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I was still stunned by that girl's remarkable manners—or, you know, complete lack of them—when a lady approached me with an apologetic expression.

She was in her sixties and seemed like a truly kind woman.

"Forgive her, believe me... Maya is better than this." She smiled.

I doubt that.

"I'm Nelly, nice to see meet you," she introduced herself, and we shook hands.

"I'm the family assistant."

Rich people things I suppose...

"I'm Grace, nice to meet you." I smiled.

She gently asked me to follow her upstairs to my new bedroom.

Jeez, finally someone nice and friendly!

"I've been working in this mansion since Maya was four years old, her mother hired me..." She paused and her expression got sad.

I just remembered that my mom told me her mother died when she was about 10 years old.

"Her mother was the sweetest woman I've ever met. Maya was just a child when she died..." she explained, her voice breaking slightly.

"I'm so sorry to hear that..." I whispered.

Truly I was.

The woman nodded slowly towards me.

"Even if she wouldn't admit it, Maya is still deeply traumatized by that. Her wound is still open..."

Even though she was a total jerk to me earlier, I can still empathize with her story.

I couldn't even imagine to lose a mother at such a young age. I was honestly feeling very sorry for how much she must've suffered because of that.

We walked through the stairs and Nelly introduced me to my new room.

It was big, white and beige, with a huge double-bad, an immense wardrobe, and a beautiful balcony.

There was also a big, sleek desk by the window—the only thing I had been hoping for.

"It's... beautiful, thank you for showing me..." I was at a loss for words.

Nelly smiled sweetly, "Right next to you is Maya's room." She pointed her finger.

So the first room was hers and the second room was mine... we were also room neighbors...

What a sweet coincidence, really...

"Trust me, Grace, you'll feel at home in this house!" Nelly exclaimed, smiling confidently.

I really doubt that.

"Do you have, uhm, like any suggestions you could give me? I don't want someone already hating on me..." I sighed, frustrated, hoping she'd get the hint.

Nelly made a gesture with her hand.

"Don't worry, Grace, Maya barks, but doesn't bite. Just give her some time."

If she says so...

Nelly left my new room, but before that, she reminded me that dinner would be served at eight.

I believe they also had chefs and a team to handle everything—even the smallest details.

I mean... of course, considering how freaking rich they are...

I took a shower in the huge bathroom of my room, which had everything you could imagine: scented candles, branded towels, fancy soaps.

Not that I'm complaining, but definitely, I'm not a girl who cares about these things, or money, or luxury. I've always preferred simple things in my life.

And honestly... that girl is like the complete opposite of me. How can we even get along if she's really like that?

I was devastated and disappointed, but the bed was way too comfy, so I slowly lay down and fell asleep.

~

"Grace..." my mom called me stroking my hair. "How's going?"

"The room is beautiful, mom," I whispered, leaning on the headboard, rubbing my eyes.

"Yes, I can see that." She smiled. "But how are you?"

"I'm fine... I mean... I will be fine, I guess..." I shrugged a little.

"I'm sure you will. Changes are always difficult but it make us grow up." Her hand stroked my arm to soothe me.

"Yes, I know..." I lowered my gaze, nervously fidgeting with my fingers.

"Did you make friends with Victor's daughter?"

I crossed my arms.

"Mom, please, you saw what happened..."

She laughed softly, "We'll work about that, don't worry... dinner is served, came downstairs when you're ready." She kissed my forehead and left the room.

I tried to get it together, even though I felt totally wrecked and out of it.

I brushed my teeth, let my light brunette hair down, and brushed it carefully until it fell in waves below my shoulders.

As I walked downstairs, I couldn't help but feel like everything in this mansion was shining, spotless, and straight out of a magazine.

Victor and my mom were already sitting in that huge table laughing and holding hands.

"Grace, here you are!" Victor greeted me.

"Hi... the room is incredible, thank you... the house is incredible, too..."

"No problem, glad you liked it," he smiled, but then looked at his watch with a nervous expression."Nelly, where is Maya? She's already late."

The woman scrolled her shoulders in a patient way, "I'm sure she's coming..."

We waited for her for another hour, and her father was becoming... very, very nervous.

At some point, the door opened abruptly, making me almost jump out of my seat.

The unmistakable, smooth click of heels against the floor.

Maya made her grandest and loudest entrance, acting like she wasn't an hour late.

She walked through the door with effortless confidence and self-assurance. She literally moved like the world revolved around her.

She was already stressing me out.

Out of nowhere, a dog, a beautiful black-and-white husky, came running toward her, wagging happily its tail.

Maya started petting him—or her—as if the rest of the world didn't exist.

But apparently, she has also a smile.

"Maya, can you please come here so we can have dinner?!" Her father demanded, irritated.

She put her Prada sunglasses over her hair, and rolled her eyes. She slowly sat down across from me, threw me a glance, but didn't even bother to speak.

"You're late. An hour late." Her father scolded her.

She smirked.

"Nelly, please tell my father that we haven't had dinner together in years." She spilled out casually.

Oh, she went straight for the drama...

Her father's face was red now and damn angry.

"That's not true," he muttered.

Oh, it's getting bad for her...

"It's okay if you want to play the little happy family now," she said, giving him a playful yet irritating smirk.

Her father suddenly hit his hand on the table in a gesture of irritation, making me almost jump again.

Jeez.

Maya didn't even flinch under his gaze.

"Eat and stop taking."

"As you wish, dad, wouldn't ruin your precious dinner," her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I could tell she was fully satisfied with provoking him.

She leaned back in her chair, deliberately running her fingers through her long hair and smoothly sweeping it over her shoulder.

The she suddenly looked at me with an intense expression. One I couldn't quite understand.

I was stunned, but I met her eyes with a calm expression. I'm not going to let her mess with me again.

The dinner went on, quiet and awkward. We were served some fancy food in silver dishes, which was actually good, though.

Maya occasionally shooting me judgmental, piercing glances that I made sure to ignore.

She suddenly stood up.

She hadn't even eaten, she was just pushing the food around on her plate.

"What are you doing?" Her father demanded.

"I've got a party." She replied monotonously.

"In a house?"

"Yes."

He looked up at me and smiled, "You can bring Grace with you."

Maya flashed me a glance that really intimidated me.

Like, for real this time.

I shook my head, panicking: "No, it's okay, I'm really tired, anyway..."

"No, I believe it's a good idea, you can meet Maya's friends and bond with them. I don't accept no for an answer," Victor insisted.

"This isn't a good idea," she pushed back, leaning forward on the table, clearly frustrated.

Her arms pressing too firmly against it.

"Stop, Maya. If her mother is okay with that, Grace will come with you."

Her arms crossed tightly, the tension rising, and all I could do was hope my mom would jusr say no.

"I believe it's a good idea, Victor. I'm definitely okay with that." My mom quickly supported it.

I can't believe this.

This is just an agony.

I dared to glance at Maya, her gaze on me was so sharp and dark it felt like it could cut through me. Like, her eyes were almost setting me on fire.

It wasn't even my fault.

But I was so pissed off that this time I didn't even hide it.

Our eyes locking in a silent battle full of annoyance and challenge, and suddenly, everything else faded.

I was fucking stuck.

Again.