The Billionaire's Daughter

A week after my birthday surprise, my parents arrived from their trip abroad. They had some party coordinators setup a party for me. Previously, the parties were only for my parent's business partners and my mother's political colleagues and close family friends. I was usually bored to death. There were times when I thought my ears were bleeding from so much political terms and current events discussions. This year the coordinators made it more painful for me. They invited my teachers and schoolmates. To add insult to injury, I was not aware of the guest list and that the invitations were already distributed until the day of the celebration.

At the school Ladies' Washroom, I overheard someone talking.

"Were you also invited to the Geek Queen's party?"

"Yeah. Almost half of the school was invited."

"The biggest hotel will be catering her party. That hotel takes almost a year to book. I wonder how the hell did they pull that party."

"Heellooww! Her mother is a senator?! Her father is one of the richest people in the world?!"

"I know I know. What a way to rub it in our faces!"

"Who does she think she is! Inviting us to her party we're not even friends with her."

"Maybe she thinks we will like her now that she sent us some invitation."

"I heard her mother's fellow senators will be coming and so as her father's business partners."

"I bet billionaires and some celebrities will also be there."

"That is the reason why my parents insisted that I go and attend. They said it will be a good start for my career."

"That's the exact thing my parents told me. Their family is very influential."

"What? So you girls are thinking of attending her party?"

"I don't have a choice. I am forced to."

"That Saphira witch is getting bolder and bolder. I think that friend of hers is making her think she is more special now."

"Well, we can't blame her for trying to fit in now that she has a hunk of a guy doing her every bid."

"Do you think they are doing it? The deed I mean?"

"Well, she's a slut so I think they are."

"I just hate her."

I can't help but cry upon hearing all their malicious words. I did not mean to pry but what could I do? If I went out the stall, they will know that I have heard all their discussions.

I promised myself that I will not be affected by their words anymore.

I have to endure this once more. Only one year to go Saphira. I kept on reminding myself that only one year of hell and then I'm free.

"Saphira! Wait up!"

"Hi Franco. I thought you left for work already? I still need to do something at the library." I did not look at him for I am sure he will notice that I cried.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did you cry? Your eyes and nose are all red and puffy."

"Nah! I think I'm having colds"

I tried to fake a sneeze but Franco's serious gaze made me stop. He was getting annoyed at me again for lying to him.

"You know I hate it when you do that. What happened? Tell me."

He pulled me towards the library to our usual spot.

"..."

"Bestie, if you don't tell me what happened, I swear I will pull all the hairs of the mean cheerleaders here until I find out who made you cry!"

"Fine! They did not mean to do it, I'm sure."

"What?!" He almost shouted but we were at the library so he had to tame himself.

"Okaay owkayy. I heard a group of girls talking in the washroom. They were saying things about me and the party."

"What party?"

"Most of the people here got invitations to my birthday party. It was supposed to be a surprise I guess since I did not know anything about it until now."

"So that is the invitation I heard a while ago. I've been hearing the word Invitation quite a lot today."

"See? Everyone thinks that I wanted them to come to my party when I didn't even know I have one!" "What made you cry?"

"..."

"Saphira, I know you. You're not telling me everything."

"They were talking about us. They were saying bad things about us. Malicious things and I hate it when they do that. Its okay if they just say things about me but if it involves you... I just want to shout at them and...and...stuff their faces with... with... potatoes!" Silence.

When I looked at Franco. His face was all red and funny. He was trying to keep himself from laughing and the effort was making its toll on him. Finally he let go. "Hahahaha...."

His laugh was contagious and we ended up laughing our assess off. We just had to stop when the librarian went to our table.

"This is a library may I just remind you."

"Sorry."

Franco pulled me out of the library and into the deserted gym. We sat in one of the bleachers.

"Saphira, there really are no bad bones in you, are there? Stuff their faces with potatoes?! Hahahaha... How did you manage to come up with that... hahahaha."

"I'm glad you're very amused at my expense." He was laughing hysterically. I should be offended but I was rather happy that I was making him laugh that much. "Hahahaha... its hilarious really. So....rry... I just... can't... stop...laughing. Awwwww! Why do you hit me with your bag! That's heavy!"

As much as I enjoy seeing him smile and hearing him laugh, I just needed to do that.

"You dimwit! Stop laughing at me. You're supposed to make me laugh and now you're making fun of me."

It was weird how one second I wanted to laugh with him and then started crying. I don't know why I did but I was just so tired of trying to be strong. My parents did not even ask me if I wanted to have a party. They did not even ask me who I wanted to invite. They did not care about how I would feel.

"Hey... I'm sorry. Please don't cry. Saphira... Shhh... I'm here for you always."

He pulled me sideways into a hug and I cried on his shoulders. He stroked my hair to comfort me.

I cried for every hurtful thing I heard about me.

I cried for every party thrown for me that I never even enjoyed.

I cried for still wanting to feel the love and care of my parents.

I cried for still hoping that other people will understand me.

I cried for still hoping that everything will be better.

I cried for being so weak.