Chapter 7 I'm ... staying ? I'm a little disoriented when the head of staff , Easton , takes the space the Ashfords vacated and starts to speak sternly . Against my better judgment , I crane my neck , following the movement of the Ashfords as they move to the back of the terrace . They don't leave , however . Instead , they turn their backs to us , conversing quietly among themselves . Curiosity burns through me , but Easton's loud throat clearing recaptures my - and every other gawking girl's - attention . " Welcome , once again , " he starts . " As Mr. Ashford has said , this competition is important - arguably the most important thing you will ever do in your lives . " His words make me slightly bristle . I know my life doesn't necessarily amount to much , but the thought of this superficial competition - in which the prize is a spoiled rich boy who hates me - as the peak of my life makes me sad . Sad and angry . Why am I still here ? " Now , listen carefully . I won't repeat myself and failure to obey these rules I'm about to set before you will result in immediate elimination and expulsion . " I feel a tug on my hand and look down to see June staring up at me with wide eyes . " What's he talking about , Spring ? " she whispers . " What's going on ? " I smile softly . " It's okay , he's just , " " Listen carefully , " Easton hisses , glaring in our direction . " Some attention seekers are already breaking the rules before I've even finished spelling them out . " My face burns as eyes once again revert to me and some girls - Valerie - included snicker behind their palms . " As I was saying ... " He looks away from us and starts to list the rules . " During the span of this competition , you are expected to be on your absolute best behavior . You are not to have any contact with the outside world . " He snaps a finger , and suddenly , servants appear from seemingly nowhere and start moving through the crowd . " Surrender all cellular devices , including laptops and tablets , " Easton instructs . " They will be returned upon completion " -he smirks- " or elimination , whichever happens first . " A woman sidles up to me and stretches out her palm expectantly . Her name tag reads Rachel . I deposit my battered old Nokia into her hand , and she stuffs it in her apron pocket . Then she spreads her arms , gesturing for me to do the same. I raise a brow in confusion just as Easton says , " You will now be thoroughly searched to ensure you have not snuck in any listening devices or further contraband . " I can't help my eye roll . Could the Ashfords be any more paranoid ? Rachel doesn't share my sentiments and taps her foot impatiently . With a sigh , I spread my arms , and I kid you not , she starts to pat me down like airport security . All around us , the rest of the girls are subject to the same treatment as Easton continues . " If you remember , when you were informed of your acceptance into the competition , you were given a document to sign - that was an NDA . If you're not familiar with those , it means that you are forbidden - absolutely and completely forbidden from sharing anything you see , hear , touch , or even taste within these premises to the outside world . If you do , not only will you be instantly eliminated from the competition , but you will be sued within an inch of your life . " Ah well , there goes Lou's explicit instruction for me to update her every step of the way . " You will have a strict regimen that you're expected to follow to a tee , " Easton says . " You will also undergo rigorous training in manner of etiquette and your physical appearances before various levels of selection . If you cannot pass these levels - if you are not deemed worthy to bear the Ashford name , you will be promptly eliminated . " 1/2 Chapter 7 Rachel finishes patting me down and slides over to June . My sister spreads her arms wide , but as soon as Rachel touches her , June begins to writhe uncontrollably . " That tickles , " she giggles as Rachel pats her stomach , and the servant shoots me an unimpressed look . " June , " I say lowly , eyeing the rest of the crowd as they glance at us yet again . " Behave . " " Sorry . " She squirms , now trying to stifle her giggles as Rachel's hands reach her armpit . I turn slightly to see if we've once again attracted the Ashfords ' attention , but none of them turn back in our direction . I find myself distracted , my eyes wandering over the back of Nathan's powerful frame . I don't know if I'm grateful that our spectacle was so easily forgotten or offended that nothing concerning me is even a little bit memorable for Nathan . Another excited giggle from June snaps me back to reality . " She doesn't have anything on her , " I say to the servant , who ignores me as she does one more sweep over my writhing sister before taking a step back . Rachel retreats and , just as swiftly as she appeared , disappears . " Now that you've been thoroughly searched , if at any point you are discovered with any contraband , you will be immediately- " " Eliminated and expelled , " I mumble under my breath at the same time as Easton . A girl within earshot shoots me an annoyed look laced with disdain while , next to me , June giggles . " Now . " Easton claps his hands with a flourish . " It's time to go inside - your home for the next couple of weeks . " His words make my heart skip a beat , and even more so when he continues . " As you cross this threshold , you are no longer who you used to be ; everything you do , say , or even think is a reflection of the Ashfords and you will do well to remember that . " He turns around , and like sheep herded by their shepherd , the girls and I move , following after him . As I move closer to the entrance of the grand mansion , my heart pounds wildly . I can't believe I'm really doing this . I turn to get one last glimpse of Nathan , but he's blocked from my view by the girls moving behind me , so I turn back and , grasping June's hand tightly , take a deep breath . , Then , I cross the threshold into the Ashford Mansion . Chapter Comments Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!