Filed to story: Bound by Honor (Aria & Luca) Drama Story
“Remember, stay calm,” he rumbled into my ear, then straightened, and suddenly we stood right in front of Anastasia and Cosimo. It was our turn to congratulate the happy couple. Even the thought left me feeling nauseated. But I put on a brave face and smiled. Anastasia looked unsure and her smile was more than just a little forced. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. She made no move to hug me or step closer. When Cosimo and Growl shook hands and engaged in conversation, I used my chance and pulled Trish tightly against me, trying to ignore the way her body tensed at our closeness. Was she worried I’d attack her? Or was she actually disgusted by being so close to me now that I was less? I banished the thought before it could distract me from my plan. I brought my mouth close to her ear. “Please, Anastasia, help me. We can help each other run away.”
Anastasia gripped my upper arms, nails digging into my skin, and pushed me a few inches away before she leaned just close enough so nobody would hear her words. “I don’t want to run away,” she whispered, then loudly. “I couldn’t be happier.” She gave her best Grace Kelly smile into the round of gathered guests, looking like this was the moment of her life.
I stared, unable to comprehend what was going on. Was Anastasia putting up a show? Was she worried about someone overhearing them?
But when I stepped back to allow the next people in line to congratulate Anastasia and Cosimo, I allowed myself a closer look at Trish. She wasn’t putting up an Academy Award worthy performance. There weren’t the telltale signs of lines around her eyes when she was forcing a smile. This was real. Growl started to lead me away, but I kept glancing back at my former friend and my former fiancé. They looked happy. Nobody had forced Anastasia. She really wanted to marry him.
Nobody could help falling in love, right? If Anastasia had told me, I would have tried to convince my father of letting her marry him. I would have wanted Anastasia to be happy, and I’d never even cared about my fiancé.
How could Anastasia have let this happen? How long had this been going on? But even now, I didn’t want to believe that she had known before the party. Maybe she had found out afterward, when it was too late. I allowed myself one last glance at Anastasia before I turned away. She didn’t want anything to do with me tonight, and I suspected that wasn’t just because other people were around. She had a perfect future ahead of her, the one she’d always wanted. She wouldn’t risk it for me.
I emptied my glass and put it on a tray a server was carrying past. Suddenly I felt tired, and not just from alcohol. This evening was like a nightmare I would never wake out off.
Growl stopped in a corner of the room and leaned against the wall. I glanced up at him. He seemed to be done with this party too.
“Can’t we just leave?” I asked.
Growl shook his head. “Do you really want to show them how much this is bothering you? Show them your strength. Don’t cower.”
“I’m not cowering,” I hissed, then sighed. “But I feel drained. I’m not strong. I don’t care if they think I’m weak.” It wasn’t true and I’d later regret my lack of control, but right now I just wanted to escape.
“Never show those people weakness,” Growl said in a low voice, leaning down until we were very close. “You are stronger than you think. No woman has ever given me such a hard time like you do every day. If you can act strong around me, you can be strong around those weaklings. They are nothing.”
I blinked up at his amber eyes. For the first time I actually considered grabbing his face and kissing him. I wanted to do it in front of everyone. And that, too, scared me. I nodded instead. “You are right.” I lowered my eyes, unable to stand his closeness any longer. I caught a few people watching us with open mouths. Apparently they were waiting eagerly for a scene between Growl and me. They’d probably be horribly disappointed if this evening didn’t end with me being beaten to a bloody mess by Growl.
I glared at them and they actually looked away.
“That look is good. Show them who you are.”
“If I only knew,” I whispered. Across the room I suddenly spotted Trish and relief flooded me. Trish had always been the kinder of my two best friends. Growl followed my gaze. “Go ahead and talk to her. She’s your friend, right?”
“How do you know?”
“I saw you at Falcone’s party together.”
“Ok,” I said distractedly, already thinking of how best to go about talking to Trish. I couldn’t risk scaring her away.
“And don’t do anything stupid,” Growl said when I was already a few steps away.
“I won’t.”
I hurried past people who openly stared and pointed at me, who whispered my name like a curse, and even laughed at me, but I ignored them.
All that mattered was talking to Trish and find out as much as I could.
Trish spotted me when I was still a good distance away and for a moment I was sure she’d turn around and run, but she squared her shoulders and waited for me. I was grateful for that small act of bravery on her part, especially considering the many eyes that followed my every move. When I arrived in front of her, we both didn’t do anything for a few heartbeats. Then Trish awkwardly patted my arm and I stiffened under the forced gesture. Any hope I’d had left for my friendship with Trish vanished then too.
I cleared my throat. But I wasn’t sure what to say. I’d made so many plans. They seemed silly now. My eyes darted toward Cosimo and Anastasia again.
Trish followed my gaze and nodded. “I’m sorry, Cara. You know Anastasia always gets what she wants.”
Her words stroke me as strange, but I put on a brave smile, remembering Growl’s words. “You can’t help with whom you fall in love.”
Trish huffed. “Love. Anastasia only loves herself, you know that.” For the first time, Trish voiced criticism against Anastasia, and I realized I’d underestimated her. I’d never pegged her as particularly clever, and she’d always played the stupid blonde, but her attentive eyes now made me realize how wrong I’d been. She’d probably seen through Anastasia a long time ago.
“What do you mean?” I asked quietly.
“She wanted him because of his position. He’s a good catch, and after the thing with your father, an even better catch. That’s all.”
My stomach tightened. “Did she know before it happened?” She couldn’t even say the words.
Trish shrugged. “Probably. She called me the same evening and told me about it.”
“But you didn’t know…” My voice died away. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.
Trish lightly touched my arm. “No. I didn’t. And I’m sorry for everything.” Her eyes darted around at the people watching us and her expression became more guarded.
I knew what was going to happen. Trish depended on the appraisal of others like I had before everything had been taken from me. And she, more than I, had always been Anastasia’s sidekick. That wouldn’t change. She couldn’t let it change. Trish wouldn’t risk her reputation by spending time with me in the future. And the worst was, I couldn’t say if I’d done the same if our positions had been reversed.
I took a step back, forcing a smile. “I know we can’t see each other anymore,” I said firmly. “Just one last thing, do you know anything about my sister?”
Trish shook her head. “Anastasia probably does. Ask her.” I could tell that she was eager to end this conversation and I made it easy for her. I turned and started walking but I didn’t know where to go. Wherever I looked, I saw people who wanted nothing to do with me. Not all of them looked as if they thought my family and I had gotten what we deserved but nobody looked like they were going to help me, or even talk to me. I’d never felt more alone in her life, and this time there wasn’t even a mobile in my purse. And even if it were, there was no one I could have called. My desperate gaze settled on Growl who was no longer talking to the group of men. Instead he was standing by himself, a glass of red wine in his hand.