Chapter 30 Because I spent a long time hesitating , remembering how wonderfully disastrous the last dinner with the Ashfords went , and also had to be reassured repeatedly that June would be fine on her own , I end up arriving at the dining hall late . My heart drops to my stomach when I see that the seat next to Nathan is already occupied - by Valerie . " Didn't think he was particularly interested in any of the girls . " I jerk slightly , startled by the presence next to me that seemingly appeared out of nowhere . Peter jerks his chin towards Nathan and Valerie who's smiling like the cat that ate all the cream . " Turns out he invited her to sit next to him . " His words send my heart plummeting further downwards . Nathan hasn't shown much interest in any girl in particular . Why now ? Why her ? Peter shrugs , a smirk appearing on his lips when he notices the morose look no doubt plastered all over my face . " Don't worry , though . " He winks . You can sit next to me ; Mom will be absent this evening . " " That's alright , " I mumble , not even sparing him a glance before I move to the end of the table , taking the empty seat next to Eliza . I'm on the same row as Nathan and Valerie so thankfully , I don't have to look at them unless I crane my neck forward - and I'm not that much of a masochist . Peter is still smirking - no doubt very satisfied with my reaction - as he makes his way to sit in Marisol's empty seat next to his father . As the appetizer is served , I survey the table , trying to distract myself from the uncomfortable feeling in my chest . Then my eyes land on Lucas sitting on the other side of the table . Lara is seated next to him , and the two of them are engaged in what seems like a pleasant conversation . He looks calm and ... normal . If I didn't see it with my own two eyes , I would never believe that the man I saw two nights ago , that wild , savage being lost in the throes of lust , is the same person I'm looking at now . As if he can feel my eyes on him , Lucas looks up - and our eyes meet . For that split second , I'm transported back to that terrifying moment when our eyes locked through the gap between the door . I instinctively avert my gaze , my heart pounding wildly . When I summon the courage to look back , he's no longer looking at me , conversing once again with Lara . I sigh in relief as I start to eat , content to talk occasionally with Eliza . As empty plates are cleared and more courses are brought , I realize I haven't seen Sarah at all this evening . I wonder if her absence is intentional after that night . Despite her ... extracurricular activities, I hope I didn't get her into any trouble . Regardless , I firmly remain in my seat , determined not to stumble upon any more exciting sights . The dinner goes almost as the last one went , with the girls occasionally talking with Samuel or Peter or Lucas . Noticeably though , Valerie doesn't say much to anyone else , content to talk to only Nathan . She makes sure to giggle extra loud and even though I force myself not to look in their direction , I just know she's finding the littlest excuses to touch him . The fact that he sat next to me during the last dinner and didn't say a word but is talking so freely with Valerie makes me want to stab myself with one of the expensive gold forks . Even with June , he was so open and friendly . Is it me ? Am I the problem ? Back in high school and now - what is it about me that repels him ? I didn't stay until the end of the last dinner , so I don't know if they did then , but at the end of this one , Samuel raises a toast before excusing himself . Grateful that the dinner is over without incident , Eliza and I stand , deciding to head back together . 1/3 P P Chapter 30 When we leave the dining hall and are out of earshot , she leans in and says lowly , " Are you okay ? " I force a smile . " Yeah , I'm good . " She nods . " Do you think it's true that Nathan specifically invited her to sit next to him ? " I don't need to ask who ' her ' is . I shrug , hating the topic of discussion . " Maybe . " " I heard some girls saying that it's because she gave him a gift . " 1 raise an eyebrow . " A gift ? " She nods . " Apparently it was so thoughtful and he liked it so much that he asked her to sit next to him at dinner . " I wrinkle my nose . I can't imagine Valerie doing something thoughtful for someone else . The information also sours my mood further . I made him a thoughtful gift , too . Why wouldn't he ask me to sit with him ? Was the knee brace not as great as whatever Valerie gave him ? just as we reach the stairs to the east wing , I spot Isaac coming down the stairs from the west wing . He spots us at the same time and waves cheerfully . " Hello , ladies . " Despite my annoyance with his boss ' favoritism , I smile at Isaac . " Good evening . " He nods towards the direction we're coming from . " Is Nathan still at dinner ? " I grit my teeth . " Yes . " " I don't think he's ever going to be able to leave if Valerie has anything to say about it , " Eliza adds . Isaac nods . " Tell me about it , and because of her gift , I'm sure ' Nathan will feel obliged to accommodate her . " I roll my eyes . " What did she give him that was so great anyway ? " " She hand - made a knee brace for him ; it's quite nice , " Isaac answers . I blink . " What ? " Isaac nods . " It's not common knowledge , but Nathan had a knee injury in high school . It still hurts once in a while and Valerie must have noticed . Apparently , she begged the tailors to use one of their machines and custom - made him a knee brace . He doesn't look it , but he's a sucker for thoughtful gestures like that . " I glare down at my hands - at the tiny holes from when I pricked myself with the needle countless times . " What strikes me as weird , " Isaac continues , " is that she even noticed his discomfort . His injury wasn't made publiq and Valerie doesn't strike me as the observant type . " Isaac sees the thunderous look on my face and mistakes it for disapproval or something because he stumbles over his next words . " Shit , I shouldn't be talking about the contestants like this - or Nathan for that matter , " he says , as if realizing that he was basically gossiping in the hallway with contestants . " It's okay , " I find myself saying , forcing a smile for his benefit . " Yeah , " Eliza adds , waving his concerns away with a smile more genuine than mine . " Don't worry about it . " Isaac smiles gratefully . " Thanks , girls . I'll see you around . " Then he leaves , probably to find Nathan . Nathan , who is wrapped around Valerie's finger - because he thinks the little she - devil made the knee brace . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!