"Well…we can't have that now, can we. The Society members wouldn't approve of my daughter marrying outside of the founding families." He tucks me back close to his chest. "Sophia, see to it we have a chat with Mr. Freeman, please."
I can't see my mother, so I can only assume she's agreed to my father's request. Just as she always does.
"Come on, Harlyn, let go of your father so we can get you cleaned up and head back to the ball." She reaches from my arm. "We spent a lot of money on these tickets, so might as well try and enjoy ourselves as a family."
Once my makeup has been straightened and reapplied, the rest of the night goes as can be expected given Lance's botched proposal, Asher's traitorous actions, and my mom pinching my leg every time she thinks I'll break out into tears.
Not seeing Asher anywhere is the trigger for what is most likely going to be many tiny bruises on my leg. It should be a blessing because I'm not sure I could stand the thought of watching him with Catarina, but even the smallest of glances would give me some peace of mind.
After we've listened to the Mayor speak, and dessert served, I'm ready to leave. "Mother, Daddy, can we go now? I'm tired and don't feel so well."
"Not until after our father-daughter dance."
I'd rather not do any dancing, but he's right. The Society has specific requirements of how members should act at functions such as these. Our family needs to appear strong and uninfluenced by outside sources. "Ok, daddy."
He rises, takes my hand, and we head out to the dance floor. There are a few other couples already dancing, but when we approach the music stops, and it changes to a slow waltz, my father always has them play. It feels good being part of that power.
"Francis, you know why we wouldn't want you marrying that low life Freeman kid, right?" His tone is harsh.
"Yes, daddy. I know. It's frowned upon to marry anyone who's not from the founding families." There's something else I want to ask him, but I'm afraid of his answer. "Daddy?"
"Hmmm?"
"What if the founding family member elected to work outside of what brought their family fortune, is it that ok?"
"Well, I wouldn't say it's highly regarded, but I would expect it's acceptable." He stops our dancing, and I lift my eyes to his. "Why do you ask? Is there someone else who's shown interest in my darling daughter?"
"No, well, not really. I'm mostly curious." After a few more spins around the dance floor, the song ends. "I'm exhausted, can we go now?"
"Sure thing. I'll call the driver. You get your mother."
On the ride home, our conversation revolves around my parents telling me about their travels and the sights they've seen. I'm a bit envious but also glad they allowed me to stay here and continue schooling. Even if they'd rather I not graduate.
Once we're back home, I give them each a kiss on the cheek and head straight to my room, where I intend on stripping out of this dress and into the shower before settling in on the soft mattress.
My plan, sleep through the rest of the weekend until Monday comes.
I'm ecstatic it's the last week of school, but I'm not looking forward to sitting through a class where both Mr. Harrington and Catarina will be.
Chapter Seventeen
Francis Harlyn Aldridge
The day I've dreaded is here. I'm slow moving but somehow manage to drag myself from the bed and get ready for school. It would be easy enough for my parents to let me stay home, but I'm a society kid, and it's ingrained in us to see things through.
"Harlyn, Grace has made breakfast. Come and get it before it gets cold." Mother calls up from the base of the stairs.
It's something I'm not used to hearing since she's hardly never here, but a nice sound, nonetheless. "Be right down, mother."
With a final swipe of lip gloss, I leave my room and skip down the stairs two at a time. It's childish, but I'll try anything to keep from bursting into tears like I did most of yesterday. I'm not sure why seeing Asher with Catarina has had this kind of effect on me. Usually, my confidence snaps back right away.
Could this be what love feels like? Am I actually in love with Winston Asher Harrington III?
It's a question I'd tossed around in my mind all day yesterday. I'd typically seek out Nanny Grace for answers, but now that my mother is home, she's done her best job in helping me through with limited information.
I had come clean about him being the reason I'd almost said yes to Lance but haven't told them he's my teacher yet. They know he's a founding family member, just not which one.
My mom's advice doesn't ever stop fighting to get what I want. Her words are a double-edged sword, though. It's the exact thing she and my father are doing about my inheritance. Shrugging, I decide handling one problem at a time is the way to go.
The first problem is finding out what my Asher had in mind when he brought Catarina to the dance.
I swipe a piece of toast off the plate Grace put together for me and rush out the door.
"Harlyn." My mother scolds.
"Sorry, mom, gotta run. I'll see you after school."
The gears of my car strain as I push it hard on my way to school. I was hoping I'd get there early and get a chance to chat with Asher before the first bell rings. But I don't make it in time. I'm late to every damn class, the last week of school shit that doesn't matter to anyone eating up my time.
Sitting in math class, we have the same substitute teacher once again. Finding it hard to concentrate, I see a couple of uniformed officers pass by the window in
