Victorian Academy

Take The Bait

My Crown is not invisible. I'm going to make you see it, feel it and remember it

STEPHANIE LANCE

"Qavena." Her voice sweet and light, making her gag in the inside at the kind gesture. Turning around, Steph saw her father's latest and might be the last conquest for the hour, come toward her, sashaying in her right gold, off-the shoulder Neiman Marcus gown. Her long curly black hair straightened to perfection. (Due to her makeup artist and hair stylist, her father let work their way of fixing her face).

"Your father is looking for you." She stated stopping a few feet away from her." There is about to be an announcement, come darling." She told her smiling innocently.

This hoe.

Steph had the urge to take a glass of wine and dump the remains on this whore but kept herself calm. For now. Before she could say anything to her, Qavena suddenly turned to Aaron as if just now nothing him. Pity.

"Aaron darling," She said eyeing the handsome boy while choking back on memories. "How are you and your father these days..?" Almost as if hesitating to ask, but clearly did anyway. Her light brown eyes leeches into his.

"Couldn't be any better." He drawled out as if the woman was slow.

Sad.

She still couldn't keep her legs closed even if the world went bankrupt and no one had money.

Qavena winced at his time and the impact of his words. She looked back at Steph.

Stephanie rolled her eyes at Qavena's behavior, but decided to go with her. She gave Aaron a small smile before walking away with Qavena at her heels.

Soothing music erupted from the middle of the room as Justin and Amelia White walked out from the brown double doors, across the room.

Steph gazed at Amelia with jealousy but admired the way she had this glowing aurora around her. Pregnant perhaps? The gorgeous wife of Justin White was pregnant? She guessed and assumed for when she saw Amelia place her hand on her flat stomach of her dark red Trumpet mermaid, off the shoulder train lace evening dress. The fabric of the gown gorgeous as if it was made from rose petals alone. Her long clamps hair up in a swift low bun with loose hairs out of place. Nevertheless, still managing to somehow be gorgeous at the same time.

Her thoughts roamed with jealousy until she appeared before her father, who was gazing at the beautiful woman she just got done feeling some type of jealousy act about. By that time the large room was wiped from the chattering and laughter and dept with whispers of the lovely couple.

Justin White took the opportunity to make a toast, raising his wine glass along with several other people, she couldn't even remember who they were, smiled.

"To my beautiful wife, my friend, love of my life, Amelia. For always standing by me, even at my worst moments in life." He went on, but Steph ended up drowning him out, loss in her own thoughts as she looked upon the couple.

"I heard he cheated on her with a model from New york, on a business trip." She heard Alex's voice whisper out next to her, snapping her back into reality.

Stephanie looked over at her as Alex took long dips of her full glass of red wine. "No cham-"

"Was a no go." Alex said cutting her off. "But for me, this is the next best thing." She said holding it up while tipping her head towards Stephs direction.

Stephanie laughed softly, trying hard not to bring attention their way. Her father was already side eyeing her with a hint of disapproval. But for right now she could have cared less.

"Enjoy your evening." Justin said as he finished his boring speech and claps erupted from around the room. As the couple took their seats at the head of the table and others scrambled to find theirs.

************

The chandeliers were gorgeous, with gold and silver candles above their heads, Stephanie thought as she say in her assigned seat. Alex was across from her.

Soft music was playing in the distance as she looked over the small proportions of her lemon seasoned chicken breast, with a side of cheese garlic mashed potatoes and long seasoned green beans.

She picked up her fork and dived it into the chicken first. Her stomach growling at the sight of the food touched to perfection. Making her cheeks flush hoping no one heard her, but it seems as if everyone was in their own little world.

The chicken was delicious.

She closed her eyes, imaging and savoring the taste for a second before diving into her meal. She opened her eyes glancing over at Qavena who hadn't touched her food. Rolling her eyes in disbelief at her small skinny waist and arms.

Like the food was going to kill her by adding a pound of two.

That's when Qavena turned over at her, looking over at her and her meal. Steph could feel a heart burn coming along with a burning distaste from the woman. "Slow down darling the food isn't going anywhere."

"Did I ask for your opinion on how I eat my food?" Stephanie narrowed her eyes at her.

***********

ALICIA WHITE slowly made her way into the dining roon. Guests were already seated, eating the lovely lemon chicken the chief had prepared. She smirked as she saw a girl her she in a light pink dress stuff her face.

It's sad the way people react to good these days. She thought as she looked over the women next to her. Though she could at least gain a pound or two, with her bones becoming known through her skin of her off the shoulder gown.

she found her parents sitting, eating and talking with people who didn't catch her interest. She found her seat next to her mother who looked a bit pale tonight. Her hand on her stomach. Again.

"Alicia, you look gorgeous, just like your mother." A man seated on my right turned toward me with dark brown wavy collar bone hair and piercing dark blue eyed stated, giving her a warm smile.

"I suppose so." What she really wanted to say was did she give you permission to talk, to her. But held her tongue and instead turned away from his gaze, looking over the sea of people.

Her gaze rested on the girl stuffing her face. Now she was glaring at the bone-like woman. She picked her glossy shined lips slightly. She could almost drink in the drama arising between the two. Reaching out to take a sip of her wine, her eyes glistened, as she saw them through her glass.

There goes her bitter embarrassment.

Now for the bait.