Page 28 of Eyes Like Angel (Eyes Like Angel #1)

But, somehow, a part of me echoed in shame when I recalled back to Adrian’s word gliding through. He mentioned that his party is located at the barn behind his father’s great manor, measured in 150 yards, according to what he stated, stated in slight expectation being pressured onto me.

As I set the plates, not knowing where to settle them.

My mind got scrambled.

Frustrations growing, I rushed inside my temporary room.

With the light stuff I packed, I only gathered in a brown-leathered bag, as Father Divine demanded me to pack, with opening my outmoded bag, I gathered the silver hairbrush, red rouge lipstick, and a lavender Gothic dress, frilly laces on the neck and cuffs, billow sleeves tucked my arms fitly as the bodice was perfectly suited for my slender, petite frame, as the accordion skirt streamed down to my ankles, and with white ballet flats.

I dressed myself, pretending to wear another church outfit, but this dress was… different, foreign on my body.

As I undressed my stained veil, and brushed my greasy long, brownish-black hair, without looking straight ahead into the mirror, but noticing my emerald hues shone in gloomy dusk.

Despite my efforts, I’ve thought about what Adrian said to me previously.

If I’m willing to keep this job, I have to behave accordingly; frightened Mrs. Rivers might show herself into the party he regarded.

Tucking the ivory coif on my head, tidied and wrapped my locks over, hiding any baby strands and slipped it in. Stomach was growling, begging for food. Rubbing my tummy over it, I dabbed the red rouge on my lips and slipped on my gloves, heading out for the party.

To be free or not to be free, it’s my choice to take.

For tonight, I’m seeing Adrian to ensure he’s far from jeopardy.

Give me strength , I said to myself and exited at the glass door, leading to the pastures.

***

Beyond the green pastries, I treaded carefully without tripping. Strolling across the fresh green-cut grass and across the vineyard, I stumbled up on the farmhouse with colorful lights coming out from the barn.

When I entered, several people had their heads pivoted to me, muttering each other, either the words ‘nun’ or ‘witch’ would come out.

Everywhere I go, people muttered, “witch’ to me sharply, hissing like a pit of snakes, and I was alone.

Unknown and unfamiliar music blasted in, and all conversed with joy, drinking that isn’t red wine, that isn’t the Blood of Christ, their energy in a party pumped and bumped other guests in a large barn.

I tucked my veil in, entering between thick crowds, searching for Adrian, but when a close space suffocated me, I headed back outside.

By then, Adrian showed up, a smile relieved on his face, worn in a black attire, black, buttoned-up shirt with black cardigan and loafers, lax and casual. His widow’s peak sharpened by the moonlight, and his palest hair gone paler.

“You’re here,” he said in relief.

I nodded, inhaling cold air. “I am.”

His brows scrunched. “I was afraid you might not show.”

“I’m here now.”

His charming smile materialized; his posture relaxed and his eyes sparkled when I uttered three words.

Adrian tried not to nod so eagerly. “Alright. I’ll go grab a drink for you, and I have something else to give you.”

Give me what?

“What is it?”

“It’s a surprise, you’ll see.” Then he jogged back inside as he yelled, “I’ll be right back!”

My smile died down when I spotted Emily in her glittered top and her mini skirt with her cowboy boots. Her sandy-blonde locks tucked to a high ponytail with two strands framed on her face, eyeing me, approaching me.

Her top was nearly see-through, showing her brownish nipples, which left me in shock.

“Why the fuck are you here?” her voice went cold, her posture stiffened and her eyes blazingly cold.

My limbs felt a shiver ran down.

Emily wasn’t like this.

“I’m not sure what you mean. Aren’t you happy to see me?” I said, voice so faint I barely hear myself.

“We’re never friends. Never! What makes you think I’d be friends with a loner—sorry, a loser—like you?” she leaned forward, judging me, or my outfit. “God, you reek! And your outfit looks like you’re haunting everyone with your ugly presence! Seriously, this is so fucking gross!”

She guffawed.

“We’ve known each other for a while now,” I reminded her, fingers trembled but kept it still.

She scoffed in cold amusement. “Known? I’ve only known you because of Father Divine, and told me to be friends with you. Ha! As if!”

My stomach coiled in burning sensation, my head numbed and unbalanced.

“As if I give two shits about you!” Emily continued, wide eyes and wide, insincere smile.

“Hey! Leave her alone!” another voice said. I turned to see the girl with the girl with hefty rings and studded silver piercings on her earlobes and her hair streaks in stripes of rosy pink and whitish-blonde mingled in her former brown shade, resembling a Neapolitan ice-cream.

Emily pushed the girl back, closing in on the proximity, her eyes darkened with threat.

Her shrilled voice blared into my hearing, sharply loud for my sensitive ears to bleed. Surprisingly, it didn’t, but it still hurts.

“But you don’t belong here, not in my world, and not in his world.

God, you look so pathetic, are you becoming a ghost or a zombie?

Are you here to confess your sins or are you trying to get into my way?

You fucking irritate me. Wherever I go, don’t follow.

Don’t try to talk to me, don’t try to convince me to be friends with you because I don’t see you as a friend, I see you as a slave to God’s work. ”

Her rough hand and jagged nails shoved me on the bosom, then my shoulder blade again.

“Get the fuck away from her,” the girl with Neapolitan highlights warned.

Again, and again, each time her mouth gaped forming in harsh-sounding syllables to strangle my choke and tears prickling, and a yielded sigh.

“I would never be friends with someone like you; you’re too disgusting to be around.

Even if you’re the last person on Earth, I’d rather eat shit than talking to you.

Adrian doesn’t want to say this, but he doesn’t want you here, either.

I know what he wants, and I know that he doesn’t plan on being friends with a dumb virgin like you.

He brought you here because he felt sorry for you, but seeing this…

I don’t think he’ll ever invite you again.

Not in a million years. So I suggest you turn around and don’t come back.

So fuck off! You belong in the basement.

Let’s face it, Eva, nobody likes you. Since nobody wants to say it, I have to.

I have to be the hero. I have to be the good guy.

So go, and don’t even bother to come back. You don’t belong here.”

Emily was in an unstoppable moment in her spotlight.

Her dark eyes narrowed at me, expecting me to concede with grace.

In the mentions of the Bible, a woman’s wrath wasn’t meant to be underestimated.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned , it said.

Emily’s wrath has been scorned.

When the girl pushed Emily back, she huffed and warned her again, but Emily eyed on me, waiting for me to fade like a white noise.

Thus, I took steps back, and retreated, not waiting for Adrian’s return and the anticipation on gaining experience, one which I’ll never obtain.