Page 3 of The Enemy

Gone were my wide-leg slacks. Instead, I wore a suit much like stepmommy dearest, except it looked ten times more provocative on me since my curves made it skintight.

My father looked at me curiously, and from across the table, I could feel Neo’s gaze trying to burn a hole through me.

“I didn’t realize you were going to the club right after this,” Pricilla sneered.

This time, I let myself smile. “I have to make the most of my youth. I’m sure you know all about that, don’t you?”

Marie started to cough, and I knew it was because she was trying hard not to laugh. Oh, the show everyone here was getting today. It didn’t matter because this conversation would be forgotten once this meeting was over.

"Please proceed with your vote,” I said, holding the envelope in one hand and motioning for them to continue with the other.

“Honey.”

My manicured nails dug into the leather as my father called after me. His voice was much softer, and for some reason, it made me second-guess myself.

Did I really want to go through with this?

I did.

I had to.

“Let’s do this,” I told him, my voice lacking my earlier venom.

“Okay, this is a majority vote.”

“I’m sure unanimous would work just fine,” Pricilla inserted as if it were a joke, but we all knew she was serious.

“I’ll start,” Marie spoke up. “My vote is for Lourdes.”

Even though I knew she believed in me, I still felt warmth at her words.

“I second that.”

I gasped upon hearing my father’s words.

He wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were on everyone else, waiting for them to speak up.

Pricilla went next.

“Neo has my vote.”

Like anyone doubted that.

And so, everyone else went, and I stayed stoic, pretending like a piece of me didn’t break as the remaining eight people voted without ever considering me.

Silence followed.

I could feel all eleven pairs of eyes upon me, but I took a calming breath instead.

“Congratulations, honey. I know you’ll do us proud." A few seconds later, Pricilla broke the silence.

I reached for my phone and sent the email that had been in my drafts the last week. I didn’t know why I waited until the last moment… I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

“Lou…” my father began to say, but I didn’t jump at the chance to please him.

I stood up with my chin held high and once more caught Pricilla smirking at me. This time, I let her see how much I hated her. Then I turned toward Neo, who regarded me carefully. Once our eyes locked, his gaze became softer.

“Lou—”

---