CHAPTER TWO

Friday was my best day of the entire week, considering I didn't have anything else to do besides working on my father's finances.

As I helped my stepmom prepare for her evening with Dad, I was dancing a little bit, anticipating the great night I was going to have.

“You should reduce your excitement,” she warned me with a chuckle, “if your father finds out about your little entertainment, I won't be able to defend you.”

“I'm not doing anything,” I answered quickly with a smile, touching her face with the make-up brush I was using for her.

“Sure you're not. The entire manor can feel your excitement, just like they do every Friday. I feel so torn sometimes. I do understand your father trying to protect you from the outside world but in as much as the world is a cruel place, it's a beautiful one too. You have to experience it a bit.”

“Don't overthink it, Mom. We've been through this, and I completely understand him as well. I hate it, but he works so hard for us, and I keep my mind from spiraling into a dark hole with this. It's a win for everyone so far he never finds out.”

“Hence my warnings. He's always asking what's got you in such high spirits,” she snickered.

I heard the door open and I turned around, our eyes clicking in the mirror as we waited for him to get to the room. I could hear Father's familiar footsteps as he crossed from the sitting room and into where we were, a flower bouquet in hand

His smile faded a bit when he saw me, and I knew that guilt had kicked in again.

I'm the exact replica of my mother and, once upon a time, that used to brighten up his day, but now, it was an instant reminder of what he'd lost five years ago.

“What's got my girls so excited?” He asked as he quickly dropped the bouquet on the vanity table as though it had burned him.

Every romantic act he did for my stepmom was usually out of my sight, he said it made him feel like he was cheating on her so I could understand his sudden shift in demeanor and I quickly finished the makeup with a light lipstick on her, completing the subtle, yet beautiful look on her face and I turned around to head out.

“Carla, here's just saying how much she loves getting me all glammed up since she doesn't get to do that for herself,” she replied to him softly, her eyes echoing a sad smile.

“And she's good at it too. I'm sure everyone understands why it has to be that way, I'll die if anything happens to you and that will mark the end of the Ivanov dynasty. Your stepmom hasn't been able to give me a child so our future as a family is in danger. That's why you have to stay calm, once we're done with the wedding and you give the two families that beautiful baby, you can go anywhere you want. We've discussed this before, princess; what changed?” He asked me, his reminiscing leaving a sad taste in my mouth.

“The wedding is taking too long Papa, I have nothing to do all day but paperwork and wasting away so when you guys get to go out like normal people, I just feel a pang inside but it's okay, we all have to make sacrifices for the family,” I replied almost robotically, once again reminded that my life came second or fifth after the Ivanov dynasty and it's interests.

“I'm sorry we had to shift the wedding forward again, something came up and I just want to make sure you're marrying the most perfect man, nothing less for my perfect daughter,” he held my hand gently, “and you don't have to worry; I'll get you the new Birkin collection before the end of next week. Will that cheer you up?”

I nearly asked him what the use was, I was currently a prisoner in my father's house, only getting one day of the weak to sneak out and be human.

“Yes Papa, thank you. I'll leave you two to finish up,” I told him, giving him a cheerful smile, or at least what I've perfected over the years which always ensured no one asked more questions.

I'm happy as far as that smile is concerned, and everyone can see it; besides, what is there not to be happy about?

Our life was good bar the constant threat to life and Papa’s heart problems.

And hopefully, Micah and I get married soon and I'll be able to install a pole in my own room and do what I love the most besides my family.

Salsa.

I left the two lovebirds alone, genuinely happy father found someone after Mom died, although it was strange that he did after three months.

I got to my room and went to sit by the window, the one-seater couch specifically put there by me so I could look at what was happening in the compound.

Not only did my father insist I become a wallflower, but I wasn't allowed to be downstairs when he had visitors. Hence, my only means of knowing who was coming in or out was this particular spot.

No one would see me watching, but I could see them.

I don't know their names or what they do, and sometimes they get into loud arguments with Papa, and all I could do was watch them drive off.

He never wants to speak to anyone when that happens.

I also used this particular couch every Friday to watch when they were gone so I could begin to get dressed and call my best friend to come pick me up.

Today, it seemed something was holding them up and it made me tense because I didn't want to be late or someone would take my spot at the dance club we always headed to.

It was private, all the dancers wore masks and this increased the adrenaline and excitement of the room.

No one felt judged or insecure, it was purely letting go of everything through dancing.

Finally, I heard the gates open and I looked to see my father drive out of our large compound in his 1961 Jaguar E-type. And I know of that because he won't shut up about it, his obsession with classic, antique cars would make us broke if he wasn't such a successful businessman.

I waited for five minutes, standing up to look as far as my eyes could see outside the estate to make sure they weren't driving back before I turned around to get ready.

He'd caught me in my glittery outfit before now and I wasn't sure I could lie my way out of it again.

My phone rang as I wore my shoes, a pretty pink pair Vivi had gotten for me as a birthday gift three months ago.

“Hey Vi!” I said as I picked up the call, my excitement unrestrained.

“You ready?”

“You bet!”

“Alright then, Rapunzel with the short hair, meet me at the back,” she said, chuckling as she ended the call.

I laughed as well before running downstairs with my bag, ignoring the way that nickname always, like a jab on my chest.

Rapunzel was held in the high tower by a wicked witch and here I am, locked up in a castle that was mine by birthright by my own father.

And I wasn't even allowed to complain about it.

But for the moment, none of that mattered.

Salsa did and I was going out to forget everything else that bothered me.