Three

EVE SANCHEZ POV

"Turn around" I whispered, my hand gripping the edge of the door harder. "Look at me, even if it is just once." 

But it was pointless, and I knew that no matter how hard I wished for just his gaze to land on me, it would never happen. Miguel was a work of art, and just staring at him had the effect of calming me and making me forget about everything that wasn't working quite well in my life. Right now, he was focused on painting and every stroke of the brush he held against the canvas stilled the anxiety that prickled within my chest. But our dynamic was all one-sided. I wasn't brave enough to confess... The fear of being rejected or hurt made me hold back, choosing rather to watch and pine over him from afar. 

Three months had gone by since the will was read and I became a heiress overnight. And despite Amore's threat to make my life miserable, for some reason, I was still in one piece.

Of course, Amore took any chance she got to hurt me, but like a divine intervention, Margo was no longer on her side and she even went as far as defending me whenever Amore tried to take it too far. 

The feeling of finally having a sister that was on my side was both exhilarating and frightening. I'd been skeptical at first about the whole thing, but as the days rolled by into weeks, and weeks into months, I couldn't help but be happy about the change.

I prayed and hoped with all of my heart that going forward, things would only get better. 

"You're staring at him again" Margo whispered into my ear and I jumped, barely managing to hold back the scream that bubbled up my throat from the fright she gave me as I turned to face her, my hand clenching at my chest.

Margo giggled, her dark eyes twinkling. "I got you good this time" she laughed and I couldn't help but smile back.

"I wasn't staring at him. I just love his paintings, that's why I'm watching him" I brushed off, stepping away from the door.

Margo rolled her eyes, then groaned. "You are so annoying. Do you know how many girls are dying to date, Miguel... And here you are lying to yourself that you only care for his paintings"

I exhaled, raising my shoulders, before letting them drop dramatically. "Fine! You are right Margo, but what can I do? I am sure he doesn't even know I exist"

"What you can do is confess your feelings. I mean everyone knows you are a rich heiress now, who would dare turn you down"

"I don't want that type of love, Margo. I want him to love me for me and not because I have a lot of money" 

Margo grimaced, then smiled. "Does it really matter? Even if he is with you for the money, at least he's with you, and let's face it, you'll never find out if things can work out between you two if you keep watching him like a creep from outside the door without saying anything" she hissed and my gaze widened because her tone had gotten a little louder, but Miguel didn't turn, his gaze fixed on the picture he was drawing.

"Keep your voice down, Margo. Are you trying to out me or something.... also what can I do... there's Mom's curfew, and Miguel is always surrounded... "

"Miguel's throwing a party on Saturday night and I got an invite. You should come with me. I'll tell Mom we're going for a study session"

A party? I'd never been to a party before even though I'd be seventeen in a month. Would Amore allow me to go, or would it end in a disaster? I'd contemplated calling Mr. Oregon a bunch of times to report Amore's abuse, but thinking about how that would hurt Margo stopped me. If I went to a party and Amore found out about it, it was going to end with me getting hit. "I don't think..."

"Just trust me OK. I won't let my Mom hurt you again" she said and took my hand. "I know you tell me not to apologize anymore but I am so sorry Eve. I hate what Mom's doing to you and I really want to stop her but I can't, so just bear with her for a few more months... I am going to make everything right okay" Margo assured, tears springing in her eyes.

"That's enough. It's ok. I am doing fine anyway"

"No, you're not, but that will all change at this party. You'll get to have fun and also get a chance to confess to the love of your life. You have to take this chance Eve or you're going to regret it" she urged and I nodded even though I could feel a ball of anxiety tightening around my air pipe.

Margo squealed, drawing attention to us. "Great. I'm going to get you the most perfect dress, you're going to totally scream when you see it"

I smiled, the pain in my chest lessening bit by bit. "That would be really nice"

"I'll do anything for you Eve. It's us against the world now" She smiled and squeezed my finger a bit. "Let's go to the hilltop later... I need more pictures for my project"

"You are not paying me enough to be your model" I grinned and she laughed.

"Fine I'll pay for this session then, but you'll have to give your very best OK"

I nodded, feeling enthusiastic that we were going on a hike together. It was a routine of ours and anytime we went, Margo had me pose for her while she took pictures. It was for her project and I felt honored that she chose me despite having a gorgeous group of friends that she could have easily chosen from.

As we climbed the steep hill, I couldn't help but wonder how the party was going to turn out, and when I finally confessed to Miguel, would I be accepted or rejected?

But I needed to practice first if I wanted to avoid making a complete utter fool of myself.

It would be mortifying if I got tongue-tied right when I needed my voice the most.

"You are so quiet" Margo interrupted my thoughts and I jerked to face her.

"What?"

"What are you thinking about? Is it Miguel, you must really like him if you can't get him off your mind."

"It's nothing. Let's just take the pictures and get back home... Mom won't be happy If we return late like we did the last time"

"You don't have to worry about her... I told her we were having a study session after class so she won't mind if we come late."

"Ok then, but it's really cold here and I've been feeling sick lately, so how about after the pictures we go get a bite to eat"

"That's an awesome idea, I am totally starving anyway," she said and then positioned me at the very edge of the hill.

I glanced down, my stomach dropping at the height and the river that flowed furiously underneath the dangerous slope of the hill.

"Isn't this too close to the edge?" I asked nervously and Margo just giggled.

"Don't tell me you are scared of heights"

"I might be," I said and she just gave me an incredulous look, then sighed.

"Don't worry, you won't fall off. You're not totally at the edge anyway. This time I want you to look sad for me like you're sick of life or something" she instructed and I nodded.

The last picture she'd taken was me being extremely happy, so I guess she was exploring the spectrum of human emotions.

I didn't have to try hard to give her what she needed. My life was sad anyway but once I turned eighteen, it would be all over. I'll move out and live the life I want and maybe Margo might even choose to come with me.

"Wow, you are such a natural, Eve... These are some really cool shots.

"Is that all you'll be needing?" I asked and she frowned, her brows wrinkling as she clicked through the photos she'd taken.

"Let's just take a few more then. This time, act like you're thinking about jumping off the cliff" she said, her gaze clashing with mine. "Don't jump though" she quickly added as if she thought that I was contemplating it. 

I laughed. "Don't worry I won't" I grinned then posed like she wanted me to.

I couldn't die, not when I had so much to do. I had a love to confess, I had a company to manage and I had a party to prepare for.

I had to be optimistic. I just hoped Miguel didn't reject me. It would be too devastating, but even if he did, I'd continue. Margo was with me. I had a sister who loved me and that was enough.