Chapter 49

I could tell by the concerned expression on Victor’s face when I returned from the ladies’ room that I wasn’t hiding the hurt the two women had caused with their mean, petty words.

But I didn’t want to talk about it. It would be embarrassing if Victor knew what people said about me.

“What’s the matter, Daisy,” he asked. “We were having such a good time.”

“Nothing,” I replied. “I’m starting to get a headache.”

“I have some aspirin in the car if you need it,” Victor offered. “I’d be glad to go out and get it for you.”

“No. I’ll be fine,” I insisted. I didn’t need aspirin. I just wanted to leave the restaurant to avoid facing those women again.

The waiter brought our chocolate soufflés, but I wasn’t hungry anymore. I could barely taste the incredible confection as I ate a few spoonfuls to please Victor.

“Are you sure you’re okay,” Victor asked. “You love chocolate soufflé, but you’re not eating it.”

“I forced myself to give him a little smile and said, “I don’t want to gain any weight before the ball. I want to look good in my gown.”

“It’s nice to see you developing some girlish vanity, but you don’t need to worry about gaining weight,” Victor said. “You girls need to stop thinking you’re overweight when you’re not.”

“Besides,” he continued. “We will burn many calories on the dance floor when we return to the mansion.”

I forced another smile and ate a few more bites of the soufflé. Yet, I could barely taste it, and it felt like glue going down my throat.

After Victor paid the check, we left the restaurant, and although I tried to be cheerful on the way home, I couldn’t think of anything other than those women’s words.

I always knew people thought I was ugly, but it still hurt to hear them say it and laugh at me.

Victor and I went straight to the ballroom. He reminded me that we didn’t have much time left to practice, and we began with a waltz.

We were on the dance floor for less than five minutes when my eyes filled with tears again, no matter how hard I tried to hold them back.

The words the woman used to describe me, like, ugly girl, homely, and stutters, swirled through my mind.

Victor immediately noticed my tears and led me to a nearby chair. “You need to tell me what’s wrong right now. I know something happened at the restaurant. You have been upset since you got back from the ladies’ room.”

He handed me a handkerchief and crouched down in front of me. “Please tell me what happened, Daisy.”

I nodded and took a deep breath before speaking. “Do… Do you recall the large group of Alphas that came into the restaurant and waved at you from across the room?”

Victor nodded and waited for me to continue speaking.

“Two of the women came into the bathroom.” My voice shook as more tears filled my eyes. They d …didn’t know I was nearby, and they didn’t know I … I am Alex’s daughter.”

Victor slowly shook his head as he listened. His concern was touching. He tenderly stroked my cheek, but I could see his anger beneath the surface as his jaw tightened.

“They said they were glad to see you having dinner with a pretty woman because you have to marry the ugly girl that attended the James’s pool party in a wetsuit. And they called me homely and made fun of my stutter.”

Victor’s mouth dropped open, and he took my hand as I continued to tell him what happened.

Tears were flowing from my eyes again. “They said they couldn’t wait to see what a disaster my …my ball was going to be and that you must have a way to get out of m…marrying a girl like me.”

I began to sob, and Victor pulled me into his arms.

“Daisy, you’re not ugly,” he insisted. “I know you’ve always thought you were, but it’s untrue. You only believed it because other people said it. And it made you hide your true self from the world.”

“But you must trust me when I tell you you are beautiful inside and out. And you’re smart and funny and a wonderful person. I enjoy spending time with you. And I’m proud to take you out with me.”

“If you were just an ugly girl, do you think I would take you out like I’ve been doing?”

I shook my head. It was nice to know Victor enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed his.

“You need to continue to grow and show the world who and what you really are,” Victor said and hugged me tightly.

He let me cry in his arms for another minute.

“There’s nothing wrong with being angry about what those women said about you,” he told me. “They don’t know you, and they were wrong.”

He put a finger under my chin and made me look into his eyes. “And I know you’re the type of person not to think of revenge, but if I were you, I know what I would do.”

I dried my eyes and told myself I wouldn’t cry anymore over the words of two women I didn’t know.

“What would you do if you were me, Victor?” I asked.

“Prove them wrong,” he said. “Your best revenge will be to hold your head high when you walk into your ball, looking as beautiful as I know you will look.”

His words made another tear slide down my cheek. It sounded terrific, but I hoped I could do what he suggested.

“And at your ball, you don’t have to be nice to anyone who has been unkind to you,” Victor said. “Alex and I will have your back no matter what. It will be your night. Ignore any Alpha who has been rude and obnoxious to you.”

“Does that apply to everyone?”

“Of course,” Victor said. “Except for me, that is.” He gave me a sheepish grin. “You don’t have to dance with anyone who has hurt you in the past.”

“Thank you,” I told him. “That helps a lot. I’m not good at confrontations, but I have a lot of practice at ignoring people.”

Victor laughed and pulled me to my feet. “Let’s practice some more. The ball will be here before we know it.”

We started to dance again. My feelings were still a little raw, but I felt much better. When the music for the tango came on the sound system, I gave myself to the rhythm and let the music and Victor help me forget about those nasty women.

But as the music died, I had a horrible thought. I forgot my ball gown.

“Victor, I can’t walk into my ball looking beautiful. I don’t have a gown.”

“You don’t?”

“No. After Mrs. James told Alex my green ball gown wasn’t good enough, so I gave it to Amy. I totally forgot that I had to pick another one.....Now I don’t know what I’m going to wear. ”

“After I pick you up at school tomorrow, I’ll take you to Gisele’s for your gown,” Victor promised. “ It will be an exquisite creation that will make you look like a princess.”