Before we walk inside Ethan yanks
my arm, pulling me closer to him and interlocking our fingers, making
me want to push him and throw up.
"If you want to make Aleksander
mad then pretend you're in love
with me," he says with a stupid smile,
I know he's trying to control
me but I'll be gone
soon so I pretend it works.
"How do you know I'm pretending?"
I say in the same suggestive tone
"Maybe I'm in love with you." He laughs
and Braxton scoffs, pushing past us.
Ethan wraps his arm around my
waist, and like any sane human would,
I grab his arm and take it off me
"I'm holding your hand but you aren't
touching me, nice try." He rolls his eyes
I'm mad at Aleksander and his fan club,
but not enough to make me want Ethan,
I don't hate myself that much.
"I didn't want to touch you, and
we should do something besides
that if you want to convince him."
I roll my eyes and look at
Braxton who's glaring at both of us.
Zander walks up with his date,
which is a short woman,
her black hair makes her green eyes
stand out, and the green dress.
He smiles at me and runs a hand
through his hair "Are we ready?"
A group of tall, muscular men,
stand around us, I assume some
are bodyguards and others
are just part of The Solace gang.
Ethan tightens his grip on my hand
and watches me for a reaction, I keep ablank face and nod,
which makes him visibly angry but he doesn't say anything.
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 ;)
ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴄʀʏ ʙʏ ʟᴀɴᴀ ᴅᴇʟ ʀᴇʏ
This is going to suck because alcohol
usually gets me through these stupid
little events, but this time I have
to stay sober and be somewhat stable.
I also have to avoid a lot of people;
I don't think I will get the chance to
see Hannah or Dylan,
I would add Louis but if he's
with his bitch of a
brother then it won't end well.
Stephen is everywhere so that's the
only guy I think will be a problem,
I don't think Aleksander cares what
I'm doing, he probably doesn't see me
as a threat but I still want to avoid him.
Gabriel always has someone following
him around so I don't think
it will be hard to get away from him;
Marco and Dylan are probably going
to be next to each other
all night, making me feel bad for him.
The other people I have to avoid are
just people who know me from
different events and others I've tricked.
"Marceline, stay inside the house."
I nod and pretend I don't plan on
sneaking out. He nods and the people outside of the doors open them for us.
We walk inside and I see a very tall
archway that's the entrance to the main room, filled with random tables, groups
of people, and a small stage for
the band who's playing classical music.
There are flowers along the railing
of both staircases; the
bottom and top have a small table
with an old-looking lamp.
The rugs are all dark red with
dark-colored flowers in the corners,
but all the walls are made out of a
light stone, and the floors
look very similar but more marble.
The house is near a large light
blue lake so they have
a lot of windows to show it off.
I look at the top of the staircase
and my whole body goes still,
I didn't think I would see them
so soon, I thought I was mentally
prepared but this is insane.
It's making me realize how stupid
I am for coming here, but
I can't turn around now. Celeste
is walking up to him, swaying
hips and laughing with Izabella
Aleksander is standing with
a group of men, ones that
I don't know but with the look on
their faces I don't want too
But what really catches my eye is him
standing with Marco and Gabriel,
the most abusive men in my life; I'm
not surprised but disappointed, I don't
even know why, they all tried to kill me.
On the bright side, none of them
succeeded, which makes me happy
again, not for being alive but for
knowing I beat them in something.
She grabs his arm and smiles.
Celeste touches his arm and smiles
like an idiot, like how she smiles when someone compliments her or flirts.
They're together, they probably walked
in together, and plan on ending
the night together, and I'm an idiot for
not thinking of this sooner.
She whispers something in his ear while
all of the men watch, I don't pay any attention to the people looking at us.
I only look away when Ethan taps the
back of my hand and says "Play along"
I paste a smile on my face, hoping
to convince everyone
that I care about him, and what he
dreams of, even
though that's the last of my priorities.
For some reason I convinced myself
that I've already been in too much
pain to feel anything else,
that I would be numb to everything
so there would be no problem tonight.
If I would've known the pain I'm
experiencing now I would've
ran away when I had the chance
It's embarrassing and I want it to stop
I'm not scared, my heart beats
slower, and my mind is foggy,
I feel tears trying to build in my
eyes but I force them away,
everyone needs to buy this act.
This is beyond stupid, I would have
waited to face him if I knew
she was going to be with him.
I know I shouldn't care, I don't want to;
the last thing I want is to feel anything
besides hatred for that man.
I make sure to keep my eyes on Ethan,
which is harder than it seems,
one because I don't like him; and two,
when Aleksander and Celeste are
standing so close it's hard not to look.
Ethan isn't looking at me, he's smirking
and looking toward them. I want
to roll my eyes and throw up all at once.
I feel so many eyes on me, making
me uncomfortable, I hate these
stupid events with these people.
Ethan looks at me and does something
so uncalled for that it was insanely
difficult not to punch him and scream.
His hands grab my side, latching
on and pulling me against him.
Before I could react, he slams his lips
onto mine, biting my lip
so hard that I taste blood and he forces
his tongue into my mouth;
I hate that I can't stop him,
I hate more that he knows it.
He won't let me go until I play along,
so even though my mind and body are screaming at me to push him away;
I cup his face and pull him closer to me.
He leaves but the eyes still stay on
me, Braxton has his back facing toward
them while he says "Follow me."
One thing I didn't think about
was the fact that if I came with
them, I have to listen otherwise
people would be suspicious.
They have complete control over me.
I hear him, his strong, harsh voice, one
that seems unnatural for him; not his nature but how he used to speak to me.
He never talked to me like that but
I've heard him angry, like
right now, he's telling someone to
"Shut up" that's all I know.
There is a door in the middle and
two on the side, they don't
actually have doors there all just
archways, with details
around them so it looks like a frame.
Braxton tries to grab my hand but
I move it away, he glares and says
"I'm just trying to show you to one of
our friends, stay with him, he'll be your excuse to get out of stuff." Fair enough
But he doesn't need my hand to show
me, someone, he grabs my hand anyway, tight enough to make it
turn a light red, he digs his dirty nails
into the soft skin of my wrist and smiles
"Play nice." He mocks me.
I can't do anything but suffer in silence,
he pulls me down the hallway, nodding
and smiling at anyone who passes us.
None of them look at how he's holding
me, it's not like they would do anything
if they did see it.
For some reason, I still want someone to notice, I want someone to care enough
to react; I want a lot of unrealistic things.
I look around the room and see
no one familiar, just a few groups
of people talking and laughing.
They actually look like they're enjoying
each other's company, there
is no tension, it's all positive energy.
This is one of those places that feel
insanely welcoming, like a "happy"
drug is running through the air, filling everyone's lungs.
None of them pay attention to the others around them, unless they're in the group, all of the rooms in the place seem
so much smaller with all the gowns and massive crystal chandeliers.
All of the smiles temporarily distract
me from the burning pain on my wrist,
the tears don't try to come out and everything feels so steady, for just
a second, only one, unfortunately.
"Marceline, this is Hayden, he's your
best friend now." I fake a smile and
look at the guy in front of me, he has
golden brown hair and brown-black eyes.
He's only a few inches taller than me,
maybe more if I wasn't in heels.
His hair is just above buzzed but he has
the bone structure for it unlike others.
Hayden extends his hand to me with
a polite smile "It's a pleasure," he lifts
my hand to his lips and kisses it gently.
I laugh and nod. Braxton looks disgusted and pats Hayden on the back
"Good luck," he says, before leaving
the room. Hayden continues talking
to the group, pretending
I never came in, and they do the same.
I don't mind, it's actually comforting
"So, when is your dad handing it over?"
A random, drunk guy asks Hayden.
He smiles and sighs "I wish I could
tell you, but I don't even know that."
If I was still with Marco and said
something like that he'd kill me;
it's too open and possibly honest.
A small woman, with dark
brown hair and brown eyes,
stumbles toward
the drunk man and mumbles
"Let's dance!" everyone in the
room looks at her, laughing
at her condition and request.
The drunk guy nods and holds her
hand "Let's do that." Hayden laughs,
and drinks the champagne out of
his flute glass, still showing his smile
as the liquid pours into his mouth.
Other people join in and somehow
music randomly appears, they dance
like idiots but it's entertaining to
watch. Hayden is standing behind me laughing and watching everyone.
He taps my shoulder, making
me turn my head to face him;
it surprises me how close
he is but I pretend I don't care
"You are thinking about how stupid
they look, aren't you?" I glance at
the people and then back to Hayden
"How'd you know?" He looks at my
smile and then back to the others
"I'm good at reading people,
that's why they love me being here."
I shrug and keep my eyes on them
"Maybe you're wrong, they might hate
you for it." he looks at me like he's
never had someone doubt him before.
When he looks into my eyes I feel
understood but also uncomfortable
His eyes are so dark, and there is
nothing but also everything in them,
how can something be one thing
and then the complete opposite?
"You might be the only interesting
person here, tell me why you came?"
I roll my eyes and look at the
group dancing in front of us.
"I'm not falling for that."
He laughs and says "I'm surprised,
everyone else tells me everything after
one compliment" I look at him and
put the same smile on my face, looking
at him with the same depth he has
"You're smart, do you know that?"
he tilts his head and narrows his eyes
"Really, I mean it, you manipulate everyone, but not me;
I might act stupid but I am not."
He nods and grabs my hand pulling
me into the group of people dancing
"I'm glad you're smart like me,
so let's act like idiots together."
He twirls me, making my hair spin
around me, and my dress flow.
•~~~~~~~~~~❀❀❀~~~~~~~~~~~•
I'm still with Hayden, but out of
the room, not dancing or
acting like we're on loads of drugs.
We're in a different group, and they keep asking me things about Ethan and
if he's "accepting" their offers; I pretend
to know what they are talking about.
Ignorance is either amazing or terrible
with the mafia.
"So, Celine, I was talking to Ethan
a few months ago; he's supposed
to send over the money next week."
I wish I could tell him how much
I don't care but I have to play along.
I smile and nod "Yeah actually, Ethan
told me he was working on that,
I will make sure to tell him about you."
The man smirks and shamelessly looks
at my boobs "Thanks, beautiful" yuck.
Somehow I got lucky and successfully
avoided Aleksander,
Max, Marcus, Stephen, Gabriel, Louis,
Celeste, Izabella, Marco, and Dylan.
I really want to see Hannah and Eden though, I know you might be
questioning why Eden; it's because she's
too pure to do something that terrible.
She's also my only friend now; I don't
know where Louis and I stand so I don't know what to say or how to react to him.
Someone walks into the group,
standing right beside me, I don't look because it always ends up being
someone I don't like or don't know.
"Have any of you heard anything
about The Camdens? I can't find them
anywhere." I turn to see a short
man who looks very old but clean
I look at him and shake my head
with the rest of the group,
and I'm not lying because
I haven't seen him yet. Thank god.
But Stephen has a habit of appearing
out of thin air so I'll give it a minute.
"They're with Max Becker, in the
backyard." a familiar voice says,
Panic immediately finds a place in
my body; everywhere in my body,
I look back at the group and see him.
Aleksander, drinking from
his glass and looking at me.
This doesn't even feel real.
He found me again, out of a whole
room filled with groups of people;
he's standing across
from me and looking directly at me.
I can't breathe, the dresses, and
the people, and
the furniture crowding the room
and I'm suffocating
The short older man nods and
swiftly walks toward the back door.
I try to watch Aleksander without
making eye contact, I'm not scared
of him, I'm just anxious, Everyone
except Aleksander is on
edge because of his sudden presence.
Some don't even make an effort to hide their anger or even hate for him.
He tilts his head back, drinking
whatever was left in his glass.
"Petrov, I was talking to Xavier earlier,
he told me you missed me," one of
the women say, talking seductively and
looking at him like they're together.
I wouldn't be surprised, but I am
disgusted. We're they together
recently and was it just sex or dating?
I don't really care, it just seems a little sudden; and the way she's
talking is so smooth and he's smirking
and her pupils grow bigger
while she leans down a little, making
her cleavage more visible to everyone.
Smart of her, it worked like a charm
when I did that. He's not looking
though, and I hate him, and
he clearly has done things with her
and he's making it obvious.
Hayden looks at me with a confused expression but puts on a mask,
making him seem happy to be here.
He taps the back of my hand and nods,
trying to reassure me that I'm okay.
Aleksander looks down at our
hands and then glances at me
with a stupid look before saying
"Did he?" To the lady, playing
along with whatever she's doing.
The beautiful lady that's trying to fuck
him nods "Yes he did, was he right?" Everyone in the group, including me, watches them with mixed feelings
He laughs and looks at the man
beside him "Do you all know who's
doing an announcement soon?" he asks,
pretending the lady doesn't exist,
She rolls her eyes and drinks more or
her wine. I take a large swish of alcohol even if I should be on guard with Aleksander and all the mafias near.
Hayden nods and subtly points
toward Marco and Dylan,
laughing with a group of men.
M̶y̶ d̶a̶d̶ a̶n̶d̶ b̶r̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶
Marco and Dylan seem so close, but
they don't even know I'm near them,
I guess I should be happy about that.
Aleksander looks at them and then
me to see my reaction, But he doesn't
look surprised; he probably already
figured out, he's trying to taunt me.
I pretend I don't care because
I'm going to fake it
till I make it, or till I kill Marco.
Hayden laughs while shaking his head
"It won't be anything important,
The Hendrix mafia is too weak to
affect anyone in this group,
one of his daughters already died."
Does he know I'm supposed to be that daughter? I have no idea what Hayden
knows, which makes me happy
thinking he's ignorant, but also scared
because I don't know what to expect.
I smile and nod, I like it when people
think I'm dead, it gives me a good advantage. Aleksanders eyes lit up
with anger when Hayden said that.
"I agree," I say to Hayden, trying
to hide my smirk "anyone who
can't save their family is weak."
Aleksander laughs and everyone looks
at him like he spoke in a
foreign language, I don't know why
because the bitch laughs too much.
"I do not agree, some things can't be controlled." I roll my eyes and Hayden
nods, most of us are still looking
at Marco and Dylan, My brother
and the asshole that had both of us.
I turn my head at a sudden movement
and see Aleksander putting his hand out
to shake mine, knowing I can't decline.
"We haven't met, I'm Aleksander."
I fake a smile and force my hand
to take his and gently shake it.
Hoping he doesn't try to shoot me
or break my hand, I subtly take
a deep breath and relax my body.
He tightens his grip, not to the point
where it's painful, but still enough to acknowledge our hands together.
Before letting my hand go, he runs
the calloused pad of his finger over
the soft spot on my wrist and smiles.
I try not to react to him touching
the same spot Braxton left red marks,
but one mistake ruins
my entire brave and unbothered act.
I flinch, and he notices.
I quickly pull my hand away and hide
it before he can see the marks.
"Celine," I speak through my
teeth, trying to hide my anger
I just want to punch him in the face
and walk away,
but here I am, staring at the devil
with a fake smile and clenched jaw
"That's a beautiful name," this bitch.
I force out a thank you and turn
to Hayden, I put my hand on
his shoulder to get his attention
which makes him slightly jump.
He turns and laughs with everyone
"Yes?" I give him my best "fuck me" eyes, hoping it makes Aleksander livid.
"Can you help me with something?"
Hayden nods in understanding
and sits his drink down on one
of the tables; He offers me
his hand so I take it with a smile
"Where?" he asks, I tilt my head toward
the back door making him smirk
I look at Aleksander and see a mix of amusement and rage in his p̶r̶e̶t̶t̶y̶ eyes.
Hayden nods his head and carefully
grabs my hand,
pulling me toward the back door.
I have to be careful which area we
go in because if Stephen and Max
really are back here, I'm fucked.
Once we step outside Hayden moves
his hand up my arm, to the base
of my neck "Why outside? There are
rooms in there." he asks, I shrug
"Where is the fun in that?" he smiles
and leads me into the garden
Don't worry, I'm not fucking anyone
in a garden, especially
not a garden that looks like a maze,
the hedges are like ten
feet tall, and the only light is coming
from the fountain in the middle.
He stops In a random spot and kisses
me, very sloppy and messy, like he's
trying to eat my face off. "Okay, okay,"
I push him back and
look around, making sure no one
is near us when I say
"I only did that to get away from him"
Hayden smiles and nods his head.
"I know, I just wanted to kiss you."
I slowly nod and laugh
"Great, let's go back inside." I say,
he takes hold of my hand gently
and leads me to a different back door
___________________________
𝟥 - 𝟤 - 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟥
𝖧𝖾𝗒 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖾, 𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖽𝗈 𝗐𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗄 𝗈𝖿
𝖠𝗅𝖾𝗄𝗌𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖬𝖺𝗋𝖼𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗍𝖺𝗅𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀?
𝖲𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖧𝖺𝗒𝖽𝖾𝗇 𝖻𝖾 𝖺 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖾𝗍 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋?