n the day, Katherine would have had breakfast made, Charles would be happily sipping his morning coffee, and the twins would

ing, however, wa

! You drank all t

d change your pants, the

is milk went

You're burni

had woken Taliana in the first place, but now that she was standing right outsi

ning over the sound of the television, which was spewing the latest news about the stock market, causing her father to let out a distressed groan every

hifted when a towering plate of

she ushered the twins into t

't need to b

when the television shut off and her fa

ir. He then turned his attention to the twins, who were gl

urn away from her sister as she answered the question. "S

s, miniskirts, and sandals. It looked great on both of them, bu

one to change?" Vanessa huffe

ou wer

, I

re

s,

re

as

pulling and screeching. At least that was how it used to end when they were kids. Hopef

air over her shoulder as she finally swung her brown eyes aw

e I would ever w

heir father beat her to it. "Both of you change or yo

their seats before Tal

Katherine chuckled. "Th

is food. "We won't have anything else to

bt they ever will. I just hope they

lucky I'd just sealed that deal at work or else they'd be gett

omfortable lifestyle, Taliana still couldn't comprehend how two sixteen-year-olds could spend that much money i

ed. "You could help keep those two in check. Plus, I'm su

. "Yeah, sorry, I'll pass," she answered

a chance to bond with the t

e look on Katherine's face was making her feel guilty. "Okay, sure,"

boy's party tomorr

of her mother's awful creations a few months ago. Memories of that event

trance of the kitchen, now sporting a yellow sundress. "H

finally did. "Sebastian Phillips?" she asked, having practically forgotten abo

as she breezed in, her outfit modi

re at the girls in disbelief.

s all out for his parties, but this one is supposed to be the best

stupid like his birthday party back in fourth grade when he ha

ng her a few seconds later. "I forgot you haven't seen

for a piece of toast. "He's not

ot as h

of what they were saying. "I

twin for help, but V

murmured, treading carefully. "H

. It had to be ten times worse than that. "Sounds like the

her cut in. "Why don't you go too, Talia? There's bou

sip of her juice. "I wasn't invit

oblem. I know the owner of the club hosting th

n't k

ir of finality in her words. "Peop

gether in confusion. "

" Suddenly, a sparkly pink phone was being

faster than wildfire, causing her to go from practically invisible one day to the top

party?" Vanessa asked, tapping her m

"I'll just wear je

eir faces told her she'd

pulsed by the choice. "No, no, no. You ne

hing out to pat Taliana's shoulder comfortingly. "

is the Andrea Colton, aka the hottest designer at the moment. How ca

idn't dress as fabulously as her mother. It sort of made

off. "We'll help you out. Because you can't go t

that she'd had forever. Her face was makeup free and her hair was thrown haphazardly into a bun, telling of

iana in as well. "I think we'll ha

or scared for her life, but she was leanin

ore getting up from their seats and

" Marissa

shot away from the curb. Her white-knuckle grip on the seat didn't ease until ten minutes later, when Vanessa swung the car into a parking spot on M Stree

hat is

have to tr

look amazi

this on

t are you w

s pile things into her arms, heading for th

*

ny of which had a proven effect on people, but all hope was l

been buzzing incessantly for what seemed like ages. "Jude, if you don't turn that thin

fter so many years. "Touch my tie and you'll get a pair of cement shoes and a bath in t

of threats ran

nce at the screen, Jude hit a button to silence the noi

iously annoyed by her persistence. "Did she not get the mess

er why you were

e been obvious? I mean, I was literally in the middle of flirting with at least three guys when

r you were in the market for a boyfriend," Sebastian suggested dryly, his gaze drifting to the young woman w

llowing Sebastian's gaze to the now blushing girl who dropped the

king through what the salesgirl had brought in. "No harm in having some fun. So

re the whore

realized there was somewhere he needed to be. "I've got to go," he called over his shoul

ntinuing to check himself out.

one more time, calculating how long it would take to ge

from the mirror, glancing

been getting cars for my bir

buttoning a few more buttons to expose his tan chest

amused he would even consider that. "Only guys wh

needed to do some s

e something to wear for the party, would you? I don't have enough time to do it myself. Afte

n again and shooed him with one hand. "

ed a hand in goodbye.

started toward the front of the store, but not b

g exterior and painted windows, which made it the perfect hideaway. The comforting scent of spices greeted him as he entered and made his way up the

lid so far down in his seat that he almost disappeared under the table. Sebastian glanced

gh night," M

suddenly interested. "Oh?

got in early and my mother was obviously unprepared for an

Jacob's direction.

e. "I somehow managed to get out of taking him aro

cue, his

rson. "Hello?" Marcus answered hesitantly, pausing momentarily as the woma

used glances, both knowing their f

. "He did what? What is he, a fucking pyromaniac or something?" A sudden blush consumed his face

Sebastian continued to watch as Ma

to the Capitol." Without a goodbye, Marcus hung up and grim

ichael questioned.

'accidentally' lit a houseplant on fire today. Apparently, he though

ecord on drugs, that's not surprising," Michael sn

a venomous loo