Days had passed quite fast.

So much that I’d completely forgotten there was supposed to be an annual ball I needed to attend? I didn’t see why I had to go. It was going to be full of pompous people anyway. And I so did not fit into that crowd. Lucas maybe, but not me.

That boy. Lucas was acting much more strangely these past few days, more than he normally did. I pondered at his change in attitude. Sure he snapped at me from time to time like he always did, but lately he’d been distant, very distant, to the point where I found that maybe he was trying to avoid me.

I wondered if this was all possibly because of his father. His grandmother had mentioned Lucas hated him, and so I didn’t want to bring it up.

Fathers were a tricky thing to begin with.

Honestly, I hoped we wouldn’t see the man. Unfortunately, that was the whole purpose of the ball. Nothing could stop him, not even me. I only wanted to shield him from such negativity.

Why? I did want to help him. I wasn’t going to let my intentions go so easily, no matter how insufferable Lucas was.

I tugged at the tie I was trying to tie. The madam had a suit tailored specifically for me, even though I told her I didn’t need it. At the time, I only received a confident look from her which screamed, ‘take the suit or else.’

I couldn’t refuse, and so here I was trying not to look at myself in the mirror. I hadn’t done anything special other than replace my glasses with contact lenses I used for emergencies. And I was still wearing my converse, despite the protests of multiple staff members.

I only wanted to be comfortable.

Cursing under my breath, I gave up on the tie and remembered that Lucas of all people must’ve known how to tie one. I abandoned my spot in front of the mirror, only to find myself at my opened bedroom door, slightly shocked to find the young man in mind standing outside of his own closed door.

Defeated, I leaned against my wall, “Tie this, please.”

Lucas looked up from fixing his cufflinks. He paused.

I waited for him to respond, “ . . . what? Do I look that bad?”

He narrowed his eyes, “What did you need?”

“Fix my tie.” I said again.

Lucas strode over to my side of the hall, taking the silk tie in his hands and expertly tying it to perfection. I stared at him all the while, slightly shocked at how different he appeared after cleaning himself up.

His hair was slicked back, and his black attire was replaced with a grey suit that made his eyes more striking than they already were.

“What?” Lucas pestered, raising a sharp brow.

I turned away quickly. “N-nothing.”

“I’ll be at the entrance with grandmother.” He told me, tucking my tie into place, “We’ll meet again after I’ve said my welcomes to the guests.”

This made me somewhat amused. What was he? A prince? He most certainly looked the part and acted like one too.

“Are you laughing at me?” He asked.

I shook my head. “No.”

“You are.” He pointed out, clearly not happy. “Well, just don’t make a fool out of me in front of the guests.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re rich and scary and they hold a lot of power.” He snapped while I cracked a tiny smile. “We mustn’t fight like this during the party.”

“You’re telling me not to fight?” I said, astounded, “Where is this coming from?”

“It’s an affair I’ve known all my life.” He answered, sounding more mature than I thought he was capable of. It surprised me. “Don’t let these people get to you.”

With that, he tugged on my suit jacket, leading the way to walk in the direction of the ballroom. Even his stance had changed.

It was good seeing him back to normal, but this was a side of Lucas I’d never seen before either. He exuded . . . matureness. I tried to know if maybe he’d been like this ever since he was small.

When I’d met him back then at the age of seven, I got a similar feeling. He was stoic, without much emotion, and distant. Somehow, I liked that I could bring out the opposite in him.

Without responding, I followed.

I only wish I’d known what I was getting into.

I stood by the entrance to the ballroom alone, watching as the staff prepared little, miniscule, last minute details to the interior of the massive ballroom located near our rooms.

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t exquisite before, but now it seemed as if I’d been placed in a different country—no, a different world.

Garland hung along the oil canvas paintings above, accentuating the sophistication and ancient history the images displayed.

Along the floor, glittered confetti trailed below waiter's polished shoes, casting vivid dust around as they walked.

The tables were lined with food galore, with rich pastries that stacked high into the ceiling, and whole roasts of animals releasing mouth-watering smells from every corner of the place.

Large, glass encrusted bowls of multi-colored liquids sat at every table, glistening in the morning light and swaying as staff moved swan-shaped napkins and golden chairs in their places. I even spotted Mr. Rangel measuring the distance between dishes and silverware with a severe expression of utter concentration.

Despite the bright light streaming in from the large windows overhead, the giant chandeliers shone brightly where they rested, atop the shimmering festivities below.

At one point, I even caught my mother tending to the delicacies she’d made early in the morning, and even the gardener’s daughter Brenda hauling in a cart full of freshly cut flowers for the tables readied with jeweled, empty vases.

I tried not to let my amazement show as I watched everything unfold into utter elegance. I couldn’t even describe the amount of money I was seeing, flaunted around in the form of . . . this.

It was a world I didn’t know. It was a world I would never know, and yet why was I there in the first place?

It made me recognize how life could change in an instant.

It was terrifying.

I’d be dishonest if I said I wasn’t nervous. Because, well, I was.

Despite trying to stay as groomed as I could be for the party, I dove in to help the staff with the preparations, and thus now I became more disheveled than I was previously.

It was unfortunate I had a good heart, otherwise I’d look the tiniest bit a part of the celebration around me. Only, I believed I didn’t want to.

It’d been an hour since the staff had finished preparing, and it’d been hours since I’d last seen Lucas when he left me at the ballroom entrance. It was growing darker and darker, nearing the late afternoon.

The place was now beginning to fill up with people who appeared stuffy, shooting awful gazes at me as I tugged at my collar nervously.

I could tell they knew I wasn’t as rich as them, though I didn’t care, most of the time. The people wandering about were dressed gaudily, drenched in fine jewelry and shoes that never seemed to touch dirt.

Most of the guests totally disregarded the staff waiting in the wings, talking amongst themselves as if they were the kings and queens of the world (well, most of them probably were).

Until then, I had no idea of the massive power the Madam and her family held. It made me wonder why the lady hadn’t sent me to prison or had me killed upon hearing the news that I’d broken her precious artifact.

Again, I tugged at my collar nervously, biting at my lower lip whilst I remained looking on at the splendid scene.

Where was Lucas?

For the first time in my life, I wanted to see him. Only because I knew that if I stayed standing there for much longer, alone, I’d combust.

I swept my hair back, sighing.

At my side, a figure appeared, almost as tall as Lucas was, though barely reaching it. I turned to find that he must’ve intentionally wanted to stand beside me, hands inside his tailored suit pants.

Hesitantly, I waited for him to do anything.

He looked at me then, analyzing my form from head to toe. Unlike the young master, whose gaze was severe, this guy appeared as if he was trying to figure me out.

“Can I help you, sir?” I asked, raising a concerned brow at him.

The guy laughed. His voice was light, much lighter than Lucas, “You’re the one who’s babysitting my cousin Luka, right?”

I froze.

How . . .?

“How do I know?” He asked, shifting more comfortably where he stood. “My mother’s quite good with gossip, well—so am I.” He finished, eyeing me slyly.

I didn’t respond. This was another person related to Lucas other than the Madam. He didn’t have the same grey eyes, instead they were replaced with bright blue ones.

Carefully, I took a step away, raising my guard. He was probably the same age as us, maybe a little older? I didn’t know. What I knew for certain, was the fact that he didn’t appear trustworthy. Though I couldn’t just base my presumptions on first impressions alone.

“What do you want?” I told him.

He laughed airily, “I’m not a bad guy.”

“I didn’t . . . say you were.” I said, revealing my hesitance.

The boy continued to stare, figuring me out, “Oh, I can see why he hasn’t gotten rid of you yet.”

I crossed my arms, “He’s tried.”

“You’re rather endearing. Haven't you ever considered he's not trying hard enough for a reason?” He bent to reach my level, stepping into the space I’d made for us to be far apart. “My name’s Feliks.” He said, in an accent. “Felix, if you want an American name.”

I averted my gaze from him. He wasn’t intimidating like Lucas, rather, he was someone who held more annoyance.

“Sammy.” I introduced myself, because I promised the Madam I wouldn’t get into any fights. That definitely wouldn’t look good on my resume.

“Sammy.” He repeated me, testing my name on his tongue, “I’ve got some pretty good information on Lucas . . . if you’d like.”

“Why?”

“Aren’t you teaching him how to be a good boy?”

At that, I grew red, feeling the tips of my ears grow warm at how he’d explained my situation. Did he have no decency?

Oh yeah, he didn’t. He was rich.

I shook my head, “No.”

“Then I guess I’ll just have to talk aloud and make sure you hear it.” He said, observing my reaction with glee. “Goodness, did anyone ever tell you how alluring you are—”

I stopped him. He was getting way off topic, “Fine. Tell me something already.”

“Not fishing for compliments?” He asked, still observing me. “My, my, you are quite different from the others . . .” He trailed off, looking instead to the ballroom now full of lavish individuals. “Man, how stuffy can my relatives get?”

Without much self-restraint, I hid a small, surprised laugh. I didn’t expect him to be so mouthy when it came to people he was actually related to. He was blunt.

The boy named Felix smirked, “Ah, did I amuse you?”

I shook my head, clearing my mind, “N-no.”

“Did I make the famous Sammy laugh?” He questioned.

For a second, I thought over what he’d said, “Famous?”

“Oh yes.” He admitted, “I heard from the staff that you’ve been kicking my cousin’s pretty ass all month long.”

I refrained from scoffing at his choice of words. It was true that by now I hadn’t kept my scolding to a minimum. I was starting to worry if maybe I’d been a little too harsh. Though knowing him, I couldn’t help it.

Absent-mindedly, I took the tie in my hands, thinking back to Lucas.

Felix caught my moment of thought, “I’m quite envious now.”

“Why—?” I began, but he silenced me.

He grabbed my hand gently, bringing it close to his lips, “Lucas has gained such an admirable companion.”

I released myself from his hold quickly, looking to see if anyone had caught that small little action he’d done.

“First his career, and now you—” He revealed.

It was my turn to cut him off, “Career?” I asked, failing to hide the growing redness erupting against my neck and ears.

Felix smiled, “Yes. He has a little career going for him now.”

I wanted to ask what he was referring to. But at the same time, I also didn’t want to talk about anyone behind their back. I hated gossip.

Felix must’ve sensed that, and began speaking aloud anyway, to no one in particular. He voiced his thoughts for anyone to hear, “Oh my, Lucas is such a successful model. How does one keep up with such fans across the world . . . ?”

My eyes widened.

Did he just say what I thought he said?

“You’re lying.” I stated flatly.

No way in hell would Lucas do anything like that. Didn’t he have a very, very large inheritance waiting for him?

“Alas, I am not.” Felix dug his hands into his pockets again, leaning back on his heels happily. “How do you think he’s been paying for everything?”

I noticed my mouth had dropped in shock. I closed it immediately, collecting myself to answer in a small voice, “His father . . . ?”

Felix shocked me by laughing aloud, throwing his head down to chuckle at my guess. “Hilarious, Sammy. You are utter perfection.”

“W-what are you saying?” I said, stuttering on my words. This couldn’t be true. Lucas as a . . . model? Well, he could be, with those looks, but his attitude surely didn’t match the criteria for the job. “What . . . ?”

Felix remained with that grin on his face. He had a permanent, mischievous smile, as if he could easily read your mind. I found him strange, and so unlike someone I could easily trust. He was approachable, nonetheless, “Yes, he uses his modeling money to pay for everything.” He told me, “I believe he only wants the inheritance to shut down his father’s business.”

“You . . .” I said, not knowing what else to say to his gossip, “Why are you telling me all of this, I’m—”

“You’re what?” He asked, looking into my eyes, daring me to say anything, “Are you not of importance?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what?”

“I . . .” I didn’t know what to say. This boy was getting on my nerves. It was a similar feeling to that of annoyance, like a fly buzzing at my ear.

I gazed up at him, stare severe. He merely kept his expression of confidence. Honestly, I didn’t know what to make of him.

“I don’t need to talk about this behind his back.” I answered finally.

Felix’s determination wavered, “Pardon?”

“You heard me.” I said with more bite, noticing the way his smile came back. Again, he was a fly I couldn’t manage to kill.

The young man responded lowly, much different to the tone of voice he’d been using to tell me all those things, “Yes, you really are different from the others.” He said, whispering now, “I guess I really do like you.”

I turned to meet his gaze, glaring at him.

This family was going to be difficult.