Chapter 13

The day of the social gathering, Tess and Matilda help me dress up in a flowy white dress and my hair is styled into a fancy up-do. Tess spends two hours on my makeup. Is this how long it takes for rich people to look good?

Francis arrives a hour earlier than planned in his car and waits outside the mansion for me. I can hear the loud whisperings of the servants as they wonder who he is. I stumble out of the front door in the highest heels I have ever worn and smile at him.

"You're here early." I say as he holds open the front passenger door for me and I climb in.

"It's a good thing I came now." He sits next to me in the driver's seat and glances at my outfit. "Let's find you something else."

"Why? What's wrong with this?" I ask.

"Your feet will hurt in such high heels and this dress doesn't match well with your physique." He says matter-of-factly. I can't argue with him since he is correct.

My face warms up as I realise how well he knows my body after training me. "You're a pervert aren't you?"

"I'm helping you and you insult me?" He pouts, "I thought we were friends."

I chuckle and pat his head, "Fine. Let's go."

***

A new thing I notice about Francis Tag is that he is actually pretty good at finding an outfit which suits me. Not even ten minutes into our search for the perfect dress, he hands me a long  purple dress with a slit on one side. I walk into the changing rooms and try it on before coming out to show him. His eyes widen a little but he nods.

"We'll take this and this." He says, handing the dress and matching ballet shoes to the cashier. I smile. He really knows me well enough to choose flat ballet shoes over heels.

As he pulls out his card, I grab his arm and shake my head, "I'll pay." I say.

Francis refuses, "I'm the one who asked you to do me this favour Beatrice. It's only right for me to buy you the things you'll need. Just count it as an extra job." He says as he pays.

I sigh, "Fine but I'll treat you sometime."

"Sure." He grins as we leave the shop.

"Why are you so happy about it?" I ask curiously with a chuckle.

His face tints red, "Just."

I pinch his cheek, "Tell me Master."

"Ow!" He shouts in pain as I laugh, "You're horrible."

"Thank you." I wink. It's always fun to talk with (and tease) Francis.

"We have a few minutes to get to the hall." Francis says as we sit back in the car. I already got changed into the new outfit in the public bathroom so we're ready to go.

I quickly check the basket of fancily wrapped cookies and cupcakes I brought along to advertise and promote at the social gathering. It's a great opportunity to network within the higher classes. Maybe I will find people interested in doing business with me.

"You're planning to give them out?" Francis asks as he drives.

I nod, "I'm thinking of using this chance to promote the bakery. I haven't been to any social events recently so I didn't have the chance before."

"I'll help you." Francis smiles.

"Is that alright? I don't want you to go out of your way to help me."

"We're friends dummy." He pats my head with his hand as he continues driving with the other one. "Isn't it my responsibility to help you?"

I happily grab the hand he placed on my head and lean my cheek against it, "Thank you so much bestie!" I cry loudly.

Francis chuckles, "Bestie? What's that?"

"Oh, best friend." I say. I forgot that they probably don't understand my slang here. I'm so used to speaking the same as I did in my other world that I often forget that they probably don't understand some of the words from my old life.

Before entering the grand and magnificent hall, I ogle at the huge building which reminds me of where the prince and princess usually meet in fairy tales.

"Wipe your drool." Francis whispers to me and I quickly wipe at my mouth with my face heating up. However, his laughter makes me glare at him as I realise he was teasing me.

"I'm already regretting thinking you were my best friend." I mutter and stomp ahead.

He runs after me and grabs my arm, "Sorry but your expression was gold." He chuckles. He stops when I give him a death glare again.

"Let's go." I say with a huff and we walk arm in arm into the hall. The inside is vast and just as grand as I had imagined. This hall is especially designed for the higher class rich families. The ceiling is plated with gold and the ground which we walk upon is carpeted in a dark red shade.

As we step inside the room, I feel many pairs of eyes on us. They must be surprised to see the evil Beatrice Hatter make a public appearance. Much more so to have come with someone other than Laurent Bunter.

Smiling openly at the faces watching us, Francis waves and walks over to talk to people he knows. Not knowing anyone here, I silently follow him around as he meets and chats with those he knows.

Once the music starts and couples around us start dancing, Francis bows and holds out a hand to me, "May I have this dance My Lady?"

Blushing as the eyes watch us, I have no choice but to nod and take his hand. "I don't know how to dance." I whisper once we are close. My hand is on his shoulder whilst he his arm is around my waist and the other hand holding mine.

I have always been clumsy in my past life, and it seems like Beatrice shares the same trait, so I never really learnt how to dance. I know Beatrice must have learnt it in her etiquette lessons before but I am not the real Beatrice now so I won't be able to dance at all.

"Don't worry, just keep your eyes on me and I'll guide you." Francis smiles reassuringly.

I nod nervously, "Okay."

As he dances slowly, I find it easier to follow his lead and manage to keep up with the rhythm of his feet. He twirls me around and I gasp in surprise. This dancing is giving me an adrenaline rush.

When the music stops, we smile at each other and Francis walks away to bring us some drinks. The wine in this world tastes a lot better than those I drank in the past.

Waiting for him, I stay at the side, watching the others talk and laugh around me. So this is what high society looks like. You can tell the rich are proud as they boast about their accomplishments and money to each other.

All of a sudden, the hall turns silent as everyone's faces are turned towards the entrance. Curiously, I stand on my tiptoes to have a look but I can't see anything pass the heads of those in front of me. For the first time I regret not wearing heels.

As the talks and laughter restart, I find my eyes fixated at the dessert table. I'll go and get some whilst I wait for Francis. Hungrily, I gaze at all the variety of expensive desserts. I have never tried these before. I take a few and place them onto the plate. Walking back to the side, I eat an eclair and moan loudly as the cream and chocolate enter my mouth. Heavenly!

"What's up with her?"

"Weirdo."

"She's a psycho. Have you heard what she did to her sister?"

I ignore the loud whispers around me as I indulge in the delicious desserts. I don't have time to care about their words when I have these lovely snacks to keep me company. My eyes widen as I remember my baked cookies and cupcakes. How did I manage to accidentally leave them in the car?

"Oh, look what we have here." A voice sneers.

Glancing up from my food, my eyes widen but I remain composed as I ignore them and focus back on my desserts. Is this life full of bad luck?