Dominic I slam the door shut and head to the southern wing of the manor. I have been staying in the main house for the past few days because my father and I worked late and it’s easier when we are not separated by miles.Max is here, too, which is a huge novelty. Philip invited him. Maybe after the whole shebang with Grandpa’s death, he is trying to finally be the father he was supposed to be to Max. I slam another door and go to the dining room. I take a glass and fill it almost to the rim with vodka. I hear footsteps but don’t look up. “I don't need to be lectured, " I say and Max snots. “I am the last person who can give you lectures on bad habits. “I laugh. “True, “ I offer him a glass and he agrees. “What happened?” He asks. “Nothing, “ I shrug, “I saw Violet. ““Shit. And?” “And nothing. She was talking to this dick head from her university. ““Clyde. ““I don’t give a fuck about his name. ““Sure, “Max splays on the sofa and fixes his eyes on the ceiling. “And you
Dominic “How dare you, “ my father gets up and turns to Conor. “How dare you speak like this about your brother? Dominic is MY son! He is mine!” “I can easily prove he isn't. “ “He is!” My father and Conor yell at each other. “Are you ready to stoop so low, “ Philip grits out the words, “As to offend and badmouth Dominic. “ “I am only speaking the truth. “ “Liar!” My father keeps talking to him in a raised voice. “You are ready to do anything to be the heir. You can’t be, face it. I’ve made up my mind. “ “You can’t decide anything. “ Conor snickers. Dad threatens to attack Conor and I stop him before he does it. “Enough!” I growl and they fall silent, stunned- as if I am the one causing trouble. “Enough, “ I say more composed. Our lawyer looks terrified. “Conor, what are you talking about? “ “What you heard, “ he smirks, “I've known the truth for years but didn’t want to destroy my father's golden boy and his name. But now I see no other resolution. “ “Prove it, “ P
Dominic Violet’s chest rises rapidly and I go to her. “Are you all right?” She looks up at me, something passes her face and she glares. Then Violet snaps. “What are you doing here?” “What am I doing here? Seriously?” “Yes!” “I just saved you, Violet. “ “From what?” I shake my head. “You should be thanking me. “ “I was on a date!” she argues. “And you ruined it! What is wrong with you? You can’t attack people like that!” “He deserved it. “ “He was just saying goodbye!” “Well, it didn’t seem that way to me. “ “It was, “ she hisses. “You can’t fix things by smashing people's faces like this. “ “It’s worked pretty well for me so far. “ “Ughhh.” Violet groans. “ Just… he didn’t do anything. He was just being… “What? Forcing himself on you and pulling you towards him? I should have smashed his entire face and ….“ “You have no right to meddle in my personal life! “ Violet yells. I pause. “Fine, “ I say, still riddled with anger, “Next time I'll leave him to do w
Dominic “Business dinner, “ I tell her. “You expected something else, didn’t you?’“I did not!” she argues but her cheeks turn red. “If you say so. “I get up and she moves past her desk to see me off. “Think about it, you don’t have to respond right away, “ I say, “I would like to discuss something with you. ““Okay, “ Violet promises and we pause before the door. “If it really is a business dinner. ““Why wouldn’t it be?” I ask and the blush on her cheeks deepens. She expects me to touch her but I smile and head out. “It's great doing business with you, Violet. Thank you. “ She stays there, perplexed. “No, Violet, I will not kiss you. ““How dare you… - ” She gasps but I laugh and leave the office. The receptionist steals a look at us but fixes her eyes back on her screen. Later in the day, I received a message from Val. Fine. I smirk and send her the address and the time of the reservation. You’ve already made a reservation? Yes? After a few minutes, she sends another
Evie Professor Tyson slides the sheets of paper in my direction. “Excellent work,” he says, voice devoid of any emotion- he is just stating facts, and then moves to the next student. “Not too bad. “ he says, “But you should consider the point of view and the limited perspective you have here.” Then he continues walking around the auditorium. I am overflowing with excitement and my heart is jamming in my ribcage as I am looking at the feedback he’s left on my paper. I am the only one who has an excellent mark but my colleagues don’t act mean. They congratulate me, especially since most of them know how hard I’ve been working in the past few weeks. As for Tyson and me - we stole another night after the one in the hotel. I sneaked out when Lilian was asleep and this time I came back before dawn. No one suspects anything. I am sure of it. Tyson moves to the front of the hall and leans against the desk. He crosses his arms. Today he is dressed in a thin blue shirt underneath a
Evie Killian’s hands are on my hips while I -on the other hand - am looking at Tyson. He drinks, watching us. I slide over Killian, using him as a pole. I have no idea what I am doing and some of my colleagues glance at us occasionally but most are already pretty drunk so I doubt they care that much. Killinam spins me so that I face him. His hands close around me and Killian pulls me closer to him, my breasts touching his chest. He is not as tall as Tyson, but lean and strong. I close my hand around his forearm and slide it up to his shoulder. “Do you exercise?” I ask and he laughs, shaking his head. “What's the sudden interest in me? ““I was interested before dancing with you. ““Really?”He squints his eyes at me, doubtful “Is the guy over there your boyfriend?” Killian asks, pointing his chin and I turn to look at the bar. “Who?”“The tall guy, talking to one of your colleagues. “He is talking about Tyson “What?” I exclaim, “No, of course not. Where do you get that idea f
Evie Killian lets out a quiet growl as I open his belt and slide the zipped down. I listen to Tyson, whose deep voice is guiding me, but when I look at him, because I want to do this for him, he says.“Focus on him, “and I obey. Killian helps me slide his jeans off, and then his underwear down. My hands are steadier than I thought they would be. I should do well. I want to do this well for Tyson. Killian lifts his hand and runs it through my hair, thus urging me to move forward. I take him in. Killian is surprisingly gentle. “Take him in deeper, “ Tyson orders and I obey, almost choking. Killian is careful and slow as he starts moving at first. “You can do better, “Tyson says and I begin moving faster. I keep my eyes open and look at Killian. Killian’s jaw is clenched and he is close. He tries to pull away but I take him as deep as I can. I smile around him as he comes. I swallow everything and Killian continues looking at me, startled. “Well done, “ Tyson gets up and comes
Evie The cab drops me a few blocks from the campus and I sneak in, passing the big yard. I always make sure no one sees me when I get back to our campus or dorm. I don’t meet anyone and get into the building. I expect Lilian to be asleep and press the handle very carefully and turn the key slowly. But as I get in I discover no one’s in. I grin. She is with Jules. Finally, I am so happy for them. I flop on my bed and stare at the ceiling. My heart is beating too fast, though, because of everything that happened and I am restless. So I go take a shower, then brush my teeth and decide to read. It’s still the weekend tomorrow and I don’t have to be up early. I flip the pages of the book but nothing comes to my head. I both want to scream at the top of my lungs about me and Tyson, and at the same time never tell anyone because this remains our secret. Something that binds us together. I text Max. The last time we spoke was hours ago and he still hasn’t responded to my last mes
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