“You know them?” I’m surprised, although I shouldn’t be given where we live. They may seem like average people, but the Godleys have a much larger home than we do.
“Yes, we used to vacation with the Prince family when my boys were younger, but we only meet at the country club now.”
“So you know that they are close with my stepmother.”
“Close to your stepmother? I didn’t even know that they knew each other until this morning. Suddenly everyone around your house made a ruckus as they prepared for the party. For an elegant home, they didn’t build the walls so well. Their cackling screams and rage were loud.” We did have a wonderful three-story home with six bedrooms; stately looking, but inside, it’s pure hell.
I tell her what happened and sigh, “Well, if his mother is willing to do that to me today, she’s willing to stop at nothing to keep me from Edward.”
“And you think that’s enough to stop him? I know that young man. He’s as straight as an arrow. He’s always been a good boy.”
“We’ve only known each other a couple of days. She’s had her claws in him his whole life. Do you think he’d pick me over his mother?”
“You need to have more faith. Besides, I may be old, but I’m not blind. I was there at the hospital. It was like cupid shot the sweet Prince right in his ass.”
“Thank you. I just don’t know what I’m going to do now.”
“Well, how about you get your things from your father’s home and then you can stay at my house until your prince comes for you.”
“You believe he’s going to come for me?”
“You should believe in it too.”
“I can’t have my hopes up. I’ve already gone too far and fallen in love with him.”
“Well, then, let’s just talk about something else. What do you want to do with your life?”
“I don’t know. I hadn’t gotten that far when Edward swept me off my feet, promising me forever.” I hop out of the car and find the spare key that I hid for myself just in case they stole my keys again. The house looks like a tornado struck it and by the time I find my bag, I go in my room and most of my things have been smashed, including the picture of my parents before my mother’s death. I pack what I can and rush out of the house before they come back. Mrs. Godley is waiting for me, but as I pull on the handle of the car, another vehicle pulls up. It’s not one I recognize.
Chapter 9
Edward
A sinking feeling hits me when I can’t find my father around the house. He’s not anywhere she said. A woman I’ve never met starts clinging to me. “Edward, it’s so good to see you. I think we need to go find a private room to spend some time alone, if you know what I mean?” She winks at me.
“I know what you mean, but I’m engaged and most definitely not interested.” I’ve had those offers for years from almost every single female my mother paraded around me, including some of her friends. I can tell she’s been drinking, so I hand her over to the security around the room and go to find Ella. God only knows what my mother has said to her. I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone.
When I find my mother, she’s standing around a group of women, and none of them are my Princess. “Mother, where’s Ella?”
“She went to the powder room.” Nodding, I know which one she would have sent her to. I stand outside the bathroom, waiting. It’s a multi-stalled restroom strictly for parties, so I wait. One lady exits and blushes as she moves down the hall. The next one comes out and I ask, “Is there anyone else in the bathroom?”
“No.”
“What?” I storm into the bathroom and check for myself. She’s not in there, so I make a beeline to the family bathrooms. One after the other, she’s nowhere to be found. Every second that passes, I’m getting more and more pissed at my mother and with Ella. If she left, I’m going to bring her over my knee and remind her that I’m fucking for real.
When I get back downstairs, my mother is missing from her previous pedestal with all her sycophant friends glowing around her. I forget the foot search and head to the guard shack. As soon as he sees me, Stanley waves me over and points to the video. “Sir, I heard you ask about the woman you brought with you. I saw her leave ten minutes ago, running down the driveway.”
“Son of a bitch. Where’s the fastest car?”
“Here’s your dad’s Porsche.” He hands me the keys.
“You’re a good man, Stanley. Don’t let anyone tell you different. If that hag of a mother of mine comes looking, tell her you don’t know where I went.”
“You got it.” He walks away to patrol the perimeter. We’re not a target at the moment, but when you have a bunch of rich elitists around, they become a wealthy cash grab. I drive out of the estate like a bat out of hell, hoping to find my love still walking. I pray that some creep didn’t pick her up, but that’s when my phone rings.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Is this Edward?”
“Mrs. Godley?”
“Yes. You remember me. Anyway, I’m not calling for me. I gave your little Cinderella a ride home from the ball. She’s going to be staying with me. Their house is next to mine.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“I’m on my way.” I owe that woman so much. I remember she was the one who brought her to the hospital for me. I’ve known her most of my childhood and parts of my teenage years. She’s one of my mother’s decent friends, although that’s probably why they grew apart.
I spot Ella coming out of a house with a duffle bag, going toward a car. She’s not going anywhere without me. I’ll be damned if she thinks that she can just leave me. I jump out of the vehicle as soon as it’s in park and rush over to her.
“Edward, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“The better question is why the fuck did you leave me?”
“Edward, please don’t. I’m not good enough for you or your family.” Tears stream down her perfect face, staining it while breaking my heart.
“You’re perfect for me, Ella. I told you I wasn’t a momma’s boy. I’m not ever going to speak to that woman again after what she pulled tonight.”
“So are you engaged to the woman clinging to you?”
“What? Are you silly? I don’t know what that bitch told you, but I didn’t even know that dumb drunk woman. I shrugged her off of me and handed her to security. My mother told me you were in the bathroom, so I waited and searched. Ella, I know it’s soon, but I love you so much and I can’t live without you. Please don’t let her get in the way.”
“She hates me and made sure to invite my stepmother and stepsisters to the party. That girl clinging to you was the one who pushed me into the glass.”
“What? If I’d known it then, I would have called the cops right on the spot.” I’m ready to call the cops anyway. The thought that she’d been that close to Ella drives me insane.
“Well, if you two don’t need me, I have to check on Mr. Godley.”