboyant party planner. She spotted me instantly.
“Oh, Emily, darling” Mother floated over to me and hugged me, awkwardly air-kissing both my
cheeks. “I expected you to arrive earlier.” Mother shot an annoyed glance at William, who set my bags down at the door.
“I had to eat. What’s going on?” I smiled at William as he was on his way out. Mother grabbed my hand and led me to the backyard where a massive marquee was erected and people were setting up tables.
“I’m having a party, dear. Your father has merged with a new electronics company and the new
board members and their families are all coming.” Mother informed me but got distracted by a
flower arrangement,
“Did anyone bother to read my instructions? All white! Why are there red roses in these? PHILLIPE!” Mother moved past me and went off looking for the flamboyant Phillipe. I rolled my eyes and headed up to my room.
Everything was just the same. I flopped down on my enormous bed and looked up to see my
twinkle lights. I’m afraid of the dark and I remember my father had these installed and said ”You
will never be alone as long as there are stars in the sky“. I looked over and hanging on my gold
gilded mirror was a garment bag. I got up and went over.
FOR TONIGHT. WEAR PEARLS read the note mother had attached. Inside was a long white lace gown. I rolled my eyes. I felt arms around me and I jumped. Derek laughed.
“Nice dress.” I turned to see my sweet big brother and his deep dimples smiling down at me. I flung my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “I missed you, sis.” Derek spun me and set me on my feet.
“I missed you more. I didn’t know you were coming.” I eyed him, suspicious. Derek laughed.
“I had to come to see my baby sis, didn’t I? Sorry I couldn’t make the graduation. I bought you a gift.” Derek handed me a box.
I smiled and dropped to my knees and started tearing away at the paper, much to his amusement. Inside was a thin, black velvet box. I gently lifted the lid and saw the charm bracelet. I gasped as I took in the fragile little platinum bracelet with a crystal Eiffel Tower hanging from the one link.
“You always loved Paris. You can add other charms as you go along.” Derek kissed my head.
He was always very fond of me and I loved my brother very much. He was my best friend. Footsteps made their way to my bedroom.
“Where is my girl?” I jumped up as I heard my father’s voice. He came in and smiled an eye-crinkling smile at me. I ran over and hugged my father who wrapped his arms around me.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Daddy.” I pulled back and kissed his cheek. He blushes and clears
his throat.
“I wouldn’t miss seeing my baby for the world. How was the flight?” Father shook hands with
Derek.
“Fine. I’m going to start looking for a place soon. I wanted to stay in the pool house for now. I’m too old for the house.” I giggled and pointed to my very pink dollhouse in the corner.
“I wouldn’t usually mind but it will be occupied for a few months or so. A new business partner of mine is moving in down on Wicker Lane but that estate is going through some renovations so he will be in the pool house.” Father looked at me, apologetically. I sighed, disappointed but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
I spent the rest of the afternoon prepping for tonight. Derek knocked and came in just as people
began to arrive. He snorted as he took in my attire.
“She is going to kill you. One day back and already you are trying to annoy her” Derek helped me put on my bracelet he gave me.
“I like this dress better. Besides, it’s designer so mom has nothing to complain about.” I retorted,
smug.
I had chosen to wear a long black gown that clung to every inch of my body. The back was
completely bare down to my lower back and the front was covered to the neck but sported a slit that went all the way up to my hip. I flipped my long wavy hair over my shoulder and smirked at Derek who shook his head. I hooked my arm through his and headed downstairs. As soon mother caught sight of me, the entire color drained from her face as she noted my very risqué slit, exposing my entire leg. She hurried over to me.
“Where is the Chanel gown I left for you?” Mother kept her composure but I knew she was feeling inside.
“I liked this more.” I smiled back sweetly. She sighed and ignored me. Derek steered me away and into the receiving hall.
“Play nice. This is for dad, okay. I’ll get us drinks.” Derek looked at me in that I-mean-it kind of
way. I nodded. He left and I stood there awkwardly.
“Is that Emily Winthrope???? Little Ems?” I turned to see my uncle Jack coming over. He was
younger than my dad. I haven’t seen him since he moved to some tropical Island with his model
wife.
“Uncle Jack? How nice to see you.” I hugged him and he looked me over.
“Not so little anymore I see. Congrats on the graduation, sweetie. Now, where is your dad?” Uncle Jack passed me an envelope. I suspected it was a cheque. He always gave me money.
I giggled and pointed to my dad who was talking with some men. Uncle Jack kissed my cheek then left again. My father saw me and smiled, calling me over. As I came closer I noted him looking worriedly at my dress.
“Gentlemen, this is my lovely daughter Emily.” Dad proudly introduced me. I smiled sweetly and shook hands with all the men. Father looked over my shoulder.
“Ah, finally you made it. Come meet my daughter, Emily.” father spoke, excitedly.
I turned to greet the man father was talking to and I couldn’t help but look the man over. He was
Older and almost my Father’s age, I think. His blonde hair was cut short and styled neatly. He was...attractive...really, really attractive, for an older man. He worked out, I could tell. He was lean. I noticed him looking at me too. He stopped in front of us and looked at my father. They shook hands, and then he turned to me.
“Mason Reynolds. Nice to meet you, Miss Winthrope” He offered me his hand. I took it and he
clasped it gently. I felt a surge of electricity move through me.
“Call me, Emily.”
