Page 23 of The Favorite Girl

The scent of sandalwood and cedar floated off Conrad as he leaned in and whispered, “Hey, don’t worry about what Misha said. She’s… a little off.”

“Sometimes I think the people who are accused of being a little off are the ones who are the most truthful. Perhaps it is the ugly truth that makes them seem off?” I chewed some creamy potatoes while feeling Conrad’s eyes still on me. I hated how the job, with everything I needed, had a house full of unsettling opulent people. I started to think about how long I’d need to work to save up and find a new job and a new home.

Hmm, with no bank account—and maybe three dollars and some change to my name—I’d need this job for at least the next… I don’t know, infinite years. Middle class families could barely afford their groceries, so how would a girl like me afford to survive?

I needed to stick to what I was here for. I’m here to clean… But the thing that had the pit in my stomach growing was thinking about what kind of messes I was actually here to clean up.

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

Eventually, after staying mostly quiet for the rest of dinner—and eating every last drop of food off of my plate—Bradley came to ‘retrieve’ me.

“Good night, Demi,” Conrad said sheepishly, looking at me with hopefulness. I felt a bit guilty for being crass with him. He was, after all, one of the only normal people in this house that I had met.

“Good night, Conrad. Thank you for your kindness. See you later.” I smiled.

His face completely shifted and broke into a huge grin that had me smiling even bigger. “See you later, Princess Ariel.” He winked at me before Bradley cleared his throat.

“Shall we, Miss Rao?” He bent his arm, and I assumed he wanted me to take it.

“I’m not holding your hand, creep.” I shook my head and stood as Bradley’s jaw tightened from amusement he was trying to suppress.

“You must say goodnight to Dr. and Mrs. Ivory before you meet with Misha by the peony garden.” Bradley nodded where the couple was sitting.

I held my breath for a moment, acknowledging the fact that my job hadn’t even begun and I already dreaded interacting with Dr. Ivory. How was Mrs. Ivory married to such a… well, a man with an ego that would probably make his head burst any second?

“Smile,” Bradley hissed. “You look like you’re paying your respects at a funeral.” He nudged me as we stopped in front of them.

“Shall I curtsy while I’m at it?” I rolled my eyes at him.

“Darling Demi, how was your dinner? Did you eat enough?” Mrs. Ivory asked me with genuine concern.

Her voice was so soft and smooth, the way a mother’s voice should be—the way I had always wished my mother would have been. But for my mother, I had a price tag on my head. That’s all I was for her, a means to an end.

“I did. Thank you so much, Dr. and Mrs. Ivory, for this lovely dinner and the job. I look forward to beginning tomorrow.” I clasped my hands together. I really meant what I was saying; I couldn’t believe that I had a real job.

“You’re welcome, dear,” Dr. Ivory said, throwing me the biggest surprise of the evening.

“Get a good nights’ rest, and let Bradley know if you need anything. Off you both go. I’m sure Misha is eager to help you get ready for your new role.” Mrs. Ivory wafted us away.

I followed Bradley out of the stunning dining room, taking the exquisite, rich, and colorful space in one last time before going back into the blindingly white house. The doors opened for us, and when I looked at the women holding the door, the uneasiness came right back. I took in their short blonde hair, white sheath dresses, hollowed cheekbones, and how their eyes stayed on the floor as we exited.

Looking over my shoulder as we walked ahead, one of the women who had to be no more than twenty rolled her eyes upward without moving her head and mouthed something at me.

Scrunching my face, I shook my head. I couldn’t make out what she was trying to tell me.

So, she did it again and this time, there was no missing it.

Her thin, pale lips breathed out, “Run.”

My heart dropped, my hands grew cold, and I flung back around, catching up to Bradley.

“Bradley, I’m safe here… right?” I asked with sheer desperation and froze in my spot.

“Don’t stop walking, Demi,” he mumbled as he continued to walk hastily, cutting into sharp turns at the end of each hallway.

Picking up my pace, I followed until we got to a wall of nothing but glass. Outside it was pitch-black, but I could see specks of shimmering stars in the sky. I couldn’t even see a door, but one tap later, and a part of the seamless glass opened.

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