Sienna
The diamond necklace hardly seems real.
My father gave it to me as a welcome home gift.
When I saw it, I exclaimed and wrapped my arms around his neck. He's really the best dad ever.
And not just because he showers me with gifts. He's my best friend, the person who gives me sage advice, and most of all, he lets me know that I am loved.
I hear the people below, buzzing around the house.
As usual, my mother has hired the best party planners in town. This elaborate affair probably costs more than $60,000.
She loves to throw a good party.
It's a celebration of sorts, for my coming home and for my father to raise money for his campaign.
I step into the white and silver gown that my mother bought for me. It fits like a glove and makes me look like the heiress that I am.
The Who's Who of Hollywood is here. People with old money, and new money, and everyone in between.
Of course, I know most of them. I grew up attending these kind of parties. My parents made sure that I understood how to talk to people with money.
I took etiquette classes and have been trained to speak several languages. I play tennis and do ballet. I follow polo and read the news. I know how to play golf and to scuba dive. Every summer we take my father's yacht to the south of France. I'm well versed in art and literature. You can take me to any museum in the world, and I'd be able to show you around the place.
My parents have made sure I'm fluent in the art of having money, too.
I know the importance of philanthropy and the importance of maintaining a clean reputation.
Thus, my virginity is intact and I’m the perfect bride-to-be. All the guys in town who are remotely in my age bracket know that I’m the heiress to the Rose fortune. They know that in me, they’ll have the perfect Beverly Hills wife.
And all of that is on display tonight. This party is a coming out for me, so the Hollywood social set can see how Hudson Rose's daughter has blossomed into a young woman.
None of them know that I have secret ambitions of my own. I'm studying English, and I plan to be a writer.
This is something I have yet to tell my parents. I don't think they need to crush my dreams just yet.
Writing is something that Daddy would say is just a hobby. But I want it to be more than that. I know I can write novels that affect people and affect change.
So, at some point, I have to tell my parents that I'm not going to law school, and I don't want to be a lawyer as they had planned.
Tonight, however, is a party. And I'm not going to ruin Daddy's big fundraising with my own personal drama. I’ll tell them at a later date, like tomorrow.
You look great, Sienna. You can do this.
I always give myself a pep talk in the mirror before attending one of these glamorous events.
I walk down the hall and descend the grand staircase, seeing the party already in full swing. People are milling about inside and out in the backyard.
"Sienna! You're finally home. Won't you come say hello to my new wife, Barbara?"
"Hi, Mr. Miller," I say, shaking his hand politely. "How have you been?"
"Just great, honey," he says, pulling me over to meet wife number three. "Darling, I'd like you to meet Hudson's daughter Sienna."
A hard-looking brunette with fake tits and a fake smile turns to meet me.
She takes my hand limply and replies, "Hello, I'm Barbara, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Yeah, right. This dame couldn't care who I am. I'm not a man and I'm not rich so I'm not important to her.
"Well," I say, making my excuses. "I better go find Daddy. Nice to see you Mr. Miller, Mrs. Miller."
I'm walking around the edge of the party, trying to avoid the limelight.
"Darling," the party planner says. “Don't you look fabulous? It's been too long."
"Hi, Russo," I say. "You've organized a gorgeous party, as usual."
"Oh, you're too kind," he says, kissing both of my cheeks. "Don't forget, this party is for you also. And don't you look picture perfect."
"Thanks, Russo, I'll see you later."
I wander around as people begin to trickle in. I'm hoping to see some of my friends here tonight.
I walk over to the bar that's set up next to the pool and order a glass of champagne.
My mother walks over to me. She's wearing an elaborate gown. She's also dripping in diamonds and jewels. Her blonde hair is perfectly coiffed, and she looks like the consummate Beverly Hills socialite.
"Hi, darling," she says to me. "Are you drinking champagne already?"
"Mommy, I'm old enough to drink," I remind her.
"I know, dear. But just don't get too drunk tonight. We’re representing your father, after all. Tonight is crucial towards funding his entire campaign."
"I know," I sigh. "I don't understand why Daddy has to run for Senate, anyway. I don't want to be in the public eye. I like having my own private life."
"Sienna, I don't know what I'm going to do with you. We've been over this a thousand times before. Your father just wants to make a difference in the world, and running for Senate is one avenue to do that."
I sink down onto a barstool. I know this conversation is over. I know they don't care what I think.
It's just that I crave privacy and I go out of my way to protect it. I like being unknown.
"Don't forget to say hello to the Armstrongs," she says. "They're set to make a very sizable donation to your father's campaign."
"Don't worry, I will," I say, sipping my champagne.
She leaves to make the rounds. The party is glittering and fabulous. Russo has arranged for light pink roses to be everywhere, even floating in the pool. Crystal candelabras adorn every table, and the entire evening is candlelit and perfect.
I think back to what my mother said about the Armstrongs being here. Alex Armstrong is the man I'm going to marry. I'm sure of it.
He's good-looking and well-bred. He's kind and has an intellect that appeals to me. Our parents have been setting us up for years.
Most of all, the thing about Alex is that he's a safe bet. He’ll never divorce me or hurt me. He's easy to get along with, and that's what I need.
I've had an easy life up to this point, and I want it to continue being easy. I learned a long time ago that you don't marry for love; you marry someone within your rank.
And Alex and I are friends. He's mildly handsome and that's all I need.
Besides, I aim to please, and I know if I marry Alex, Daddy would be.
What can I say?
I'm a Daddy's girl through and through.
I look around the party to see if the Armstrongs are here yet. They aren't.
It's shaping up to be like every party I've ever attended here. It's always fun to chat with people, and I love this life. But I'd be lying if I said that nothing was missing.
I might marry Alex, but deep inside my heart, I'm dreaming of love...true love, a fairytale kind of love.
I don't know if it will happen, but I keep the dream alive.
It's my own secret, but I just know that my fantasy guy, my soul mate is out there somewhere.
Maybe I'm deluding myself, or maybe I'm right, but I’ll never stop dreaming.
What is love, anyway?
I've been saving myself for years, and I've never met a man I'm even remotely interested in.
Alex may have to do, but luckily, I have some years to decide.
For now, my focus is grad school and somehow convincing my parents that English is as good of a degree as any.
I watch people dance and make merry and think what a truly blessed life I have.
Nothing can go wrong now.
I'm home in Beverly Hills, and that's all that matters.