by Mya West
Bryce laughs. “My dad actually just asked me, ‘Do you want me to show you how to use that thing?’ I feel sick to my stomach.”
“I’m disgusted and appalled for you all at once.”
“Another year of this shit, and I’m out of here. I’m not sure I can come back to this. I may even be able to get a scholarship to Juilliard. Fingers crossed.”
I look at Bryce with a thin smile. “We could lie to them. I could be your fake girlfriend if it gets them off your back. It’s just a year, right?”
Bryce shakes his head. “I could get away with something like that with my mom. My dad, on the other hand. I swear, he’s like a walking lie detector test. He’s ex-military intelligence. I’m too nervous to try to lie to him. What a guy. As if there’s no gays in the military.”
“Well, offer still stands. If things get worse—”
Bryce sighs. “I was doing some cleaning, and snooping, I guess. I saw on my dad’s nightstand in his room a pamphlet for conversion therapy. I think they might try and talk me into it. But I’m eighteen, so fuck them.”
“That’s tough, Bryce. You can make it, though. If I can make it out of Ryland with my scholarship, so can you.”
Bryce smiles. “We should make a pact with each other.” I laugh. “What’s so funny? I mean it.”
“Not you, I swear. It’s just back in the city, I made the same pact with my close friend there. We made a pact to get out of the city together too.”
“Well, at least one of you did.”
I nod my head. I tell him about Candice’s story. He seems completely entrenched into every word I say.
“Wow. You know some interesting people,” he says. “Maybe you should invite her over to my house for our next sleep over. Have her wear one of her skimpy dresses. My dad will have a heart attack over me having two girls in my room. Is she going to visit you here in Ryland?”
“We talk about it,” I say. “Where’s Danna tonight?”
Bryce smirks at me. “Something told me you may not want her here tonight, so I didn’t tell her about our little sleep over. Danna is my girl and all, but she isn’t very sensitive about people being scared shitless. It’s almost as if she is formulating how she could write the story on it. You know, she mentioned that clock tower to me like three times the other day. She’s obsessed with it. I’m not blind. I remember. I saw what happened at the clock tower that night we visited the school after hours. I wanted none of it.” Bryce wipes some sweat off his forehead and changes the subject. “You’re still coming to my gala, right?” I nod my head. “Remind me to give you your ticket at some point. I have yours and Danna’s.”
My phone rings, and I quickly pick it up. “Hello?”
“It’s Cain, Arthur Cain. Is this Noelle?”
I almost feel stupid for the way I answered my phone. “Hey, yes, it is, sorry.”
“Thomas has filled me in on what happened today. I understand you are staying at a friend’s house tonight.”
“Yes. Bryce Jamison.”
“First off, are you okay?”
I sigh. “Just a little scared. Bryce is helping me get my mind off things.”
“That’s good, Noelle. You truly are a resilient young woman. Second, I want to let you know I have hired some extra security. Thomas will be organizing a team to watch the entire property, especially the guesthouse. This will not happen to you ever again; I can promise you that. The security team will all be armed and are all trained professionals. Thomas may seem like just a driver, but he is highly skilled. Nobody will ever harm you while on my property, Noelle.”
“Uh, thanks,” I say. Bryce looks at me with an eyebrow raised. I shrug my shoulders.
“Elle, are you still coming tomorrow to the function at my home?”
I was almost taken aback by Arthur Cain calling me by the name I prefer. “Yes, of course,” I say. “Sounds like you have made things safer for me.”
“I have. The police are investigating this as well. Rest assured, we will find out who did this. So, I do hope you are coming tomorrow.” I’m taken aback again by the sense of anxiety in his voice.
“Thanks, Mr. Cain, again. Of course, I will.”
“Great. I will see you tomorrow.”
“See you—” Arthur Cain hangs up on me before I can finish my sentence. I look at Bryce. “Arthur Cain—”
“I heard,” he says.
“I don’t know why, but it almost feels like he’s more concerned about me not going to his charity function tomorrow than the fact that someone threatened my life today and broke into his guesthouse.” Bryce is quiet, processing what I just said.
“I know you don’t want to talk about this—or at least, I wouldn’t if I were you, but do you have any idea who left you that letter in your bedroom?”
I think about all the people in my life right now. I think of Lance, Jaxson, Chase, and even Arthur Cain. “I have no fucking clue.”
Chapter 9
I had thought the last charity function at Arthur Cain’s mansion was something to behold. Tonight managed to top the last. All staff were present, plus an extra fifty I’ve never seen before. I spot Martha in the crowd handing out appetizers.
I walk up to her, and she looks at my long white dress and rolls her eyes. “Elle, just when I thought you couldn’t look prettier, you out do yourself.”
I take one of the appetizers off her tray and take a bite, making a sour face. It looked like spring roll to me, which I love. The snack was sour and off putting though.
Marta laughs. “Not my favourite either, but the Ryland folk love it.”
“I don’t even want to know what I just ate,” I say with half a smile. “Do you ever feel weird, Marta? Giving out expensive food to expensive people?”
“It’s the life I’ve chosen, dearie,” she says, waving a hand. “I try and pretend I’m one of them sometimes, so it can be more fun. That is, until one of them comes up to me and asks for something.” A woman in a diamond laced dress waves her hand at Marta. “And duty calls,” Marta says. “I guess we all can’t pretend for too long in a place like this.”
I grab her hand before she leaves. “I pretend to. Sometimes, it’s easier to pretend that you’re like a family member to me, helping me out, then you say something that reminds me that you’re not.”
“Well, now that I know, we can pretend a little bit longer next time,” Marta says with a smile. The elegant woman in the dress looks almost distraught, waving her hand furiously at Marta. Marta nods her head at her and looks back at me. “See you at home later.”
I walk around the room and feel almost lost. I’ve been in this room before, but not when it’s decorated to the nines and crowded with rich people. I can almost smell the money on them, looking at their fancy clothes and jewelry.
I feel like I’m doing a good job fitting in. Nobody seems to notice me, which I’m not sure how to feel. The few that do give me big smiles but don’t say anything, as if they think I don’t speak English. I feel like I’m at a party I wasn’t supposed to be invited to.
I look around the room for anybody I recognize. Hell, I’d talk to Lance Cain at this point just to feel social. I notice Thomas Winters in the corner of the room. He has a headset on, and is speaking into a microphone at the side of his face. He looks at me and nods his head. I smile and walk past him. Lately, that man gives me such a weird vibe. I only tolerate him when I need a ride somewhere.
I think of Lance again. The last time I was at a function like this, I made a pretty bold move against him. I’ve been waiting for him to retaliate in some way. I smile, thinking he won’t hand out copies of my diary to these people. Too much of an adolescent play. I almost worry about what he has in store for me next. I haven’t seen him, his father, or his cronies for most of the night.
For Arthur Cain being so adamant that I come tonight, I certainly don’t exactly feel welcomed.
I spot the Senator Ferlong coming in with her husband not too far behind. She notices me and smil
es, but continues to schmooze with the people in front of her.
A woman walks up to me and shakes my hand. “What an opportunity,” she says with a big smile. “You’re making your city proud.”
I nod my head. “Thanks. What exactly—” An older man, who I’m assuming is her husband, forcibly grabs her by the waist and moves her away from me.
Great. Just when I thought I could say a few words to another person at this function. I wish I had asked Chase or Jaxson to come with me tonight. At least they would have tried to be good company.
The more I’m in this expensive room, the more I want to run away. I make up my mind to try and sneak through the kitchen fire exit. Anna Green and her staff will be cooking up a storm and too busy to care that I’m trying escaping this boring ass party.
I make my way to the large foyer. I hear laughter as a group of men—with Arthur Cain leading the pack—walking down the large spiral staircase. Lance Cain is close by.
When Arthur notices me, he stops his laughter, and brandishes a concerned face. “Noelle, is everything okay?”
“Were you leaving?” Lance asks me with a smirk.
My eyes widen. “No! I wanted to see Anna in the kitchen. Marta had these amazing appetizers that I just had to get a few more of before the rest of the crowd digs in.”
Arthur laughs to himself. He reaches out a hand towards me. I smile, not knowing what else to do, and take his hand in mine. He gently guides me towards the banquet hall again.
“We’re about to sit for dinner,” Arthur says. “And you’re sitting at our table. So, I’ll lead the way.”
Arthur guides me up several stairs that lead to a head table on an elevated stage, facing the crowd. Arthur asks me to sit beside him. I nod my head and take my seat.
Lance walks behind me. He brushes his hand gently against my bare neck. He lowers his head and in a whispering voice says, “You deserve it all tonight. You truly do.”
I smile at him and nod my head as if he said something nice to me. “Bring it on,” I whisper back.
Lance takes his seat on the other side of his father. A few other business type people sit at the table with us. The man that I spoke to at the last function, Richard, is one of them. I notice that I’m starting to stick out like a sore thumb, being the only woman in the group.
Looks like I finally made it to the big boy table.
I look out at the crowd and feel completely intimidated. All those wealthy eyes staring at me. I could do an easier job blending in walking amongst them. With all attention towards the head table, I feel like they all know I’m a fake.
I remind myself I’m at the head table next to Arthur Cain for a reason. He sees something in me. He sees my potential. Why else would he have some random girl up here with him and his son?
I notice from the corner of my eye Lance staring at me. I turn, and he smiles at me coldly.
Just what the fuck does he have planned for me?
Waiters bring out entrées to the guests, starting with the head table first. A small piece of breaded chicken is on a plate in front of me with some type of vegetable dip smeared across the plate to make it look fancier. I’m pretty sure I can eat this with one bite. I take my fork out of its napkin, but Arthur Cain puts his hand over mine. I look over at him and he waves his head no.
Once the waiters are done serving, Arthur Cain stands and gives a toast, thanking everyone for coming on this special night. He makes a few more comments, which I completely ignore, hoping he finishes so I can eat the small portion of food on my plate.
Why didn’t I eat before coming? I knew from the last charity function that they don’t exactly give generous amounts of food, but this time seems even worse than before. It feels like the fancier the event, the less food on the plate you get.
The crowd bangs on their glasses, and a few cheer for Arthur Cain.
Arthur puts his hands up and directs the crowd to lower their enthusiasm. “My son, Lancelot, and my houseguest, Noelle, and I are all happy you were able to come.” Arthur looks at me and smiles. “Now, you know me, I don’t like being the center of attention…” A few tables erupt in laughter. Arthur again uses his hands to direct the crowd to lower themselves, and they listen. “But tonight is something special for me. So, thank you. Thank you all.”
The crowd claps vigorously, and Arthur Cain sits again. He turns his head and looks at me. “Noelle, can you say a few things to the crowd?”
I look almost in shock with the question. “What?”
“Just say something nice about how much you enjoy being here and going to Ryland Academy.”
“I—” Again, I can’t find words. Public speaking isn’t exactly my thing. I struggle for class presentations in front of twenty people, how the hell can I do over two hundred?
Arthur puts his hand over mine again. “Go on. You will likely have to give a lot of speeches someday, if you’re running a company like mine.”
I smile. I look over at Lance in a mocking way as I stand up. The crowd lowers its noise when I do. It feels strange having such power as to quiet a crowd full of people wealthier and more influential then I may ever be,
“I’ve been staying at Arthur Cain’s home for a few weeks now. He has treated me with the upmost respect and has welcomed me as if I were family.” I take my time before I say another word, and look over at Lance to ensure my words sink in. “Because of Arthur Cain, my future has a lot more promise to it. I truly don’t know where I would be without you, Mr. Cain. So, thank you.”
I sit back down, and Arthur gives me a reassuring head nod. I guess I gave him exactly what he wanted with that.
We continue our dinner, and the waiters thankfully bring out more dishes of food. At the end of the meal, we order tea or coffee, and trays of desserts are passed along the table.
A bigger man wearing a fancy suit fixes his dark rimmed glasses as he walks by the stage. I almost completely didn’t recognize Ted Silvers, the social worker who told me about Cain’s offer, starting everything for me at Ryland. Mr. Silvers smiles at me as he passes. Behind him, two men are holding a large plaque. Mr. Silvers stands in front of a podium with the two men standing behind him.
Mr. Silvers speaks into the microphone. “Excuse me, everyone, excuse me.” The crowd doesn’t listen very well, and Mr. Silvers starts to speak louder. “For his long-standing charity work with the poor, destitute, and homeless, Arthur Cain has been a pillar in his community. That’s why I am proud to reward him with the Lifetime Community Charity Award.” The crowd breaks out in an eruption of clapping.
Arthur Cain stands up and lightly grabs my arm as he does. He guides me towards the podium. Lance is smiling at me as I pass.
Arthur shakes Mr. Silvers hand and speaks into the microphone. “Thank you, everyone. Thank you for voting for me, and for this prestigious reward. I don’t give charity to be recognised for it, but this means everything.” Arthur raises my hand with his, and the crowd erupts.
I look out into the crowd. Everyone is staring back at me with smiles. It’s not because I’m one of them that makes them so enthusiastically happy. I’m the outsider. I’m being praised as if putting up with me is deserving of some type of reward.
I am not one of them. I’m the prize. I’m the plaque on Arthur Cain’s wall.
I lower my hand, forcing all my strength from Arthur Cain keeping it in the air, and return to my seat. The crowd continues to clap, and I hear some laughter. The only other person who is solemn in their presence is Senator Ferlong.
When I sit back down, Lance is staring at me. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t gloat, or rub it in my face.
Lance has told me everything I needed to hear without saying a thing.
You are just a charity case. You don’t belong here.
∞∞∞
Once dinner is over, and nobody seems restrained to their seating arrangements, I attempt to take my leave again. I walk towards the foyer to make my second escape tonight. Now that he’s got his reward,
something tells me Arthur Cain won’t stop me this time.
He doesn’t need me anymore tonight.
I walk past a large sign at the entrance of the foyer. In my haste to flee before, I didn’t even notice it. The sign mentions how tonight was in honor of Arthur Cain’s charity work with the poor and less fortunate. It goes on to mention examples of the work he’s done. Not too far under that is a picture of me. It was my grade eleven high school photo. I’m not even sure how he got that.
Under my picture, is my story—all of it. The loss of my parents, the fire. It may as well said, ‘Poor girl from the ghetto saved by a rich white man. Let’s feel bad for her.’
What a sympathetic story I have. The kind that could entice judges who vote on rewarding these fancy plaques to recipients over the edge in favour of Cain.
I thought I was chosen for some reason. I thought it had more to do about me though. I didn’t realize I was the poster child for charity cases. I thought if I gave the world everything I had, something good would happen to me.
But it’s all a farce. It’s bullshit.
I was given this opportunity so some old man could have a sympathetic face to get his reward. I was being used.
I feel like ripping the fucking sign right there in front of everyone.
“You’re right in feeling the way you do, Elle,” a soft voice says from behind me. I turn and Senator Ferlong is there. She puts her hand on my shoulder gently. “All of this is make-believe. A fairy tale land, where people like us don’t get the point of it all.”
I wipe a tear and hope she doesn’t notice. “I’m no fucking charity case,” I say under my breath.
Senator Ferlong sighs. “That’s the problem though. You are. To them, that’s all you will ever be. Unless…” She turns my body towards her and wipes another tear from my eye. “Unless you use it to elevate yourself. How do you think a poor girl from the city become a senator? I told you where I was from, right? I used it. Let them think of me however they want, but one day, I told myself, they would adhere to me. Now I have the power. Now they want my power, but can never truly have it.”
