Trust can be earned

Chapter Three

“Ok, can everyone please stop staring. I understand that I look pretty much the same as Savannah, but I am not here to replace her. I love her as well she was my cousin; it is my job to make sure that cunt Enzo loses everything that he took from her. You don’t have to like me but don’t treat me like a freak, I can either be your friend or your worst nightmare. Quite frankly I don’t care either way, it’s for you to decide which you prefer.”

When I stop talking everyone has a smirk on their faces, I look around and say “What?” Nora is the first to say anything, “I f*****g like you, excellent choice big brother.” Morgan rolls his eyes at her.

Andres says “You are like her twin, but you are right. It was unfair of me to judge, either of you.” Andres looks at Morgan apologetically, Morgan nods at him.

He is going to hate me when I revel myself again, everyone else nodded in agreement before the conversation turned to Charlie and Taylor. Who again I forgot were here, they have been so quiet.

Andres knows who Taylor is and asks, “How are you involved, we thought you had abandoned us when Savannah died?”

Taylor looked hurt before replying “I went with Morgan to Italy; it was Savannah’s plan to set up a meeting between Morgan and Sirena. I went to ensure her wishes were followed; the only person she trusts to do what she wants is Sirena. I now work for her and will continue to, until she tells me otherwise.” Andres looks shocked but nods in understanding.

Andres knows when it comes to me Taylor and my men will do whatever I ask dead or alive, before anyone can say anything else Morgan says, “This is Charlie, she is Sirena’s doctor and best friend. She is also Taylors girlfriend, they got close while we were in Italy.” Morgan smirks at Taylor knowing Andres will have questions.

My mother clears her throat before saying to everyone “Have we all forgotten the gala this evening, come on Sirena we are all getting ready here. Charlie, I assume you and Taylor are also attending this evening now?”

Charlie looks at me and I nod to my mother, she claps her hands together startling us all before saying “Well then we need to get you a dress, Morgan sort Taylor a suit out please.” I look at Morgan who just shrugs at me.

I sigh in defeat knowing there is now point in arguing with her, instead I just say “Lead the way aunt Val.” I had to stop myself from cringing, it didn’t feel right calling her that. I better get used to it, all us girls leave and follow Lacey to the room set up for us all. It was evening gown and beauty central, there were hair stations, makeup stations and let’s not forget dresses, shoes, jewellery, and accessories.

I looked at Charlie who was looking around in awe, she isn’t used to this kind of treatment, but she better get used to it. This is her life now and as we all know, there’s only one way out of this life. Nora and Sasha drag me and Charlie over to get our hair done first, we are getting to know each other.

I missed these girls, I’m so glad I get to be friends with them again. Even if they don’t know who I really am yet, I can only hope when they find out they don’t hate me.

When we are done with hair we move over to the makeup, the whole time Charlie and I are laughing and having a fun time, by the time we are ready for dresses you would think we were all drunk. We are getting along like we have known each other years, that thought causes guilt to rise in my throat and I go quiet trying to swallow down the bile.

The girls notice my sudden silence and Nora places her hand on my shoulder, she gives it a squeeze before saying “It must be hard being here with her friends, but please know you seem like a nice person. That’s why we like you, not because we are trying to replace her with you.” I feel tears build in my eyes as the guilt of what I’m doing eats me alive.

My mother must sense the change because she looks over and catches my eye in the mirror, she gives me a reassuring smile telling me I can do this. So, with the determination I had in the beginning, I wipe my tears and say, “I know Nora, she is lucky to have had you.” Nora hugs me, then Sasha and Charlie join us. Suddenly I’m squashed under everyone as all the ladies get in on the hug, we all pull away giggling and the hair and makeup people don’t really know what to do.

We all pull ourselves together and finish getting ready, we all agreed that Morgan and I would be a little late. That way we could make sure that we were noticed, saying that by the look of my dress I don’t need to worry. My mother picked out a deep red sleeveless dress, it was open down to my belly button and was extremely fitted. It flared out slightly from my knees, the skirt is silk, and the bodice is a sheer boned lace.

When I had it on and turned to face everyone, they gasped and stared open mouthed. After nearly two minutes of no one saying a word, I started to worry, I chuckled nervously and said “Ok, I’m changing…”

I am interrupted by my mother followed by everyone else saying “NO, don’t you dare. You look, I can’t find the words for how incredible you look.” I can feel my cheeks turning the same colour as the dress, I don’t take complements well, so I look away embarrassed.

Everyone chuckles at me, and I turn to glare at them, I then clapped my hands “Well, come on. You lot still need to dress; I thought it was me and Morgan that are meant to be arriving late. Everyone started rushing around realizing they didn’t have long before their limos arrived, each couple were going in their own except for Nora and Sasha. They were going with Charlie and Taylor; Uncle Rico is going with my parents. We all head downstairs and to the awaiting men, when they heard us approaching, they all turned, and we were met with a collective sharp inhale of breath.

My Uncle Rico and Andres being the only two without a date were the ones to break the lust filled silence, they both whistled before Rico stated “Ladies you all look, Bellissima. (Beautiful)”

Andres says “Deslumbrante simplemente guau. (Ravishing just wow)” I feel a blush creeping up my neck with the look Morgan has been giving me the whole time, Rico clears his throat, and everyone snaps out of the trance we all seemed to be under.

The men looking delectable in their fitted tuxedos, everyone got into their respective limos. Although Morgan and I left when everyone else did, we had a stop to make for Morgan on the way. It was perfect because it made us just late enough, when we pulled up to where Morgan had his meeting my eyes widened in shock.