Conor I knock on the door quietly. She answers with a surprised yes and I get in the small library on the second floor. “I was hoping to find you here, “I smile at Olivia and close the door carefully behind me. “I hope I am not interrupting anything. “ I say. As if I can interrupt anything she does. “Conor, I am so glad to see you. “ she gets up and comes to greet me. Olivia kisses one of my cheeks, then the other. “We live in the same hours, and it's’ surprising how rarely I get the chance to see you. “ Olivia says. “I am quite busy at the office. ““Of course. Philip tells me the same. “ She looks marvellous as always. Olivia is wearing a creamy-coloured dress with nice, matching shoes, but not high- heels. Her hair has already been made and I catch the faint scent of her Chanel number 5 perfume. She is a classy woman, unlike the rest of the leeches here. “How have you been?” she asks as she goes to the armchair and closes the book she was reading. “I am pretty occupie
Violet Dominic shuts the door. I try to act as if nothing's happened. I put my bag on the desk and turn to him. “How is the future mother?”I ask and lift a paper, pretending to look at it. Dominic grabs the paper, thus tearing it and then throws it away.“There is no future mother. Not her.”I don’t answer. “I can’t believe you didn’t call,” Dominic says, breaking the silence. “I had nothing to say.”“And I thought we were together.” “So what?” I ask, “You wanted me to hear out how you never meant to hurt me, but you decided to have a child with another woman? Please, Dominic.”“There is no child. And I never even considered proposing to her. You know that, nothing’s changed from the last time I said it.” There’s something wild about him. Again. It’s that feeling I sometimes have. I remember it even from before. Like there is a wolf he is fighting inside him. Because if he lets the untamed, wild animal out, things will get out of hand.“What I hate the most is you thought I am
Violet I step into the conference room hesitantly. That's when everyone starts clapping and I glance around confused. Dominic is leaning against the wall, smiling. All our colleagues are here, even the new ones. There’s also a table on which I see catering and bottles of wine and champagne. Philip steps out and comes to me. He takes my hand and leads me to stand in front of everyone. I am still confused. I search Dominic’s eye for an answer, but he only nods. “Violet, “ Philip says and smiles widely at me. “I have never hidden my admiration for your work, as well the fact I am thankful to have you as part of the company. “ He doesn’t mention I am part of the family too, which right now is a good thing. “It is thanks to you and Dominic’s hard work that we are very close to completing the first part of the project you two worked on. “ I smile, but I still don’t understand what he is talking about. “And because I am grateful, “ Philip says and turns to everyone, “I have asked
Evie I scroll through my phone and turn off the notifications for my email. I will still check it constantly, but this might help. The bar starts getting full, so Jake gets busy serving the customers. The hot stranger remains where he is. I order another drink and check the time. It’s almost nine, so I decide to head home when one of the guys that came in earlier with his friends gets up from his seat and comes to the bar. “Hey, “ he says and I look up from my phone. “Hey?” Then I fix my eyes back on the screen “I haven’t seen you around. “ He goes on, so I look up from my phone. I can’t decide if he is normal or a creep. And if you can't always say if he’s a creeper or not, it usually means you’d better stay away from this person. “I didn’t know this was a local bar. “ I mutter and he laughs. “Nah, but most of us know each other. “ The bartender brings his drinks and the guy pays. “I’m Mike. “ he says, “Can I get you anything?” “No, thanks. In fact, I was just leavi
Evie It happens so fast. I feel a hand pushing me protectively behind and I stagger backwards. I press myself to the wall and watch… Mike’s face is getting smashed. He is tall, but my saviour is much stronger than him. It also looks like he’s done this a lot. Mike falls, and then he is lifted again. “Please, don’t, “ Mike starts begging. He also looks terrified. “I wasn’t going to do anything, I swear, I just wanted to scare you a bit, but …”“I told you, “ the voice is like a rumble, “If you do one more thing to her, I will break your nose. ““I am not, no, no ,no…”He pleads, by the fist lands. I swear I hear the crunching sound of the nose breaking. I squeeze my eyes shut. I hear rustling and Mike’s wheezing. “You are insane!” Mike screams, “A fucking psycho! “ “Yeah, “ the guy calls, “Don’t forget to call the police. “I open my eyes to see Mike, pressing his palm over his nose. His fingers are stained and the blood keeps running between them. Mike’s eyes flicker at me, then
Evie Then Tyson calls. I pick up, unsure if he dialled my number by mistake. “Hey, “ I say, trying to sound casual. Cool. I imagine the guy from earlier and how he would sound in a situation like this one. “If it’s about the paper, I can edit whatever is needed, just let me know your requirements.…”“Evie, “Tyon says, “It’s great. I told you - and I really mean it - you have impressive talent. “I shift in my seat and glance at the driver as if he can see me turning bright red. “I just wanted to hear your voice. “he says and I freeze. He doesn't sound drunk. “Is… is everything all right?” I ask and he laughs. “More than okay. I finished something I’ve been working on for a long time. “He doesn’t ask why I am up so late so I decide not to bother him with details of how my night went on. Instead, I want to know more about what he was doing. I can listen to him for hours. “Congratulations, “I chirp, “What is it about?”“It’s literary theory. I just finished talking to my age
Conor My father and Olivia are having dinner in the backyard, in the small garden that faces directly the lake. How romantic, I think as I walk towards them, planning to spoil their fun.Not entirely, of course. It would just be a rehearsal for the gala that Olivia’s been planning. “Good evening, “ I say and pull a chair without waiting for them to invite me. My father looks perplexed at me but smiles. Right now, I feel nothing but resentment towards him. I know he’s always loved Dominic the most. Maybe more than mother, even. Perhaps the only person he dislikes more than me is Max, but Max is a different universe of how much you can hate someone. Max simply doesn’t fit in. Too bad he was born into this family. And has a father like Philip, who constantly chooses Dominic over everyone else. And Dad sits right over here smiling as if he didn't betray me like an idiot. “Hi, Conor. How are you? “ he glances at Olivia. She looks stunning as always- beautiful hairstyle and a red dress
Dominic We get into the library and I close the door. “What about my wife?”He asks, crossing his arms. He looks defensive as usual when he speaks to me. “Ex-wife, Conor “ I remind him. “I know about the divorce. And I know she has been trying to get one for a long time, but you just refuse to give it to her. You can’t keep her trapped forever. not anymore.”“Trapped? You call this trapped?”“She doesn’t love you. And she never has, don’t try to make more stuff up. It’s over. ““Is that a threat, my dear brother?” he asks and I shake my head. “We are both grown-up men now, there’s no point in pretending you don’t understand what I am saying. “He is watching me, then unfolds his arms. “What you're saying, hmm?… I know about the company, I know you’ve been sleeping with Violet. Is this what you wanted to tell me?”“I wanted to tell you that we are together and you can’t prolong this. Not anymore. If you don't sign the papers, I have the best lawyers who will make the divorce possi
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