Reputation
I officially hate my life. I have to meet the Manroe family in a few minutes, so I have to get ready.
“Nice to see you finally decided to join us, Elizabeth. Sit.” Mrs. Manroe says. Everyone is sitting on the table for breakfast, and I hesitantly join them.
“Morning everyone,” I say.
“Hi Noe,” Mr. Manroe’s little sister says being the only one to answer me instead everyone else decides to stare at me.
I decided to ignore everyone and start dishing up for myself.
“May you please pass the salt?” I ask Mr. Manroe and he chooses to just ignore me and continue eating. I will not stay here where I am unwelcomed. I stand up and walk away.
“Where are you going?” Mrs. Manroe asks me.
“Home.” Mrs. Manroe stands up, walks to me and holds my arm roughly.
“Listen to me girl, right now you are at our mercy, and you will do just as I say okay. You will live here indefinitely because obviously you cannot be trusted, and you will do your best to make sure this family’s reputation will stay pristine. Now sit down and eat.”
“What if I do not?” I say pulling my arm away.
“Well, I will make sure that your lovely brother never sees the light of day. He will stay in prison forever.”
“I do not give a damn you can keep him there,” I say and walk away. And just as I am in the doorway Mrs. Manroe says,
“Then James will know where you are right now.” She says and I stop in my tracks. This woman is pure evil.
I sit back down and continue eating.
“Am I allowed to get things from my place?”
“If you need anything Boris will get it for you.” Mr. Manroe says
“So, I am trapped”
“You and I will be going on a date later since you feel the need to go out but if you dare try anything.”
Jordan’s POV
“Who is James and why is she afraid of him?” I ask my mother after Miss Snow goes up to her room.
“No one important and Boris lock Jordan from the family files.”
“You can’t do that. You will tell me who he is. Boris do not lock me from the files”
“Boris do as we say he is just a boy. Jordan, talk to your girlfriend about the annual ball.”
“Fine but I will find out whether you like it or not.” I walk up to Miss Snow’s room oh sorry Miss Withers.
“Who the hell is James?” I ask barging into her room.
“I could have been undressed why did you not knock”
“Who is James?” she puts looks at me and holds onto her skirt.
“Go ask your parents and get out”
“Do not ever in your life speak to me like that. You have quite a lot of attitude, don’t you? As my mother said you are at our mercy right now so you cannot afford to act like that so who the hell is James.”
“James is none of your business okay” There is no getting through to her. I decide to storm out of her room because I might murder her if I speak to her more.
Elizabeth’s POV
I hate him and his whole family. I cannot do this anymore. If she really knows who James is would she tell him where I am should? Should I call, her bluff would a woman really do that to another woman? How do I deal with this?
I hear a knock on the door, and it is Mrs. Manroe, unfortunately.
“Since you have managed to ward off my son, I will tell you myself then. The whole family and you will be going to a charity ball that we are hosting soon which is a very important event to this family. I need you to not stress Jordan at this time because he needs to plan this event and you two will not mess up this time okay.”
“Okay I will do everything you say but please do not tell James where I am”
“I will not if you do not give me a reason to.” She says and walks out.
I have to get ready for Jordan and I’s date. I do not know how we will sit together when we can’t sit for two minutes without tearing at each other’s necks.
We are at some fancy restaurant and normally I would be impressed but I am too exhausted right now.
“You look nice today.” Mr Manroe says surprising me.
“Thank you. You too”
“I know.” He says not surprising me.
The waiter comes to our table and offers to take our order,
“Ah yes I will have a steak and fries and she will have a chicken salad.” Mr. Manroe says. I feel the exhaustion being washed over by anger. What is this 1988?
“No, actually I will have Spaghetti bolognaise” I say looking him in the eye.
“Why do you need to fight with me over everything?”
“Why shouldn’t I? Because you always get what you want?” I say scoffing.
“Obviously not always with you. My mother tipped off the press so if I grab your hand or kiss you just go with the flow.”
“Okay”
“So, Elizabeth why Noelle Snow? What is special about it”
“Sounds elegant don’t you think?”
“Not like Elizabeth Withers no.”
“Well, I am also Scarlett so there is that”
“Scarlett? Why?” Mr. Manroe says laughing and I realized this is the first time I have seen him laugh so I join him.
“Sounded edgy I guess”
“Kiss me. They are watching.” I felt awkward so I kissed him on the cheek, and he grabbed me onto his lap and kissed me. Not with tongue but I still felt the need to cross my legs. After we were done making out, I tried to get off his lap, but he pulled me back.
“No stay.” He said, pausing for a second, looking at me in my eyes. “For the press of course”
We ate our meal, held hands, and kissed and yes while I was on his lap. I have to remind myself that to him this is just a publicity stunt, and he feels nothing for me even if he did I can’t. I cannot trust anyone ever again.