Against the odds, holidays and sheer stress, I did manage to find a dress in time. Albeit not one worth bragging about.

I sadly wasn't a millionaire, and due to the fact that my scholarship only covered my tuition and school supplies, I had been forced to dip into the fund I had set up for my fundamental needs, like food and hygiene products. It was a small fund, given that it was from back before the summer when I was working full-time as a barista at a coffee shop. Back then, it had been money I was saving up for college. With that taken care of now though, I had used that money to keep me afloat thus far, at least until I got settled in college and could find a new part-time job. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to eat for the remainder of my college life.

So, with that in mind, I had started my search for a dress in the thrift stores around town. I had biked from one place to the other, using google as my guide to various small stores that sold old coffee cups, smelly rags, broken shoes and strange looking paintings and knickknacks, hoping to find a decent dress hiding amongst them.

And on the day before the gala, luck finally struck me.

It looked like an old homecoming dress, with its simple black design. It was a slim fit with a tiny gown-like trim, falling in a cascade from the waist, down to the slightly frayed hem. The bust had a tiny silver embellishment on the left loop going up and tying at the back of the neck. It looked like a silver flower of some sort, and it was a bit cliché, but it would do. Other than a few loose threads and a frayed hem, the dress was in fine condition. At the mighty cost of 5 dollars, I had purchased it, brought it home and given it a quick wash.

Now, looking myself in my roommate's mirror, all dolled up and on my way to the gala, I reviewed my looks.

This actually wasn't half-bad.

Wearing a pair of black heels I had borrowed from my roommate, the dress looked complete. Having straightened my hair and slicked it back over my shoulders, it fell in a nice waterfall down my back, covering up the open back of the dress. Paired with some fake silver earrings, a little silver necklace looping into my cleavage, and finished with a simple makeup, yet bold red lips, I had to admit... I looked ready to kill.

"Damn, who are you trying to impress, girl?" My roommate burst into our room, just out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her hair and body. She gave me a thorough look-over, before plopping down on her bed and grabbing her lotion. 

I checked myself in the mirror one last time, biting my lip.

I wasn't trying to impress anyone. Because the only one there I might've wanted to impress didn't care about looks.

So why was I making so sure my dress didn't have any wrinkles or that my lipstick wasn't smeared?

~~~

I arrived at the Toronto campus main building about an hour later, just as a big load of other people seemed to be arriving as well. Everyone was dressed up in their finest tuxes and prettiest gowns, and here I was, trying to tuck away another loose thread I had just spotted poking out from one of the stitches.

Following the stream of people, we all sidled inside the main building, which for tonight's event had been dressed up as much as its guests; streamers and banners hung from the ceiling, whilst tables with black tablecloths and silver candles and white flowers stood spread around the room. A band was playing up at the main stage, jamming some soft jazz as the guests arrived and received their welcome drinks from waiters running around in bowties, holding trays filled with champagne flutes.

For a gala that was supposedly trying to raise money for a building in need, they sure had spent a lot of money to show it.

Rolling my eyes as the flamboyance already started to kick in, I accepted a champagne flute after handing over my coat at the front. I walked further in, exploring the rest of the grand setup.

Further into the building, I discovered a large dance floor and a long bar setup to one side. There was a stage with a podium, and I knew without a doubt there would be several speeches to survive through tonight. Other guests were already mingling around me, students and alumni alike, speaking with professors, TAs and board members, all there to show their support.

I, on the other hand, saw my chance to be the first one at the bar. So, hiking up in my fraying hems, I made my way towards the bar, already having finished my glass of bubbly.

It took about 20 more minutes of people arriving, mingling and drinking before there finally seemed to happen something up on stage. A slight spotlight was centered there, and a man in a sharp suit stepped up to the podium, tapping a few times on the mic.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?" He spoke, thus making the whole room turn towards the stage and pipe down. I saw several faces smile up at the speaker, whoever he was, and I realized this must've been someone important, if going by his shiny shoes and expensive cuff links. I could spot the diamonds in them, even from the back of the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen," He started anew, once he had the whole room's attention. He then broke into a joyous smile. "Welcome! Thank you so much for joining us this evening for our little event," He coyly joked with some air quotes as he said little. A few people laughed. "It means so much to us that so many of you showed up, if only to drink our champagne and eat our food."

Another laughter ensued, and I decided there and then that I was already bored. This was gonna be one of those welcoming speeches to let everyone know what tonight was about, what was in store and who and what was going to appear as the night went on. It was all buzzing in my ears as I turned back to the bar to order another drink.

"Red wine, please," I whispered, so as not to disturb the speaker.

"... and so before we get too carried away, it's my privilege to give a few important announcements which have already showed the diligence and outstanding proclivity of tonight's event!"

I squashed a yawn into my hand, before turning back towards the speaker, taking a sip of my wine. I had already begun to miss my bed as the people around me started to blur before my eyes into one black and white blob of suits and dresses. I wondered when they'd serve the food?

"As you know, our goal tonight is to raise enough money to build a new and better science building than before. And one of the most important factors of doing such a thing, is also raising enough money to fill the science building with the right equipment. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's my honor and privilege to say thus much has already been achieved! A generous benefactor has agreed to sponsor the entirety of the science equipment needed to restore the building to its former purpose. Now, I was asked not to name this person, but tonight is about giving credit where credit is due. So please, everyone join me in a grand applause to please give thanks to none other than Harry Xavier Devon for his generous donation!"

The whole room broke into applause as the speaker threw his hand out and gestured to someone in the crowd.

And like a compass, my eyes immediately zoned in on him standing there.

Harry.

Priorly hidden amidst the crowd, he suddenly stood out as people around him turned and applauded loudly, the spotlight even moving to further highlight his presence.

My heart began to beat loudly and hard against my ribcage as I saw Harry standing there, wearing a tux like everyone else. His hair was neatly combed and for once he wasn't wearing his glasses, bringing out the piercing amber of his eyes. His jaw was cleanly shaven and he looked absolutely edible in that tuxedo, but the thing that didn't match was the look on his face.

To everyone around him, I'm sure he looked calm and composed, but to me, who had studied every little line on his face and seen them up close, I knew from the tight way he was politely smiling, he wasn't enjoying the attention one bit. In fact, he looked rather annoyed, yet hid it perfectly as he nodded kindly to the speaker who was still standing up on stage, gesturing towards him.

"Thank you, Harry!" He now cried loudly, before settling the room down a bit. "Your contribution has ensured that future students will have the privilege of studying in a brand new science building, with state of the art equipment! As a special thank you to you, the board has decided to re-name the building as the Harry Devon Science Facility. A plaque will be mounted above the entrance so your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten!"

The room broke into applause again, and Harry was forced to endure some more adulation from the crowd. Everyone seemed pleased, even after the applause ended and the speaker grabbed the attention again to give a last few departing words before the evening began. The room grew easy again and the music returned. Everyone turned back to chattering, helping themselves to more drinks and gossip.

As for me, I blew out a breath and shook my head, taking a sip of my wine.

I was pretty sure I had just born witness to Harry's personal worst nightmare; Being the center of attention.

As people began mingling again, I began to lose sight of Harry in the crowd. I managed to locate him again, however, as the speaker finally jumped off stage to speak to some board members right next to the band. It was here I found Harry again, breaking into the group with words I couldn't hear.

I watched the altercation from across the room, seeing Harry speak something that made the others raise their brows and look quite stunned. The speaker (whose name I still hadn't gotten) began to say something back to Harry, looking like he was trying to persuade him, moving closer with an inquisitive look about him. Whatever he said made Harry shake his head in a strong decline, whereafter Harry grabbed the word again. Whatever he said brought the conversation to a close, and all the men offered Harry a polite handshake. And thus, Harry left the group to themselves, looking quite stunned.

I furrowed my brows, but then scanned the crowd, trying to find Harry who had slipped away again. He had disappeared amongst all the penguin suits, and this time I couldn't spot him. I finally relented after a moment, slowly turning back to the bar, thinking about what I had just witnessed.

I wondered what Harry had said to make the board members look so taken aback. I mean, the man already donated a large fortune to sponsor the science equipment, what more could possibly surprise them like that?

I guess I'd never know.

Finishing my drink, I turned towards the bartender and flagged him down for another. "A white wine spritzer, please."

"Glad to see you're attacking someone else's liquor cabinet for once."

Turning with a startle, I found Harry coming up next to me, flagging down the bartender as well.

"I'll have what she's having."

I stared at him for a short moment, really took in the fine lines of his face as he scanned the labels on the bottles behind the bar.

He looked tired, yet still handsome as ever as he stood there in his tuxedo. The collar hugged his neck nicely, the black bow tie at his throat tied perfectly with a diamond point. The lapels were ironed and his cuffs neatly pressed, simple black cufflinks holding it all together. Finished with a white square handkerchief in his breast pocket, I was quite certain he was trying to kill me.

Or maybe just trying to flood the room in my vaginal juices.

"Good to see you haven't lost your touch on sneaking up on me," I rebuffed, seeing the corner of his mouth lift ever so slightly. The bartender then placed two drinks in front of both of us, offering a napkin with each.

"I didn't expect to see you here tonight," Harry then commented, sipping his wine.

"I could say the same about you," I rencountered, sipping my own.

"I told you I would be here. Mandatory, remember?"

"I know," I replied, giving a little shrug. "But knowing you and your misanthropy, you might've skipped it anyway."

Harry chuckled quietly, before lifting the glass to his lips again. "Touché, Ms Berry."

I couldn't help but grin back, but just as I did, I couldn't help but notice a woman coming towards the bar in a rush. She looked older, a sheen of graying to her hair, but it was hard to tell with the Botox clearly filling out parts of her face. She wore a bordeaux satin dress with white silk gloves. On her wrists and nesting on her bosom was an array of sparkling diamonds, no doubt genuine and blood. She was wearing a superior expression, her chin lifted higher than average as she crossed the crowded room. She strode towards the bar with a fixed gaze, her eyes pinned straight on Harry's back.

"Speaking of which, you've got a live one incoming," I whispered to him in warning, seeing Harry lift a brow, before following my gaze over his back. He immediately sighed and turned back around, taking another long sip of his glass.

"If only she wasn't."

I didn't have time to get confused over that statement before the woman reached Harry, placing a stern hand on his shoulder. "Harry. Harry, there you are."

"Here I am," He replied, barely giving her his attention. My brows only furrowed deeper. Even to people he disliked, he at least afforded them his gaze. What made this one so special?

"I've just spoken to the Dean. Is it true, Harry? Did you truly decline their offer?" The woman scolded in a flustered, slightly accented voice, staring Harry's profile down with a reprimanding gaze.

"I did," Harry replied calmly, sipping his wine. "What's it to you?"

"Do not take that tone with me. I cannot believe you refused such a kind and generous gesture. It is an honor to have a building named after you," The woman stressed in a strict manner. She puffed up her chest and upturned her nose. "But I suppose this is another one of your rebellious strifes, is it not? I cannot believe I raised such an insolent child."

The penny dropped and so did my mouth. Harry's eyes slid over to me at the sight of my shocked expression and gave me a piqued brow. "Ms Berry, have I ever introduced you to my mother, Adelaide Devon?"

"Thankfully not," I whispered back, glaring at the woman who had somehow birthed the man before me.

Surely he had to be adopted. Surely.

Adelaide Devon, as her name was, slowly looked towards me, giving me a brief once-over, before turning back to Harry. "And who is this, then? Another student of yours?"

"This is Cassandra Berry, the woman who your favorite son tried to trick into a pregnancy scam," Harry plainly spoke, causing his mother's eyes to quickly expand, before schooling her features again. "Cassandra, this is my mother who supported said scam."

"It was not a scam," His mother indignantly emphasized, going back to fully ignoring my presence now that she knew who I was. "The girl knew the whole thing and was amply compensated, wasn't she? If anything, she fooled herself by quitting and accepting your cruel offer. To prolong your brother's poor suffering—"

"Yes, suffering dearly with all his money."

"Hush," His mother hissed. "You know well enough that money isn't everything."

"Do you?" Interjected Harry, but his mother continued unfazed.

"You don't know what it's like to be without a child's love, to not have their affections and warmth of their embrace..."

"You're right, I don't," Harry replied and met her with a hard look. "Educate me, please."

If it wasn't because this was Harry's reality, it would've been quite comical, watching his own mother speak so much nonsense right to his face. Scolding him for being right, for doing the proper thing, yet still choosing his brother over him.

And still have the audacity to try and lecture him.

And I thought my mother was bad, I silently thought.

"That's enough out of you," His mother reprised. She stared at Harry with a disappointed look. "If your father was here tonight, he would've been ashamed of what you have done. More so than he already is."

"Is that supposed to intimidate or impress me?" Harry calmly replied, watching her back with an unbothered expression.

"You—"

"Is everything well here?"

Oh, hell to the pompous no. The shitshow just grew.

Coming up behind his mother, I nearly choked on my drink as Harry's older brother Richard and his wife, Catarina, showed up out of nowhere. Richard was wearing a spectacularly expensive tuxedo while Catarina was knocking it out of the park with a long silver dress that seemed like it was made out of water. It flowed down her perfect figure in a masterpiece, stealing the glances of everyone in her vicinity. Everyone but Harry's.

He barely offered them a glance as they joined the party, Richard laying a supportive hand on his huffing mother's shoulder. She seemed to calm down a bit at the sound of reinforcement, but still glared up at Harry with distaste.

"Everything's fine," She told, taking a deep breath. "Your brother merely chose to decline the board's generous offer to name the building after him. I just spoke with the Dean to thank him for this kind gesture, when he told me Harry just came up and refused to accept it."

Richard lifted a cocky brow, but seemed far less surprised than his mother. "That sure sounds like my dear brother. Refusing any recognition to his family's name."

"I wouldn't want to steal your job," Harry answered calmly, but I could feel the tension brewing once again. His back had stiffened and I could tell he was running on his last patience.

And there I was, unable to do much to help, other than to stand and witness the murder in broad daylight.

I could always help bury the bodies?

"Harry," Catarina now slithered forward like a serpent, giving a fake sympathetic look. "You don't have to do this. You shouldn't despise the world just because you have issues with your brother."

"Are you still childless?" Harry asked mercilessly, to which Catarina took a step back, looking affronted.

"I don't—"

"Then I have no issue with my brother," Harry assured, whilst sipping his wine.

I felt myself slowly trying to step out of the circle, feeling misplaced amidst all the arguing. I didn't want to abandon Harry, but I also knew if he had his choice, he never would've wanted me to bear witness to this in the first place. The fact that the crowd around us didn't seem to notice the dispute was only a small miracle. Then again, they had just started serving hors d'oeuvres and people were rather preoccupied getting first in line to the crab cakes and mini quiches.

Sliding away from the drama, I left Harry to fend for himself, although knowing him, he would do well enough on his own. None of them had given me much recognition anyway, except for Catarina, who had briefly spotted me there and given me a small, sour look before focusing her attention on Harry. Richard didn't even seem to have spotted me.

I decided to escape the party and head outside to one of the small patios, where during normal days, most students would sit and enjoy some coffee and sunshine. Tonight though, it seemed to have been made into the smoker's corner, and so stepping out onto the patio, I found a quiet corner and leaned up against a small stone railing.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling just as long, I sat there for a good ten minutes, trying to absorb the shit show I had just witnessed.

All of that simply because he had apparently refused the credits of recognition?

Shaking my head and letting out a small snort to myself, I sipped my wine. I shouldn't have been surprised, what with all the drama and toxicity I had already seen from Richard and Catarina. Why would it be surprising that his mother be the same? I remembered Richard mentioning their parents back in Harry's mansion briefly, during one of their heated arguments. How they had chosen his side, rather than Harry's in all of this, and it supposedly pained Harry. Though from tonight, I would say it pained him more to acknowledge them as blood relatives.

Blowing out a cold breath, I stayed outside for another five minutes, even as the evening frost began biting at my skin. Every exhale turned white in the cold air, but I wasn't ready to head back inside yet. At risk of running into one of Harry's relatives, I stayed for another bit, hoping somehow they'd magically disappear.

Why were they even here in the first place?

Suddenly, something warm and soft touched my arms and back. I looked down to see a jacket draping over my shoulders, the owner coming up beside me silently, leaning next to me.

"Won't you be cold?" I asked Harry, seeing him smile faintly.

"I don't plan to stay out here long."

I guess he had chosen to escape and get some air as well. Not surprising, after what I had witnessed in there.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," He then spoke, causing me to lift my eyes towards him. He pocketed his hands and stared down at the ground. "They were very wrong to speak like that about you in your presence."

About me? He did hear his own mother just trash talking him, didn't he?

"Is it always like this with them?" I asked out of the blue before I could stop myself. Harry, as usual, didn't seem fazed by my bluntness.

"Usually," He smiled tightly. "If we attend the same events."

– And suddenly I understood why he never went out to events. His brother was on every guest list in the world, and he was sure to invite the people along he wanted to impress the most; The people Harry despised the most.

"Well, you sure know how to liven up a party," I joked, hearing Harry chuckle quietly.

"Unlike my lectures, do you mean?"

"Well, they aren't so bad either... I always wake up feeling refreshed," I grinned, seeing Harry shake his head with a smile.

A small silence then fell as a few of the smokers laughed at something in the corner across the way. My eyes automatically followed the sound, seeing a group of men puffing away on cigars and cigarettes. At least someone was enjoying the party.

"You look lovely tonight, Cassandra."

My eyes whipped back, because I was sure I had just misheard the words from his mouth. But as my eyes found Harry's, I found him looking at my dress, sliding his gaze slowly up the fraying hems and simple cotton fabric, finishing on my eyes and admiring my face and blushing cheeks. The amber in his own was practically glowing.

"I thought you didn't care for appearances," I noted with a shaky voice, feeling my heart begin to flutter traitorously.

"I don't need to be attracted to a flower to recognize its beauty," Harry gracefully reminded me, making my breath stumble in my throat.

But he was attracted to me. At least that's what he had admitted only a week ago. Unless he had meant past tense then?

God. Don't play games with me now, Harry. Don't you dare try and fool me again.

"Still," I therefore forced out, wringing a playful smile onto my lips. "I'm sure you'd like the dress more on the floor... given your preferences."

Harry pursed his lips ever so slightly, but I saw that flicker in his eyes of something as I brought up yet another past memory.

His office... lingerie... his eyes on my body... fingers moving across my skin... stripping me down, down... bared completely for him to ravish.

Just as he liked.

"I should head back inside," He then suddenly spoke, breaking his gaze away from mine and standing up straight.

And there he went.

Sighing in defeat, seeing that wall go up, the one I knew he used to deflect my advances every time I got too close, I knew there still wasn't any chance. He still didn't feel anything for me, still tried to push me away, so I let him.

Taking off his jacket, I therefore handed it back to him with a blank face, hating that his scent didn't leave with it. It hung in my nose, in my hair, torturing my already weak heart.

Watching Harry put it back on, he then briefly fixed his collar and cuffs, before giving me a last nod of acknowledgement. He was just turning to walk inside when a bold impulse drove me to speak up.

"Hey," I turned and saw him just by the door. He paused at my voice and looked back. "I underestimated you, you know."

He lifted an inquiring brow. "What makes you say that?"

A little smile lifted on my lips, even if my heart tore just a bit. "Because if that's what you come from... you're a lot less of an asshole than what I give you credit for."

And with a last smile, I turned back around, giving him my back as I felt him stare at me. I hid the tears lining my water line as I finally heard him leave a moment later, the door closing silently behind him.

And somehow, that door spoke more words than I knew Harry ever would.

• • •

Who wins the award for worst mother? Cast your votes in the next chapter, lol.