The Party Coup

My mother stood in my hallway. She was angry and staring at Miranda with folded arms.

“Explain yourself, young lady. You’re lucky I haven’t told your father about this,” she said to me, even though her gaze was on someone else.

Of course my mother had come when she couldn’t get ahold of me. It was the day before her birthday, and she always had a grand party.

She’d want me there.

“Remember that attack a couple of weeks ago? I sort of pursued a warlock without consulting my squad leader,” I said carefully.

It was very close to the truth and believable. I hoped Miranda was as stone-faced as ever so my mother wouldn’t figure out there was a lot more to it.

“I see, that sounds stupid. Good thing you’re being punished for it,” my mother said, making me sigh at her.

I wasn’t surprised she’d think that. Laws and rules were her games, after all, and she wanted me to follow them.

“So, Miranda was it? I’ll be taking my daughter home with me. You can consider your mission accomplished. I’ve taken time off through December and will watch over my daughter myself,” she told my overseer.

“She’s not a child anymore. I do what the council commands me,” Miranda replied.

“Oh, they will command you very soon,” my mother said and picked her phone up.

“Bella, go pack your bag,” she told me while lifting the phone to her ear.

I sighed and did as she asked. I knew my mother.

My parents held weight at the headquarters since they were such big sponsors. And just as she’d said, when I was packed and ready to leave, Miranda was gone.

My mother had seen it done.

I fought a smile; I didn’t want my mother to know I was happy about it or she might change her mind. At least with my parents, I got to be alone.

“I’m not going to let your father know about this. He’ll probably want to break your deal if he finds out. Instead, we’re telling him we’ve both taken time off for some mother-daughter time, all right?” she asked me in the elevator.

“’Cause that sounds believable,” I sighed.

“It does, we’ve done that before. Remember when we spent two weeks in France a few years ago?” she asked, sounding offended.

“I suppose,” I sighed, although I remembered it more as her taking me along on a work-related trip.

I spent most of the two weeks alone by the pool.

Her phone rang just when our chauffeur closed the car door beside me. I could tell instantly from her tone when she picked up that it was work-related. I gazed out the window.

She was likely going to be on the call for the whole ride.

***

The road leading up to my parents’ mansion was decorated with elegant, simple lights, only to be greeted by two large light deer decorations in the courtyard.

There were people running around decorating the main areas for the party when we entered my family home. The decorations were as magical as ever.

My mother loved Christmas, and it showed in all the lights, gold, and glitter. Everything was perfect, nothing was out of place.

Just like my parents wanted it—well, everything but me, perhaps.

Still, it felt like coming home. I never thought I’d miss it much, but I had been so bored without my phone and getting followed everywhere I went.

I had seen Ellie a couple of times. I forgave her when I realized Miranda didn’t trust her, but we only talked about useless things, safe things.

It didn’t lessen how hollow and stupid I felt.

“Thank you for freeing me from my overseer. It’s good to be home,” I told my mother while admiring the decorations.

“I know I work a lot, Bella, but I’m still your mother. No need to thank me,” she said warmly, like she wasn’t angry at me at all, which was odd.

“Well then, I’m just going to go to my room. See you at breakfast. Good night,” I replied, even though I was surprised.

I wondered if she’d done the same if my suspension hadn’t collided with her annual birthday party.

“Sounds like a good idea. I’ll come by in a couple of minutes. I want to talk to you,” she replied.

I nodded at her. I knew what to expect.

It felt odd walking into my bedroom, like I had studies to do and much-needed sleep to get, but I wasn’t tired and I didn’t need to study anything.

So while I waited for my mother, I went inside my closet and looked at all the clothes I’d left behind.

I ran my hand along the dresses. I had worn them to parties my parents had hosted or brought me to.

Parties where I was their perfect daughter—smart, beautiful, and charming.

I knew very well why they belonged here, in this house. I let my hand drop to my side.

There was a new dress among the old. A beautiful white dress made out of silk, with golden lace and a big white bow at the hip.

On it was a note left by my mother. “~Enjoy the party sweetheart~.”

I didn’t think my mother meant to treat me like a doll, but sometimes it sure felt like she was.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked behind me. I hadn’t heard her come in, but I had felt her.

“It is, but silk is fragile,” I murmured.

“I suppose, but did you know, if you leave silk folded away in the closet, it breaks over time and you’re left with rags. It needs room to breathe and hang freely,” my mother explained.

I felt like she was trying to convey something, and glanced at her.

“Will you be happy tomorrow in this dress, you think?” my mother asked, glancing back at me with a cryptic smile.

“Yes, Mother. I’ll be as happy as ever,” I told her, smiling the way I always did while getting introduced to yet another client or potential business partner.

Neither of us wanted Dad to find out that anything was less than perfect.

I was tired when I woke up the next day. I had lain awake most of the night, but still, at breakfast with my parents, I had been the daughter they knew.

I had wished my mother a happy birthday, and listened with interest when my father spoke about his company.

I was surprised that he kept his promise and hadn’t tried to persuade me to study. He had not encouraged me to take a break, though, like my mother had told him I was on.

“That’s how you become lazy,” he’d said.

Nonetheless, he had also said that it was nice to have me back in the house before proceeding to bore me with all the important people who were coming to my mother’s birthday party.

It still felt odd, being home with nothing to do, so I spent most of the day just walking around the house.

My father had taken my mother out to lunch, in honor of the day.

I found it funny that my mother didn’t even go twenty-four hours before she broke the promise to oversee me.

I had considered taking the opportunity to run away, but I figured it would be stupid and unnecessary. This suspension bullshit was temporary, and I would only end up making things much worse if I didn’t just wait it out.

So I stayed, and when it was time, I got ready for the party. It had been a while since I’d had a stylist do my hair.

The result was perfect. I hadn’t been able to do my hair like this on my own.

It didn’t reflect at all how I felt, which was a good thing. It made my smile feel more natural.

I looked at all the people when I joined the celebrations. They all wore formalwear. Green, red, and white dominated in color.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself for a night of talking about purchases and investments.

I hadn’t even had time to spot my mother in the crowd before someone came to greet me.

“Bella! We never really had a chance to talk last we met,” a tall, blond, young man said.

I recognized him from my graduation party. My dad had considered him a good match for me.

“Yeah, that’s true. I remember you,” I answered warmly. “I’m really sorry, but your name must have slipped my mind?” I admitted with an awkward giggle.

“It’s Stefan. You made quite the impression, leaving your own graduation party,” he answered, amused.

“Yes, well, I had just graduated. I wanted to party for real,” I said and rolled my eyes.

“Understandable. I don’t remember much of my own. You look lovely, by the way,” Stefan remarked while eyeing me from head to toe and back up.

“Thank you,” I said with a polite smile. The compliment made me slightly uncomfortable.

“Want to go grab a drink?” he suggested.

“I should really go find my mother, actually. I haven’t wished her a happy birthday yet,” I lied while gazing toward the banquet hall.

“I know where she is. I’ll escort you,” he said and reached his arm out, looking at me expectantly.

“Great.” I fought a sigh and took his arm.

There wasn’t really anything wrong with Stefan, probably. But knowing he was after my name made me very uncomfortable.

It wasn’t normal flirting. He knew who I was, and what I was worth, and he wanted it.

As soon as I saw my mother in the crowd, I let go of Stefan’s arm and rushed to her.

“Happy birthday, Mother!” I said joyfully before giving her a hug.

“Thank you, dear!” she replied with her warmest smile, although she looked slightly confused.

But she understood why after glancing behind me. I recognized that look hiding behind her smile—she didn’t consider him a good match either.

“You must try the drinks, dear!” she said, handing me a champagne coupe with a red drink in it.

I looked at it suspiciously before I remembered there wouldn’t be anything hocus pocus about it. It was delicious, though—white spiced wine with cranberry juice, topped with a touch of champagne.

I looked around the room again. I did enjoy all of the Christmas decorations and the gowns twirling around the dance floor.

“It’s a beautiful party, Mother,” I said honestly.

“Don’t we all love Christmas,” she said, raising her glass.

“At least all who get to enjoy it,” I agreed, still scouring the room. That’s when I saw him.

He was looking at me from the edge of the room. Erik smiled at me mischievously when he caught my eyes.

Someone suddenly bumped into me, and I heard my dress rip.

I looked, surprised, at the lady whose bracelet had gotten stuck in my dress. I just knew it was Erik’s deed, but there was no magical energy. I wondered how he’d done it.

“It’s fine, I’ll just go change into another.” I smiled reassuringly at her in her wave of apologies before turning to my mother.

She was smiling but shaking her head at me.

“Very unfortunate, dear, do hurry up. I wouldn’t want you to miss my speech,” she smiled cryptically at me.

I nodded at her before I looked at Erik again. He turned to leave the room, and I followed, trying not to rush, to conceal my flicker of hope.