𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐑 |

chapter twenty

Vera

"And why exactly do I have to tag along?" I yawned.

It's my day off and I got woken up at eight in the morning by Katherine slamming my door open and banging pots together. Thank God Aiden was already at school or I'd have to deal with the cranky child whose sleep would have been disturbed.

When she left the room, I dived under the covers just for it to be snatched away from me in less than two seconds.

"Because it's a family outing," she forced out with a smile.

"You and Lucia are shopping for the engagement party. It's not that much of a family outing."

"Just get up and get dressed. Ten minutes."

Katherine walks out after throwing the blanket at me. I pushed it off with a huff and stood up to pull the curtains open, allowing the sun to be a natural light as I shuffled to the restroom. I'm more than sure most of my time was spent in this bathroom from just brushing my teeth and contemplating what to do with my hair.

I didn't want to do anything extravagant because I'm only going to be a tag along while they shop. I'll have to actually make an effort on my hair when the party is actually about to start so I simply pulled my hair in a ponytail for now, pulling out a few strands to hang along my face. Those would piss me off throughout the day, I just know it.

A pair of boyfriend jeans and a band shirt that I cut into a crop top is what I decided on wearing. This one shirt is what led to almost every oversized tee shirt I owned being cut in half. It's a fun little project I like to do, and they turn out really cute. That and it's easier than buying cropped shirts.

"Let's go, Vera!" Katherine yelled, stomping on the stairs.

"I'm coming! Jesus..."

So much for ten minutes.

Once my small backpack was filled with everything I needed, I rushed out and down the stairs to them waiting by the front door. She sighed with annoyance when I made it down and pulled the front door open, strolling out. Lucia followed and I followed her, closing and locking the door behind me.

She snapped her fingers, and I rushed over, eyes widening when they fell on the black vehicle in front of our driveway.

"You bought a limo?"

"I've always had one. Today is just a special occasion."

Katherine smirked as the chauffeur opened the door for us, allowing the three of us to climb inside. The more I looked around, I thought my eyes were going to bulge out and roll onto the floor. This was insane. The woman had an entire limo just sitting in storage for the right time.

No surprise, but it was an awkward ride. Katherine was gleaming about the party and possible outfits to Lucia. I scooted closer to the window and lowered my head in the palm of my hand, watching everything whizz by. Katherine's voice began to fade into the distance and all that was left was the bumping of the tires against speed bumps or curves in the road.

If I focused on everything else outside of this limo, I could ignore the dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about this party. I'll most likely be forced to help serve food or drinks, or at the least cleanup afterwards. But the worst part is having to watch Lucia and Enzo play up the engaged act in front of our family and his. I had no choice but to be there or I'd get the broken end of the stick.

The most I can do for myself is at least find something that'll make me feel good on the outside — more than I do on the inside. Katherine didn't mention having a theme or anything, so I assumed that people were just going to come in whatever they felt fit. Works for me.