Evie Lilian rests her head on Max’s shoulder lightly and laughs, then pulls away. He glances at her surprised and they exchange a few words I don’t hear. I gulp my vodka and immediately grab another one. The girl is still speaking to me, and I force myself not to look at Max and Lilian. I keep drinking and at some point, I realize Max and Lilian are speaking to each other. He is saying something and she places her palm on his knee and continues laughing. Girls always do those things- searching for ways to touch the guy they like. And my roommate is doing exactly this. She keeps placing her hand on his shoulder, or on his elbow. I want everything to burn in this stupid fire. I want everyone to go to hell, me included. I hate this place, all my colleagues. I hate the stupid Nicole with her perfect life and Tyson, who is a fucking liar, and I know he is a liar, but I’m also really dumb to believe he might dump Nicole for me. When I think about it now- about Tyson leaving the perfect
Evie “How is your leg?” Max drives, keeping his eyes on the road. “Does it hurt when you sit like this?”I cross my arms and stare at the road. I don’t answer. “Are we playing the glaring game?”He asks.“I thought you were too cool for playing games. “ Max laughs. “You’ve been weird since we met here. ““I was weird before that, remember?”“Not like this. What’s going on?” I press myself against the seat. I want to tell him everything because Max is the only one who knows everything about Tyson and won’t judge me like Lilian and my sister. At the same time, he most likely doesn’t care, not anymore. “Nothing. “I say. “You act like a spoiled little girl and if I didn't know you better, I would have thought you’ve always been like this. ““Maybe I was. And if you want it ask me about Lilian, you can do it, no need to ask me how I am first, and…”“Why would I ask about Lilian?”His eyes flicker to me and I clench my teeth. “Nevermind, “ I am not jealous. I am not. I don't care.
Lilian I hesitate whether to leave this place right now and just walk around all night, but then Jules sees me. Oh, man. Here we go again. He pretends he doesn't see me and that doesn’t even piss me off because he’s been doing this for the past few weeks. What pisses me off is how obvious he is making it that he avoids me. I ignore him and walk in. The place is quite big and most people are hanging out in the living room. I chatted with George for a while. Then I see Jules again, talking to a blond chick and he makes a face when he sees me. To avoid him I go to the kitchen, where I am happy to discover there’s no one. The kitchen counter is covered in bottles full of all kinds of liquor. I search for a cup and pour myself something.Whatever. I lean against the counter when Jules comes in. He groans and spins on his heels. I am so done with this, seriously. “Hey!” I call after him and he pauses. Then turns to me. “Uh… what?” He says, pretending to be nonchalant. He is weari
LilianHis tongue slides over my lips and my eyes flutter closed. Why is he so good at kissing? Too good. He is not touching me, no hands on my waist, nothing. I lean against the counter as he's standing before me. I press myself towards the wooden table top, keeping my hands away from him. Still no touching. But we don’t break the kiss. I want to run my hands over him. He is slim, not buff and I wonder how he feels. Definitely not muscled like Jules but I am sure he does a sport. I push something with my elbow, maybe it’s one of the bottles and he pushes all things on the counter away without breaking the kiss. The music is still loud but maybe the others hear when one of the bottles drops on the floor with a thud. Maybe they don’t because no one comes. He lifts me and sits me on the counter. He is really tall so even though I am sitting, I still have to look up if I want to see his eyes. He lets go of me but I bury my hands in his hair. I want to pull on it, but it’s too short
Tyson I stab the fork in the meal in front of me, my hands are closed around the metal impossibly hard. My phone buzzes and I know it's a message from Evie. I can’t talk to her, not right now. “And I thought, lets just go to Monaco, “ One of Nicole's friends says and her husband laughs. “I had no say in this. “ he lifts his hands in surrender. “This is great, “ Nicole exclaims, “I am so happy for you. ““Thank you, “ her friend says, “I am thrilled for your gallery too, can you believe it?”Then they start talking about Nicole's work, bathing her in compliments. I place my fork back on the plate and get up. “Excuse me. “ I say and head out. We are having dinner in the restaurant of the five star hotel we’re staying at. Nicole happened to have friends visiting too and we decided to have dinner with them. The waiter tips his head politely at me as I head out to the balcony where I can smoke. Once I am outside, I loosen my necktie and light a cigarette. It’s beautiful, th
Evie “How is it?” Lilian comes out of the bathroom and stands before me, smoothing her palms over the pretty dark purple and black dress she's wearing. Lilian is really concerned if she looks good. She does. “You are beautiful, “ I tell her, “Just like you were two outfits earlier.” “I am not sure. ““Lilain…“I tell her, evenly and she lifts her hands. “Okay, fine. I am going dressed like this. “I get up and go to her. “You are beginning to worry me, “ I look at her “First, you spend so much time getting dressed, then you don’t tell me what happened the other night. ““You didn’t either. ““I told you everything!” I argue, “Max saw me off, he stayed for a while and left. ““And nothing happened? “I shake my head. “He doesn't like me, Lilian. Not like this. Your attempts to bring us together seemed to be futile. “She looks at me, then shrugs. “We'll see about that. Okay, wish me luck. ““I still have no idea who this guy you are meeting is. “ I protest. “I don’t either.
Max I rush into the hospital, slamming the doors and pushing people out of my way. “Where is she?” I ask the first doctor that steps in my way. “Sir, I will ask you to clam down. ““I am calm, “ I say, stepping towards him and the man visibly flinches. I remind myself it’s not his fault. I put some safe distance (for him) between us and try again. “I am Max Hale. “ I say, “ I am here for one of your patients. She was admitted here after a car accident. “ I give him the name and details. “I got a call from one of your nurses, “ I explain and he checks something on his list. “Yes. Are you a relative?” he asks, my height and look still causing him obvious distress. “I am her emergency contact. “ He nods and takes me to the emergency room and to the doctor who is responsible for Evie. “She is stable now, “ he explains later, “The driver was drunk and they didn’t see her. “ I close my eyes, and make myself not react or do anything. “When can I see her?” “I.. can’t s
Evie Pain. Darkness. I’m too warm. Or maybe I am too cold, I am not sure. I try to shift but the piercing pain in my right and waist says no. Then I hear movement, someone shifts close to me and I discover that I am not alone in what looks like a hospital room.“Max?” I mutter through the haze that my mind is and he gets up from the chair he’s been sitting in right next to my bed.“How are you?” He asks, concerned as he is bent over me, looking for signs whether I am really okay or not, ” Do you need anything?”“No, I…”I try to sit up again but he stops me.“You need to lie down.” “What happened?” I ask and he tells me about the driver, the operation and everything that happened afterwards. “How long have I been here?”“Two or thee days, more or less.”“You don’t know?” “Well... “Max shrugs, “Something like this.” He is not sure about the day, which can mean only one thing.Max looks tired but also relieved. The night lamp is casting its shadow over his face and his eyes look
Dominic “You will be a grandfather, “ I tell the man, sitting opposite me in the small cafeteria. We arranged to meet during my lunch break today. Violet called me earlier but I told her I would be having lunch with a business partner. In a way that’s true. Frederick’s eyes filled with tears at the news I shared. “Thank you. “ he says,” For being here and telling me.” “I thought you deserved to know. “He nods and looks down at his hands, folded in front of him. “I hope you will find the strength in you to forgive me. ““I have nothing to forgive you for. “ I tell him. “No, “he shakes his head. “You do. I am not the father I was supposed to be. ““I have a father, “I argue. “And I will never argue that. But I would like you to listen to me. “I lean back in the chair and he takes this as a sign to continue. “When I met your mother, I fell in love with her at first sight. I swear. There is love at first sight. ”“I believe you, “ And I do. I fell in love with Violet the mo
Five years later Violet “Mom! I don’t want the red one!” I take a very deep breath. “Charlotte, please, “ I tell her for the tenth time, “Choose whatever you want. Just choose now. Please. “ The maid is looking at me, smiling. “I can help, miss. And you can prepare. I will let you know once we are ready.“ “It’s fine. Thank you, Marta. I’ve got this. “ I always refused to have a nanny to help me, even when Charlotte was a baby, but recently Marta’s been trying to help, seeing how busy we all are. Charlotte finally chooses the dress she will be wearing and we start preparing. Half an hour later Marta announces the driver is downstairs. “Coming!” I call out as I put on my earrings. “Mommy, you look pretty. “ Charlotte beams at me. “Thank you, sweetheart, “I kiss the top of her head, “Let’s go. Are you eager to see Aunt Evie and Uncle Max? ““Yes!” She claps and we head downstairs. “Where is Daddy?” She asks as I take her hand and we descend the stairs. “He is…”
Violet “They look suspicious, “ I watch Evie and Max as they try not to look at each other or at least not to be too obvious about it. “She went out to talk over the phone and he went right after her. And for some reason, they look really close after they come back home. Do you think it’s because of the accident and because they spent some time together?...” I look at Dominic. He looks… amused.“What are you hiding from me again? “I ask him, squinting my eyes suspiciously and he shrugs casually. If he does that, it means I am right. He is hiding something. “Dominic, “ I tell him and he eventually says. “I think they are together. And it's been going on for a while.” “What?” I exclaim, but…. Then I turn to look at them again. Among the sea of well-dressed, rich people with great manners they look so… different. As if they are in their own private world. “Yes, “ I mutter, “They are. Why didn’t they tell us?” Dominic gives me a pointed look. “Okay, you are right. We did
Evie I exit the dining hall and head down the corridor. This place is huge and I’ve always thought so, but right now it feels enormous.I pass by a library and a large door. I assume it’s a study and after I make a turn I am in front of the guest bathroom.Where is he? I keep walking and reach a darker corner of the corridor when I take another turn and bump into Max.“Woah,” I take a step back, startled. “You scared me.”As if I wasn’t the one who followed him out.“I did?” He lifts an eyebrow and folds his arms. Then Max leans against the wall next to him, observing me.“Are you following me?” “Why are you acting like this?” I hiss and glance around to see if anyone is coming.“This is what you wanted, right?”“Hmph,” I scoff and he unfolds his arms.Max leans towards me, his breath is on my neck.“I would kiss you,” he whispers and the words send a shiver down my back, “But I can’t remember.”My eyes flutter closed as he traces slow kisses down my neck. I bite my lip and lift my
Evie A few weeks later we are ready to go home. “I will arrive in the evening. “ I explain, “And you on the next day. ““I honestly don’t see why we arrive separately, “ Max admits for the tenth time today. “Because I don’t want to show up and tell them we are…”“What?”“That we are…” “See, “ he says, “You can’t even admit we are together. ““It’s not that, '' I protest, “Let’s just tell them when we are all together, or having a nice time, okay?”“I am not embarrassed to tell them. Are you ashamed of me?““What, no!” I exclaim, “I just didn't want to explain to Violet over the phone. And imagine Olivia’s reaction when…”“Fuck Olivia. “Max shrugs. “I can’t believe I'm going to say this, “ I declare, “But that's too rude. “He scoffs but eventually agrees. Max takes me to the airport and I almost miss my flight because I am reluctant to separate from him. “You chose this, “he reminds me, “We could be travelling together now? ““Don’t hold this against me. “ I point a finger a
Violet I take a sip of coffee when Dominic moves behind me, wrapping his arms around me. “Good morning, “ he kisses the top of my head and proceeds to the coffee machine. “I made some for you, too. “ I smile at him and he pours himself a cup. “What are you doing today?” He asks, and I take the cup to my lips when I suddenly get sick to the stomach. I swallow the bile and Domnic’s eyes flutter to me. “Val?”“Yes, yes. I am here, “ I put the cup back on the counter, “I have a meeting with the investors from Japan. “My stomach turns and I smile awkwardly at Dominic. “Excuse me. “I rush to the bathroom before he says anything and empty my stomach. I feel better right after. When I get back to the room Dominic is waiting for me to say something. “What is it?” he asks, approaching me “I just have been feeling sick these days, maybe it’s a stomach virus or something. ““Or it’s not. “Dominic sips his coffee, casually. “What are you talking about?” I frown and he looks at me po
Evie Max is taking my dress off, not breaking the kiss.“Are you okay?”I mutter against his lips as I see how restless and impatient he is. He unbuttons the last piece from my back, holding the upper part together.“Yes. You?”Max pauses only to say this and continues kissing me. We didn’t say anything to each other, not even hi when he got back. I didn't mind in the slightest but had to ask. “Of course.” I breathe out the words. He smiles and leans in, his lips on mine. Max trails kisses down my neck, then to my chest. He takes my bra off, and I am struggling with opening his tie. Max laughs against my lips against my frustration and helps me untie the knot. He slips the tie off and I can’t stop looking at him, at the way his pupils have dilated, making his eyes impossibly dark in the lights in the kitchen. “What?” He asks, cupping my face.“Nothing.” I smile,” Kiss me.”And he does, brushing his lips against mine, pushing me slightly and guiding me towards his bedroom. I have
Evie I get up before my alarm goes off and get dressed quickly. My classes start later today but I am still prepared to leave. I go to the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee. Max is already there, smoking. I flinch, surprised when I see him. I was sure he was still sleeping. He is leaning back in his chair, dressed in an expensive suit and a watch, and his stubble has started to grow. The blue smoke curls around him in the cold morning light, almost the same blue as the one of his eyes. Max looks like those guys in the perfume commercials. As soon as I show up he sits up. “I will put this off, “ he says, scattering the smoke with his hand and exhaling. “No, no. It’s okay. Your place, after all. ““No, sorry. ““I don’t actually mind it. “I smile and proceed to the coffee maker. “Another coffee?“ I offer. “Yeah, thank you. “I pour some for him and myself. “I hope I won’t spill it this time, “ I joke and he smiles. “If you do, I'll do a better job at cleaning it. “As soon as
Evie I get back to Max’s place and wait for him to come back. Today sucked on all possible levels. I stared into the wall for a good hour, trying to accept that I was never seeing Tyson again, no one told me he was gone, someone was going to prison because of me, and I had money - MY money - that might change things for me. Because I know the family has money, but it’s not my money. And now- I will eventually be able to have something thanks to me, however small it is. At some point, I begin pacing around and I am unable to focus on anything. On top of it- Max comes back after eleven. We exchange a greeting and he heads directly to his room. I stop him.“I got a call from the lawyer. “ I say without any ado. “And?” He asks, pausing. Max looks like he is not here. Then I realize something’s off. “Are you drunk?” I ask. “What difference does it make?”“No, just… I thought you said you had to work. ““What’s with the interrogation? ““And what’s with the way you’ve been acting recen