Chapter 9 - The Ball?

The day of the ball finally arrived. Mrs. Cole has been running up and down the whole week making sure I had everything I needed. She found a designer to make the perfect gown. Despite my repeated protests, she ignored me and went ahead to purchase the most expensive gown the designer made. I was not used to seeing anyone buying anything for me. I was used to buying secondhand clothes and styling them to my taste.

Let's face it, I was basically poor, from a rich family that didn't care about me. The only time they bought me clothes was when I had to meet other people. Now that I think about it, they might have been pack members. We always had guests, but I was forbidden from interacting with them. One time, when I was still young, I told a child to bring me some food from the table because I was starving. But the child ran to her parents and told them there was a beggar in the house.

Long story short, my parents gave me a thorough beating for embarrassing them. Since then, whenever I was hungry, I stole from the kitchen. I was so used to being treated as trash that I didn't notice the abuse. I didn't know that a child should be raised in a loving environment. Love was a word I was not familiar with. I had never experienced it, so I didn't know what it felt like.

The Cole mansion might be big with numerous rooms it didn't need but there was a warmth here. The place felt like home. I’ve never had a home I didn't want to run away from. Everyone was kind, patient, and accommodating, which I found weird at first. I was not used to the kindness, so I assumed there was a hidden agenda behind it. Why would anyone be kind to me? I had nothing.

It took me a minute to recall, they were kind to Zendaya, the heir to this house, and not to Semira, who no one knew. Nothing good ever happened to Semira except coming back to life.

Early that afternoon, the designer dropped off the gown. Mother had hired a makeup artist, hair stylist, and a nail technician. I spent the rest of my afternoon preparing for the evening ball. We were to arrive at the venue by 6 p.m.

After hours of sitting down, I was finally ready.

"You look amazing," the professionals kept gushing compliments.

"Do you want to have a look?" the hairstylist asked.

I nodded. A full-length mirror was wheeled into the room. I was encouraged by the team of professionals who were convinced I looked amazing, to check my outfit. In the softly lit room, I stood before the ornate mirror, my breath catching as I took in my reflection. My fingers traced the intricate embroidery of my flowing purple gown, the fabric draping elegantly around my figure, shimmering in the light. The curls of my hair, carefully styled and cascading down my shoulders, framed my face in a soft, radiant halo.

My brown eyes popped beautifully from the soft makeup. My eyes widened in wonder as I admired the delicate details, the way the gown complimented my curves, the way the color accentuated my skin's warmth, and how the curls added an air of playful sophistication. A genuine smile softly curved on my lips, marveling at the transformation I saw before me. I was gorgeous.

Confidence exuded from my every movement, as if the mirror had unlocked a newfound appreciation for my beauty both inside and out. I didn't get to experience such things from my previous life but now I will cherish every new memory like it's my last. I learned how life can be short from my previous one.

"You have always been beautiful Semira; you just didn't have anyone to tell you," a soft voice said in my head.

"Oh my God, you look so beautiful," Mrs. Cole announced.

She took my hands in hers and stared at me. Analyzing my entire look from my hair, to my makeup, and my gown.

"I'm so happy you came back to us," she whispered.

As she approached, a warmth radiated from her presence, drawing me into a gentle embrace. Her arms encircled me with a tender reassurance, a comforting embrace that felt like a soothing balm to the soul. The scent of her perfume, subtle and familiar, wrapped around me, creating a moment of solace within her embrace.

There was an unspoken understanding conveyed through the simple act of her holding me close. It was as though her hug spoke volumes, sharing empathy, comfort, and an unspoken bond that transcended words. In that brief connection, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the reassuring embrace of her arms, a moment of solace that felt truly heartfelt.

I feared I would get used to this and it would be taken away, like any other thing I've wanted.

This is all I wanted from my previous life, my parents to hug me and tell me everything was going to be okay. Instead, I got bruises and insults. Sometimes I wondered, didn't I deserve happiness? I did everything possible to make my family notice me, hell even love me, but I got nothing in return.

"Zendaya, is something wrong?" asked a concerned Mrs. Cole.

"Huh! No, it's nothing."

"Then why are you frowning my darling?"

I didn't realize I was frowning. Things about my previous family always left a bitter taste in my mouth. My good mood was almost ruined thinking of those people.

"Mrs. Cole, the car is ready, we can leave now," Mr. Benson announced.

How long has he been standing there? How long was I in my head that I didn't realize the professionals had left?

"Let's go, Zendaya, before you change your mind."

Mrs. Cole grabbed my hand, ushering me out of the house and into the waiting car. Her husband left early in the morning to deal with the security of the event. Being the Betas, they were the right-hand men and women of the Alpha King. I had yet to meet the Alpha King but that was not my main goal for attending the ball.

I was attending the ball because Essie would be there, and I wanted to catch a glimpse of her wicked face before I totally destroyed her and the family. You could call me non familial because I was planning to annihilate them from this world.

A smirk formed on my face for the second time since I came back. They won't know what hit them.