CHAPTER 3

LELLA

I headed back into the hotel with my head held high and handed the resignation letter to Sofia. She looked at the signature and then at my bruised cheek with a pained expression.

​"I'm done, Sofia," I whispered. "I'm officially out."

​"I see that," she said softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "But listen... you're still coming tonight, right? My birthday party is at my place. You promised, and don't dare hide away because of them."

I bit my inner cheek and looked away.

I'm not sure if the Volkonsky family is there. Maybe only his mother because Sofia's mother and Conrad’s mother are relatives. And I know he's there too.

I don't want to see his face, smell his scent, I don't want to see even the strand of the asshole's hair. Everything that reminds me of him made me throw up.

I slowly shook my head. “I'm sorry, Sofia–”

“Come on! We planned this together. I already agreed to a pool party, only wine or juice and no hard liquor, and inviting our favorite band just for tonight. I agreed to all your suggestions because I trust you. Please…” she stomped her feet and hugged my arm. “Don't dump me too.”

I firmly shut my eyes in guilt. I shouldn't have taken part in her party planning. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was her teary pleading eyes. Something inside me folded. Sofia was the only one in that entire family who saw me as a person rather than a line item.

With a sigh, I slowly nodded. "I’ll be there.”

But I won't be the woman they expect.

While only on the way home, I couldn't stop thinking about how to avoid Conrad. I really wish he were not there. 

As soon as I arrived at my apartment, I opened my closet and looked for the dress that didn't scream Lella. 

​I picked up the soft, white lace dresses Conrad loved and threw them on the floor. He always said white made me look ‘pure’ and ‘submissive.’  

My gaze shifted to a one silk slip dress hanging. It was a deep, defiant red that clung to every curve he didn't deserve to touch. I picked up the dress and put it on. It still fit on me. I bought this last year, but as soon as Conrad said that he likes white on me, I immediately ignored this beautiful dress just for that douchebag.

​I reached for the perfume bottle at the back of my vanity. A vanilla scent he hated because it's too sweet for a grown woman. I sprayed it liberally on my pulse points. Finally, I put on the Serpenti Bulgari necklace my mother had given me. It was solid gold, passed down through three generations of women who had survived much worse than a silver-tongued liar.

I stared at myself in the mirror. 

I don't look like Lella anymore. I felt like I was back to the old self that I disregarded years ago. 

​When I arrived at Sofia's place, the music was already booming from the band she hired. I took a deep breath before I finally stepped into the entrance where everyone could see me. I didn't hesitate to walk into the pool area like I owned the air everyone was breathing.

All eyes are on me and men start lusting over my body.

“Wow, she looks freaking hot.”

“That body is a tea.”

“I didn't know she was this gorgeous.”

However, those women raised their eyebrows at my necklace. 

“Is that real?”

“She must have stolen it.”

“Maybe a replica. Commoners like her can't afford that shit even if she sold her soul to the devil.”

And they all laugh as if it's a funny thing to hear.

A smirk curved on my lips as I passed them. But I halted in my tracks when ​I saw him. 

Conrad was standing by the bar, looking effortlessly handsome in a dark suit. But he wasn't alone. Clinging to his arm was a blonde woman and eyes as cold as a Siberian winter. She was draped in diamonds that screamed 'old money.'

​Polina. 

I knew it was her. The way that douchebag is smiling at her like a maniac, I know that's Polina beside him.

​Conrad’s eyes drifted in my direction, scouting the place with his usual grace. When his gaze landed on me, his drink nearly slipped from his hand. 

His eyes raked over the red dress, the bold red lip, and my exposed shoulders and cleavage. He looked like he’d seen a ghost… or a revolution.

​Polina noticed his distraction and looked at me, her brow arching in a silent challenge. Conrad took a step toward me, his face a mix of guilt and sudden, intense heat, but I didn't flinch. I let the scent of my "sweet" perfume reach him before he could even speak.

A hand on my back made me flinch and step back, but that hand pulled me closer and the scent of whiskey mixed with my scent. Sofia said there's no hard liquor. Why is there a whiskey here?

I scrunched my nose and tried to get away from his grip. “Let me go!”

It was Tyler, one of Conrad’s friends who always looked at me like I was his prey.

His gaze landed on my cleavage and before he could say a thing, he flew to the ground with a groan. 

“What the f*ck are you doing, Tyler!?” Conrad’s nostrils flared in fury after he punched the maniac.

I fixed my dress and felt the hot rage filling my chest. And now he's acting again like my knight in shining armor? To get use of my body again?

“Chill, Conrad. He's just drunk.” Polina came and sensually caressed Conrad’s shoulder. “Are you alright?” She looked me in the eye.

“Better than you think.” I firmly replied.

“That's good to hear.” She smiled sweetly but I frowned because it might be fake. “You're Lella Sandoval, right? His past time– I mean girlfriend. I heard a lot of things about you.” 

Conrad scoffed and drank his wine.

They were communicating so well. I bet they are also communicating in bed. That thought only made me feel furious.

I just nodded, showing no interest in talking with them. They really suited each other. Both know how and when to put their mask on.

I only put on my smile when I saw Sofia come running to me. “Are you okay?” she worriedly asked. I only smiled at her and handed her my birthday gift. “Thank you. I’ll get you a drink.” 

She left, carrying the small paper bag. That was the luxury watch I was supposed to give to Conrad. But that asshole doesn't deserve that anymore. So I gave it to the nicest person I met while I'm staying here in Manhattan for two years.

“Lella–”

“Can you refill my drink, please?” Polina cut off Conrad's words.

And this douchebag just obeyed her like a puppy. He walked past me with a glare at my dress. He likes watching hot girls, but he was angry that I'm one of those hot girls.

I saw Sofia, who was about to head in my direction but was pulled by a woman with a cake. The band started singing happy birthday to her and everyone joined in. After she blew out the candle, she was pushed into the pool.

My eyes widened in shock. I was about to help her but when I saw her smiling and laughing with everyone, I stopped.

I'm glad she is enjoying her birthday party.

The bass was thumping so hard I could feel it in my molars. I watched Sofia laugh with her cousins and friends. This was supposed to be a "friendly" birthday bash, but it felt more like a neon-lit trap.

​I wanted to leave. The air made me uncomfortable with the scent of chlorine and expensive sliders, and the crowd was getting rowdy. Someone had just cranked the volume, and a wave of people surged toward the pool deck, cheering and dancing. 

It was too loud, too bright, and far too crowded.

“By the way, I’m Polina. Nice to meet you.” The woman beside me almost yelled because of the noise in the background, but I didn't respond. “And I'm Conrad’s future.”

“Good for you,” I coldly said and walked away from her, but she grabbed my arm, stopping me harshly.

“I want you to leave Conrad.”