Chapter 47

“I am sorry I said that to you, “Amy said as she sat cross-legged across from me on my bed. “It was a rotten thing to say to my best friend.”

“Why did you say it?” I asked.

“I’m… I'm a little bit jealous of everything you have now,” Amy replied. “I hate being jealous of you, but I am.”

“What are you jealous of?”

“Oh, let's see. Stuff like the grand piano, the huge library, and the servants who do everything you ask them to do.”

A tear rolled down Amy’s cheek. “It made me think about how I need to wash dishes all night at Dad’s restaurant so my family can afford to eat, and I got mad and jealous.”

“I can understand that,” I told her. I felt guilty last night while eating at their restaurant because I knew she was in the kitchen doing the dishes.

But it’s more than just jealousy,” Amy said as more tears welled in her eyes. “I see you changing more and more every day. And then today, when I saw how much you belong in this mansion, I got scared.”

“Scared of what?” I didn’t understand what she was saying. Yes, I’ve gotten more comfortable living here, but it was nothing for her to fear.

“Scared of losing you.” she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

“You’re becoming part of the Alpha world,” she said. “And I’m afraid you’ll become one of those snobbish Alphas and not want me in your life anymore.”

I took her hand. “That won’t happen, Amy, not ever. We’ve been through too much together for so long, and I love you like a sister.”

“Nobody is going to brainwash me into not being friends with you,” I insisted. “I don’t care if all the Alphas in the world shun me or threaten to abjure me.”

“No, I don’t want that to happen,” Amy sobbed. “I want you to fit in with the Alphas. I want you to have the good life that other Alphas have.”

“I said something stupid to you because I was shocked when I saw you giving that poor maid an order,” Amy confessed. “We always talked about how Alphas use Betas for their labor. I don’t know how you can do it to them too.”

“Amy, all of the servants in this house are here by their own choice. They are paid well, better than other jobs they’ve had, and they are treated as respected members of this household.”

“You’ve got to meet Jennifer,” I continued. “She’s a wonderful woman who volunteered to be my maid. She helps make my life here easier, and I think of her as a friend. You’ll like her.”

“A friend, huh,” Amy said indignantly, but I could tell she was kidding. “Is she a better friend than me?”

I picked up a pillow and brought it down on Amy’s head. “No, goofy, nobody could be a better friend to me than you.”

Amy grabbed the pillow and hit me back. “I was just checking,” she giggled.

It felt good to hear her laugh, but I needed her to feel sure of our friendship.

“Seriously, nobody has been or will ever be as good a friend to me as you, Amy. Please, never doubt that again.”

“Okay, I believe you, and I love you like a sister, too,” Amy said. “I guess I knew it, but I needed a reminder.”

We both lay down on our stomachs across the vast, plush bed.

“I think it only looks like I fit in,” I confessed. “Most of the time, I feel like an imposter. I feel like all of this—my Alpha life—will disappear one day when I’m not expecting it.”

“That’s because it’s new to you,” Amy said. “But why would it disappear?”

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. “Alex is severely ill, and I’m not entirely sure what will happen if he dies.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Amy said. “I’m sure he’ll ensure you’re taken care of.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed. “But there are other things I worry about too. Like, is there any future for me with William, and am I going to make a fool of myself at the ball?”

“Now, who’s being goofy?” Amy asked with a grin. “You and William get along great. And with all the dance practice you’ve had with Victor, you’re gonna do much better on that dance floor than me.”

“Let’s see if I can make it a little more even.” I reached for my phone to send a text to Victor.

“I worry about my secret with Victor being exposed, too,” I said. “It wouldn’t make either of us look good if anyone found out our engagement isn’t real.”

There was a knock on the door, and Jennifer popped her head around the door. “Miss Wilson, would you mind if I measure your friend for the alterations that need to be made to the green gown?”

“That’s a terrific idea, Jennifer,” I said and coaxed Amy from the bed.

“She’s a tad bit shorter than you,” Jennifer said as she measured Amy, writing down the numbers precisely before she left to call the seamstress.

“You’re going to look pretty at the ball, Amy,” I said.

“You’re going to look stunning,” Amy countered.

“I’m worried that I’m going to look too different,” I confessed. “I don’t want people to think I’m trying to be something I’m not.”

“And I’m crazy nervous about my first shift,” I told her. “I don’t know what to expect. Nobody’s ever explained it to me.”

Before Amy could answer, my phone buzzed. It was Victor asking me to bring Amy down to the ballroom right away.

Before we left my bedroom, Amy and I shared a hug, and we promised each other to talk more.

“I didn’t realize how much you have on your mind,” Amy said. “But I don’t think you should worry so much. Everything is going to work out just fine.”

We left my room and walked to the top of the staircase.

Amy turned to me and smiled. “I think all of these changes you’ve made have been for the good. Don’t worry about what anybody else thinks.”

We joined Victor in the ballroom, and Amy’s face turned bright red when he started music for a waltz and took her hand.

She turned to me and began shaking her head. “I can’t do this, Daisy.”

Victor put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “Don’t be nervous, Amy. I can teach anyone to dance. I taught Daisy, didn’t I?”

“Well, that was rude!” I protested and then laughed along with them. It was nice to see Victor quickly put Amy at ease with his wit and charm.

Amy had a few rough moments at first, but she caught on much faster than I had. About twenty minutes later, Victor had her twirling around the floor. She could waltz.

Next, he showed her the basics of the foxtrot and the two-step. By the time they stopped for a break, Amy was smiling.

“What were you complaining about so much?” Amy asked. “That was kind of fun.”

“You’re not as clumsy as me,” I reminded her.

“Then maybe you should be practicing right now instead of me,” Amy said and motioned to Victor.

Victor bowed gallantly and took my hand. Together we performed the tango.

I had enough practice that I moved to the music without thinking about it. Victor and I locked eyes as our bodies moved as one.

After the music stopped, we got the message that Amy’s father was ready to leave. So I walked my friend back to the drawing room.

Halfway down the long hallway, Amy put her hand on my shoulder and whispered into my ear, “The way you danced with Victor made me blush. I thought maybe you wanted to be alone with him.”

“What … What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’ve never seen such chemistry between a man and a woman. You and Victor are smoking hot together.”

“No way,” I protested, but Amy's words made me feel disturbed.

Chemistry? Impossible.

But I have not reflected on my feelings for Victor for a short while.

I once felt that I didn't like him, but I didn't hate him either.

I guess I liked Victor as an important friend now.