Chapter 7: “This Place Isn’t for You” – The High Society Party
1299 Words
The glimmering night unfolds not within the Academy, but in the glass-ceilinged hall of a lavish mansion.
Golden chandeliers flicker above as classical melodies blend seamlessly with subtle electronic rhythms.
Inside, laughter and dancing echo through the air — tonight is reserved for the elite only.
Entry is granted through private social approvals and coded invitations.
The grandeur of the evening pulses with the laughter of privileged youth and the rise of music.
Golden lights reflect off glass walls, and the air is thick with the scent of expensive perfume.
Ares, Cassian, and the others lounge in an exclusive corner.
Livia sips her drink in a sleek black silk dress.
> Cassian (laughing):
“Let’s see if our little surprise has arrived…”
> Livia (rolling her eyes):
“If she actually took the invite seriously and showed up… this night will be unforgettable.”
Just then, the main doors swing open.
Helen.
She's wearing an off-white, form-fitting yet elegant dress.
The silk hugs her body, but the cut at the chest is daring.
The neckline is bold — yet it’s carried not with seduction, but innocence.
As if the girl doesn’t even realize how revealing it is.
She steps in shyly, scanning the room, looking afraid.
The music softens.
Some heads turn.
Whispers begin.
> “What’s she doing here?”
“This isn’t for scholarship trash.”
“What is she wearing?”
“Is she trying to sell herself or what?”
Ares turns his head.
The moment he sees her, his eyes narrow.
He sets down his glass, rising slowly, each step deliberate, fire in his gaze.
Helen sees him.
Her eyes widen.
Panic wells up inside her — but she can’t move.
Ares approaches, his expression openly furious.
> Ares (through gritted teeth):
“What the hell are you doing here?”
> Helen (timidly):
“I… Cassian invited me. It was a party, so I thought…”
> Ares (lowering his voice, full of anger):
“Are you that stupid?
You really didn’t get what Cassian was planning?
Do you still not understand there’s no place for you here?
And… what the hell is this?”
His gaze lingers on her dress — especially the chest.
> Ares (harsh):
“What do you think you are?
Everyone’s staring at you.
You’re putting yourself on display. Look at yourself — like a shop window doll.”
Helen’s eyes well up.
She tugs at the hem of her dress, trying to hide her body.
> Helen (soft, breaking):
“I… I just wanted to look beautiful. I didn’t mean anything bad…”
> Ares (mercilessly):
“There’s a difference between looking beautiful and looking cheap.
But you’ve gotten so used to being stared at, you don’t even see the line anymore.”
The group approaches.
Cassian walks over with a smirk.
> Cassian:
“I think she looks just fine. Don’t you, Ares?”
Helen’s cheeks flush crimson.
She lowers her gaze, unable to meet their eyes.
Shame rushes over her, even though she knows none of it is right.
Cassian steps closer, breaching her personal space.
> Cassian (coldly):
“So, are you gonna be our little w***e tonight?”
The girls behind him giggle, taunting her.
He reaches out, grabs a lock of Helen’s hair, gives it a slight tug.
> Cassian:
“Maybe I’ll take her for a test drive tonight…”
Helen can’t bear to look up.
She’s trembling, barely holding back her tears.
But it’s no use — they spill over.
Ares suddenly turns to Cassian.
His gaze sharp as a blade.
> Ares (calm but threatening):
“If you try to have fun at her expense again, I’ll make you pick your teeth off the floor.”
Cassian says nothing.
He smirks faintly, but steps away.
Ares turns back to Helen.
His face still full of fury.
> Ares (coldly):
“Don’t stay here tonight.
These people will leave marks on you and won’t even remember.
But I will. And if I ever see you like this again…
you’ll regret it.”
Helen’s tears begin to flow.
But she doesn’t move.
She only whispers:
> Helen:
“Why are you so angry?
Why do you even care...?”
Ares’ jaw clenches.
Without hesitation, he steps closer.
> Ares (low, with suppressed rage):
“Shut up.”
Helen freezes.
> Helen (timidly):
“I just…”
Ares grabs her arm.
He begins dragging her through the crowd, rough and fast.
Helen stumbles — her heels catch — but he doesn’t stop.
> Helen:
“Ares… please… you’re hurting me…”
He pulls her across the room, toward a shadowed corner — the back exit.
Everyone watches.
But no one says a word.
Then he stops abruptly.
He grips her arm even harder, staring into her eyes.
> Ares (with disgust, raising his voice):
“Get the hell out of here!”
> Ares:
“This place isn’t for cheap girls like you.
What, did you come here to sell yourself tonight?”
Helen’s eyes fill.
She tries to free her arm, but he doesn’t let go.
> Helen (choked voice):
“No… please don’t say that… I just… I just wanted to feel beautiful…”
> Ares (cruel):
“Beauty is one thing. Worthlessness is another.
If you let people look at you like that…
you’ve already sold yourself.”
Tears stream down her cheeks.
Her shoulders shake.
She stands there — like a child, broken.
Ares looks into her eyes.
For a moment, it’s like he’s fighting something inside himself.
Then he steps back — like her touch disgusts him — and shakes off her presence.
> Ares (sharp):
“If I ever see you in a place like this again…
you won’t be able to predict what happens next.”
He turns and walks away.
But—
A whisper behind him.
Barely audible, but heavy with meaning:
> Helen (softly):
“Don’t go…”
Ares’ steps falter for a split second.
But he doesn’t turn.
Helen doesn’t move.
Tears streaming, her voice shaking:
> Helen:
“I just wanted to look beautiful… to you.
I know I’m stained in everyone else’s eyes.
But in yours…
I don’t want to disappear.”
Ares stands still, his back to her.
His fist clenched.
> Helen (through sobs):
“Wasn’t it enough that you broke me?
I just… wanted you to notice me. Even for a moment.”
Ares turns.
Slowly.
His eyes dark — but a storm brews within.
He walks to her, stops.
Expression unreadable.
But his muscles are tense.
> Ares (low voice):
“Seeing me as beautiful… is a mistake.
Caring about me… is weakness.
And you… are doing both.”
Helen nods through her tears.
But says nothing.
Ares leans in.
His face level with hers.
> Ares (whispering coldly):
“If you get any closer to me…
I’ll shatter you so badly you won’t even look at your reflection again.”
But just as he starts to turn away…
Helen gently reaches out, trembling, and touches the hem of his shirt.
She doesn’t even look up.
> Helen:
“Maybe… I want to be broken.
If it’s by you… but let it be real.”
Silence.
Time seems to freeze.
Ares’ eyes soften — for just a moment.
Then he pulls away from her touch — not harshly, but decisively.
> Ares (cold):
“You… are pathetic enough to become an addiction.”
And this time, he truly walks away.
Without looking back.
Leaving behind a heart fractured — yet still fiercely restrained.
Helen stands at the threshold.
Her face wet with tears.
But in her eyes…
there’s a strange warmth.
Because for the first time —
she felt a crack in him.
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- Writer
