I'm glad Ben never left here. I finally held my breath as I grabbed the bodice of the skirt. The hall of the mansion was empty. Everyone was in the restaurant. I wanted to run to the door, but I couldn't leave the island. Painful to continue life! I can only endure it.

The door to the ballroom opened, and I was startled. Candace slipped through the door. I shook my head and raised my hand.

"Listen, I don't want to speak," I said.

"I'm not here to talk to you," she said. "I've tried."

She walked past me and towards the hall. I doubt she'll go to the restaurant.

I squinted my eyes and tried to find my way back to the platform. I found Ben only because he was the only one who didn't wear a shirt. He sat on the platform with his elbows propped up on his knees. I sat next to him. He turned his head and looked at me with a smile. I raised my eyebrows because of how inappropriate it looked.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked.

"Yes," I said.

He reached out and took my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. His smile softened.

"I love you." He spoke so quietly that only I could hear him. He cleared his throat and said loudly. "Everything will be fine." The ballroom door opened, and I ripped Ben's hand off my face. I stood up and smoothed my skirt. Leta came in. She made her way through the crowd and came to us.

This time it's a serious expression.

"Benjamin and Diana, you come with me," she said.

"Where are we going?" Ben asked.

"Dr. Alexander wants to talk to you," she said. "Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Phillips are already there."

The dress seemed to crush my ribs again and keep me from breathing.

That's it.

Oliver is going to sell me.

Ben put his hand on my shoulder and nodded. We followed Rita and she led us through the house. We were silent, and the only sound in the air was the sound of Rita's sandals on the floor. She stopped outside a mahogany gate. She knocked on the door and looked inside. She opened the door wider.

Gregory sat behind a heavy wooden table. Candace sat down at the table. She crossed her legs and leaned towards Gregory. Oliver and Bethany stood across from them.

"Thank you, Rita," Gregory said. "You can go."

Leta bowed before exiting the office. I exhaled with a shudder and looked at Ben.

"Now, Oliver," Gregory said. "The first thing I want to say is that I was very surprised by Princess Diana. You've accomplished something that I thought I would never see. ”

"Thank you, sir," said Oliver. "However, something caught my attention," he said. "I need to trust my subjects, but I have a feeling that I can't trust Diana."

Gregory turned his computer screen towards us. Before I could see anything, I heard a scream. His computer screen is big enough that I can see the video clearly. When Ben grabbed me, I pressed naked against him.

We had cameras in our room. They can see everything Ben and I did last night.

The heat rushed up my cheeks. I buried my face in my hands. I can't watch Oliver.

"I'm sorry," Oliver said. His voice trembled a little. "I didn't know anything like this was going to happen."

"I warned you how close they looked," Gregory said. "But don't worry, Oliver. Your hard work will not be erased by Diana's stupid mistakes. You're accepted, but I don't want to buy her. ”

I wish I could feel a little lighter, but the video was still playing and I cringed at the sound of our mixed cheers.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Oliver said.

"Diana is so new to me," Gregory said. "I do expect more from Ben."

"I'm sorry, sir," Ben said. "I didn't think much of it."

"We're leaving tonight," Bethany said. "Excuse me, can we keep this a secret?"

Gregory nodded.

"You can go if you want," he said. "I can't wait to see what you can bring me next year."

"I can't wait," Oliver said.

"Thank you, Dr. Alexander," Bethany said.

I looked up from my hands and saw that Bethany was out of the office with Oliver. Candace shook his head. Ben grabbed the crook of my elbow and led me down the hallway.

Bethany rushed through the hall. Oliver hurried to keep up with her.

"Beth, it's okay," he said.

She turned on her heels. It wasn't until she tossed the champagne to Oliver that I realized she had a glass of champagne in her hand. As soon as he flashed, the glass slammed into the wall and shattered. Bethany's face flushed, and her jaw clenched.

"Are you kidding?" She said. "This won't work!" "You're right," he said. "Ben took advantage of Diana."

"No, he didn't," she said. "Your goddamn little slut lunged at him."

Oliver grabbed Bethany's shoulder. She tried to shake him off, but his hands tightened.

"Don't call her that," Oliver said.

"You're sick, Oliver," she said, continuing to resist his grip. "You're jealous of Ben. You just wish you could do this to Diana. That's why you don't want to sell her. Oliver turned and threw Bethany against the wall. She fell to the ground. I looked around and was surprised to see that no one had come out after hearing their screams. Gregory must have had a camera, he must have been watching it all. Ben grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.

"We're going to pack," Ben said.

"No," Oliver said. "I don't want you to get near her."

Oliver grabbed my other arm and pulled me away from Ben. He looked down at Bethany. Her face was still red, and her chest was still heaving.

"Beth, I suggest you pack up Ben and yourself," he said. "We'll leave this hour and go to the island."

Oliver pulled me through the hall. I tripped over my skirt, but Oliver grabbed my other arm and got me to my feet. I looked back and saw that Ben was helping Bethany off the floor. She put her arms around Ben and wept in his arms.

I was wearing this dress and was annoyed and tripped as I tried to keep up with Oliver. He quickly locked me up in the locked flank and threw me into the room. He took my suitcase out of the closet and began to load it with clothes. He threw me one of the garments.

"Go change your clothes," he told me. I nodded, turned and went to the bathroom.

"Wait, Diana," he said.

Before I could turn around, Oliver had ripped the ribbon off the back of my corset. I gritted my teeth as he pulled out the hairpin that had my hair coiled up. The curls Candace did this morning fell down my shoulders.

"Alright, now let's go and change our clothes," he said.

I grabbed the skirt and walked into the bathroom. I changed into a sundress. I walked out of the bathroom and Oliver snatched the skirt from me. He stuffed it into his suitcase and zipped it up. I saw my jacket and shoes on the bed. I put them on and my tension was reduced a bit. I was already surrounded by some familiar feelings of coming home.

"Come on," he said.

I followed him as he walked to the antechamber. Ben was already standing next to his suitcase. I could hear the faint sound of music coming from the ballroom.

"Wait here," Oliver said. "Keep your distance from each other."

We waited, watching Oliver ascend one of the stairs. When Oliver was out of sight, I ran to Ben. I put my arms around his neck and smiled at the corners of my mouth.

"We're getting out of here," I said.

"We are," Ben said. He kissed the side of my temple. "I like this, but we have to be careful."

I left Ben. He grabbed my chin and pulled me closer to kiss before letting go. I had to take a step back. All thanks to this?

A few minutes passed before we heard footsteps. Bethany was walking down the steps. She wears a pair of jeans and a sweater. Her makeup was wiped off and her hair tied back her head. Oliver stood behind her with their two suitcases. As soon as she saw us, she scoffed. I hate it and I rejoice in my heart!

"You left them alone?" She asked. "Honestly, Oliver."

"What do you want me to do?" He asked.

"I just want you to stop being an idiot."

Oliver rolled his eyes as he walked past us. Malik was waiting for us outside in his car. When Bethany got into the passenger seat, he put our luggage in the trunk. Oliver, Ben and I sat in the back seat. I was squeezed between them. Oliver pulled my glasses out of his pocket.

We all sat quietly as Malik drove us out of the house.