It makes me wonder whether it really is the perfume. Maybe if I act more like Lily Anna, he will be more lenient with me. I can use this in my favor, I just have to be very careful.
Once we finish, I’m the last to pull my chair back.
“Don’t forget about the gathering tomorrow,” my fat
her says. “To celebrate the opening of our Diamond Cove branch. I need you ready at six to greet the guests. A dress has been chosen and will be waiting for you.”
“Okay,” I reply.
“Answer me properly, Lily Anna,” he demands.
“Yes, father,” I grit out.
It’s the first time he’s used her name for me. The perfume is working.
“Thank you. May I go back to my room? I still have some homework to do.”
He regards me with silent curiosity. His nostrils flare next, and goosebumps cover my flesh as I realize he’s smelling me like a freaking animal. I am wearing Lily Anna’s perfume…
“You’ve been cooperative lately,” he mutters. “Maybe you deserve a little treat.”
“Oh?” I ask, lost for words.
“Your doors will be unlocked throughout the day now,” he says, making excitement flood my body. “Starting tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you!” I cry out, feeling genuinely thankful for once. “Thank you, father.”
I almost rush in to give him a hug, but I stop myself.
He gives me a curt nod and I leave the room in a rush.
As my father promised, a dress awaits in my bedroom, a pretty red one with a fitted top and a flared-out bottom. I try it out on a whim, admiring my reflection in the mirror. I don’t look half as bad these days.
There’s a knock on my door.
“Yes?”
The door opens, and my comically beautiful stepmother peeks her head around the corner.
"Do you mind if I come in?"
I narrow my eyes at her, asking, "What do you want?"
"Nothing in particular."
She smiles gently, ignoring the fact that I haven't invited her in at all. She lets herself in, and I cross my arms in front of my body as she walks into the room, closing the door behind her.
"I just wanted to see how you are doing," she goes on. "Everything must be so different for you here... I'm sure you're feeling a little lost, and I just wanted you to know I'm here for anything you need."
"Great," I mutter sarcastically. "What do you expect me to do with that?"
"Well, I was hoping you and I could be as close as I was with Lily Anna."
"You were close with her?"
"I was." She smiles blissfully. "We always got along so well."
Somehow, I'm not quite buying this. I get up from my seat and walk over to my vanity table, which is now laden with expensive jars of cream, makeup and that bottle of perfume Dex got me. I sit down and start to brush through my unruly locks, my eyes fixed on Bryony in the mirror.