Bella's POV

Day Eight: Kiss Her Like Its A Job.

Background hit: Don't Say You Love Me by Fifth Harmony.

Quote: Sometimes I feel like giving up, then I remember I have a lot of mother fuckers to prove wrong.

"Ladies and gentlemen, that's a wrap for day eight and see you tomorrow. Have a safe journey back home," the usual lady ended the discussion and I heaved a deep sigh, turning to Caden.

"Let's go?" I asked.

"Sure." he replied and we both stood up, exhausted from over three hours of endless sitting.

"I think my butt fell asleep," Caden said as he opened the car and we got in.

"I forgot my butt on that seat. Gosh! I feel so tired," I yawned and strapped the seatbelt across my shoulder.

"Me too. Anyways, it's just home now," he sighed and drove out of the hotel.

                                  °°°°°°°°°°°°°
I yawned, waking up from my abnormally long nap that left me with huge zombie eyes and a pair of swollen lips. My hair looked like it got into a fight with a raccoon and my lips were as chapped as anything!

I scratched my nose and stretched tiredly, sitting up on the bed and looking around.

Mask party by ten...

I remembered Banks saying something to me while I was asleep but all I could get out of it was mask party by ten.

Just in time, Banks walked into the room with her tablet in her hands.

"Ma'am, the - "

"What mask party?" I asked, interrupting her and standing up from the bed.

"Um, there's going to be a mask party by ten at a a hotel away from town and it's just an annual celebration. Not too formal, and neither popping," she stated accurately.

"I see. And, was Caden invited?" I asked.

"I don't know, ma'am," she shook her head slowly.

"Well okay. You'll be getting me ready in that case and you'll escort me to that party," I informed and left her in the room, closing the door behind me.

I knocked at Caden's door.

He yelled a "come in!" And I walked in immediately.

"Are you busy tonight?" I asked, looking around at all the files.

"Yeah. Sort of," he nodded.

"I'll be leaving for this event by ten and before you go overboard, its something unrelated to Xander. Just said to let you know." I smiled and closed the door, not giving him even the slightest opportunity to talk back.

                              °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

"OH. MY. GOD! Mercedes!  You look really ravishing!" One of Mercedes's friend complimented as  a group hovered around me.

"Thank you," I smiled.

It was a nice party with masked faces all around. Pretty outfits and matching masks.

Banks fitted me to a red silk flowing gown, black ankle straps and a pretty black mask, lined with shiny diamonds. A red necklace dangled down my ear and my makeup was heavier than expected, given a mask party. A beautiful layered pearl necklace stood ravishingly on my neck, covering my bare chest.

Banks went with a simple blue dinner gown and a corresponding mask. I realized she hanged around Adrian, Caden's little mouse, a lot. 

It was really cute, though.

But the fact that she left me alone in a wild mask party is what flipped my head over.

It was all dark, even though it was some kind of Royal ball or something. But it wasn't all teenager. Most people were in fact, adults and thank the lord! The music wasn't booming.
Sounds of a mellowed classical tune crept in the ball and just placed a light beautiful tuned background on everyone's conversations.

I actually found the place really impressive. Despite being huge, it had a real sense of taste and design. I adored the balloons neatly arranged at the background of the stage. Gold with a touch of  white. And the colour of the microphone, which was gold, complimented the whole outlook.

The walls were all painted cream and on the walls hung Chandelier's which were robbed of their glory. I finally got myself a table and just sat down, scrolling through Mercedes's phone and sipping some wine. Non alcoholic.

"Ah, Mercedes! Its you. Such a pleasure to meet the all great Mercedes!" I heard a voice approach me and a had extended to me.

For a moment I exhaled and bit my tongue hard, trying to get myself together.

"The p - pleasure's mine. Blissful evening, by the way," I replied, making sure I test ran every word in my memory before voicing it aloud.

"I must say, you look - ravishing. More - " he came closer to me. "Seductive." he whispered and trailed his hand down my arm, sliding his hand to my waist.

I knew them when I see them! Pervert!

"I am very much aware of that fact. Thanks for noticing, by the way," I smiled and pushed his hand off my body.

"Come on now, don't be a rude little princess," he pleaded.

"And you, don't be a touchy little fool!" I shot acidly at him and grabbed my purse, headed to a different table.

He was such a bastard!

They completely ran out. The tables. Except for the empty ones at the corners and the ones at the counter too. The occasion was just getting started and I needed to find myself a seat.

"Hello? Excuse me. Can I get a chair? Not necessarily a table," I asked a waiter.

"Um - ma'am- "

"I'm Mercedes Belgravia by the way," I completed.

"Definitely, ma'am. Please follow me. Its a pleasure meeting you," he smiled willingly and I followed him.

He led me to the store, I think. Outside had more lights and was very much appreciating. I enjoyed the lights and got totally attracted when I saw the water fountain in the moonlight. It was beautiful.

"One second," I said to him and walked out into the backyard. A beautiful water fountain stood there in the moonlight, and I couldn't help but love it already.

I walked towards it and lifted my hand and few splashes went to the tips of my fingers. I smiled warmly and decided to return to the Waiter immediately.

Something caught my attention back. It was the sound of quiet voices in the night. But they definitely struck my ear.

Desperate for more, I leaned over the wall and bent my head to see who it was. It was definitely a man and a woman in a pink gown. I didn't see that inside.

I couldn't have a clear look, so I immediately turned, not sparing myself the ridiculous stress.
I leaned over again and set my eyes on a kising scene. It was romantic. Really. But this stopped being funny when I saw my supposed husband on that seat.

I bent my head much closer again and realized it was Mackenzie and Caden. What was I thinking? That we'd be okay? That it was actually going to work between both of us? I was a fool to think that.

I felt hot water roll down my cheeks. Surprised, I tapped my face suspiciously and found out I was crying. For a guy?

The last guy I cried for was when my father took advantage of me. That's the last of tears that came down my cheeks because of a guy.

And now this?

I felt a sharp sword pierce through my heart and come out at the other end. Like he betrayed me. Like he played me for a fool. I felt my breath shortened and my neck tightened. Like I was suffocated. In pain, yes.

Did our kiss mean nothing to him? Was it just for fun? Was I that stupid?

The drizzle of tears soon turned to a heavy downpour as I saw both their heads move in sync with the kiss. My chest hurt but my heart couldn't bear it. All the same, I had no right to. He was not completely mine, anyway.

And when they finally pulled away, I found myself on the floor, holding both hands against my mouth and crying pitiably, black mascara and eyeliner making me look like a Halloween zombie.

I felt hiccups come my way and I couldn't help but cry more. Unfortunately, my tears became too loud and they both turned in my direction.

"Mercedes!" I saw  him mouth before I stood up and took to my heels. The rain did me no favour, and immediately started pouring over.

I was soaking wet but I kept running away from him. He hurt me real bad.

I finally reached the parking lot and jumped into the car, and Lukas immediately drove away.

"Caden, you are such a bitch. I hate you!" I whispered and cleaned my tears.

Caden!

Author's Note.

Hey, people!

Thank you so much for reading this chapter. It means a lot to me.

Don't forget to vote, comment and follow me if you haven't.

I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for more.

Thanks again and bye!

Pauly Queen....