Wanting My Step-Daddy

IVY

I hate this.

I hated this so much. The fake smiles, hypocritical chatter, the snide glances people threw over their shoulders when they thought no one was watching-it all crawled under my skin. Everything here grated at my nerves, boiling my anger. I shouldn't have been there. I didn't even know why I had let my mother talk me into coming.

Yes, my mother-Clarissa Hart. One of the most revered women in modern high society. After the tragic fallout with my late father, she rebranded herself as a philanthropist. She advocated for orphans and widows, using her personal tragedy as a stepping stone to fame. At least, that was the story she told the world.

She stood now with a group of well-dressed people, having what I would assume to be a conversation while sipping sparkling champagne. Except it's not. That clique are like a group of vultures ready to devour each other at the slightest chance. I wonder why she's still with them. A bunch of rich hyprocites. Throwing a glance over my shoulders, I notice the group of men who are standing together and are pointedly staring at me, perhaps wondering who I am.

I scoffed, completely ignoring them and focusing on the glass of wine in my hands. Twirling it slightly, I take a sip and look around, disgruntled. I should probably get out of here, but my mother won't let me hear the end of it, especially since I've been avoiding her ever since I touched down in Vegas.

Finally, she slips away from the group, sashaying her way towards my table, her bleached blonde hair flying around. She smile she put on for other guests drops slightly the moment she laid her eyes on me and I clenched my jaw, looking away. Most daughters would be happy to see their mother after years of being away. I am not.

"For a moment there, I thought you won't be coming. I looked everywhere for you." She says as she sat next to me, her honey-gold eyes filled with barely concealed malice. Clarissa Hart was a very beautiful woman who had kept up with her appearance with various cosmetic modifications. So even though she was advanced in age, she didn't look a day over twenty-five. It was sickening to see.

"Did you really? I remember sending you a text that I would arrive late." I muttered, picking out my phone and checking the message. "You haven't read it yet."

"As you can see, I've been busy talking with guests. I didn't expect this amount of crowd tonight." She said as she looked around, throwing a few smiles here and there. I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"Cut to the chase mother, why did you drag me all the way from New York? I was doing perfectly fine there."

"Drowning in debt and being chased by the paparazzi with your recent scandal with a married actor? Of course, you were doing fine." She seethed and my face flushed in embarrassment. That was exactly how she manipulated me into coming. If not, I would be staying far away from this woman.

"Anyway, why don't you sit and enjoy the party? I would be making an announcement soon and thereafter we can talk. Maybe you'll be able to meet a nice man that might help turn your deplorable life around." She said and before I got the chance to respond, stood to her feet and made her way to the podium, leaving me seething in rage.

Accepting a microphone from a nearby attendant, she turned to the hall and cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention as she began to speak."Hello, everyone! Thank you for coming to tonight's fundraiser. I'm happy to say we've raised over ten million dollars for families displaced by the recent wildfires."

The crowd erupted in applause.

I gripped my wine glass tightly, nearly shattering it. That money wasn't going to any families. It was going straight into her pocket.

"And I have one more announcement," she said. "I'm engaged to the newest love of my life, Julian Ashford. He isn't here tonight, but he asked me to send my regards to everyone of you. Once again, this young woman, if I'm allowed to call myself that, is off the market!" She said and the cheers grew even louder.

My eyes widened in shock and I saw the glint in hers when she noticed it. So, that's what this is about? No wonder she was so adamant for me to come to this party. She wanted to rub it all over my face that she would be remarrying?! If pettiness had a persona, it would be my mother!

She waited until the cheers died down before giving more announcement that I didn't pay any attention to, before making her way towards me. "Congratulations... " I began once she was between earshot. "I didn't know men were still interested in a raggedly woman like you."

"Oh, I'm not raggedly. I see my reflection in the mirror everyday. We could pass at sisters." She said and I almost lunged at her, determined to tear her hair off her scalp. "Anyway, you should be happy for me. I'm finally going to get rid of the curse that is your father's name. And you better behave well during this period, unless there's nothing stopping me from giving you off to one of my sponsors. They would appreciate the gift." She sneered, her sweet voice dripping with poisonous venom.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall, glaring at her. She only giggled, picking up my half-finshed wine of glass and emptying it in her mouth. Then, she walked away to meet a throng of well-wishers who immediately rallied around her, congratulating her.

I tried to hold back my tears, but it didn't work out. They ran down my cheeks as I stared at the woman that should have been my supporter become my greatest enemy. Shooting to my feet, I blindly raced out the hall, heading straight to the to the elevator and riding to the ground floor. By the time I came to myself, I was already at a bar next to the high-rise building where the party was holding, gulping down shots of whiskey and getting very drunk.

"What is a beautiful lady like you doing all alone here?" A voice spoke, and when I turned around, it was to a man in a coat, staring down at me with concern in his eyes. He looked breathtakingly handsome, but the grey in his hair told me he was a much older man. He smelled of sandalwood and citrus, refined yet.

"I'm having a bad day, do you mind?" I tried to snap, but it came out as a slur instead. I was seated opposite the bartender, slouched and hugging another shot of whiskey to my chest. He sat next to me.

"Lover's quarrel?"

"More like mother and daughter," I muttered, hiccuping.

"Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize, it's not your fault. I should have stayed in New York. At least I won't be embarrassed like this and I wouldn't have to see her face." I rambled on, glowering at my glass. "What else is she going to make me do? Live with her? Over my dead body." I gritted through clenched teeth.

He watched me carefully. "i don't know what's going on, but drinking won't make it better. You should leave before you put yourself in danger."

I laughed bitterly. "Wouldn't be the first time." I murmured as a tear slipped down my eyes.

"Oh dear... " He groaned, pulling me away from the table and I leaned towards him, breathing him in. He felt very soothing and I rubbed my face against his shirt, feeling butterflies storm in my stomach. He oozed of wealth and power, the type that could shield me from all heartaches. It was comforting.

"I'm getting you out of here." I heard him growl into my ears, and then he muttered some things to the bartender, and wrapping a hand around my waist, carefully led me out of the bar.

"Where is your home? Let me take you there." I heard him say when we reached outside I lived with my mother at the moment but I couldn't stand the thought of going there at the moment.

"I don't have an apartment. I'm all alone" I muttered, clinging to him.

"Let me take you to a hotel then.. Hang on." I heard him say as he flagged down a taxi? I couldn't be sure.

As a car pulled up, I grabbed his shirt and looked into his eyes. "What do you think about a one-night stand? I need the distraction."

He stared at me, then shook his head. "You're completely drunk. It's better to go and rest."

"You're going to leave me alone with a taxi driver you don't know? In Vegas? What if I'm kidnapped and killed, that would be on you! Just follow me to the hotel, drop me off in my room. And then, if you still want to leave, you can go."

He paused again, his brows furrowed. And I could see the wheels turning in his head. Finally, he let out a sigh. "Very well, let me take you to the hotel by myself."

I caught myself at the edge of smiling and stopped. My mother would kill me if she found out I had eloped with another man but who cared? I'm no longer a child and I'm perfectly capable of handling myself.

The strange man helped me into the car, following behind me and I leaned against him, allowing my body to mold around his. He didn't push me away.

Time to get out of here.