Embedded

Shaky

Suddenly, the bartender’s voice cut through the air like a knife, “What can I get you?” The sound of his voice jolted her back to reality.

She slowly swiveled her head to meet the man’s eyes, her cheeks flushed. Clutching her purse, she licked her dry lips and cleared her throat before speaking. “Umm… I’ll have a vodka cranberry, please,” Thea said, her voice trembling as she fought to catch her breath.

Mason crept up behind Thea and paused briefly as he breathed in her scent. He stroked her hair over her shoulder and kissed her exposed neck. His lips lingered on her skin as he spoke, “You seem like you’re in a hurry.”

She closed her eyes and savored his hands on her skin before turning around, her cheeks tinged pink from the warmth she felt from his touch, “I’m just trying to get away from your mom.”

Mason’s eyes lit up, and his lips curled into a smile as he imagined himself back at the penthouse, cuddled up with her on the couch. “You and me both,” he replied miserably.

Thea’s chest heaved with laughter as her eyes twinkled with mischief, “Do you want a drink?” She asked.

Mason barely managed to contain his boredom as he spoke, his eyes hooded and the corners of his lips turning down in annoyance. “More like I need one,” he muttered, happy to escape the monotonous conversations that had been dragging on all night.

She ordered the same drink and handed him one, lifting her glass in a toast. The dark red liquid sloshed against the sides of their glasses as they clinked them together. They both downed their drinks, then threaded through the crowd towards Addison in the corner of the enormous room. The shadows of the evening cast a silhouette on the walls around them.

Thea’s steps faltered as she and Mason approached Addison and Genevieve. Thea noticed the stiff postures and strained expressions on their faces as they whispered to each other. She cleared her throat nervously, her question lingering. “Hey, is everything okay?”

“Thea!” Addison said, her voice a pitch higher than usual and her eyes wide with fear. “We should mingle more,” she forced a smile and gently nudged Thea away.

“Mason should hear this too, dear,” Genevieve said, placing her hand on Addison’s shoulder to halt her movement.

Addison slapped her mother’s hand back, her eyes blazing. “I swear to you,” she warned, her voice low and dangerous, “don’t you dare say a word.”

Mason’s eyes flashed with anger, and his jaw clenched in frustration. “What’s going on?” he demanded. “I should hear what?”

Genevieve started off slowly, as though she was carefully selecting each word. “I looked into Thea’s background and found out about her past relationship, where she had been abused.” With each syllable, Thea felt her chest tighten, and her breathing became more shallow until it was as if all the air in the room had been sucked out. Genevieve continued on, her voice steady and sure. “The man she sued was wealthy, so she got a pretty decent pay from that case.”

“Mom!” Addison exclaimed through gritted teeth.

Genevieve fixed her gaze on Mason, ignoring Addison’s presence. “I just have a concern. What if this whole thing is an elaborate trap? Has she been targeting wealthy men, claiming to be abused only to sue them for money?” She rested her hand on his arm and added in a softer tone, “I’m just trying to look out for you, darling.”

Mason’s face softened as he stepped toward Thea, slowly extending his hand and encircling her waist. Her usual rosy complexion had drained away, her eyes were wide and unblinking, and her fingers quivered while they held tight to the emerald necklace that hung around her neck. “Thea, are you okay?” His voice was firm yet laced with sympathetic concern. He wanted more than anything to make sure she was alright.

She swayed on her feet, the room around her spinning, and grabbed onto Mason for support. Her shoulders slumped as she spoke faintly. “I need some air. Excuse me,” with shaky steps; she walked out of the room and into the night.

Mason clenched his fists, and his jaw tensed as he watched Thea’s retreating figure. He whirled around to face his mother, eyes fierce. His voice was cold and hard as he spoke, “You crossed the line.” He spun on his heels and marched away in search of Thea.

Thea was so rattled by Genevieve’s words that her legs trembled under her. She fled to the balcony, desperate for some air. Leaning against the railing, tears spilled down her face, and her breath came in ragged gasps. Before she could compose herself, Mason’s voice startled her from behind. She spun to face him, humiliation and anger washing over her. “You okay?” he asked softly.

“It’s taken me years to come back from that,” she said, her voice breaking, “Years of therapy, and it wasn’t easy. Your mom just went and unraveled it in one move,” her mouth quivered as she fought back the tears of grief.

Mason’s eyes were compassionate as he slowly approached her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it in a comforting gesture and speaking her name in a whisper, “I’m so sorry, Thea.”