Being a Colton.

005.

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THE PAST.

IRENE's POV.

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"I don't think this is the right way to cheer me up, Michelle." I frowned, staring at myself in the full-length mirror. It was a month after New Year and I was currently in Michelle's large upper Eastside apartment, trying to convince her that I could not go with her to an art gallery exhibition. Why you may ask, she wanted me as a plus one to some high-class art gallery, I was still trying to recover from the shit I went through last month at the work event, and now she was asking me to follow to another high-end restaurant.

"Irene, don't be a party pooper! This is really important to me and you are like the only friend I have! Common now!" I turned away from the mirror looking directly at Michelle, this was so annoying. She knew I could not say no when she called in a favor and she was using it against me.

"I am just recovering from that humiliation, how do you expect me to be out there and smile when I am nervous as hell?" I folded my arms pushing my breast out more. Shit the dress was more sexy than classy.

"Look, I am going to see my sister and family tonight, how do you think I feel? I am really stressed out and I feel that if you come with me, it will help me."

That did not make me feel better, I wanted to help her of course but going outside again? Over my dead body. I was standing in the dress Frederick Colton had gotten me, believe it or not, I was kind of happy. After thanking him immensely, I stopped talking to him. Well, there was nothing to talk about after that. My mind would tell me to text him a few times but I refused, I am a woman with pride, and I did not want to feel like I was desperate. He could be viewed as another woman who sought after him because of his money and looks.

Then again the only reason he was coming to mind was because of his money and looks. The man was loaded and he was fine as hell. Although he was not my type I still liked what I saw, and I was sure anybody could say the same. He had this roguish look that most white men did not have, well money did make you look finer. I did not have enough money and I was already a baby girl, imagine me with enough money to afford my taste, sweet combination!

"In your bid to drag me to that place, you are not considering that your rich as fuck family might not want to see you hanging around people like me." I pointed at myself.

Michelle rolled her eyes as if she did not care. She sat up in her bed, her eyes distant as if she was thinking about something. Her eyes suddenly shifted and rested on my body.

"You look good as fuck in that dress, did you rent this one?"

No, I did not but I did not know how to tell Michelle that Frederick gave it to me. I did not want it to sound somehow, after all, he was my boss' boss' son. It would look somehow surely. Besides, Michelle was also working in Solem Books, she might be looking at me somehow, if I tell her.

"Yeah..." shit! I hated lying, I did not know how to lie very well, if it was up to me, I would never lie. In this situation, I felt like I had no choice but to do so.

"Are you lying, Irene? Your nose is doing that thing again..." Michelle narrowed her eyes.

I turned away from her quickly, shit! Maybe I should have left the gown at home, what was I thinking?! I was too excited to wear it, it was weird as hell.

Michelle turned me around, I did not even hear when she stood or walked toward me. Her eyes ran through my body and I looked away from her, not proud of myself for lying.

"There is something you are not telling me!" Michelle narrowed her eyes. She stared at me and I started getting uncomfortable under her gaze. This is why it is annoying to be raised by Nigerian parents! You will not be able to grow up a liar!