la Inv

s's

ing at him because his footfall are steady and measured, like the beat of a drum. H

inquire, my voice shaking with doubt. He doesn't c

ttling on me. "Lois," he murmurs in a deep, low voice that sounds

h event? My mind is racing as I try to figure out w

cause I have decided that you will." He doesn't say anything else

lf. "But why? I've just been here

n a sign of comfort. "This isn't about being ready. It's about

ters with gold on them shine on the white paper. I reach for it and pause for a mom

alls across the door. "Don't keep me

el sick to my stomach. I don't

in a way I've never worn before. It's classy, maybe too much so. This leve

use I'm excited or scared. Alex didn't say anything; he just gave me the invitation and order

ow what th

playing? What if this party is just one mo

to calm the increasin

he doorbell rings. I guess it's the

y hair. I feel like I'm getting ready for a

my hand. It still feels weighty as it did when I first got it. I'm

is in front of me, with a sea of sparkling gowns and sharply dressed men. The sound of people talking, drinks

polished world of luxury. Every time I catch their eye or smile, it feels lik

oom from me, talking to a group of people. The warm light from the chandeliers makes his strong jawline

g for him. But there he is, like

't smiling, the way he looks at me makes me feel like he can see

is piercing and intense-makes my skin crawl. It feels like everything about

t the tension is still

can't shake the feeling that everyth

sible. People walk by me, talking and laughing

to what he has to say. The way they gaze at him, like he's a king and they're just waiting

in lovely waves over her shoulders. She looks stunning without even trying, and there is no denying the ch

ust a little too long. I feel a jolt in my stomach, like someone punched me i

s. I attempt to turn aside and act like I haven't seen them,

moment, everything else melts away, and it's just him a

o urge, "Go ahead and say som

a thousand times before. He is in his element, sure of himself, and in charge.

a show of strength. The way people here talk to each other is all a

m go through this world without ever really enter

Alex brought me here for some reason I don't know. Maybe he's putting me through a test to see if I

e low, too soft for me to hear fully, but I can tell how they fe

es are piercing and straight, as if he understands precisely what I'm doing.

s. I suddenly feel extremely