AaronThis was a terrible idea.I stare up at the ceiling my heart thumping loudly in my chest as I count down from thirty for the third time.What was I thinking?I should have just taken the couch like she asked me to but no, instead I agreed to subject myself to two nights of suffering and torture simply because I didn't want to stay on the freaking sofa.God, I'm stupid.So fucking stupid.Exhaling slowly, I glance over at Ellie's sleeping figure only inches away from me. She's been asleep for a while now and she'd fallen into the solemn embrace the moment her head hit the pillows. She's been walking around with some type of weight since the moment I brought her to the mansion. She'd tried to hide it, mostly by pretending that she was okay, but I'd known her before I'd killed her uncle, and the difference was clear.At least to me.Dark waves of hair fall across her pillow in thick waves, her chest lifting and falling softly in time with the gentle rhythm of her snores.My finger
ElleThe next few days are dull and uneventful.I spend my days locked up in my room and my evenings exploring the estate.Turns out this place is a lot bigger than I originally thought. I've also discovered a new cozy little spot just behind the main mansion, which is perfect for relaxation and, honestly, getting away from everything, which is something I've found myself wanting to do more and more each day, especially with the Langston Senatorial ball looming closer.When we came back to the mansion we both decided that we needed a game plan. Something that was bulletproof and was sure not to yield under the pressure. Lying can only take us so far, and we needed a proper story if we were going to sell our quote-unquote love story at the ball.Trouble is, every time we try to sit down and put something together, we either end up arguing about the tiniest of details and falling into this awkward silence where neither of us knows what to say.The Langston Senatorial Ball tomorrow, an
Elle (15, London)Today was my mother's wedding.She stood next to her new husband, her face beaming, her lips smiling, and her eyes sparkling in a way I don't think I've ever seen before.She slipped her arm under Richard's, pressing herself closer to his side despite the fullness of her dress. Light from the stained glass catches the tiny stones that embellish her upper bodice.A proper wedding dress wasn't in the cards for my mother during her first wedding to my father.From what I was told, their entire wedding had been as mundane and forgettable as they came. Neither of them had the money to fund the type of wedding they truly wanted, so they made do with what they had. Which was practically nothing.But my mother made sure that wasn't the case for her second wedding."It'll be glamorous, love, " she said to me, her eyes twinkling as she got lost in a daydream two nights ago.I'd said nothing because I didn't know what to say.This time, she made sure the dress she wore was mad
Aaron Breakfast goes on without any hitch. My sister and her husband feed the twins while happily chatting away with Elle about God knows what. I haven't listened to a word uttered from either of their mouths since I sat down simply because my mind, gaze and body, are all attuned to the one gorgeous woman sitting next to me. Surprisingly, she's good with the kids. Elle asks them about their interest and looks genuinely interested in their reply. She talks with Ava about the plans for her latest exhibition. Her eyes light up in a way I've never seen before and I'm completely enraptured by it. And when they leave to go play, she acts disappointed. Earlier, when she told my sister that she loved me, I'd been struck speechless. Helpless under the possibility that she might be telling the truth. Logically, I know how ridiculous that sounds. I've barely gotten to know her these last few days, but she'd spun up a tale so elaborate that I had no choice but to let my walls down and a
ElleAaron's sister is called Ava Volkov. She greets us at the door of her and her husband's mansion with a smile so sweet it could cause cavities plastered on her face."You must be Elle." I stretch my hand forward for a handshake but she uses it to pull me into an embrace. I'm frozen, and when I look over at Aaron, he's watching us closely, his mouth twitching as though he’s fighting a smirk.The bastard probably is.Ava squeezes me tighter than expected before finally pulling back, her hands lingering on my arms as she looks me over with a curious brightness in her eyes.“Wow,” she says softly, but loud enough that I catch it. “You’re even prettier than Aaron made you sound.” He made me sound pretty?Against my will, heat rushes to my face, but I fight it back with a cough. Aaron and I hadn't spoken throughout the ride here. He's been distant. Different from the Aaron I had grown to know these last few days. Maybe I'd taken it a bit too far in the kitchen but I was mad. Sue me.I
ElleThere's a strange woman in Aaron's Kitchen. Her back is turned to me, and she's rummaging through the fridge, pulling out one thing after the other with a practised ease, as though she knows where everything is.My heart rate doubles and I don't know why, but the way she glides through the kitchen, graceful and confident, sends a wave of uneasiness down my gut.Who is she?Why is she here?She spins around and I freeze. Her eyes go round and her lips form a tiny O shape."Well, this is awkward," she says. She had an accent, faint but distinct, much like mineYoubeen told. "I wasn't watching you" I say. I don't know why those are the first words to come out of my lips maybe it's because she's looking at me like I'm a creature from a strange planet."Are you lost?" I blink. It takes me a full second to realise that the question is directed at me."Excuse me?""It's not like Aaron to let his guests stay the night." She says the word guests with enough implications that it doesn't t