The Choice To Be Chosen (Book 1 of the CTBC Series)

Chapter 13

For the rest of the night I think over and over about what the prince said, trying to figure out how he remembered something I said so long ago. I decide to just sleep on it, letting it go. However things dont go quite to plan. A knock sounds against my door making me get up to answer it. I rub my eyes as lights pour in from the hallway and I'm face to face with Selest.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Did I wake you?" She cringes standing in the hall wearing her silk blue pajama shorts and tank top holding a pink pillow to her chest. An eye mask rests atop her forehead and her dark hair is still in a neat ponytail.

"Nope, im always awake at.." I glance at the clock on my bedside table for the time. "1:30 a.m." I say sarcastically with a yawn.

"I couldnt sleep, not with the pressure of the report tomorrow night, I figured you were feeling the same way and I thought maybe I could stay here tonight?" She waits for my answer squeezing her pillow in her arms.

I sigh thinking it over. Selest seems pretty nice and I still dont know why she seems so familiar to me. Maybe bonding with her will help me figure it out. Plus a sleepover cant hurt.

"I guess, I have some chocolate covered strawberries we can snack on too." I say opening the door for her to walk in.

"Ooo sounds delicious!" She says as I begin waking up a bit more, rubbing my eyes and stretching my back.

"So wait, the report is tomorrow?" I ask. "I thought it was only on Fridays other than special occasions."

"Yes that is true, however the prince requested Friday for a few dates he is planning. He said something about trying to meet once with every girl before seeing any others or eliminating them. Therefore the report will be on Thursday night. Tomorrow night." I nod as Selest explains.

"How many girls has he met up with so far?" I question as we sit on my small couch. I place a chocolate strawberry into my mouth.

She thinks a minute before answering. "I believe he has met twelve of the girls." She eats a strawberry as well.

"How do you know all of this?" I question.

"Maids know everything." She laughs. "Ive become very close with them already and they are true gossipers." She whispers looking around for my maids. "Where are yours?" She asks.

"They leave after they prepare me for bed, I like my privacy." I explain and she nods in understanding.

"Well, how about a movie?" She asks getting up and grabbing a silver remote off my dresser. She presses a button and a large flat screen lifts out from the dresser. She continues to press buttons then turns to me. "They have every movie ever made on here! Any requests?" I look at her in awe and a small laugh escapes my lips and I rush over to her side looking at the screen as a million movies run through my head.

"How about you choose." I say, still in disbelief of so many movies.

She smiles at me and nods before putting on a comedy romance. We then sit on my couch laughing, snacking, and just enjoying each others company as the movie rolled on.

-♛♔⚔♚♕-

After the movie had ended, me and Selest laid opposite of each other in my bed. We were quiet, but not in an awkward silence. One that was more a mix of tiredness and comfort. However that silence was soon broken by my curiosity.

"Selest?" I say into the silence.

"Yeah?" She yawns.

"Whats your family like?" I ask holding a yawn back myself.

"Well, small. Its just me, my mother, father, and older brother." She says sitting up and laying on her stomach towards me.

"Tell me about them." I say closing my eyes but not to fall asleep, just simply to visualize my listening.

"Well.." She starts. "My mother is one of the kindest people I have ever known. My father and her met at a library. He was helping out there because my grandparents owned the place and my mother went in to get a new book to read. Every week she would go, and every week my father would suggest her some books he thought she'd enjoy. Eventually he worked up the courage to ask her on a date where he gifted her with a book of poems he wrote just for her. And just like that they were together forever." She explains, then continues. "5 years later, my mother married my father and had my older brother, Charles, a year after their wedding and me when Charles was seven. Charles is 25 now and is getting married soon to someone Ive never even met. But she seems nice from what Ive heard about her." My eyes shoot open as I jolt myself up, startling Selest making her jump a bit.

"What did you say your last name was again?" I ask.

"Uh, Feather?" She says confused. "Anyways... Her name is,"

"Clarissa." We both say at the same time.

"Wait how do you-" I cut her off before she finishes.

"Your brother, Charles Feather, is marrying my sister.." I say dumbfounded. We both look at each other wide eyed.

"Im too tired for this Drama." She says rolling over pulling her eye mask down.

"What time is it anyways?" I look at the clock before answering her.

"4:47." I say. I hear her mumble a curse word before she pulls the covers over her.

"Night Bradilyn." She sighs.

"Goodnight Selest." I turn on my side and start playing with my mothers earrings as I slowly drift off into what will be a very brief sleep.

Sorry guys! No flashbacks this chapter! Lol. Anyways im super sorry for not updating for like, what, 3 months?😂 Yeah Im super sorry guys! Anyways hope you enjoy this chapter, spoiler alert! Next one will be more about Selest, Sarah, and Elegance! Hope you all enjoy! Please comment your thoughts, I love your guys's opinions!