Am I Self-Centered?

Ms. Merline's words greeted me as I walked through the main door of my father's mansion.

"Hey, Allison! Your father was looking for you. The dinner is exactly seven in the evening, but here you are, you just arrived."

She had been my parents' trusted person since before I was born, and she had always been loyal to them.

My mother made Ms. Merline promise her that she would look after us, especially me, because I am the only daughter.

Ms. Merline is a good and kind person, but I can't deny that she was strict when it came to the rules and tasks she was given.

Unfortunately, no one, not even I, the Laurier's favorite child, can bribe her.

"Allison, it's already six twenty-five o'clock! You must act quickly."

She rushed me to my room while gently holding my left arm in preparation for the Dawson family's arrival.

"I got it, Ms. Merline. Hands off, please?"

She removed her hand from my arm and straightened her swaying bangs.

"That's all right, Allison. Please make haste. We don't have enough time," she exclaimed, exaggerating her inhalation

She then left me in front of my room, and I began to prepare myself for the exclusive dinner, as she had stated.

I prepared myself and reached the call time.

I'm ready five minutes before Louis and his family arrive.

Ms. Merline was watching me from the first floor as I descended the mansion's long and wide stairs.

I'm not sure if she's satisfied, but she came to me in the middle of the stairwell at a breakneck speed for clarification.

Her facial expression and words astounded me.

"Allison! What exactly are you up to?! What are you doing?!"

This was said in a strong but low-toned voice.

"What's the matter, Ms. Merline? What's wrong?"

I said innocently because I am indeed innocent. I'm not sure why her eyes were irritated and her blood pressure was high.

Overreacting is a word that comes to mind when I saw her reaction.

"Can you hear yourself, Allison?"

I cocked my head and raised my brows, causing wrinkles on my forehead, as I tried to figure out what she was trying to say.

"This isn't going to be a typical dinner."

On my upper tummy, I joined my arms and bowed my neck to the side.

"You're going to have dinner with a billionaire and a world-famous figure."

"Then? What's the problem?"

"I got it and look, I am here, coming down the stairs for the dinner and I still have a minute before seven arrives."

Ms. Merline's face was flushed with embarrassment as a result of my answers and actions.

"Look at yourself! The newly made gown that your dad requested was on your table."

But here you are, wearing jeans and a big shirt with a white sneaker on."

"Oh, come on, Allison. Please don't make it too hard for us."

She didn't like what I was wearing. It's nothing new to me. I liked wearing clothes like this because they were comfortable, but she expected me to wear an opulent gown that would make me appear expensive and fit in front of the Dawsons.

I should have done anything to make them like me from their perspective, but what if I don't want them to like me?

One of the reasons I don't like it is because the situation choked me.

"Please, Allison," Ms. Merline said as she looked into my eyes.

"This isn't something you have to do for me. Do it for your father's sake. I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about."

I swallowed my saliva and inhaled deeply.

I turned around without saying anything to Ms. Merline and returned to my room upstairs.

As I closed the door of my room, I leaned my back on the door and searched for my interest in doing such things.

Whatever things I want, I am sure that my dad won't permit them.

Nothing is more important than ensuring that his wealth remains and grows.

Yes, he adores me, but he believes that accumulating wealth is his way of expressing his affection for us.

I must not let him down in anything I do.

I jumped into my thick, soft bed and stretched out my arms, staring at my ceiling, which had a beautiful fin light and a cozy chandelier.

My gaze was drawn to the photo of me on the wall with my father and mother.

Mom, am I being self-centered? Dad?

Then there was a knock on the door.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

"Yes! I'll be there! I'm coming!"

I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes because I'm not interested in this at all. I had no choice but to get out of bed.

The knob then turned, slowly opening without my permission.

"Hey! I said I'd be there!"

My brother's face came into view.

"Greg?"

I took a deep breath and exhaled deeply, thinking it was Ms. Merline.

"You thought that it was Ms. Merline, right?"

He walked into my room, sat on my bed, and stared at me.

I can't deny my brother's flawless appearance. His tuxedo complements his brushed-up hair, which matches his high and small nose, as well as his small face and jaw.

"What? Why are you staring at me so intently?"

Greg is well aware that I disagree, and he has never failed to persuade me to follow our parents' decision.

He was the youngest of my siblings, but he was the one who knew me best.

"Allison, I know you can do it."

"How? It was simple to say, but difficult to put into practice."

Greg got up from his seat and walked over to my side.

"Just think that it is the best for you and dad."

"Believe him when he says he only wants what he thinks is best for us."

I paused for a moment, allowing my brother's words to sink in.

"He knows what he's doing," he said as he tapped my shoulders.

"So go and change your clothes. It is the dinner with your Fiancé Louis and his Dawson family."

I lowered my head, took a deep breath, and nodded.

Greg, my brother, exited the room and allowed me to change.