Three Sweethearts, None for Me

It wasn't until Chloe, the scholarship student, showed up that I realized I was just a placeholder princess. But my father didn't know that. So, at a business gala, he announced loudly, "Anya, tell Daddy who you like. Bring him over, and I'll welcome my new son-in-law today!" The entire ballroom turned to look at the three wealthy heirs who had once been my closest friends, my protectors. But the three of them acted as if they hadn't heard a thing. One was feeding Chloe a piece of cake. Another was making her laugh. The third was watching her with an expression of pure, tender adoration. The silence was thick with awkwardness. My father's face stiffened. "Dad," I said quickly, "my boyfriend is studying abroad. I'll bring him to meet you when he's back." The three of them shot me a look of pure scorn. I knew they didn't believe me. They thought I was just trying to save face. But the truth was, I really did have a boyfriend.