Hey! I originally decided not to do any Author's Notes in this book, but I've changed my mind. To those of you who are reading, I'm honestly so f***ing grateful and thankful for you! So I hope you continue to read and enjoy the story. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter 💩

My throat gets dry and I can't bring myself to look her in the eyes. It's like after all these years, I'm still just her obedient, helpless daughter who can't stick up for herself.

Dominance and menace radiate off her in a fiery aura; an inferno from hell. Just standing near her makes me want to cower and submit by kneeling before her and begging for mercy. And then another part of me wants to run away, as fast and far as I can to get away from this seemingly life-threatening danger. I can feel her eyes boring deep holes into my head, commanding me to bow down and stay down as she waits to hear my plea.

No.

No. A voice in me contradicts every other shaky feeling in my body. It's small at first as if it's buried deep under my flesh, blood, bones, and soul, trying to break through all the pressure. And slowly, it rises within me. Up and stronger until it pierces and shatters the surface.

"No."

My eyes gradually shift up to meet hers and we stand at a head-to-head level.

A look of shock flashed across her face then disappears within a second. A more permanent expression comes; she narrows her eyes. The way she looks at me with her dark, charcoal pits feels like she's staring into my soul. She knows what I'm thinking, she's daring me to say it out loud and she knows I won't.

But, oh, I will.

The defiance boils through my veins and burns all over my body. Not even something as cold as her piercing gaze could cool me down.

"No. I'm not your- puppet," I start, my voice is light and unstable like a thin sheet of paper falling through the air. I continue to look her in the eyes, and I don't know how she does it, but it feels as though she's physically burning my retinas. The anger builds in me, and the wavering paper lands. "You can't tell me what to do and how to behave..." I'm rambling but my voice manages to come out much stronger and clearer than I expected. "...and, and expect me to always-"

"Lianna."

One swift, freezing word and it's all it takes for me to shut up. All my confidence vanishes in a second as I focus on her eyes, and all I can see is a hungry merciless lion who knows it has complete power. Her pupils are the darkest things I've ever seen; perfect embodiments of nothingness, yet everything is there. Anger, control, dominance, and harsh unspoken words.

I lower my head in defeat. My eyes burn with the stigmas of shame, embarrassment, and- I hate to admit it- fear.

Dammit. What is it about her that's just so overwhelming and irrefutable?

"Now, Lianna," she says in a calm, and controlled tone, a voice that screams 'I'll let this go now but you are not forgiven and we will definitely talk later'. She takes a makeup removing wipe out of her side, which surprises me because I didn't know her dress had pockets. It was impossible to tell, even as my eyes searched every visible inch of her gown. It was like a rabbit pulled from a top hat. She hands it to me, and I take it somewhat numbly. "Wipe that thing off, I expect you to be back within seconds." She makes sure our eyes meet one more time, a penetrating look on her behalf, then walks away in a Queen-like fashion, dignified, high, and mighty in every way.

I sigh, as the bright green becomes a part of the wipe. It was stupid of me to try fighting against her. She always won, is always right, and always gets the last word. What was I thinking? Nothing I said or done would've ever worked in my favor. Gosh, I was so stupid. And I know for sure that her respect for me has lowered; I've become less of a young lady and more of an irresponsible child.

My lips soon become sore from all my rubbing and I put them together to see if they're clean. They are. I give myself a quick check: running my hands through my hair, dusting off my dress, and clearing my throat to get rid of the lump I hadn't realized was there. Feeling somewhat collected, I make my way back to the dining area, dropping off the used wipe into an automatic trash bin, and 'within seconds', I'm back.

This time, the large open room adorned with crystal and high ceilings isn't quiet. The guests and my parents have engaged in a conversation and the rich boy from the guest's family says something that makes them all laugh, though I was too far to hear. He's probably a suck-up, trying to get my parents on his good side. Well, it doesn't take much pal- all you have to be is rich and they'll love you. My entrance is less extravagant. It's only until I take my seat, across from the rich boy, that everyone finally seems to fully acknowledge me.

"Darling," my mother says, and I cringe. Her voice is filled with charm and faux sweetness. "How nice of you to join us."

I make it obvious to glance at her, coldly.

"Thank you," I reply in a tone that matches hers.

"Well," my father says clearing his throat. His deep, loud voice captures everyone's attention. "This is my daughter, Lianna, and my wife Rosanne," he gestures towards us. "Lianna, Darling, meet the Petersons."

"Hello, I'm Mark Peterson, and here is my son, Jacob-,"

"But please call me Jake," Jake interjects. For the first time, I actually pause and look at him. I didn't notice it before but he's cute- really cute. He has creamy colored caramel skin, and thick, dark curly hair. His gaze meets me, his hazel-green flecked with gold eyes pour into mine. My breath hitches at the sheer beauty of him, and then he winks at me, a smirk on his face. I feel my face grow a bit hot and look away.

"- and my wife Elaine." A slim woman with light-tanned skin and curly, dark brown hair bows politely.

We all nod at each other, and smile. "It's nice to meet you all," I say courteously while bowing slightly forward.

"Oh, no, the pleasure is all ours." This comes from Mark, the father and husband of the other two guests. He wears a warm, welcoming smile on his face. I look at him and can see that he's middle-aged but still handsome. With white, fair skin, a strong jaw, defined cheekbones, and stylish salt-and-pepper hair. He sounds sincere, so I smile back.

Then Jake cracks a joke. "Well, the food's been fantastic. What's for dinner?"

The whole table bubbles with laughter, and I fake a smile. There are people who are starving and barely eat a bite a day, yet here they are joking about feast-size appetizers?

Dinner continues on with stories and light conversation. I stay quiet, only talking whenever someone asks me a question and picking at my food. Occasionally, I catch Jacob's eye and hold it. His stares make me nervous, but I can't refuse a friendly competition.

At one point, he stares me down with his eyes as wide as saucers. I see him struggle to keep them open as tears begin to form. I raise my eyebrows over my eyes, cockily, and smirk when his finally snap close. He mouths a dramatic 'no' with his head tilted towards the ceiling. My smile can't help but grow wider.

When he lowers his head to meet my gaze, his eyes watery, he breaks into an equally wide grin that makes his whole face light up.

Cute.

No, not cute. I can't actually like any of the special guests. They're all rich and stuck up and I don't want to give my mother any satisfaction.

"Excuse me, everyone." They stop talking and give me their attention. "I'm going to the restroom. I'll be right back."

"Be short, Lianna," my mother says suspiciously. She probably knows I don't actually need to go.

I nod.

I get up and walk out the dining room, into the main hallway and to the east wing where they can no longer see me. Then instead of taking a right down the long hall, I head up the staircase and go to one of my favorite spots, the east-wing balcony.

I open the doors and step out into the cool evening. The sun is almost completely set, only a thin strip of red-orange-pinks are visible. I walk towards the railings on the edge and lean into them as the air blows gently, ruffling my dark hair.

Minutes pass but I don't leave. I like how calm and relaxing it is up here. My eyes roam the yard and land on the large, black gate. The image of a peering eye flashes through my mind and I shudder.

Suddenly the dark sky seems threatening. The silence is eerily heavy and being all by myself doesn't feel nice. I want to be back inside surrounded by people and laughter.

I want to leave.

Just as I turn around, I face to see a large shadowy figure looming over me. My heart leaps in fear and I gasp.

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