Another Elite (Book 2 of Selection fanfics)

Chapter 10

"This color will look lovely with your dress tonight." Beth commented as she painted my nails a pale pink.

I sat on the edge of my bed, wrapped in a fluffy robe, while my maids prepped me for the Report tonight. There wouldn't be any interviews tonight, but they still insisted on readying me up as if I would have the spotlight on me.

I still hadn't seen my dress; I only knew that the girls had called it their best creation yet and insisted on making it a surprise.

"So, when do I get to see it?" I looked up as Beth capped the bottle of polish and began applying light brushes of makeup to my face.

"When we put it on you! Now hold still." Elisa chided as she pulled my hair into an elaborate updo.

I giggled but did what I was told. They had been looking forward to tonight for a while now; they loved dressing me up for Reports.

"Alright, you're done. Now stay there and close your eyes!" Cora squealed as she rushed into the closet to find the dress.

I closed my eyes, waiting to hear a zipper and my maids guiding me as they helped me pull on the dress.

Instead, I was met with a shriek.

My eyes burst open to see Cora holding a tattered and ripped teal dress. Ruined pieces of pink and teal fabric fell to the floor, the entire dress following soon after. My maids--my friends--hard work had been destroyed.

"Who would do this?" Beth exclaimed as Elisa comforted Cora, who had begun to tear up.

I walked over, fingering the shredded pieces of fabric lying on the floor. "I don't know..."

Suddenly, my door was flung open to reveal Liana and a group of young women. Their eyes were red; Liana looked furious.

"Don't tell me yours was ruined too." She stared at me, face red with anger.

I motioned to the tattered heap. "Look for yourself."

Liana began to pace. "This had to be Samuele. I bet that ass thought it would be funny to ruin our dresses."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why would he do that?"

"To embarrass us! To ruin our chances with Derek!" Liana stopped, arms motioning wildly.

"Sorry Lia, but I doubt that," I shook my head. "It was probably one of the other girls."

"But who?" Liana sighed exasperatedly. I only shrugged, not sure either.

Liana groaned, sitting down on my bed. "I have nothing else to wear. I can't show up in a day dress."

"I'm sure we can find something." Elisa hopped up before rushing into the closet. "You two are similar enough in size."

She came back out holding two dresses, both simple but elegant enough that they would work. Soon, I was outfitted in a shimmering navy dress and Liana in a sleek flowered one. After being shoved out of the room by our maids, we quickly found our seats and the Report began.

I was sandwiched between Liana and one of the other girls in the back row of the stage. Tonight's Report focused on the visiting Italians rather than us, so we would be sitting here for quite a while.

I looked over to where Samuele was sitting; he was between Derek's sister Marlee and his own sister, Gabriela. While their parents discussed relations with Gavril Fadaye, he and Derek were whispering and laughing with the little princesses. While I watched the sweet interaction, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. Though he'd interrupted Derek and I, I didn't think he would stoop to ruining our dresses.