I stood desolate at my back door. I had left Jay's place feeling more empty than when I arrived, and I didn't even get to have sex like I wanted to. We spent the hours we had talking, and getting know each other. I told him things I was ready to tell him, and he let me in half way as well.

My mind drifted to when I was leaving, and I couldn't help but feel like a waste of space. "I have to get back," I said to Jay.

"To what?" He asked me.

To what? What a fucking question. What am I rushing to get back to? I opened up to him about everything except my home life. He doesn't understand why, but I'm not trying to keep it from him. I just know that if I talk about it, I'll never stop talking about it. All the hurt, the anger, and the pain would all come out. Should he really know me like that?

I made my way back into the house undetected. I had went into my room to change out of the dress that I wasted, then back into my art studio to put away my things. On the way out of my studio, I somehow ran into my Father.

"Dad," I said, startled. "What're you doing up?"

"I just got thirsty." He said simply. "Have you been in your studio all night?" He asked, like he already knew the answer.

"Yeah," I answered nervously, tugging at my cashmere sweater.

"And I take it your Mother told you about going back to school?" He asked, with a raised brow.

"Yes." I nodded, staring down at my feet.

"You know Charlotte," he began, causing me to look up at him. "Your Mother and I only want the best for you."

"I know, Dad." I answered. "I'm gonna go to bed now." I told him, rushing back upstairs to my room.

I couldn't believe they were serious about me going back. Not everyone needs to go to college. Not everyone has to conform to societies illusion of success for the little people.

And maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to join my mothers sorority and pledge to Alpha bitches. I can't think of a worse way to spend my time and youth. Maybe Jay is right, maybe I do rush home to nothing. Maybe I shouldn't.

~*~

"Charlotte, are you listening to me?" My Mother called out, pulling me out of my head.

"Yes, Mom, I'm listening to you." I responded courtly. "How could I not." I muttered underneath my breath, rolling my eyes.

"Charlotte, you had better not embarrass me at this event."

"Mother!" I whined. "When have I ever done that?" I asked her, wondering why she's hounding me. We just go from one gala to the next. For one cause or another. I'm so tired of all this pretending.

I stared at the family portrait on the wall. The three of us with Kodak smiles on our faces. From face value, we were the perfect family. I wondered idly why we couldn't be like that in real life. If they took a small peak at what this family was really like, they would never stare at this picture again.

They would say, "look at Charlotte, and her unhappy life, and her overbearing parents." I couldn't stand looking at it anymore. I wanted to throw something at it, and break it into pieces. I wanted to erase its existence.

"Don't worry, Mom," I started. "I will behave as always. Can I go now?" I asked her, suddenly thinking of a new painting to start on.

"Sure." She replied, but sighed heavily. "Just be ready for the party tonight."

I rolled my eyes after I turned my back to her, then headed straight for my studio. The only reason I had to bear those parties is because of my Mother. It would be a terrible look for her to be at an event without her whole family. Especially since she made our family so well known to the public.

I pushed thoughts about my life out, and focused on my art. This was my favorite part of painting: the beginning. I loved deciding colors, and moods. I thought to paint a brown girl with leaves as hair. "Don't forget that people are trees," I muttered to myself.

I figured this is one painting I would get lost in, so I went to set an hour timer on my phone. When I opened it up, I saw a text from Jay that immediately made me smile. He wanted to know if I could sneak out and see him tonight.

"Sorry. No can do. Parents having an event :(" I replied through text, then set my phone down and started to paint.

I don't know what I'm going to do with him always wanting me to sneak out. I feel like my parents will eventually catch on. I never get anything past them.

About an hour had passed me by, and the timer went off bringing me from my place of refuge. I silently cursed to myself then headed upstairs to get ready. It was just like groundhogs day; entered my stylist and a whole team of people making sure I looked appropriate for this event.

I tried not to be irritated as I got my hair and makeup done, but I would rather be doing 100 other things at this moment. About two hours had gone by, and I was finally done getting dressed.

Since the charity event was hosted at my house, I didn't really need to go very far. Just to the ballroom in our mansion, where all our hosted parties were held.

I let my Mother parade me around like some circus animal, and put on a pageant queen smile for all the cameras and reporters that she invited. Of course it would be charity unless the whole world knew you were giving it.

After I was no longer needed, I snuck off to the back of the room, and sat at the loners table. I once again watched my parents go around the room, and shake hands of important people. I tried to make myself as invisible as possible until it was time to go.

"Miss Charlotte," a familiar voice started. "What a pleasure seeing you here." Jay grinned, and I gasped at the shock of seeing him.

"What're you doing here?" I asked him, glancing around to make sure my parents weren't looking.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were stalking me." Jay laughed.

"Jay," I whined, slapping him playfully on the shoulder.

"That's Mr. Jay to you," he corrected, sitting next to me at the table I was occupying alone.

"What if my parents see you here?" I asked him, trying not to become panicked.

"Relax," he sighed, handing me a glass of champagne. "I was invited to this event." He explained.

"You were?" I asked.

"Charlotte," he said in a serious tone. "I'm more connected to your parents than you think." He told me, sipping on his drink. "At first I wasn't going to come, but I had to see my baby tonight." He smiled, looking me deep in the eyes.

"Your baby?" I asked him, trying to hide the fact that I was blushing. He nodded his head "yes" and I smiled shyly at him. "Your baby is going to die if her parents find out you're more connected to me than they think."

"Why don't you stop worrying about them, and show me around your home?" He asked, raising a teasing brow. "I'd like to see your bedroom specifically."

At that, I laughed, but snuck out of the ballroom with him anyways. "If you insist Mr. Jay." 

He followed me upstairs to my bedroom, and I'm still shocked we managed to escape unnoticed. I let him look around as I sat on my puffy chair, texting everyone back that texted me while I was downstairs.

"Is this what you'd rather be doing?" He asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I can think of a million things I would rather be doing," I replied nonchalantly, never once looking up from my phone.

"Am I on the list?" He asked, causing me to look at him and laugh.

"You're on many lists Mr. Jay," I teased, sitting my phone down. "Which one do you want to be on today?" I asked.

"This place is huge," he exclaimed, gazing out of my window. "I can see why you don't mind being held prisoner here." He joked, but in the moment I didn't find it funny.

I was imprisoned here. Wasting my youth on Gala's and stupid events, when I should be living. France only gave me a taste of what could be. The freedom and the life I could have... if only I had the money. I cringed at the fact that my parents had pretty much bought my loyalty. I cringed at the fact that I let them.

"I'm a modern day Repunzel." I shrugged, trying to joke about it. "I guess you're my Prince Charming." I joked, laughing at myself for the metaphor.

"Isn't the point of that story to be taken away from home?" He asked in all seriousness, and I shrugged.

"I guess it is."

"So do you?" He asked, not once taking his eyes off me.

"Do I what?" I asked him, clearly confused.

"Do you want to be taken away from home?" He asked, and I couldn't tell if he was smiling or smirking.

We stared each other down, and I got annoyed with his question instead of happy. Who is this man? Who does he think he is, demanding to be dealt with. Who gave him the right to come into my life, and demand I be free? "Why do you want me?" I asked, frustrated with everything.

"What do you mean?" He chuckled.

"You can have literally any girl downstairs in that room." I said to him, furrowing my brows in frustration.

"I want you." He shrugged, looking stunning in a suit and tie.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I just do." He smiled. I sighed at his vagueness, done with all the secrets. "There's something about you Charlotte. I can tell." He said matter-of-factly, with a half smile that almost stopped my heart. "You have this innocent thing down packed, but there's a woman in you that wants to come out, and I'm curious to meet her." After stating that, he pulled me in close, and wrapped his hands around my waist in a possessive manner. One hand slides down to my hips, and his deep green eyes meet mine. He bends to whisper in my ear. "I think with a little bit of exploring you and I can find her together."

I blinked in response, not knowing what to think of his offer. Was I really hiding away who I am inside? I tried to remember a time when I truly felt like myself. Maybe when my parents gave me a taste of freedom in France. But maybe not even then.

"Let's say I did..." I trailed off. He lifted my chin with his other hand, and looked into my eyes with burning passion. I looked into his eyes and saw a sexy glint of hunger. He looked like he was just waiting to devour me.

Jay turned me around, and his hands slid up my body, to my chest area, right underneath my breast. I'm in awe of how intoxicating his touch can be. He planted a kiss on my neck before going in for a full suck. I let out a groan and clutch onto his shirt.

He runs his hand down to my dress and raises it an inch to fondle with my thigh. He grazes me with his finger, and I feel myself getting damp. He runs his other hand along my breast over my dress briefly, and the light feel of his touch sends me to heaven. I'm aching for him to tear this dress off me, and grab them.

"What's going to happen if I come? Who's going to take care of me?" I asked him, trying not to get distracted by his advances. Before I can complete my line of questioning, he pulls me into a passionate, and steamy kiss. His hands reach for my nipples through my shirt, and he teases them with light squeezes.

The sensation reaches the center of my brain and I cry out in pleasure. The other hand raises my dress hire, and spreads my legs. His finger caresses my inner thighs, touching me in just the right places.

He sucks on my neck intensely, and gives it a bite, before whispering in my ear. "Then we can do this all the time without sneaking around." I finally pulled away from his grasp, being brave enough to let go.

"So that's all I am to you?" I asked him. "Just something to fuck?" I asked in all seriousness, and he shook his head.

"No! It's not just about sex to me, Charlotte." He said, running his hands through his hair. "I never invited anyone to stay with me in my home before. I like you, Charlotte. You're the one that's in the compromising situation. I didn't ask for this."

"I know." I blinked, looking down at my feet in shame. He's right. I am the one in the compromising situations. I'm the one that has to sneak around my parents. I'm the one that's stuck in an ivory tower. My train of thought was interrupted by footsteps coming toward my room. I mouthed, "oh my god," to Jay, while panicking slightly.

There were three knocks, and then the door opened. To my surprise I was standing there alone. "Charlotte?" It was my Mother. "What're you doing up here?" She asked.

"I had to pee." I answered simply. "Sorry I took so long."

"Okay," she waved, gesturing for me to come out. "Come back downstairs. I need you for something."

"Okay." I answered. Following her out the door. I don't know where he went, but I left feeling relieved, and pondering his offer.