Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 39740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
The screams and screeches were appreciated, but the questions were what did it for me. “Who? Is this the guy you were in Europe with for the past four summers?”
“Why won’t you let us meet him? This ring is to die for.”
“When are we going to meet him? What was his name again?” That was all I needed her to hear, and I was sure her ears were peeled to what was going on at my table before I shushed my friends and leaned in close to whisper to them.
She could have no idea what I was saying to them, but I’m sure she’d heard the words Italy and summer, and even though she’s not too bright, I bet her mind was working overtime, fitting the pieces together.
Her friends were of no help since they kept staring at me and asking her questions. The staff, which I had been told has been disparaged by her on more than one occasion, were pleasant and cheerful as they served us, and I in return, treated them like humans. And since I don’t surround myself with degenerates, all the people at my table did the same.
Another round of whispers started among the staff, this time, about how different the two of us were, which led to the whispers that she was not, in fact, related to those Sinclairs since my grandparents had been here and claimed me as their only grandchild.
All of this had been planned and orchestrated by me in advance, along with a hefty tip for the staff’s troubles. It pays to be nice to the people who serve you in any capacity, something Lacey never learned because she learned her manners from her mother, who, in my estimation, is a cross between a barracuda and a hyena.
Her friends, who didn’t seem to leave high school behind, were the ones ragging on her, which only intensified her embarrassment. I finally looked over at her and looked her dead in the face. There were no words said, but for someone as dense as she is, I’m pretty sure she got the picture.
There’s a new ‘It’ girl in town, and it’s not you.
LACEY
“I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.”
“Lacey, stop and talk to me. What happened?”
“Mom, it was horrible.”
“What? Didn’t you go to that little bistro you and your friends like? Was there a problem with the food?”
I told her everything. Starting with the disrespect I felt from the staff upon arrival. They know I like that table, I’m the only one who sits there on my day. How could they give it to her?
And why did they show her and her friends so much preferential treatment when I have to practically beg to be noticed? “And get this, my grandparents went there with her the other day and told everyone that she was their only granddaughter.”
“How do you know that? It could be a lie. I don’t think that’s the kind of place your grandmother would go to.”
“It’s the truth; I heard the staff talking and laughing about it. Now, I feel like a fool. How can I ever show my face there again?”
“Calm down, let me think.”
“What’s there to think about? You’ve got to do something. You have to make Dad get them to accept me. I want the things she has; why should she get spoiled by them while I get nothing? Not even a card for my birthday.”
I ran upstairs and tore off the clothes I was wearing. Clothes that were fashionable and in, but not as fashionable as the dress that bitch was wearing. Everyone was going on and on about how beautiful she looked, even my friends, and then there was the ring. She has one that can be seen from across the parking lot while my finger is bare because Grayson claims he wants to have one made.
I had to sit through the laughter of my friends who dared to ask where my ring was and would it compare to hers. I don’t think Grayson could afford something like that right now, but there’s no way he’s getting me anything smaller. Good thing he told me to choose something I like, and he’d have it made.
But hers has sentiment as well from our family. I’d asked Mom about it that day Lily came over here to show off, and she’d told me all about the history. What’s worse, my own mother had wanted that ring and my grandparents had said no.
I fought back the tears that had been falling since I left the bistro. I never wanted a day like today to happen. I felt humiliated in front of my friends. For the first time, someone else was the center of attention when that has always been my spot.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the fact that her friends and mine kept fawning over her, there seemed to be other people discretely asking the staff who she was. Everyone’s attention was on that bitch, and she knew it too.