Chapter 10 The Mockery Before the Banquet

Elena Romano's POV:

Life got pretty hectic for me.

Just a day after starting those etiquette classes, the second teacher James hired showed up. His name was Robert, and he was there to teach me academics.

My day was split in two: mornings for studying, afternoons for etiquette.

I'd wake up, have breakfast, and dive into ACT prep.

Robert seemed pretty happy with me. After checking out my high school grades and ACT scores, he said, "You just need to keep up your previous scores. Nail the interview, and you'll get that acceptance letter."

I already had my ACT scores from when I first applied to college, and they were good for five years. But James wanted me to retake it since he hadn't seen the report and didn't think my scores were up to his standards.

He was pushing for Boston University because Sofia was there.

He thought hanging out with top-notch people would help me ditch some bad habits.

I wasn't sure about Boston University's ACT requirements, but I figured brushing up on my knowledge wouldn't hurt. After Andrew messed up my acceptance letter, I got so caught up in work that I kinda gave up on my studies.

So, I didn't mind retaking the ACT.

James even found someone to recommend me. He didn't care what major I picked, which made me wonder if he had any faith in me at all.

I told him I wanted to go for a medical major at Boston University, and he laughed, "Alright, if you think you can get in."

Of course, I could. I was confident.

Taking care of Rosa when she was hurt got me interested in medicine. It wasn't my first choice, but I figured I could help more people by going down that path.

Robert was patient and encouraging, making my mornings with him pretty enjoyable.

But afternoons were a different story. They were all about etiquette, and it was torture.

Vivian's encouragement was all for Sofia. Sofia decided to join the class with me, saying she could help me learn faster.

Her foot was still bandaged, and her helpfulness won her more praise from Isabella and Vivian.

They thought she was a sweet, sensible kid who loved the family.

So, I couldn't say no.

But with Sofia around, I kept messing up. She liked to cause little accidents while I was practicing, and I never handled them well, which made me feel embarrassed and annoyed.

Vivian scolded me a lot.

But as the banquet got closer, I started getting the hang of it and could handle those little accidents better.

Vivian's attitude softened a bit. "Keep up your etiquette, Miss Romano. You're ready to handle small mishaps at the banquet. You've saved the Garcia family's face."

"Thanks for your guidance, Vivian." I learned to brush off her harsh words.

Arguing with Vivian would only make my parents think less of me.

I used to tell Isabella about some of Vivian's comments. Even though I asked Vivian to be strict, sometimes her words felt humiliating.

Especially when she kept calling me stupid and saying I'd embarrass the Garcia family.

But Isabella thought I was overreacting. "Elena, not everyone's gonna love you, especially if you're not that great. I don't think Vivian's humiliating you.

Sofia was also Vivian's student. She wasn't great at first and had to work really hard."

Why can't you learn from Sofia?"

Isabella's words made me blush. Even though I didn't think Sofia got the same treatment from Vivian, my constant complaining made me look like someone who just whines and doesn't try to improve, at least in Isabella's eyes.

After wrapping up the last day of etiquette class, I finally got a breather.

The maids were busy decorating the estate and checking the guest list for tomorrow's event, making sure they had the right number of party favors.

This was a big deal.

Isabella took Sofia to pick up their dresses for the banquet. I wanted to go too, but I had to memorize the guest list before tomorrow.

James didn't want me to embarrass myself by not recognizing anyone. A lot of his business partners were coming.

As I looked over the guest list, it felt like this banquet was more about James networking with his business buddies than welcoming me.

I felt like an excuse for the party.

It made me feel a bit lonely.

James didn't even ask if I had any friends or anyone I wanted to invite. He just ignored that possibility.

Even though I didn't have anyone to invite, it still stung.

I carried that feeling with me until the day of the banquet, when I finally managed to push it down a bit.

"Everyone will mingle a bit first. When most of the guests have arrived, the banquet will officially start. Then Dad will call you on stage and introduce you to everyone," Sofia said.

She was wearing a pink puffy dress with pearl jewelry. Her gloves were long, covering her whole forearm. Her golden hair was curled into waves, with the top half pinned back with a diamond-encrusted tiara-shaped hairpin, making her look sweet and cute.

I was in a white satin gown with a huge bow on the back. The skirt was so long I felt like I might trip over it.

Sofia picked this dress for me. Isabella didn't like it at first, but Sofia convinced her that since it was my banquet, I should be the most beautifully dressed.

Sofia even got me a full set of diamond jewelry, covering me from head to toe.

I felt like a peacock on display. I wasn't sure if this was what high society folks liked, but maybe their taste was just this over-the-top?

Wearing this dress, I felt stiff and awkward, almost unable to walk. "Okay, so what should I do now?"

"Maybe you can join me and meet my friends and some people your age?"

"If you don't mind, I'd love for you to introduce me. Thanks so much, Sofia." I really wanted to fit in at this banquet, and Sofia's suggestion touched me.

Sofia took me to the lounge area in the corner of the banquet, where some young people were sitting on sofas chatting. But when we got there, they stopped talking and started whispering, "Oh my god, who is this overdressed person?"

"She looks like a roll of toilet paper. Didn't anyone tell her how ridiculous she looks?"

"I get what you mean. It's like some kind of cosplay event, not a banquet."

I heard them, but I couldn't tell who said what.

My face turned red.

"Don't mind them, Elena. They're critical of every stranger," Sofia comforted me. "Don't you trust my taste?"

Her words made it hard to blame her.

Sofia was kind. She helped me with etiquette, picked out my dress, and didn't blame me after getting hurt because of me. How could I think she did all this on purpose?

I kept telling myself to stay calm and started to introduce myself.

But even while I was talking, someone kept laughing and mocking. "No matter how great Sofia is, she can't avoid having a terrible sister."

"Poor Sofia."

I couldn't hold back my emotions.