A couple of days of Sam being mine go by and it's Prom night. Prom night arrived in a whirlwind of forced glamour and tension. The days leading up to it had been a blur. I'd made sure everything was set up perfectly, and that meant Sam had no choice but to come with me. After all, what was a prom queen without her date?
I watched with satisfaction as my maids helped Sam get ready, styling her hair, and slipping her into a soft, delicate dress. She looked every bit as beautiful as I had imagined, and when they were finished, I couldn't resist pulling her close, my lips brushing against her skin as I whispered, "You look so pretty, Sammi."
Sam shivered, her gaze darting anywhere but at me, her face a mixture of fear and helplessness. Her silence was a bitter-sweet thrill. I kissed her cheek again, trailing my lips across her face, feeling her tense in my arms. Her discomfort only deepened my satisfaction, knowing she was here, looking perfect just for me.
Unfortunately, appearances had to be kept, which meant I was forced to go to prom with Jake. As much as I despised the act, it was necessary, if only to keep everyone else oblivious to the truth. I made sure Sam arrived separately, dropped off by one of the butlers at the school ballroom. When I finally arrived with Jake, I immediately scanned the room until I spotted her, sitting alone at one of the tables with a glass of water in her hand, looking utterly out of place.
The night unfolded predictably. The music thumped, and couples filled the dance floor, but my attention kept drifting back to Sam. She looked so out of place, so vulnerable, surrounded by people who either ignored her or cast mocking glances her way. Some of my friends snickered and made comments about her, as they always did, and I felt a dark thrill knowing I controlled every part of her world.
Then, the highlight of the evening arrived. The faculty member stepped up to the microphone, announcing the prom king and queen. I could feel the excitement building, not because I was going to be crowned, but because of what I had orchestrated for Sam. When my name was called, I flashed a dazzling smile, accepting my crown with practiced grace. But then, to everyone's surprise, Sam's name echoed through the ballroom as well.
The crowd murmured in confusion, and I could see the shock and disbelief on Sam's face. She looked horrified, her eyes wide as they searched the room, finally landing on me. I gave her a smug, satisfied smile, knowing that she had no choice but to join me.
As she hesitantly made her way to the front, I could see Jake's bewildered expression. Everyone had expected us to dance together, but I had made sure the rules would bind Sam and me as partners. With a fake pout, I gave Jake an apologetic look, then took Sam's hand in mine, guiding her to the center of the dance floor.
"Smile, Sammi," I whispered, leaning close enough that only she could hear. "This is your moment."
Sam's face was pale, her body stiff as she tried to avoid my gaze. I pulled her closer, placing one hand on her waist, relishing the way her breath quickened as I held her tightly.
The music began, and we swayed together, my smile unwavering. I kept up the pretense of disappointment, pretending to be annoyed that I wasn't dancing with Jake, but in reality, nothing could have made me happier. Sam was mine, here in my arms, right where she belonged.
Around us, whispers filled the air, and I could feel the shock of everyone watching. They hadn't expected this, hadn't known just how far I was willing to go to keep Sam close.
As the song came to an end, I couldn't resist adding one final flourish. Releasing her, I gave her a gentle but sudden shove, sending her stumbling backward. She fell to the floor, her face flushed with embarrassment as laughter erupted around us. Even Jake chuckled, and I shot him a playful grin before moving to take his hand, leaving Sam on the floor, surrounded by mocking eyes.
Sam picked herself up slowly, tears glistening in her eyes as she retreated to the table, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She sat down, barely touching her water, her fingers trembling as she fought to hold back her tears.
I felt Jake's arm wrap around me as we moved back to the dance floor, but my mind was elsewhere. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Sam sitting alone, her face streaked with silent tears. The sight filled me with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
Tonight, she had learned just how much power I held over her. And as the music swirled around us, I knew that this was only the beginning.
