I casually walked down the stairs with my hands in my pockets as I hummed the song I was listening to on my air pods. I was expecting my parents to be at the dinner table already, instead, they were at the living room all dressed in formal wear.

My dad was wearing a black neat tuxedo that screamed money, power and authority with just one look at him. His neat and short Afro always kept trimmed, not a single white hair could be seen despite how old he actually was. My mom wore a black dinner gown with off shoulder sleeves and a thigh high slit. The diamond necklace, earring and ring adding more elegance to her look. Her hair pinned to the back in a perfect bun, her usual style.

The power couple as they were known outside, with the fame, money and connections, they were well known, respected and admired.

No matter how much they forced me to dress and act outside, I just felt I didn't belong and could never meet up to their standards.

My dad gave me a disappointed look as he looked at me wearing a hoodie, sweatpants and crocs.

"Of course you would forget, maybe if you paid more attention, you would remember that today is the official launching of the Hathaway's hotel" my dad said sighing at me in annoyance.

"I thought it was tomorrow." I said turning my back to go back upstairs.

"It's not, so go back upstairs and change!" he snapped at me.

"I know, I was already going." I mumbled under my breathe making sure they didn't hear.

"What was that?" he asked daring me to repeat it.

"Nothing!" I exclaimed and ran upstairs to my room

Taking my dress out of my closet that my mom had reserved for the occasion, I changed out of my current clothes and put it on.

It wasn't that different from hers, I hated it. I'd rather be comfy in maybe a pair of jeans, shirt and sneakers. But of course, my opinions didn't matter. I was a real life Barbie doll that they could decorate and showcase to the world.

I was 21 yet I still wasn't allowed to make choices on my own. They claimed that didn't know what was best for myself and the world is a lot harder than it looked.

Sighing, I quickly put on a bit of makeup and then pulled my braid up in a ponytail. Sitting on my bed, I put on my earrings, a simple necklace and my stiletto heels and I was done.

Getting up, I stared at myself in the reflection. Eating less this week really paid off I guess. My collar bone was more pronounced and I was a lot thinner. Maybe they won't complain this time, especially mom when we are going for clothes fittings.

I know I was pretty, I won Miss Universe when I was 19. I'm average in height at 5'6, slim but still had a good shape which basically makes my modelling career. My 4c curly chestnut brown full and curly hair bounced just below my neck, my caramel skin practically glowed and my onyx brown eyes clashed perfect against it. I'd say I'm pretty smart too, I came out the top in my class in one of the best high school in the states. The definition of beauty and brains they say.

I am Analeia Adanna of the Johnsons, one of the most influential families in not only Nigeria, but the whole world. Our family's estate company is ranked among the best worldwide. As the first daughter and only child, I was expected to carry the entire pride of the family. So for 21 years of my life, I let them craft and mould me into the perfect person. Still, it was never enough.

My parents still compared me to others, made me feel inferior like I was nothing and that I could do better.

Josephine was the best in the whole of US when she graduated high school!

But I want to have a nice school experience, make friends and have fun.

Can't you see how skinny she is? No wonder she's an international model.

I want to eat whatever I want whenever I wanted. I wanted to enjoy a huge bucket of ice cream, not a huge bowl of salad.

Helen's already got a fiancé and will be taking over her parent's empire when she gets married, she's just 19! How old are you?

I don't want to get married to someone I don't love and live a life of misery! I want a ridiculous fairy-tale love story where happily ever afters exist.

Sadly, I never had the voice to answer them back or stand up for what I really wanted.

Blinking the tears that had formed in my eyes, I plastered the same fake smile I've had on my face for years. The same smile that I had practiced over and over till I was perfect. Not a single emotion could slip through.

If my sister could do it, so could I. Pushing back the unwanted memory threatening to resurface, I made my way downstairs to the now empty living room.

"Your parents have already left." I heard a voice say as I turned to the direction of where it came from.

It was Nathan, my body guard. The person my parents hired to follow me around like I was going to be kidnapped if they let me out of their sight for one minute. It wasn't as if they cared about me anyway, they just didn't want their investment to be missing.

"Oh, so I can go back to my room?" I asked, my eyes shining with hope even though I already knew the answer.

"No." he said bluntly, as usual, no single emotion slipping through his cold masked face.

Did I mention he barely talked to me? Only when it was necessary and I had never seen him smile or laugh even when I attempt to make a joke which is actually quite embarrassing. I mean he is always around me especially when I was out, I would try to make the atmosphere less awkward and a bit more lively, but the way he looked down at me with a bored expression on his face at my pitiful attempt of a conversation had me wanting to bury myself from existence.

It didn't help that I had a teensy weeny crush on him, just a little though! I mean you can't blame me, this guy was a looker! From his six foot plus height to his light brown skin, his dark and mesmerizing chocolate eyes to his neatly trimmed curly dark brown hair styled into a galaxy cut, his lean yet muscular frame to his sculpted jaw with a slight stubble growing on it.

Ok, maybe not a little crush. He only started guarding me about a year ago, I didn't know much about him and it didn't help that he wouldn't talk to me either. Maybe my dad gave him strict orders not to? I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if he actually did.

Regardless, it was only a crush and nothing more. I couldn't let it get more than that, doubt I could even if I wanted to.

"I'm driving you, let's go." he stated dryly as he marched out of the house barely even giving me another glance.

Rolling my eyes, I follow him to the garage wondering if he really was doing his job 'guarding' me when he barely even looks at me.

I got into the black Mercedes Benz, a car my parents gifted me for my 18th birthday yet I had never driven it by myself, where Nathan was already waiting for me in the driver's seat. I sighed and leaned into the back seat prepping myself for another battle.

Arriving at the battle scene, I scoped the area for any dangerous activities or people I needed to avoid. Bunch of judging aunties at the wine table looking at everyone with a permanent grimace on their face, I guess no wine for me today. A group of giggling ladies flirting and battling their eyelash at every creature in pants, God no! The snacks table, however, was filled with different heavenly food and snacks that I could stuff my face with for the rest of the night, bonus being the fact that there were barely any persons there, definitely yes!

You see, the rich social events you see on TV isn't so much as it seems. Yes, there's the food, wine, rich snobby elites of the society, expensive dresses and the likes of it, but, there's also rivalry, judgement and pretence. No one is really your friend, everyone is really just trying to watch their backs and at the same time sink their teeth into others. At least that was how I saw it, I mean judging from what I saw my parents do, I definitely hated having to do anything with the people around here.

That's why anytime I was forced to go for events like this, I tried my best to hide and go unnoticed.

"I'll be waiting in the car." Nathan said drawing me out of my thoughts.

I nodded at him as he bowed a little and then left.

Lucky him.

I made my way to the snacks table immediately stuffing my face with the chocolate cupcakes. I moaned into the cupcake as I took another bite, I could feel the stares of some people but I couldn't care less. I hadn't eaten anything sweet and I was a sucker for anything chocolate.

I was reaching for my fifth cupcake when I heard a voice behind. "Long time no see."

I rolled my eyes instantly recognising the owner of the voice, Xavier. I didn't bother to turn as I reached for my treat. "Not long enough I'm afraid."

"Come on, it's been a whole year! Are you still mad at me?" He pressed.

I turned around to glare at him, my eyes blazing as I spoke. "Are you even serious right now?"

"Don't be like that." He said coming close to me till I put my hand in front of him to stop him.

I looked around realising everyone had gone into the hall room for the main event and we were alone. I could feel my heart beat rise but I calmed myself, he wouldn't dare to do anything stupid. The hall room was just a room after all.

So I looked directly into his light blue eyes and raised my middle finger at him before stalking away to the hall room. I'd rather stay here and be alone with my treats, but I didn't want to take my chances with Xavier.

Xavier and I had practically grown up together, his parents and mine were quite close because of the nature of their businesses. That didn't make us best friends though. I never liked Xavier, he was proud and cocky, he always got whatever he wanted in whatever way was possible.

He never changed even as we grew older. In high school, he was like a king. With his blonde wavy hair, sky blue eyes, his athletic and toned body plus all the money he flaunted around, he was the It guy in our school days. The only place he lacked in was his height, whereas he was just one or two inches taller than me. I didn't see him for four years when we both went to different universities, four years of heaven. When he did return, he was all over me. He wanted me but I didn't want him.

I shouldn't care much but there's this gnawing feeling inside me that something was going to happen. I knew for a fact Xavier always got what he wanted and he would do everything he could to get it. He proved that point with what happened last year.

Plus my parents practically licked the foot of his parents, always trying to please them, I wouldn't doubt they would sell me off in a heartbeat if he requested it.

The rest of the night, I tried to stay as far away as possible but I could feel his eyes on me.

I felt like a prey, and he was my predator. Sooner or later, he would sink his fangs in me.