Page 40 of Bittersweet Legacy

Sophia helped me into the dress and turned me toward the mirror.

I was completely speechless, that woman was really a magician, the smoky eyeshadow made my eyes steely, the foundation gave my skin a golden hue, and with the plump red lips I looked like a pin-up from the Fifties.

She braided my heavy hair in a Dutch fishtail and finished it in a low bun.

The dress was a spaghetti-strap, deep V neckline, backless, pleated slip mini dress that stopped just at the line of decency, a few centimetres under my bottom, showing the full length of my shapely legs, all finished with a pair of silver-heeled red stilettos.

I hated to admit it, but I loved thefemme fatalelook I had tonight. I also hated to admit I was quite looking forward to seeing Caleb’s reaction.

Why do you care, idiot?I thought angrily before concentrating on the three women standing in front of me in different stages of awe.

“God, you’re absolutely stunning.” Sophia commented with pride, resting her hand on her chest as if I was her daughter, and the sentiment made me feel some warmth.

Taylor chuckled. “Oh we’re going to stir some shit, alright.”

“I didn’t peg you for a shit-stirrer,” I admitted as Maxine packed her stuff and disappeared as suddenly as she’d arrived.

“Usually I’m not, but tonight I say let’s raise hell. Deal?”

“Deal.”

I was trying to hide my apprehension at everything I was doing. The clothes weren’t me. I worked out a lot for my body but never to show it off, that wasn’t me. I also couldn’t imagine how my brother and my sociopathic new appointed fiancé would react at both me crashing the party and the way I looked.

“Your brother’s gonna die when he sees you,” Tay gushed. “I’ll get my phone out and make a video.”

I snorted, her evilness taking some of the edge off.

When we arrived at the mansion, the guard stepped in front of the gates with a clipboard in hand. Ah, of course it was an RSVP douche party. I sighed, somehow disappointed at not being able to show off.

“We’re not on the list,” I whispered as she opened her window.

She chuckled. “But darling, Iamthe list,” she exclaimed, haughtily reaching for dark sunglasses despite it being night-time. It was such a contradiction of the girl I knew.

“Name?”

She slid her sunglasses down her nose. “Excuse me? Don’t you know who I am?”

I turned away to hide my laughter.

“Umm…”

“I am Taylor Oppenheimer. Are you refusing entry to me? Really?”

“I- umm…” he looked down at his clipboard, visibly flustered. “You’re not on the list,” he repeated, his voice breaking.

I felt bad for him, he was in the worst spot possible.

“Of course I’m not on the list!” she scoffed, throwing one hand up dramatically. “I don’t belong on any list, as if I need to RSVP like some poor peasant.”

That made me break into a chuckle, I tried to hide with a cough. She’d got the act down to a T, she really was the funniest.

“What’s your name? I’ll speak with your security company – my father might very well own it.”

“No, no, there’s no need, Miss Oppenheimer.” He rushed to the gate and entered the code. “Have a good evening.”

“Thought so,” she snorted, putting her glasses back on and driving slowly past the guard.

I burst into laughter when we were out of sight. “Where did that come from?” I asked as I wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes thanking the waterproof mascara.

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