I'm glad Ben never left here. I finally caught my breath as I grasped the bodice of the dress. The halls of the mansion were deserted. Everyone is in the restaurant. I wanted to run to the door, but I couldn't leave the island. Continue to live in pain! I can only endure it.
The door to the ballroom opened and I was startled. Candace slipped through the door. I shook my head and raised my hands.
"Look, I don't want to talk," I said.
"I'm not here to talk to you," she said. "I've already tried it."
She walked past me and headed down the hall. I doubt she will go to the restaurant.
I squinted my eyes, trying to find my way back to the platform. I only spotted Ben because he was the only one without a shirt on. He sat on the platform with his elbows on his knees. I sat next to him. He turned his head and looked at me with a smile. I raised my eyebrows at how inappropriate it looked.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked.
"Yes," I said.
He reached out and cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. His smile softened.
"I love you." He said it so quietly that only I heard it. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly. "Everything's going to be okay." The ballroom door opened and I pulled Ben's hand from my face. I stood up and smoothed my skirt. Leta comes in. She walked through the crowd and came to us.
This time it was a serious expression.
"Benjamin and Diana, you come with me," she said.
"Where are we going?" Ben asked.
"Dr. Alexander wants to talk to you," she said. "Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Phillips are already there."
The dress seemed to crush my ribs again and took my breath away.
That's it.
Oliver wants to sell me.
Ben put his hand on my shoulder and nodded. We followed Lita as she led us through the house. We remained silent, the only sound in the air being the sound of Lita's sandals on the floor. She stopped outside a mahogany door. She knocked on the door and looked inside. She opened the door wider.
Gregory sat behind a heavy wooden desk. Candace sat on the table. She crossed her legs and leaned toward Gregory. Oliver and Bethany stood across from them.
"Thank you, Lita," said Gregory. "you can go now."
Leta bowed before exiting the office. I let out a shaky breath and looked at Ben.
"Now, Oliver," said Gregory. "First of all I want to say that I am absolutely amazed by Princess Diana. You achieved something that I thought I would never see."
"Thank you, sir," said Oliver. "However, something caught my attention," he said. "I need to trust my subjects, but I have a feeling I can't trust Diana."
Gregory turned his computer screen towards us. Before I could see anything I heard a cry. His computer screen was big enough for me to see the video clearly. I lay naked on top of Ben as he grabbed mine.
There are cameras in our room. They can see what Ben and I did last night.
Heat rushes to my cheeks. I buried my face in my hands. I can't watch Oliver.
"I'm sorry," Oliver said. His voice was trembling. "I didn't know this was going to happen."
"I warned you how close they looked," Gregory said. "But don't worry, Oliver. Your hard work won't be erased because of Diana's stupid mistake. You're accepted, but I don't want to buy her."
I wish I could feel lighter, but the video keeps playing and I cringe at the mingling of our cheers.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Oliver said.
"Diana was so new to me for this," Gregory said. "I did expect more from Ben. "
"I'm sorry, sir," Ben said. "I didn't think much of it."
"We're leaving tonight," Bethany said. "Excuse me, can we keep this a secret?"
Gregory nodded.
"You can go if you want," he said. “I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me next year.”
"I can't wait either," Oliver said.
"Thank you, Dr. Alexander," Bethany said.
I looked up from my hands and saw Bethany pulling Oliver out of the office. Candace shook her head. Ben grabbed the crook of my elbow and led me out to the hallway.
Bethany rushed down the hall. Oliver hurried to keep up with her.
"Beth, it's okay," he said.
She turned on her heels. I didn't realize she had a glass of champagne in her hand until she tossed it to Oliver. As soon as he dodged, the glass hit the wall and shattered. Bethenny's face flushed and her jaw clenched.
"Are you kidding me?" she said. "That's not okay!" "You're right," he said. "Ben took advantage of Diana."
"No, he didn't," she said. "You fucking little bitch jumped on him."
Oliver grabbed Bethany's shoulders. She tried to shake him off, but his grip tightened.
"Don't call her that," Oliver said.
"You're sick, Oliver," she said, continuing to resist his grasp. "You're jealous Ben. You just wish you could do this to Diana. That's why you don't want to sell her." Oliver turned around and threw Bethany against the wall. She fell to the ground. I looked around and was surprised that no one came out after hearing their screams. Gregory must have a camera and he must be watching this. Ben grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.
"We're going to pack our bags," Ben said.
"No," said Oliver. "I don't want you anywhere near her."
Oliver grabbed my other arm and pulled me away from Ben. He looked down at Bethenny. Her face was still red and her chest was still heaving.
"Beth, I suggest you get Ben and yourself in order," he said. "We'll leave this for the island in an hour."
Oliver pulled me across the hall. I tripped over my skirt, but Oliver grabbed my other arm and stood me up. I looked back and saw Ben helping Bethany off the floor. She threw her arms around Ben and cried in his arms.
I had such trouble wearing this dress that I tripped while trying to keep up with Oliver. He quickly had me in a locked wing and threw me into the room. He took my suitcase out of the closet and started loading it with clothes. He threw one of the clothes to me.
"Go get changed," he told me. I nodded and turned to the bathroom.
"Wait, Diana," he said.
Before I could turn around, Oliver had ripped the ribbon off the back of my bodice. I gritted my teeth as he pulled out the barrettes that held my hair up. The curls Candace had done this morning fell over my shoulders.
"Okay, now go get changed," he said.
I grabbed the bodice of my dress and walked into the bathroom. I changed into a sundress. I walked out of the bathroom and Oliver took the dress off of me. . He stuffed it into his suitcase and zipped it up. I saw my jacket and shoes on the bed. I put them on and I felt less nervous. I've been enveloped in some familiar feeling of coming home.
"Come on," he said.
I followed him as he walked toward the front hall. Ben was already standing next to his suitcase. I could hear faint music coming from the ballroom.
"Wait here a minute," said Oliver. "Keep your distance from each other."
We waited and watched Oliver ascend one of the stairs. With Oliver out of sight, I ran towards Ben. I put my arms around his neck and smiled.
"We need to get out of here," I said.
"We are," Ben said. He kissed the side of my temple. "I like this, but we have to be careful."
I left Ben. He grabbed my chin and pulled me in for a kiss before letting go. I had to step back. All thanks to Ben?
Minutes passed before we heard footsteps. Bethany was coming down the steps. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater. Her makeup was wiped off and her hair was tied back. Oliver stood behind her holding their two suitcases. She scoffed at the sight of us. I hate it but also feel happy inside!
"You left them alone together?" she asked. "Tell the truth, Oliver."
"What do you want me to do?" he asked.
"I just want you to stop being an idiot."
Oliver rolled his eyes as he walked past us. Malik was waiting for us in his car outside. As Bethenny got into the passenger seat, he put our luggage in the trunk. Oliver, Ben and I got into the back seat. I was squeezed in between them. Oliver took my glasses out of his pocket.
We all sat in silence as Malik drove us out of the house.
