Chapter Ten
"So are you excited to see your friends again?" Anton asked as he helped Violet clasp a necklace behind her, he was looking at her through her dresser mirror.
Violet sighed and thought about all the years that have been lost. "I couldn't be any happier, I never thought I'd even have the chance to see them again."
Anton felt his chest tighten at the thought of how much Violet had struggled for the past years that they were together. She never really told him, but he knew how much she was affected by not having her loved ones around her. He was a selfish boy and he finally wanted to make it up to her and own up to his mistakes like a man. "I'm sorry, baby. For being so selfish. I will spend the rest of my days making it up to you. I promise." He rubbed her shoulders and kissed her neck.
"Anton, I don't blame you for being an asshole." They chuckled. "We have the rest of our lives to be with each other okay? I love you always." Violet turned around and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck, looking deep into his eyes before planting a kiss on his lips.
On the other side of New York, Patricia and the others are preparing for their day together with Violet. Even though she still looked the same, they all felt that she was a stranger to them. Five years of being away from everyone was no joke. They had a lot of catching up to do.
Violet arrived at Patricia's just in time for lunch. She took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.
Here goes nothing. She thought to herself.
On the other side of the door, Bryant, Lucas, Luigi and Violet's brothers were all hanging out in the living room. "Lucas! Open the door we're not done cooking the steak!" Pat exclaimed from the kitchen. The girls were busy cooking.
Lucas hastily stood up and grumbled to himself about how bossy his little sister was.
He opened the door with an annoyed face, only to see that their visitor was Violet.
Holy shit it's him.
Well what the fuck it's her.
The past lovers were staring at each other for what felt like an eternity before Violet decided to break the silence.
"Hey, Lucas."
"Oh, hey. Sorry, Pat and the others are still cooking in the kitchen. But come on in." Lucas paved the way for Violet to enter the apartment.
She chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry I took so long, Anton was being so clingy and—" she stopped mid-sentence because she just realized who she was talking to. "I mean, are my brothers here?"
"Yeah, they're all in the living room watching a movie." He smiled at her to let her know that it was okay to mention Anton. Even though inside his head he must have killed the man a thousand times already.
"Violet!" Her brothers exclaimed as they ran towards her to give her a big—and suffocating group hug.
"Can't breathe."
The three immediately let go of their tight hug on her and were grinning from ear to ear at the sight of their baby sister.
"How are my favorite hunky bros?" Violet teased as she sat down on one of the couches, she was seated between Bryant and Eric. Troy and Tyler were grinning from ear to ear as they stared at their baby sister.
"You have been gone for too long, Vi." Bryant said. He hasn't changed at all, he still had the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen, his hair is still well kept and shiny. Still as handsome as ever.
"You need to tell us every single thing that happened with you in Paris." Eric chimed as he looked at Violet.
"Tyler thinks Anton did some voodoo shit on you for you to love him." Troy exclaimed chuckling lightly.
They all laughed. "In my defense, they have this famous thing in Asia— the Philippines I think, where they make you drink this potion to make you fall in love with someone." Tyler replied in a serious tone.
Lucas remained quiet. Observing the reunion between his friends, he was frozen in his spot. But mostly because he didn't know what to say or how to act.
While everyone was having a blast in the living room, catching up and laughing. Patricia, Joana, Monique, Luigi and Aaron were in the kitchen. They had just finished cooking and were discussing Violet.
"So, does Violet know about you and Lucas?" Joana asked Monique. She had been looking nervous the whole day, probably because she was mostly scared about what might happen to her relationship with Lucas now that Violet is back.
Monique shook her head. "I'm honestly really nervous about her being here. Not that I hate that she's here, but I'm just thinking about what it may mean for Lucas and I."
Patricia nodded in understanding. "I think you should see how this day goes before you do anything."
"Yeah Mon, this day is just all about us catching up. If the opportunity comes up, mention your relationship." Luigi added.
"One way or another, she has to know about the two of you dating. We're all adults here. I'm sure she can accept that." Aaron said as he glanced at Monique worryingly.
Monique sighed. "You know what? I'm not even gonna think about it as much. I love him and he loves me, I'm sure nothing is gonna break that right?" She was telling this more to herself than her friends.
"You guys are going to be okay." Joana went over to hug Monique.
"Now, let's all go outside and spend the day with Violet!" Pat exclaimed as she headed towards the living room. Everyone followed suit.
—
"Antonio! You fucking dog! Where have you been?" Dennis exclaimed as soon as Anton entered the room.
A room filled with everyone from Anton's past. Including his past lover Margaux. She was sitting across the room with a glass of white champagne in her hand.
She still looks as beautiful as I remember. Anton thought to himself as he looked at her.
"We heard you got married?" Zachary asked. "Why weren't we invited you douche?"
Anton chuckled. "Boys, no one was invited. It was a very intimate wedding."
"Well, who's the unfortunate soul?" Margaux asked as she walked across the room the where the others are.
"Violet." He answered.
The room was silent. As he expected.
Dennis broke the silence. "You promised you wouldn't bring her back to your shit again, Anton. What the hell are you doing?"
Anton sighed. He had expected this to be the reaction of his friends. He couldn't exactly tell them the real reason as to how he managed to marry Violet anyway. "Things changed. I have been doing clean business now. I've left everything behind."
"How long have you guys been married?" Zane asked.
"Five years. We've been living in Paris and she's taking up law there as well." Anton answered proudly. They were happy. This was for sure.
"Well then, we have the whole night to catch up! Sit down and let's not waste this weekend!" Franco exclaimed as he brought out the bottle of vodka.
Everyone cheered. For the first time in a while, Anton has never felt happier to be surrounded by his friends again. Leaving their dark pasts behind them.
As he shared laughter and cheers with them, he wondered if it was the same case for Violet.
~~~