“Thank you.” I grinned, then turned around to face Rose, who welcomed me into her warm arms. “Hey, Rose.”
“Isabella.” She patted my back lovingly, before she pulled back, keeping me within arms-length. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“I’m glad to see you as well.” I stated honestly. “You’re looking younger every day.”
She chuckled, waving me off. She then hauled me over to do what I was called out for. I excused myself from the two and made my way towards the awaiting emcee, taking his earlier spot in front as he handed the microphone over to me.
Now facing a room full of the most influential people in America and beyond, I knew there’s no going back on my identity after this. I took in a deep breath, exhaled discreetly then spoke.
“Good day, every one. I hope you’re all having a pleasant night.” I plastered a wide smile on my face. “My name is Isaballe Vivien Montague, and I will be opening this event tonight. Welcome to the 39th annual Karl and Rose ball, and I hope you’ll have a pleasant night…”
***
Isabella Montague.
My head hurts badly. And when I say badly, I mean, like really bad. I groaned, rolling to my side as I clenched my eyes shut, pulling my legs to my chest and remaining in that position for a few seconds so the pain would lessen. It didn’t, but a thought somehow crossed my mind amidst all that.
I need a hot tea, or anything that would make me no longer be hungover. Remind me why the fuck did I drink much last night? I tried to remember everything that went down up to the point where I blanked out, hoping I didn’t screw up the night I worked so hard for.
I opened the fundraiser event, then I went ahead to speak to quite a lot of people in the business filed. Some of them were nice and welcoming, and some of them weren’t but I managed to get most of them on my side, which is something that I care about quite a lot. I’ve had a few drinks in the process though. And I remember Mrs. Donnelly trying to strike up a conversation with me, but I didn’t pay any heed to her. Sure enough, that happened.
But, I think I went to the restroom after. On my way out, I ran into a couple making out, and I was grossed out by them. Just as I was about to make my way around them, I realized whom it was…James and the woman he left me for.
I couldn’t remember much after, but there were blurry memories of him trying to talk to me, his hand that clamped around my wrist, I remember that too-it was bruising even. I tried to fight my way but someone came, and punched him. Everything else was a blur, from my savior’s face, to more shots of alcohol…and we kissed.
Fuck. Did I kiss another man again that night? Oh my God this is bad. But the thing is, if it had ended just with the kiss, then I would’ve been relieved. But no, I think we slept together…
The sudden thought had me sitting up, throwing the duvet off my body and my eyes flying open, startled. My wide eyes looked around the unfamiliar room, and the bed I was in. A gasp escaped my lips as I looked down at my outfit to see myself in a white button up top and boxers that reached my knees.
My dress for yesterday was on a chair in the corner of the room, along with a man suit pants, the inner white shirt that was supposed to be there now on my body. And the suit jacket missing as well. My shoes were nowhere to be found, but my purse and phone were on the bedside cabinet beside me, seemingly untouched.
“Oh My God.” I pulled my knees to my chest, burying my face in between it as I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling at the root. “Stupid, stupid, stupid.” No matter how hard I try to remember everything that happened last night-or at least, how I ended up here, nothing comes to mind but a blank screen.
A few seconds of staying in that position and cursing myself for being such a light weight and stupid enough to end up in an unknown person’s room with the possibility of sleeping with the unknown individual, I realized I’m wasting time by staying there.
“Right…” I let go of my hair, and raised my head up, common sense dawning on me. “…I need to get out of here,” My words were nothing but a light whisper, as if scared if I raised it, the person I’m trying to avoid would show up.
With that thought in mind, I quickly scrambled out of the bed and made my way towards the couch. Picking up my dress, I hastily got out of the shirt and slipped my dress back, looking over my shoulder in case someone would come in. After changing back into my dress, I all but rushed to the bedside cabinet to pick up my phone and purse, before making a beeline out of the room. Screw the heels, I can walk barefoot out if it means leaving before I’m spotted.
However, as I tiptoed down the corridor and stepped into what seems to be a living room, I didn’t stop to survey anything.
I was more focused on doing the walk of shame out before I run into anyone and get even more embarrassed than I already am. I was just about to make my way out of the living room while tiptoeing when I heard a voice that had me startled, jumping lightly on my feet, caught red handed.
“I see you’re awake.” A deep, and somehow familiar voice came from the living room.
My stomach was instantly in knots, my fists curled by the side as I closed my eyes, blood rushing to my cheeks.
Though I had my back facing the person, it doesn’t lessen my embarrassment any less. I weighed my options-to run out and never turn back, or to actually turn around and face the man I spent the night with.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.