Clara walked away from her and made for Carol’s room where she had been alerted to come pick up the food tray as Veronica turned back to Antonio’s door. The lock still stared back at her with some audacity. She ran a hand over her face, then her fingers curled into a fist. The house felt too small suddenly and the angles too sharp. She moved to the stairs again, gliding down with haste like she had forgotten her work tools.She knew the reason she was at Antonio’s house and she had agreed with her father to get him the clear route to the Rosetti wealth which seemed to have been locked away for only his heir.She got into her room and dialed her father again telling him of how he had tried to open the door to his room but it was locked. Her father demanded to know if she could use a pin as she usually saw in action movies to open the door. “No, father!” She protested.“But you have done it before….”“That was when I was barely twelve,” She responded.“If you put your mind to it, you
“I am talking to you, Luca,” She demanded harshly.“Vero…”“Not you,” She warned curtly, lifting a finger to buttress her point solidly.“Veronica,” Luca called out flatly, “…excuse us, now,” He stood up, every movement calm but full of force, and pointed toward the door.“Us?” Veronica demanded.“Whatever you want to put it, just get the fuck out of here already,” Luca reiterated.Veronica looked at him as if she hadn’t heard. Then her face folded into a dumbfounded look, like someone had just told her the rules of a game she’d always thought she owned. Her mouth opened and closed immediately as she let out a sharp laugh that didn’t reach her eyes.“You want me gone?” She scoffed, fingers tapping the case of her phone. She glanced at Carol who was still eating, spoon clinking, paying them no mind and then back at Luca. “You really expect me to leave because you snap your fingers?” Her voice rose, sour and sharp.Luca’s face was all reddened now. It was as though at any moment, he c
“Why is it so quiet?” Veronica asked, her voice slicing through the air. “Where is everyone?” She demanded from Clara upon noticing that the house had fallen into a strange quietness, one that Veronica noticed the moment she stepped into the living room. Usually there was some noise, either the maids rushing about or something clattering in the kitchen, or at least the distant sound of conversation but now, there was nothing. Her eyes scanned the place, expecting to see something but all she saw was Clara, who was just alighting down the stairs with nothing in her hands. Her hands tightened around the rail, her head slightly bowed as though she wished Veronica hadn’t seen her.“Clara, I asked you a question. Where is everyone?” Veronica narrowed her eyes.“You did?” Clara retorted.“Don’t be stupid!” Veronica yelled but Clara said nothing, her lips pressed together and her face paled. That silence only fueled Veronica’s irritation.“Where is Luca?” She pressed authoritatively causi
I sat back in the chair, watching Carol rub her temples while Clara arranged the tray. The smell of the food was strong and comforting. It looked so rich and had the kind of smell that filled a room and pulled at old memories. I caught the way Carol’s nose twitched, how her eyes flickered to the bowl, softening for the first time since she woke up. I could already tell she was eager to get digging into the meal.“I had Clara make your favorite,” I said, leaning casually against the headboard. “Chicken Alfredo with a touch of rosemary just the way you like it,” I continued with a coy smile on my face at the look of confusion that would soon spread on hers.Her head shot up immediately as expected, surprise flashing across her face. She stared at me, then at the food, then back again at me like something wasn’t right somewhere. “How… how do you…even know that?” She stammered, her voice sharp but trembling at the edges as she spoke.“Because you told me,” I replied after letting the qu
I hovered over Carol’s face, watching her chest rise and fall, waiting for the smallest sign that she’d wake up. She’d been out too long, far longer than I was comfortable with. At first, I thought it was just the alcohol dragging her under, but the hours kept ticking, and my worry grew heavier with each one. I had tried to distract myself by making coffee, pacing the floor and even pulling out my phone to check emails I didn’t care about but I kept coming back to her. Her hair was spread out messily on the pillow, her lips slightly parted, and her skin looked pale under the faint sunlight slipping through the curtains. She looked peaceful, but it wasn’t the kind of peace that eased me. It was the kind that made me wonder if she was actually okay. Then, finally, she stirred. Her eyelids fluttered weakly, and she groaned. Relief washed through me like a tide breaking. She blinked around the room, her eyes darting from wall to ceiling, then to the window, like she had no idea where
“Carol! Oh my God, this can't be you, are you alright? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” She exclaimed, her hands instantly reaching to steady her friend. Her face was tight with worry, and her eyes scanned Carol as though trying to measure just how drunk she was. “Why are you this wasted? What happened?” Elena demanded.Carol swayed clumsily, her hair falling into her face, a lazy grin tugging at her lips. The smell of tequila clung to her like perfume. She tried to brush Elena off with a sloppy wave of her hand, mumbling something incoherent, but Elena’s concern only grew deeper.Meanwhile, the man Luca had struck earlier was writhing in pain, holding his jaw with both hands. His friends were starting to gather around him, voices rising, ready to step in. The man cursed under his breath and tried to push himself up, anger written all over his face but before he could fully stand, Luca stepped forward and sent another punch crashing into his face. "This is for having the gu