Coming Home

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

At last the evening of the ball had arrived, and the servants were all bustling excitedly with energy. Last minute plans were made as everyone got ready.

Anne helped Maggie get into her beautiful dress, zipping it closed for her. She then got to work on applying some light make-up to make her eyes appear even bluer then they were.

When she was finally done with everything, Maggie turned towards the mirror. A transformed girl stared back at her. Her eyes widened as she took a look at herself.

Anne smiled proudly at her work and a tear nearly rolled out as she sighed. "You are so beautiful and stunning." Anne said with a wistful look.

"Thank you again, Anne, for your help today," Maggie replied and suddenly found herself hugging Anne. The other girl was shocked, but lightly squeezed Maggie back.

Soon guests started to arrive and Luke came upstairs to her room, to collect her. When the door opened and he saw the striking Maggie, his jaw almost dropped open. He stood there for a few moments, speechless; out of his mind.

Maggie shyly smiled. "Do you think I'll do okay?" She asked hesitantly.

Luke gave her an incredulous look before he grinned. "Maggie you will do more than okay! You will be the most gorgeous and beautiful woman there tonight." He boldly swept his gaze over her before he offered her his arm with a wink.

Maggie blushed at his playful manner, but then gave him her arm and they walked towards the ballroom together.

As soon as they opened the brown double doors, all of the guests' attention moved to them. They were the center of attention and Maggie wished the floor would eat her up. But after a few silent moments the chatters began anew, and with relief she saw that barely anyone was still staring at her.

Uncle Earl smiled proudly, pleased with himself about how things had turned out. He took Maggie's arm from Luke and shooed the young man away while he started introducing her to some of the guests.

Maggie was surprised to find herself having an enjoyable evening even though she was lost in the shuffle of the many people. Jason soon arrived and entertained her with stories about his childhood with Luke. They had always been close friends and they had known each other for quite a while. The two boys had done everything together and the lively Jason loved telling her some of their antics.

A half hour or so later, Kristine arrived, entering the ballroom with a flourish.

"I see you blushing." Maggie whispered to Kristine when she was introduced to Jason.

"Yeah, and you're so totally not blushing." Kristine fired back with a smirk in Luke's direction, who was walking towards them, to join their group.

"I am not." She muttered as a traitorous glow started to grow on her cheeks.

Kristine grinned knowingly at her, obviously not buying it. "Uh-huh. It's so good to see you drooling over a guy. This is the part where you are supposed to tell me exactly what is going on between you and Mr. Superhot." She continued over the protests of Maggie.

"No this is the part where you mind your own business!" Maggie answered back, sounding like an irritated mom. Kristine only raised one of her eye brows and giggled knowingly.

"What are you girls whispering about?" Luke and Jason soon wanted to know.

"Nothing," Maggie quickly replied before Kristine could say anything.

The rest of the evening went along as well as Maggie could have hoped. The guests chatted and talked amongst themselves. Lots of them were introduced to her and they mingled around. She could hardly keep track of everyone, but once in a while she saw a familiar face.

Things were flowing smoothly and time was flying, until suddenly a pair was introduced to her. Luke had gone away to get them some drinks, leaving Jason and Kristine, behind with Maggie.

Jason smiled warmly at the older couple that was now standing in front of her and introduced them as the well-known Mr. and Mrs. Denton.

"I'm very honored that you came to this ball and I can finally get to know you better." Maggie started to say, but Mrs. Denton interrupted her with an exclamation.

"Oh dear, we couldn't resist coming here after hearing so much about you from Luke. He has been going on and on about you." She took Maggie's hands in her own and continued, "We had to see for ourselves if you are who Luke has said you are. But our son has not said even half of what a wonderful and gorgeous lady you are!"

Maggie stared at the gray-haired couple for a few seconds before she shook herself out of her shock.

"Luke is your son?!?" she nearly yelped.

"Yes dear, yes he is. He hasn't told you?" Mrs. Denton asked surprised glancing at

Jason.

"No he hasn't told me about that. He must have forgotten to mention it." Maggie slowly backed away from them. "l-l have to go...refresh myself..." she told the surprised group.

"I'll be right back." she told Kristine with a shocked look on her face and then whirled around and briskly walked to the washroom.

But a few feet before she was about to leave the ball room, a warm voice asked her, "Hey where are you off to so fast?"

Whirling around Maggie faced Luke with furious look.

"How could you do this to me?" She hissed.

"Do what to you?" He asked taken aback.

"Why didn't you tell me that you are the, Stinking. Rich. Luke Denton?! You lied to me! You pretended to be this poor guy who only works for Uncle Earl! You never told me that you are almost as rich as Uncle Earl himself!" enraged she tried taking a step back, but Luke held onto her elbow.

"I never lied to you Maggie. I didn't want to scare you away from me, that's why I have never mentioned who my parents are to you." His pleading green eyes bored into her own blue ones, but she refused to accept the apology she saw in his.

"No. You lied to me. You made me trust you and believe in yourself." Outraged she tried to pull her arm back from him. But his grip was still strong enough. Exasperated she elbowed him hard into his side, making him drop his arms with a moan.

"Don't touch me." Were her last words before she stalked away from him.

Suddenly Uncle Earl tapped on a glass, trying to quiet everyone down. As soon as the noise had settled, he started to speak.

"I have an announcement to make today. As all of you guys know, we are gathered here today, in honor of our dear Magdalena. I have grown to love this girl from the bottom of my heart and she has become like my own daughter. Today I'd like to announce that I have decided to pass on everything that I own, including all the businesses that work under me, to Magdalena. Things have been made legal and we just need our girl's signature to make everything final."