Ok so here is the new story. I know I said i would put this up days ago, but one of my best friends got very sick, and I would rather be a great friend than a great FFn author. This story is going to deal with a lot more adult issues than my others, just giving you a heads up now. Anyways. I have to thank Live True for being my sound board for this whole story, and cereuleanblue for being an awesome beta.
Disclaimer: I won nothing. All characters belong to SM.
"Can you believe she wore that here?" hissed the woman to my left.
"I know. It's a banquet for the homeless; you're not supposed to look like you're homeless," another responded, and I rolled my eyes, bringing my champagne glass to my lips. As if these Upper East Side women had any idea what it was like to be homeless, they were only here to keep up appearances.
"Speaking of dress Rosalie, where did you get this lovely thing?" I looked to my left to see Casey Kohler. She was the daughter of Marie Vanderbilt, and she wouldn't let you forget it. I placed a small smile on my face and looked down at my silver dress.
"It's Gucci." I responded. Five years ago, Gucci was something I could only dream about. Growing up in a small town on cattle ranch in Montana didn't really give me the luxury of designer clothes.
"Of course, it is. It's absolutely divine." Casey replied, putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you." I responded. I took everything she said with a grain of salt. Everyone in this room was two faced. When you were in front of them, you were showered with compliments, and when you were away, you were no better than the gum on their shoe.
However, this was what I wanted. This was what I'd worked so hard to get. From the moment I saw my first episode of Sex and the City ten years ago, I knew Montana wasn't for me, and I was going to do everything I could to get out of there.
I spent the majority of my childhood helping my father run the farm. Branding cattle, bailing hay, feeding horses - that was my life, and I hated every second of it. When I turned thirteen, I hit puberty, and learned the power of a woman. With a single bat of my eyelashes, I could convince any of the men around town to do my chores. The shorter my skirts got, the higher my grades went. I could persuade my male classmates to do my homework by just crossing my legs and licking my lips. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't stupid. I understood everything they were trying to teach me, but it was easier to just get someone else to do the work. I am sure women's rights activists would say my actions set woman back fifty years, but I didn't really give a damn. I saw my life a certain way, and I was going to do whatever it took to get it.
By the time I was eighteen, I'd graduated high school at the top of my class; not to that it was hard to do in a class of 30 hicks, but it was enough to get me a scholarship to Yale. So I went to Connecticut and never looked back. The original plan was to get a degree, move to New York and become my own woman like Carrie Bradshaw, but the minute I started dating Royce the plan went out the window.
Royce King, son of a hotel tycoon, came to Yale the same year I did for a Master's degree. It was perfect for him; his family was legacy. He was pretty much just going through the motions. Unlike everyone else here, he knew what his purpose in life was. He was there to get a business degree so he could take over his father's empire and meet a nice girl he could marry. I filled the latter requirement nicely.
I met Royce in the library while I was studying for a physics exam. He showed me a world I had only ever dreamed of. For him, money was no object. He flew me to Paris for Christmas. We summered in the Hamptons. This was his reality. He invited me into it, but it came with a price.
My engineering degree was forfeited for one in Art History. He said it was more becoming. All ties to my family were cut.
"You are no longer a farm girl stop acting like it," he told me when I would get off the phone with my parents. I had to learn the proper way to eat, sit, even speak. It was worth the loss; he offered everything I'd ever wanted and more.
"So when is the wedding, Rosalie? You can't make a man like Royce wait forever. Someone will come in and steal him from you." Casey asked. Upon my graduation, Royce had surprised me with two things - a new apartment in New York City at one of his hotels for the two of us and an engagement ring. I would have been a fool to say no.
"He's so busy with work; it is just difficult to find the right time," I responded. In all honesty, I was dragging my feet. Marriage is permenant, and divorce simply wasn't an option for me. The Kings don't get divorces; it's an embarrassment to their family's name.
"Of course, with the Kings trying to expand their hotels into the South," Casey shrugged, "and Royce taking all of those business trips, who would have time to plan a wedding?"
I was about to respond when I felt a familiar hand slip around my waist.
"Evening ladies." I heard Royce's voice behind me. "Do you mind if I borrow my fiancee for a moment?" he asked politely. All the women shook their heads and smiled knowingly. I turned to look at him. He was barely taller than me, with dark hair and eyes. His body was lean but fit, and his olive skin was smooth. I smiled as he pulled me away. The harsh grip on my waist, telling me he'd grabbed me for a reason.
"The guy I am about to introduce you to is the last obstacle we have to pass before we can build that hotel in Miami. We need his company to construct it." I nodded my head as he spoke, knowing I would have to put on my charm. We walked up the bar, and Royce ordered scotch for himself and a glass of white wine for me.
"So Royce, is this the woman I've heard so much about?"
I looked over my shoulder to see who was addressing me, and was stunned by what I saw. Looking back at me were the lightest pair of blue eyes I have ever seen. He towered over my 5'10" frame; he was literally twice the size of Royce. He looked as if he'd just left a boxing ring. His brunette hair was cut short and messy. His lips were full and jaw defined. He looked like a man who actually knew what hard work was.
"Rose, this Emmett McCarty." Royce said, handing over my glass.
"Who would have thought little Royce could get such a looker?" Emmett responded, crossing his arms over his chest as he appraised me. His tux jacket barely contained him; it looked like the seams were about to give at any minute.
"Rosalie Hale." I smiled, introducing myself. I would have manners even if he didn't. I held out my hand to shake his, but he just looked at it. Slowly, I brought my hand back to my side and looked over to see Royce staring at Emmett while he looked at me.
"So how do you two know each other?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
"Emmett and I went to school together." Royce answered succinctly.
"Oh really?" I responded. "And why you haven't mentioned him before?"
"That probably because we ran in two different circles." Emmett said, unfolding his arms and stepping towards me. "Royce here kept his nose in the books, and I kept myself busy with other things." By this point, he was almost whispering in my ear as he spoke. "Sports, women."
My eyes widened as I realized what he was implying.
"But as we can see, Royce is definitely catching up in the women department," he added pulling away from me, looking at my dress. I instantly felt self-conscious. "You have amazing legs."
I looked over to Royce to see if he was going to let him talk to me like that, but Royce was looking back at me in appreciation.
"Yes, she is gorgeous isn't she?" Royce added.
"You have got to be kidding me," I thought. I was not a piece of meat they could just stare at. I couldn't have been happier when I heard the organizer ask everyone to take their seats. Emmett groaned.
"Let the bull shit begin,"he said, taking a huge swig of his beer. "We should get together sometime when we are not surrounded by fucking idiots." He motioned to the rest of the room.
"You have my number." Royce responded.
"That I do." Emmett said, sarcastically. "Be sure to bring legs; she's fun to look at," he added before walking away.
"Royce he is absolutely horrible." I said, looking at him sharply, but he was still watching Emmett's retreating form.
"Let's go take our seats," he replied, ignoring me. The auction went off without a hitch. Royce ending up buying a vacation in Paris, but at least it was for a good cause. When we started to leave, Royce's mother stopped me.
"Darling, do be sure to bring that book to tomorrow's book club." She smiled. I don't know why she was pretending to like me; that woman would push me off a bridge the first chance she got. I was the unfit girl who was about to marry her son.
"She wouldn't miss it for the world," Royce answered for me.
"There are going to be some very important people there, be sure to dress accordingly."
I nodded my head. "Got it," I responded.
"Let's just hope you do." She rolled her eyes as we walked away toward the town car that was driving us home.
God, I hate that woman. "Well, that was quite a successful night," he said after the driver had shut the door.
"I don't know why you want to do business with Emmett McCarty, he seems like a terrible person."
"Terrible or not, his family is the best at what they do," he said sternly, "and when I want your opinion, I'll ask for it." I looked down at my lap, knowing I had spoken out of turn.
"So what can I expect for the book club tomorrow?" I asked, changing the subject.
"All of my mother's friends are going there Rose, you had better impress them."
"No pressure," I murmured under my breath.
"You'd better get used to it. You are going to be a King, after all."
"I know, but books were never really my thing." That was true. I would rather be putting together the engine of our tractor in Montana than reading a book.
"That's just tough, Rose."
"To be honest, I don't really want to go." As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Royce turned to towards me quickly, and rage was written all over his face.
"Like I give I flying fuck what you want. Everything does not revolve around you Rose." he yelled, and I flinched at the harshness of his voice.
I looked out the window to see that we had pulled up in front of the hotel. The driver opened the door and helped me out. When Royce came to my side, he grabbed my arm harshly and pulled me into the lobby. He never released his grip as we rode the elevator up to our suite.
When we made it into our apartment, he released my arm, and I instantly grabbed it massaging the tender flesh.
"You better watch how you talk to me Rose. If you want to be a King, you should act like it," he growled.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking at the floor.
"Sorry doesn't cut it. Learn."
I nodded; he walked up to me, placing a hand under my chin and raising my eyes to meet his. "But in the mean time, why don't you make it up to me," he said, running his other hand down my side. I nodded again, knowing I was going to have to make it up to him the only way I knew how.
Ok there's the first chapter. I am going to try and update once a week, but it may be a little longer than that sometimes. The first three chapters are already written, so hopefully that will help me keep on schedule. So leave me a review and I will send you a preview of the next chapter. :)