CHAPTER 12

Friday arrived and the house was chaotic. Instead of escaping the anarchy, the trio decided to hang around the house and help out. They set up flowers, polished silver and set up chairs around various rooms. By five o'clock that afternoon, they were told to get ready for the festivities.

Six o'clock rolled around. Rory examined herself on the floor length mirror that rested right by the bedside table. Her mother persuaded her to purchase a rose colored gauzy silk strapless dress. The lace crocheted hemming was elegant. The handiwork concealed her cleavage and yet left enough for her to look sophisticated and mysterious. The dress' length started knee high on her right knee and ended as a pool on her left heel. She fumbled with the light chain that laid gracefully on her neck. Doing one last inspection, she stared at her pale pink stilettos and French-tipped toes. She was ready to face the crowd.

A rapping knock on her bedroom door startled her. Patting her hairdo one more time, she said, "Come in!"

"You dressed?" Graham asked, eyes closed as he entered the room.

"You're safe," Rory giggled.

Graham opened his eyes and gasped. "Wow."

"Is it too much?" she asked.

"No," Graham said after a few moments. "You're beautiful!"

Rory blushed. Graham was dressed to fit the part of dutiful son. He was richly attired in Hugo Boss, with diamond and onyx cufflinks and patented leather shoes. His hair was combed like he was running for junior senator. He fiddled with the collar of his white shirt like his bowtie was strangling him. Rory laughed.

Graham approached her and handed her a gardenia corsage. "A beautiful flower for a beautiful girl."

"Thank you," Rory whispered as Graham put the flower on her wrist.

"I can see why Tristin is enthralled by you," Graham said. "He thinks you're Venus."

"You're funny," she said nervously. "He doesn't."

"That's where you're wrong, Princess," Tristin said from outside her door leaning on the doorframe. He was striking in his outfit.

He was tailored in a Giorgio Armani tux, with a white crisp shirt and a bowtie to complement the outfit. His gold and platinum cufflinks matched his Franck Muller watch. His shoes were made of crocodile skin, from the same collection his suit originated from. No matter how elegantly he dressed he wore his hair spiked to show his rebellious nature towards the event. Rory covered her mouth to hide her smile.

"Well thank you for the compliment," Rory said to Tristin.

"So, shall we make our entrance?" Graham asked, offering his arm to Rory. She slipped her arm under his.

"Let's," she said, smiling at Graham and grabbing Tristin's arm when she got out to the hallway.