Trapped in Royalty

6. Best giftever

When the knocks wouldn't stop, I stood up and walked over to the door in just three seconds because of the short distance.

I peeked through the peephole, my mouth opening, when I saw my mother. She never liked visiting and never missed the chance to complain about how lowly my place was.

"Jacqueline dear, it's your mother." My mother said just as I opened the door. Mother walked in, with her nose scrunched up and walked in with my older sister Sophia. I couldn't see her through the peephole, probably because she was in my blind spot.

Sophia had always been my mother's favorite, but she and I were never close as sisters.

I closed the door after them before turning to them and crossing my arms over my chest waiting for an explanation.

I knew for a fact that they weren't here to check on me.

My mother just looked around the small room in contempt before turning to me with a smile. From afar, she looked so elegant with her hair in a bun and her nice-looking clothes, but I already knew that her green dress was only ironed to crisp while her black heels were well polished to look new.

She had her handbag hanging on her elbow while the other hand held a black and white shopping bag.

My sister Sophia, on the other hand, looked around the apartment in disdain before deciding to sit on my sofa. My place wasn't filthy, but the bad furniture made it look bad.

Suddenly, her gaze went to my new phone that was lying on the sofa and picked it up, looking at it in amusement.

"Isn't this the latest Xphone? Who gave you this? Some new guy you are seeing?" she asked, flipping the phone open.

"Give it back," I snatched it away from her and she scoffed.

"Aren't you happy to see your sweet mother dear?" my mother asked sweetly.

"I know you are here for something, mother, just say it." I replied coolly, but she only beamed, making me suspect that she was indeed upto something.

"Mother, I told you we shouldn't waste our time on her, I can perfectly do it." Sophia sneered, and I noticed she wasn't wearing her wedding ring.

"Hey Sophia, why don't you let me handle it?" mother cut her off with a scornful gaze. "You are in your late thirties now, and already married." Mother said the last word in distaste and Sophia frowned as if she had been insulted.

I remember when Sophia used to be the favorite daughter. That was some years back when she dated a rich man, but everything fell apart for her when he caught her cheating, and now she is married to the love of her life and mother sort of hated her for it because the man she married wasn't rich.

That was hypocrisy if you ask me, because mother also married a poor man, my father, that is, yet she wants us to marry rich so she could have a better life, so if she thinks for one second that I'm going to follow in my sister's footsteps then she is about to be disappointed.

"You know today is a special day, right dear?" mother turned to me, her smile returning to her face.

"I wasn't aware of that," I replied dryly.

"Well, I'm sure you are aware that today is the Queen's birthday," she stated, and I raised my eyebrows. Now where is she going with this? She certainly piqued my interest. "And you know your sister knows some people in the higher class," mother said gleefully, and I nodded, wanting to know more.

"Well, look what she got!" Mother said and took out a card from her purse. I took it and my eyes widened when I realized it was an invitation card to the celebration.

"Is this for real?!" I gushed and Sophia smirked. I sniffed the card, which smelt so nice I felt like l*****g it, there was a golden seal for a stamp on the card and I used my nail to scratch it and was more than excited when it appeared genuine.

It was obvious that this invitation card wasn't VIP, but for escorts, meaning my chances of walking on the red carpet and getting captured by the paparazzi or seeing the queen or one of the princes are slim to none, unless I had a VIP partner.

"Yes it is!" mother replied cheerfully.

"This should fit you," she handed me the shopping bag and took out a rectangular black box from her purse. "These are your sister's," she handed me the box. I opened it and gasped when I saw the diamond necklace and it's earrings. "Oh you thought they were real, didn't you?!" mother laughed at my reaction, while Sophia rolled her eyes at us, seemingly tired of our interaction. "But not everyone can tell unless they have a closer look," she stated before turning serious. "Now I want you to wear your best clothes and go in there like you've always belonged. Sophia and I can help with your hair and makeup."

"No, that won't be necessary," I said, closing the black box. "Both of you should go. I can take care of everything from here." I said, and my mother pressed her lips, unsure.

"You sure you can do it?" she asked.

"Of course mother, you can trust me with this." I replied and opened the door, motioning for them to leave.

"With this," mother pointed at the invitation card I was holding. "You will be allowed inside the castle and into the hall where the celebration is taking place." mother continued with a stern face. "Guard it like your life until then, because without it, you can only stand behind the gates like every other commoner," mother warned, and I nodded as I hugged the card to myself. My smile was unwavering. "Your sister had prepared a ride for you. It would be better than arriving in a taxi. Don't be late as the chauffer will be here at 8pm."

"Alright mother," I beamed. I had never been so proud of her.

"Now go make us proud." mother winked while walking out and Sophia abruptly stood up from the sofa like she had been sitting on some hot iron.

"Finally leaving this sh*thole." she sighed dramatically. But at the moment, I couldn't find it in myself to take offense, if anything, the best gift I could ever ask for, even if it wasn't wholeheartedly.

"Now be nice to your sister Sophia." Mother warned her on their way out. I waited till Sophia was out before I shut the door and started jumping in excitement. I get to be in the midst of all the people I admire in magazines and those I follow on Iglamspark and mingle with them, maybe sneak in a picture here and there.

The best of it all, I'm going to enter the castle where the Queen and Prince Nathaniel live! Woohoo! If only the hotter Prince Asher could be there too. I sighed in dismay.

I walked over to my wardrobe, and it was after I opened it that I realized I had no suitable dress for the occasion and that I had spent all my money buying my Xphone, if only one could wear a TV to a party. Even if I had any money, it was now 6pm and the party was to begin at 7pm.

I opened the necklace box and looked at the rather heavy but glittering earrings and necklace.

Opening the shopping bag which had no logo on it whatsoever, I took out a hot pink dress, and when I spread it out, my eyes widened. I was sure I had seen this dress somewhere. Throwing the shopping bag away, I rushed to my bedside and picked up the latest magazine I had bought, quickly going through it, and in one of the pages, there was none other than a model wearing this latest Mucci design, and she also happened to be my favorite model and actress, Hannah Jacob.

"Kyaaaa!!" I let out a squeal, realizing that I was holding the same piece of clothing. "I am sooo going to kill it at his party!"