"What's this?" Jax's brows furrowed, and he squatted to lift the boxes. "Someone must have had it delivered to the wrong address."

God, I wished it was the wrong address.

I swallowed the nausea in my mouth while Jax examined the boxes, trying to figure out where they were supposed to go. I didn't dare touch the boxes, or open them. Once he figured there was no address, Jax stood up.

"I'll take them inside and ask the neighbours."

I stood still as a statue while he unlocked the door.

"I wonder if those are designer brands." Jax walked in and put the boxes on the table. "Maybe we can resell them if no one comes looking for them."

He didn't even know who Valentino was.

"You could probably pay rent with it." I murmured, still staring at the boxes.

"What?" Jax let out a small laugh. "That's ridiculous, I have to see it now."

My heart dropped to my gut. Jax opened the bigger box, the Valentino one, and just like I suspected, there was a piece of paper on top of the gold fabric. Jax took it between his fingers and read it. My heart beat steadily in my chest as I watched his face change from confusion to understanding. The furrow of his brow flattened, and his lips turned slightly downward. When he read the note, he looked at me.

"It's for you."

My shoulders slumped, "I figured."

Jax walked away from the boxes, and headed for the terrace. Before he exited, however, he faced me again.

"How does he know where I live?"

I shrugged, "He knows everything."

"Great." Jax murmured under his breath and walked out.

When he closed the door, I let out the breath I was holding, and slowly approached the boxes. I should have expected something like this from Dorian. When I said he was a conniving, manipulative bastard, this was what I had in mind. I took the note Jax threw back in the box – a smooth beige matte paper with cursive letters that read: You have until 10PM to change your mind. Signed: D.D.

My heart picked up the pace when I turned to the silk gold fabric peeking at me. It's been two years since I wore something beautiful, and it's been more since I wore an actual gown. I took out the dress, enjoying the smoothness underneath my fingers, and lifted it up in the air. It was a silk silhouetted gown, sleeveless, with tiny straps hanging on the shoulders and a loose squareneck. The stunning piece flowed from the more fitted, but not quite tight bodice into a sweeping hem. The luxurious silk had a natural sheen that emphasized the gold.

The dress was glamorously simple with its loose, flowing hem and tiny straps woven with gold threads. It was almost like he knew I wouldn't have time to do my hair and that my makeup would be simple, and he wanted the dress to compliment that instead of making it jarring.

As I stared at the dress, I realised pain had gathered in my throat and my heart beat relentlessly against my chest. How fucking dare he? Speaking to my lowest carnal impulses and the sheer inability to turn away from a gorgeous gown!

The Louboutins were nude, with their signature red soles. There was also a complementary nude Fendi purse, big enough to fit a phone and a lipstick, too small to fit a wallet.

Instead of staring at the gifts, I dropped them back in their boxes and marched to the bathroom, where I closed the door and leaned over the sink. My expression stared at me under the terrible neon light, which emphasized the dark circles and the glimmer of fear in my eyes.

Now, this was a dilemma.

I had to go, right?

This was my chance. Perhaps my only chance.

If I managed to talk to my father and tell him that hunters knew about our little appearance trick, he would have to allow me back on the Council. Then, I could kick Edmond out and get to the bottom of his devious side hustles. Of course, none of that mattered if Dorian wouldn't allow me to talk to my father. If I wanted to convince Dorian, I'd have to appease him.

Which meant I had to go to the ball.

It was my only chance.

After a prolonged staring session with the mirror, I took in a deep breath and pushed myself off the sink. Alright, I had to tell Jax I needed to go.

Fuck.

I found him on the terrace leaned against the retaining wall, smoking a cigarette, staring at the city. Once he heard me, he turned around. There was tension in his expression: his jaw appeared clenched and his brows slightly furrowed. There was a military stoicism to his demeanour that made me realize he didn't snap easily, but snapped harshly once pushed far enough.

"Do I want to know why Dorian Darascu is sending you gifts?"

I inhaled, "He wants me to go to a ball. Tonight."

"With him?" Jax raised his eyebrow.

"Yes."

Jax ashed the cigarette, his glance escaping to the ground, "What kind of ball?"

"The kind my family will attend."

He looked up, "Couldn't have they invited you?"

"They haven't spoken to me in two years."

Jax's expression softened just a smidge. I didn't want this fight to happen, but I knew it was inevitable. He wouldn't understand and I couldn't tell him the truth to allow him to understand. It was a sweet thing, whatever had blossomed between us, but there was an uncrossable barrier between our worlds.

"Do you want to go?" He asked.

"No." My shoulders slumped. "But I think I have to."

The stoicism faltered, "Why? Why do you have to go? I understand that he helped with Luce, and I appreciate it as much as I can appreciate anything from that self-serving bastard, but he claims to have done it out of the goodness of his heart. Are you worried he might change his mind and stop helping her?"

"No, no." I shook my head. "He... wouldn't."

Lucia was too important to risk her safety because I wouldn't go to a ball. He wasn't helping her out of the goodness of his heart, but because he knew she was great leverage, and I was sure he'd find a way to use it later on. Of course, I couldn't tell Jax that.

"Then why?" Jax repeated, his expression distorting into one more resembling sadness. "He's helped you already."

"They're my family, Jax." I sighed. "And they haven't spoken to me in two years."

"Precisely!" Jax threw the cigarette over the retaining wall. "They were the ones that should have invited you, not Dorian! If they don't want to see you, why would you want to see them?"

"Jax, if I can talk to my father again, I might actually be able to get some money." I said.

"I don't care about money."

"Everyone cares about money."

Jax's expression relaxed, and it worried me more than the tension.

"Whatever you need to tell your father, you can tell him on your own." His voice was clear. "You don't need Darascu."

"I do." I pushed. "Dorian is friendly with my father, and they won't see me without him vouching for me-"

Jax laughed out loud, "Fuck, rich people are insane."

I breathed in sharply, "Jax-"

"No." He cut me off, his eyes landing on me firmly. "I'm not going to listen to excuses. I understand that you have a complicated relationship with Dorian, but I'm not going to wait around until you figure out whether you hate him or love him."

Oh, that cut straight through the heart.

"It's not like that." I shook my head, my voice beginning to gain volume. "I told you-"

"Go." Jax took a step closer. "Go with him."

My shoulders slumped.

"Jax-"

"You have unfinished business with him." Jax said. "So go ahead and finish it. If it's still me you want to be with when you're done, call me."

I knew he'd interpret it that way, all because he found out about that stupid kiss. God, if I had known a kiss at fifteen would haunt me, I wouldn't have had that much to drink. But I understood Jax. He thought it meant more because he didn't know the whole story, and I couldn't tell him the whole story.

I opened my mouth again, but realized all I had were excuses.

"Don't." Jax interrupted my intake of breath. "Unless it's to tell me you won't go, I don't want to hear it."

There was nothing else to say. He simply couldn't understand the weight of this ball, and I couldn't explain it to him.

"I'm going to work." Jax murmured and walked past me. "Make a decision, Odette."

With those words, he left me standing on the terrace. I sighed and followed him, but he just grabbed his jacket and his wallet, and stormed out of the apartment. Now, I knew I had made a terrible mistake, but a part of me felt relieved that he had left. This way, I wouldn't have to explain why I took out all my stuff. I couldn't continue to see him without telling him the truth.

Deciding to do at least something productive today, I called Luce.

"Ah," she answered, "I live at Dorian's and suddenly you forget about me."

"I didn't forget about you." I rolled my eyes. "Figured you needed some rest. How are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine." Luce snickered. "You know, Dorian opened an account on every single streaming platform there is so I could watch anything I want."

I took in a sharp breath, "How awfully nice of him."

"Right?" Luce said. "I had to help him pick a bowtie. For some reason, he couldn't decide on the colour. The choice was between silver and gold. He said he wanted to wear the gold one, but gold is tricky. You never know if you'll be the only one wearing it."

"Message received loud and clear, Luce." I grunted. "I'm going to the ball."

"Ugh, you better." She raised her voice. "Dorian has to take my chef for the night and I'm not going to forgive you for ruining my dinner if you don't go to the ball."

My brows furrowed, "Why is he taking your chef?"

"The Schwabs are in NYC, they're throwing some stupid fundraiser and have hired all the help."

An idea popped into my head, "There's not enough staff?"

"Nope." Luce murmured. "Anyway, I asked him why he couldn't decide on the colour-"

"Luce, I have to go." I cut her off. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Ugh, I hate you."

"I love you too." I hung up and quickly found another phone number.

Dorian thought he could manipulate me into going to the ball, but I could pull off a scheme of my own too. After all, why wouldn't I use this opportunity as much as possible? I doubted he'd invite me to another ball anytime soon. After a few rings, Jasmine answered.

"Yo."

"Are you working the Schwabs' fundraiser tonight?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah. The pay's good." Jasmine said. "Why?"

"Do you think you could ditch that for the Darascu ball? Dorian's aunt is in town." I asked carefully, expecting Jasmine's grunt on the other end.

"As a caterer? Maybe if they triple the pay."

"I'll pay you once I get my hands on my money." I suggested. "I need someone to be my eyes and ears, Jazz, someone who can move from table to table without raising any eyebrows."

"You'll be there?" She asked.

"Dorian invited me." I said. "I'll see my family."

"Tempting." Jasmine murmured. "Are you sure they need staff?"

"Yes."

Silence on the other end lasted for a few seconds, "What would I have to do?"

"Keep your eye out on Edmond Zaleria." I inhaled sharply, knowing this wouldn't sit well with her. "His comings and goings, who he's spending time with."

"Odette." Jasmine growled. "I don't like that one bit."

"You won't have to interact with him." I tried again. "Just... wait his table. Get him a girl. Get him a drink on the house."

Silence.

"The Schwabs are paying me 3k for the night." Jasmine said. "I want 10 and it's done."

"I'll put it on the Darascu tab." My gaze fell on the golden dress. "He seems eager to spend his money on me."

Jasmine laughed, "Fine. I'll call and ask if they need a caterer."

"Thank you."

She hung up, and once the sound of her voice disappeared, I realized just how loud my heart was beating. I almost messaged Dorian immediately, telling him I'd join him tonight, when something stopped me.

What the fuck did he want?

Why invite me at all? Had he changed his mind and now wanted me on the Council? But if I came back, he'd lose his seat. Why give me the chance to speak to my father when it meant he'd possibly be kicked off as soon as I returned? What was the end game?

Frustrated, I threw the phone on the bed and began gathering my stuff.

Jax didn't know it yet, but he needed to be rid of me. As long as he thought I was human, our relationship was based on lies. I couldn't risk him finding out, because I still owed my own species not to ruin them outright.

Our relationship just couldn't work, and it was better for the both of us to never see each other again.

Part of me was also certain that he'd eventually find out if I stuck around. I'd accidentally leave my bag open and he'd see the blood bottle. Maybe he'd overhear one of my conversations. And what would happen once Lucia had the baby? He'd realize eventually that the child is a bit bitey.

To save us both from heartache and disappointment, I'd leave.

So, I packed the little stuff I had here, called a cab, and drove to my apartment. I left Dorian's gifts because I wanted to return to Jax's apartment. He had better plumbing, and I wanted the option of changing my mind.

Once I returned, I washed my hair and tried to do something resembling the work of a hairdresser. After failing miserably, I let my hair fall loose over my back.

Silence ruled in the apartment as the night painfully quickly fell over the city. My heartbeat quickened with each new wave of darkness, until I eventually couldn't take it anymore and I took that same bottle of whiskey. Drinking problems aside, there was no way I could handle Dorian all night sober.

After the second glass, my worries shifted from what the fuck Dorian wanted to the fact I was about to see my whole family. They'd see my hair was a mess, and that my makeup looked more like Essence than Dior. Oh, God, my nails were horrible too.

My gaze fell to Dorian's boxes.

Finally, I had enough liquor in my blood to stand up and touch the silk. Oh, how I've missed lush materials. The dress was cool and smooth to the touch, and the thought of wearing it sent shivers down my spine. I took off my clothes, even my bra, and gently put on the dress.

The moment I pulled up the zipper on the side, my heart rushed into a wild crescendo.

It fit perfectly.

Pulling up the hem, I hopped to the wardrobe and looked at myself in the door mirror.

The dress was divine. The looseness and smoothness made my messy hair seem wild and completely intentional. My boobs stood snug and proud, despite not wearing a bra, and the hem fell into loose golden waves around my legs. Holding my breath, I hopped to the second box and slipped on the Louboutins. The heel was just right, high enough to dazzle, but short enough to remain comfortable.

I looked good. No, I looked great.

Too bad Jax wouldn't see me in it.

After four glasses of whiskey and exactly half an hour of sitting in that golden dress opposite of the mirror, what began to worry me weren't Dorian's agendas or seeing my family.

Elena dreamed of going to balls with Dorian. She was constantly talking about how once they were married, they'd be showing up in the most beautiful clothing and everybody would be jealous and in awe. Dorian would be hers, after all. And everyone wanted Dorian.

Every single girl our age wanted Dorian, even some of the older ones.

She'd hate me for going with him tonight. Just like she had hated me when I kissed him, even though I'd had five shots of vodka, he had been a notorious fuckboy, and it had meant nothing to us.

My alarm pulled me out of my thoughts. Five minutes to 10PM.

Now or never.

With shaky fingers, I typed in a message.

You win. Pick me up whenever, I'm ready.

He answered faster than I'd sent the message.

I'm already here.