𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

𝟐𝟓 || 𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐋𝐄

"That's a problem?"

"I don't think she's particularly close with them," I remarked.

It was true. Though she hadn't told me about her relationship with either of her parents, I had no reason to doubt that the bond between her and her father was thin.

I recalled the dinner that we shared, when we first met modestly; how she managed to insult him with the fewest of words, how even what she wore was an act to defy him, how she looked at him with such resentment.

She used to look at me that way too, but not so much anymore. When she looked at me on the balcony last night, I could sense that her feelings towards me had complicated, and I didn't know if that was for better or for worse.

Lena gave me an amused look, a smile hiding on her face. "Look at you; all personal with her."

"There's nothing personal about knowing a few facts about someone," I replied, attempting to deflect her curiosity. I knew much more than a few facts about Violet though, it was as if a side of my brain was dedicated into memorizing everything she did, everything she said, and everything she didn't say.

"A few facts?" Lena's smile only widened, her eyes pointing towards upstairs. "What's she doing in your bedroom?" Her tone held a mix of playful accusation and genuine interest.

I held my jaw firmly shut, choosing silence over questioning how she knew Violet was in my room, silently cursing my sister's uncanny ability to sense every detail of my goddamn life.

"Is there something going on with you two?" She pushed again, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Nothing to your concern," I insisted, though the word tasted bitter on my tongue.

"Oh, come on," Lena continued, undeterred by my vague responses, "you're killing me. I really want to know—"

"My love life is none of your business," I cut her off, my voice firm, hoping to put an end to her relentless inquiries, but she didn't stop.

"Love life? I never said anything about your 'love life.' Oh my god, you have a love life."

"Leave," I demanded, my patience waning by the second.

"That should probably disgust me but—"

"Leave," I repeated.

She crossed her arms over her stomach. "You're not even trying to deny it."

"You're being immature."

She corrected me, "I'm being supportive."

"Clean that up." My eyes gestured towards the smaller broken shards of a plate she had dropped, "then leave."

_______

"Lena said you had something to tell me." Violet walked into my office saying. Her voice was gentle and quiet, stepping in with hesitation. I went back upstairs to check up on her after I was finished talking with Lena, but I think she already knew that nothing was wrong, because she was in the shower.

She had her hair up down, and it fell just by her upper arm. A black square neck body suit clung to her body, and a pair of loose jeans hung from her waist. For some reason, everything about her seemed more defined now; her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, her lips— and it wasn't makeup, it was like my senses had been heightened.