Normal people do that, Max.
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
Conor I got into the family manor in the late afternoon. I left the office earlier because I didn’t feel like staying and Monica is acting weird after last time.It’s not like I promised her anything but she behaves as if I’ve done somehow wrong. She will be fine soon, though. She is never mad at me for more than a few days. I don’t know how she found out about that bitch, but whatever. Monica will just have to accept things like that happen and be done with it. Violet is in the US with Dominic and I see red thinking about it. At the same time I am relieved they are away cause I can’t stand Dominic. I find Olivia alone in the garden, sitting on one of the seats facing the small lake.“I didn’t know you would be coming tonight.” She says as I sit next to her and she moves to the side a bit.“I wanted to surprise you.”“You’ve been spending a lot of time in the family house.” Olivia tells me and I lean back. My eyes slide over the even surface of the lake. “It’s so much… nicer here
Conor “You have offended Olivia, “ My father says, angry. “Really?” I make a disbelieving face at him, “I think she is just overreacting. “ “You have to apologize to her. And to me. “ “I didn't do anything wrong. “ My father exhales and rubs his forehead. “I don’t know what I have done. I don’t know how things have turned out for you to make you the… the man you are today.” “What’s wrong with the man I am?” I ask and cross my arms defensively. “Besides, Olivia has been trying to seduce me for a veeeery long time. “ He closes his eyes and then opens them back up. “That’s not true. “ “Yeah, right. Do you really think she loves you? Come on, Dad. She is using you. “ “I am not having this conversation. Especially after what you did to her. “ “I didn’t do anything she didn't want. “ Then I add with a snarl. “You have eyes only for Dominic and that's always been the case, even after you found out he was not your son and just some bastard. “ That hits the nail on
Evie “What happened? '' Violet is looking at me, concern written all over her beautiful face. “I am fine. rally. It wasn't as bad as you think it is. “She eyes me. “Max told me what happened and we flew right away. ““I am okay, really. As I said- it’s not so serious. “ As I assumed- Violet would leave wherever in the world she was to be here. SO Max and I lied. “Max told me what happened but not everything,” Violet says, “ I feel like you two are hiding something and I don't like it. ““What could possibly be that we are hiding?”“Knowing Max? “ She lifts an eyebrow, “Everything?”“You sound like Dominic already.”“Because he knows him best. ““Maybe he doesn’t. We are not hiding anything, I am okay. “I asked Max not to tell Violet about the operation and to lie to her about when the accident happened.The accident happened the same night when Dominic proposed to her. I can’t let her associate this day with me, especially not in this way. In any way, in fact. “Val, “ I say an
Evie Max catches me before I collapse on the tiles, coming in directly into the shower. His hands close around me and he quickly snatches a towel to wrap around me. “Are you all right?” he asks and I nod, dumbly staring at him. I am both nervous, my heart jamming like mad and being unable to look away from him. His bright blue eyes look like deep, blue velvet under the bathroom luminescent light. The water is falling all over him, droplets running down his body and his white t-shirt is drenched. I see through thin cloth and bite the inside of my cheek. “Evie?” he asks, frowning. We are still in the shower. His clothes are wet and my towel is already soaked as well. “I am okay!” I snap out of my stupor and he smiles. My heart makes a final painful pang in my chest as he stops the water and looks at me. The only sounds coming to me right now are the muffled voices from the TV in the living room, the water droplets landing on the tiles and my heart in my temples. Max is looking a
Evie I get cold and shift to my right side, searching for a blanket. I don’t find one and hug myself tighter. I am not getting up for a cover. I have dozed off on the sofa, but I hear noise and open my eyes. Max is still not here. I decide to continue waiting for him to come back, so I close my eyes back up. The next time I open them he is here. “Max?” I ask, startled, “What time is it? ““Late.”I try to get up but he lifts me and takes me to my room. “I can walk, you know?” I argue but he simply places me on the bed, not saying anything. He smells like shampoo and cold. I wonder if it has started snowing already. “How was the practice?” “Good night. “He says and heads to the door. “Max, wait!” I stop him before he disappears again. “Is everything okay?”His hand is on the door handle. “Yeah. All fine. “Then he leaves. I lean back heavily against the pillows wondering if I did something wrong. Again. The next morning I woke up earlier and made coffee and breakfast for us
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
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
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