Page 17 of Deadmen's Captive

I took a deep breath. “It was a guy, Tristan Blackwood.” I added his name quickly, hoping it would make it ok that I had been talking to a guy instead of calling her.

“Blackwood, hmm? Interesting. What were you talking about?” Her voice dropped from shrill to that smooth, sultry tone that made me even more nervous.

“Um, he found my ID, I’d dropped it.”

“I dont suppose that was because you were smart enough to drop it for him to find?”

“No, I hadn't realised. He picked it up and ended up walking me back to the dorm.”

“Didn’t think so, but this could still be good. Keep going.”

“He asked me how I was settling in, if I liked my course. I asked him what he was studying-”

“Economics. He’ll be following his father into business.”

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“I do my research, Paige. What else?”

“He asked me what I was doing for Halloween-”

“He asked you what you were doing… How did he ask?”

“Well, I'm not sure…”

“Paige, this is important,” she snapped. “Was he asking out of politeness or was he trying to figure out if you already had plans?”

“I... I don't know, Mother. The conversation didn't really broach into that. He simply asked if I was doing anything for Halloween,” I confessed, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Paige! That man is an opportunity!" she snapped. “You need to get his attention back, and get him to ask you to that ball. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Mother, but…”

“But?” Her voice was dangerously low. I wasn’t supposed to question her commands, just carry them out.

“But Tristan… he’s not exactly looking for a girl to marry. He’s not what you wanted me to…”

“Of course he’s not, you stupid girl, but he’s the way in. Get him hooked and he’ll date you, and if he dates you, you’ll seem much more eligible to the other men in his circle. Always be thinking ahead Paige. Now, you are taking care of yourself, aren’t you?”

“I…” My voice faltered. She wanted to know if I was ok?

“Take a selfie.”

“What?”

“Now, Paige.”

Shit. I switched to camera and took a quick snap, my heart racing as I sent it to her. I gripped the phone tighter as I heard her sharp intake of breath.

“What the fuck are you wearing, Paige? And… have you no makeup on at all?”

“I was just at the art room,” I said, trying to defend myself. “No one sees me there.”

“No, but Tristan Blackwood saw you on the way home, and you looked like that. For fucks sake Paige. After everything I’ve done for you, after all the training and makeup lessons, and the money we’ve spent on clothes that we couldn’t afford, and you can’t even be bothered to make an effort.”

“I'm sorry,” I said quietly.

“From now on, this is a video call. And I’m going to call you throughout the day at random. When you answer, if you aren’t dressed appropriately, there will be consequences. Do you understand me?”

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