After the Truth

Introduction

New York tends to get cold even in early October but it was a balmy day when I stepped out of the car. Looking at the unfamiliar mansion I question why I decided to come here in the first place. Doubting my naive choice I turn back around to open the car door for it to be locked. The driver does not even look at me and drives away, no matter what I thought in this moment there was no turning back now. Earlier that month I had received a letter of a retreat that my club was going on. My parents would be away then on their anniversary in the Bahamas. Not wanting me to be alone they allowed me to go on the retreat. What they didn't know was that the message was coded that only my club members knew. I understood what I was getting myself into but looking back at it now I was blinded by a love that could never be. Still standing in front of the mansion alone I pull out the letter and make sure I have the right address. Everything checks out so I slowly approach the steps. Making my way up to the big wooden door I knock on it as hard as I can hoping someone will open it for me. I also hope they will tell me I'm in the wrong place so I can just go home. A few minutes pass by and I start to head down the stone steps again. As I am halfway down the door booms open, the sound alone lets you know how heavy the door really is. Out steps a man dressed formally, "Already leaving miss? The party hasn't even started yet." He says with a welcoming smile walking towards me. I let out a hesitated laugh, when he reaches me he takes my bag and with his other hand ushers me inside. Once inside he locks the door behind us and gives my bag to another servant, I reach out of my things but he grabs my hand and takes me into another room upstairs. The room is of lavish gold, I look around at everything and delicately touch the precious perfumes and jewelry set on the vanity. I am broken out of my trance with the clearing of the butlers throat, "Miss Sloane, I am the Head Butler Donovan. If you need anything you will let me know. In this closet there are many different beautiful dresses for you to try on to wear to each night of our week. Please pick one for tonight, put it on right away, do your makeup and join the other ladies in the drawing room. It's right around the corner on this floor. I must go greet the other guests, I will come get all of the ladies when the party is about to begin." He bows and leaves the room. I walk over to the closet and open the door. Indeed Donovan was right, these dresses were beautiful. The hardest part was to chose which dress was right for tonight. Each dress was very elegant so no matter what I was going to be fancy. I pick the long royal blue corseted top dress, once on I trace my fingers along the delicate lace admiring every stitch. The dress was a perfect fit, a bit long but the heels allowed it to not touch the floor. I put on a thin pearl necklace over my cross. I decide to put my hair half up and half down. I spray my entire body in the nicest perfume and I do a natural look for my makeup. Now it was time to join the other ladies. I did not know who else was attending this event, I tend to do spontaneous things on a whim.