Page 41 of Bittersweet Legacy

She removed her glasses and grinned at me. “You liked it?”

I nodded. “Unbelievably so, yes.”

“It was my impersonation of Bethany Oppenheimer, AKA my grandmother.”

“Damn she’s –”

“A bitch?” Taylor nodded. “Yep. Still looks at my mother like she’s the help.”

I rolled my eyes, but any humor I felt morphed into apprehension again at all the luxury cars parked in front of the Astor Estate and the music coming out from it.

Taylor stepped out and threw the keys at the valet – who even has a valet at a home birthday party? Patricians, that’s who.

“Come on, take a deep breath my friend.” Taylor came to stand beside me, taking my arm and intertwining it with hers. “I’ve got your back.”

I looked at her curiously as she stared at the door like a woman on a mission. “You never go to parties. Why aren’t you even a little bit anxious?”

She shrugged. “What these people think or say about me is their business, not mine. They only have the ability to affect me if I let them do it and I’d rather die a thousand painful deaths than let any of them affect me again.”

Ah, ‘again’… the key word I expected, a word I could bet was linked to my brother.

“Lead the way, Tay.” I gestured with my empty hand.

When we walked in, I didn't even get a chance to ogle at the surroundings when a woman with a headset and a nametag reading ‘Susan, Party Supervisor’ jumped in front of us.

I rolled my eyes; this was beyond ridiculous.

“Welcome to Archibald’s big Eighteenth,” she beamed. “My name is Susan,” she said, pointing at her name tag, I guess if you were slow and all. “I’m here to assist with everything you need.”

“Yeah, okay Sue it’s nice. Where can we find the guest of honor?” Taylor demanded, looking around with contempt – she was scarily good at this game.

I could see the woman wanted to correct her for misusing her name but she stopped. “The food’s in the reception room one,” she pointed to the left, “you’re also able to leave any presents there” she added, looking pointedly at our empty hands.

“I’m Taylor Oppenheimer – My presence is the present.”

I’d seen my brother glance at her a few times when he didn’t think we were looking – I knew she was joking but I wasn’t sure this statement was completely wrong.

“And I’m his sister, Esmeralda Forbes.” I mimicked Tay’s haughty tone.

“Ah, yes marvellous! The main party is in the ballroom. Do you need assistance finding it?”

Taylor shook her head. “No thank you – I know the place.”

The ballroom was crowded with dancing bodies and tables on the side. I recognized most faces from school. “I see… It’s basically a normal high school party except way more pretentious.

“I’ve never been to a real high school party,” she admitted, scanning the room for Archie, I presumed.

A few guys walked past me, eyeing me with envy before realizing who I was and running away.

I frowned. I didn’t really want their attention but I was annoyed at the visceral reaction I was getting. What had Archie said? Or what had Caleb? I couldn’t help the little pleasant treacherous feeling at the idea of Caleb’s possessiveness.

I scanned the room for him.

“Ah found one King douche!” Taylor pointed to Antoine who was sipping a flute of champagne on the other side of the room. “The others can’t be far.”

Antoine locked eyes with us and his generic smile turned predatory as he dismissed his court and hurried toward us. He was dressed in blue jeans, a white shirt and a black velvet blazer, with a pocket square the color of his shirt.

“Esmeralda!” he exclaimed, reaching for my hand and kissing my knuckles. “Tu es si belle tu pourrais faire damner un saint!”

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