THE FIRST CRACK
1017 Words
As we walked into the bright hall, Nicholas whispered in my ear, "Trust is dangerous money." "Spend it on the wrong person, and it will destroy you."
The dinner was bathed in gold from the lights that sparkled like frozen stars. As Nicholas put his hand on my waist and grabbed me like I was his prize, all eyes were on us.
I wasn't his prize, though. I was a spy for him.
Still, when he looked down at me with that dark, mysterious look, my heart skipped a beat.
"Relax," Nicholas said in a low voice. It looks like you're going to pass out.
Amarae forced a smile and said, "I'm just...overwhelmed." Stepping into this place is like stepping into another world.
"It's a different world." You're now in it. Amarae, keep your head up. They'll know when you're weak.
I met men in tuxedos and women covered in diamonds as he led me through the crowd. Their smiles and laughs were practiced, but there was something more serious going on beneath the surface: jealousy, lies, and greed.
I tightened my grip on my clutch and reminded myself of my goal: to find out the truth about how my father died. Nicholas was both my enemy and my only help tonight.
We got to the dance floor.
The music got bigger, with strings weaving together to make something enticing. Nicholas drew me in. He put his hard, possessive hand on the small of my back.
"I had no idea that dancing was part of my task."
Nicholas says with a half-smile, "Think of it as a perk." “Or a test.”
"What kind of test is it?"
Nicholas looked right into my eyes and said, "It's amazing how well you can hide what you're thinking."
I had a shortness of breath. Did he understand? Could he have seen me?
It got hot and tense during the dance. He moved smoothly and authoritatively, pulling me right where he wanted me to be. Before my mind could catch up, my body did what it was told.
And I forgot why I was here for one scary beating.
Nicholas said softly, putting his lips on my ear, "Be careful, Amarae." It looks like you want something every time you look at me.
(Amarae snaps out of it) "Don't be too nice to yourself."
Nicholas smiles and says, "Oh, I'm not." "This is a warning."
The alarm was clear in the fog. He was scared. I wasn't going to let myself get caught in his trap.
But as he spun me, I looked over and saw two guys talking next to the bar. A name was said by one of them. That of my dad.
My heart slammed.
I smiled fakely and leaned in closer to Nicholas.
Amarae, out of breath, says, "I need air."
Nicholas said with a tighter grip, "Not yet." We're still not done.
"Nicholas, please just a minute," Amarae said in a hurry.
His eyes got smaller. He didn't want to, but he let go.
As my heels clicked on the marble, I slid through the crowd. Every nerve was alive. They leaned in closer and spoke quietly because they didn't know I was nearby.
"To be clear, Nicholas did his part, but he wasn't the one in charge."
"Of course not." That wouldn't be right for him. The real orders came from above.
"If she finds out"
"She's not going to." "She can't."
The world shook. Nicholas... wasn't he the one?
I had one truth that I had to live with for months: Nicholas killed my dad. But if he wasn't, who was?
Someone grabbed my elbow. I turned around. Nicholas. His eyes were cold and hard to read.
Nicholas said in a dangerous whisper, "Eavesdropping? You should not do that because it could kill you.
With her heart racing, Amarae said, "I just... lost my way."
"Liar."
I was dragged back to the dance floor by him. His jaw was tight and his grip was hurt.
Nicholas asked through clenched teeth, "What did you hear?"
A defiant Amarae says, "Nothing important." Her voice shakes.
"Do you think I'll believe that?"
"Believe what you want." "I don't care."
I did care, though. Way too much.
He looked at me so intently that he seemed like he could rip the truth from my chest. Okay, maybe I did want him to do that.
The music got slower. He got too close to my ear with his lips.
Nicholas said in a low, frightening voice, "Amarae, you're playing a dangerous game." If you want to survive… you’ll have to trust me.”
Amarae (biting back emotion): “And if I can’t?”
Nicholas pulled me close and said, "Then pray that your enemies don't find you first."
I wanted to scream, to demand answers. But then
A guy brushed past me, slipping something into my hand so quickly Nicholas didn’t notice.
A folded note.
I palmed it, pulse pounding, keeping my face calm.
Nicholas spun me once more before the song finished. He leaned down, his mouth barely an inch from mine.
Nicholas (hushed, dark): “Smile, Amarae. Everyone’s watching.”
I forced a smile. The note was so heavy that it burned my hand.
When Nicholas let go of my hand, I quickly excused myself and ran into a quiet hallway. As I opened the paper, my hands were shaking.
The words cut me like a knife.
"The death of your father wasn't an accident."
The hall turned. My knees got weaker. Everything I thought I knew was false if this was true.
And Nicholas do you think he was telling the truth or the lie?
I scrunched up the note just as Nicholas's voice could be heard down the hall.
Sharply calling out, Nicholas said, "Amarae!" "Where are you?"
I held my breath. As his steps got louder, the note in my hand shook.
Everything would fall apart if Nicholas saw it.
And I didn't know for the first time that I was more scared of losing my secret... or of telling him his?
- Writer
