Chapter 2 So What?

Rebecca's POV

The moment I showed my panic, satisfaction flickered across Daphne's face.

She lifted her chin, her tone cutting, "Well, well, some people just can't figure out where they belong, can they? How embarrassing."

She spotted Everett beside me. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately moved to loop her arm through his, "Everett, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

I stared at their intimate gesture, my body going rigid.

So they'd already gotten this close?

Daphne turned back to look at me, her gaze full of challenge, "Why are you still standing there? Are you deliberately blocking the entrance, getting in everyone's way?"

She seemed to suddenly realize something, her tone carrying a note of excitement, "Oh, I get it. You're trying to catch some kind soul at the door to sneak you in, right?"

"How pathetic. Whoever catches your eye is in for a world of trouble." She put on a fake sympathetic expression and even made a theatrical gesture of pity.

Shame washed over me. My face burned, my fingers gripping my dress so tightly the fabric bunched in my fists.

Everett understood the humiliation in her words too. He pulled his arm free from Daphne's grip, "Don't talk about my girlfriend that way. Even if she didn't have an invitation today, I'd still bring her in."

Daphne laughed even harder, her eyes full of mockery, "Oh, Rebecca, my mistake. So you've already found Everett as your meal ticket. But you look like the type who only knows how to trade on their looks."

"Enough!" Everett's tone turned sharp, and the laughter around us finally died down.

He took my hand and led me into the banquet hall.

I looked at our joined hands, a strange bitterness rising inside me, like something had gently twisted in my chest.

Daphne stood behind us, furious, her voice carrying, "How pathetic. She thinks that by clinging to Everett, she can stand on the same level as us?"

"Someone like her will never cross that line."

As soon as she finished speaking, someone immediately chimed in, "Exactly. Seeing people like that really turns your stomach."

Those mocking words chased after us, pressing against my back like a weight.

Everett noticed how cold my hand had gone. He stopped walking, "Rebecca, don't listen to them. You are who you are."

I slowly looked up at him, "Everett, I know you. If you hadn't allowed it, they wouldn't have had the chance to get close to you, much less keep hanging around you, right?"

He nodded slightly, "Yes, but so what?"

I held his gaze, "What if I told you that back in school, she treated me the same way? That she humiliated me?"

"She deliberately dumped food on my head, drenched me with dirty water in the bathroom, and ruined my dress to embarrass me in front of the whole school. Do you still think it's nothing?"

Everett reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle, "It's all in the past. Can't you just let it go?"

I lowered my eyes. Everett had always been like this. He could always brush everything aside with one sentence, as if wiping away both the awkwardness and the pain.

But I loved him, didn't I?

No matter how he got along with others, in the end he always came back to me.

I looked at his handsome face. After all these years, time seemed to have left no mark on him.

Back then, I was the only one in his eyes. Later I discovered his true identity.

He wasn't the reckless young man I'd thought he was. He was thoroughly upper class, able to navigate any social situation with ease.

More importantly, he never lacked for female attention.

There were always girls circling him. Every time I saw him surrounded by admirers, the scene made my chest tighten.

But he could always spot me quickly, then give me a reassuring look before making his way toward me through the crowd.

That's right, he loved me. His attention would always eventually return to me.

Maybe too much had happened recently, making me foolish enough to doubt his sincerity.

Everett lowered his head and kissed my forehead, "Darling, it's your turn to perform. Stop thinking about them and just be yourself, okay?"

I looked up at the stage I'd been anticipating for so long. I walked up step by step. Everett behind me was quickly swallowed by the crowd, and I could no longer see him.

I placed my hands on the piano keys. The noise around me seemed to fade, leaving only the flowing music spreading through the air.

When the piece ended, I looked down at the audience. Many people had treated my performance as mere background music for their conversations. I was used to this by now.

I searched the crowd for Everett. Wasn't he supposed to be watching me the whole time, ready to give me the first applause?

"Miss, you should bow now."

Frederick Thomas, wearing a dark blue suit, stood close to the stage. His face carried an impeccable smile, as if that commanding statement hadn't just come from him.

I bowed gracefully. Clear applause reached my ears.

The one clapping was Frederick. He looked at me, his tone warm, "Miss, your music is as enchanting as you are."

The compliment caught me off guard. I bowed to him again.

Frederick extended his hand, helping me down from the stage with perfect courtesy, "Miss, I wonder if I might have the honor of taking you to dinner?"

"Of course, if there's an opportunity."

Everett pushed through the crowd. He hurried to my side, "Oh, baby, you were incredible."

Something flickered through me. He was just as I'd thought.

No matter what, he would eventually come to me. He still loved me.

He just wasn't by my side immediately. That was okay, as long as he loved me.

Frederick glanced between us and tactfully withdrew.

Only Everett and I remained in this cleared space. He pulled me into an excited hug, kissing my forehead repeatedly.

"Darling, I have really big news. You're going to be so happy when you hear it."

I patted his shoulder, signaling him to let go first, "Really?"

I tapped his nose with my finger, a slight smile on my face, "Then tell me. I'd like to hear what could make me so happy."

Everett kissed the corner of my mouth, then leaned close to my ear, lowering his voice, "My parents heard about our relationship. They said they want to meet you."

"Meet who?"

I froze. This was the first time I'd heard his parents express any specific attitude about us.

"You, of course!" Everett held my hand excitedly, "Darling, you must be as thrilled as I am."

Of course I was thrilled, but I was also confused. Why did his parents suddenly want to meet me?

Everett saw my unease and pulled me into his arms.

"Don't worry, darling. They must want to see how amazing you are in person. That's why they're asking. And they also said they have a surprise for us."

A surprise?

There hadn't been many truly good surprises in my life. More often, there were unpleasant memories.

I forced a smile and asked, "Darling, did they say when we'd meet?"