Chapter 5 Oh , sweet Jesus , he's gorgeous . Nathan Ashford is the single most beautiful man in all of existence - and he has his arms around me , holding me to his firm , n , warm body and I stare at him , shell - shocked and spellbound , unable to form a coherent thought . He's staring , too . And he's also frozen , those emerald eyes burning into my grey ones . The look he's giving me is void of recognition but , at the same time , filled with a searing intensity that makes me momentarily dizzy . Then Nathan blinks and moves , righting me . Suddenly , the background noise that filtered out the second Nathan Ashford had his hands on me filters back in , and I feel the curious eyes of everyone on the terrace burning holes through Lou's dress and onto my skin . " Um ... " I swallow , feeling my face burn as Nathan's hands slip from my waist . " Thank you . " He raises a questioning brow , and his eyes slide from mine , taking in our surroundings . " What happened ? " he asks no one in particular . The sound of his voice - the same , but also so different - has butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach . I try again to speak . " Um- " I stumble slightly when the girl steps forward , bumping me none too gently . " Nathan , " she gasps . " Hi , I'm Valerie . " She stretches a hand to him , and he doesn't take it , but she doesn't miss a beat . " Thank God you showed up . This ... this filth " -she points an accusing finger between June and me , and I resist the urge to slap her finger away from my face- " they attacked me . " My eyes widen as I sputter . " Attacked ? " I look to Nathan , hoping he doesn't believe her . " It was an accident ; my sister- " " Who isn't even a contestant , " Valerie interrupts , getting in my face . " She shouldn't be here ; she's a nuisance and so are you ! " I turn to June . My sister is looking at me , her eyes wide with fear and guilt . " I'm sorry , " she whispers , her lower lip wobbling . 1 move , grabbing her hand and pulling her behind me . I turn to Nathan . " I'm her primary guardian , and she has ... needs . I couldn't leave her on her own . " Nathan doesn't say anything , just looking between all three of us . There's not a single ounce of recognition in his gaze , and the thought makes my heart sink . It's bad enough that he so brutally rejected me , but it wasn't even memorable enough for him . It makes me feel foolish for remembering . For knowing all the ways Nathan's different and all the ways he's the same . He's taller and slightly broader . His hair is lighter but shorter . But the look in his eyes - that vaguely distant , slightly indifferent look he kept for people outside his circle . It's the same . " Please , " I whisper , beginning to panic slightly . " We can't be apart ; I have to take care of her . " " She shouldn't be here , " Valerie insists , shooting me a disgusted look . " And if you're so attached to your baby sister , you shouldn't be here either . " " The guards that brought us didn't have a problem with it , " I snap back at her , feeling my hackles rise impossibly high . " What the hell is your problem ? " She steps forward and pokes my chest with a perfectly manicured finger . " You , " she seethes . " You and your little brat running around stinking of poverty and attacking other competitors are my problem . " " It's just a dress , it was an accident , and we've apologized over and over again . " I glare at her . " Get over yourself . " At this point , anyone who wasn't looking in our direction from earlier is definitely interested now . I can hear June behind me , sobbing quietly , and that makes me angrier . She already believes that by being my ward and with her condition , she's ruined my life . But she's my little sister - my baby . I would do anything for her , and if it means leaving this pretentious competition where she's evidently not wanted , I'll do it in a heartbeat . 1/2 Chapter 5 Valerie turns to Nathan , her entire form vibrating with righteous indignation . " Do you hear this , Nathan ? " she asks , moving towards him . She wraps a hand around his arm , and he makes no move to discourage the contact . She sniffs . " Instead of apologizing for creating such chaos in your home , she's Insulting me on top of it . " I reach behind me and grab June's hand as I turn to her , away from Nathan and the girl . " Hey , Summer , " I say softly , wiping her tears gently . " It's okay . It was an accident and I'm not mad . " She looks around at the other occupants , and she visibly shrinks . " I just wanted to offer you a cupcake . " I nod , ruffling her curls gently and giving her what I hope is a reassuring smile . I squeeze her hand . " How about we go home , hmm ? " Her eyes widen . " Home? " I nod . " Home . " She gives me a small nod , and I straighten up and turn back to Nathan's blank stare and Valerie's sneer . " We're sorry about what happened , " I say to Nathan , ignoring the leech clinging to him . " We'll be out of your hair now . " Tugging June along , I start to walk away , towards the car that brought us . As I walk past Nathan , however , his hand shoots out and grips my arm , freezing me in place . The point of contact is like a brand , and spikes of electricity shoot up and down my arm . 1 look up at him , my eyes slightly wide . He's looking down at me , his brows furrowed as his eyes search mine like he's looking for something . I wonder , does he remember me ? Is he trying to place where he's seen me before ? Again , panic seizes me . What if he does remember ? If Nathan remembers who I am and how he feels about me ... No , I cannot afford to be humiliated any further . So I take a step back , pulling my arm out of his grasp , and force my voice to come out steady . " We'll be leaving n- A flurry of movement and whispers cuts me off and draws my attention to the far side of the terrace . My heart thuds in my chest when I see the spectacle that's more interesting than the one Nathan , Valerie , June , and I have created . The rest of the Ashfords have arrived . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!