Hidden Scars

Chapter 2: party outside

Eliana's POV

She looks away before meeting my gaze while her fists clench and unclench. The action makes me push aside my annoyance and really observe her. I notice the bags underneath her eyes and the stress lines bracketing her forehead. It’s a telltale sign of distress, and I become concerned.

“What’s going on?” I probe softly.

Soft brown eyes…the exact replica of mine and our mother’s…meet mine, and her head tilts sideways as she explains, “I need you to marry first so I can marry Aryan, Lia. I want to start a family with him, and I can’t unless you do. Papa will never agree to my marriage until the eldest daughter of the family does. Don’t even think of cajoling me, because we both know it’s the harsh truth.”

I’m stunned into silence. I didn’t see that coming from a mile away.

Unfortunately, she’s also right. Our father would be absolutely against it. If he allows her, we’ll be the center of hot gossip among our extended family. It’s a sure fire way to make him go ballistic.

“Why so soon, though, Vee? You’re still young,” I can’t help but argue weakly.

“Aryan isn’t,” she confesses in a torn voice. “His parents are pressuring him and I can’t lose him, especially when I want the same. He can only hold them off for so long before he has to make a choice.”

My heart hurts at her dilemma and my hands sweat as I desperately think of a solution. I more than anyone understand the pressure, but still, I can’t just agree.

Because firstly, it’s insane. And secondly, who the hell am I going to marry?

It certainly won’t be the man my parents pick. They wouldn’t know the first thing about what I’m looking for in my partner. Though, they might say otherwise.

At the same time, I also can’t stand in the way of my sister’s happily ever after. Is that why she’s been distancing herself from me all this time?

“Vee.”

Closing the distance, she sits down beside me and takes my hand in hers. Squeezing it desperately with tears shining in her eyes, she pleads, “I know I’m being completely selfish for asking a lot from you, Lia, but please think about it. I’m not saying you have to do it right away. Just don’t be so closed off to the idea because, who knows, maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams. I still believe the part of you that always yearned for love is still inside of you, no matter how hard you try to bury it.”

It’s my turn to look away, because her words hit too close. Was I that obvious? I want to deny that it isn’t true. I want to say she’s wrong and that I don’t have my heart closed off. But it’ll be a big fat lie.

The truth…my past…is an even harder pill to swallow.

Because no matter how hard we try, we could never let go of our past. It always has a hold on us, whether happy or painful, big or small. It shapes you into who you are, and so has mine.

I gave my heart to someone with my whole being, only for it to be carelessly thrown aside. Ever since then, I’ve been guarding the broken pieces. It took me months to finally let go, enough to cherish the other good things in my life. I learned my lesson and it was ugly.

Love is a curse and heartbreak is its penance.

Until today, my decision never bit me in the ass and had me wishing differently. I’m not okay knowing it’s affecting Vee, whom I can’t bear to hurt. I can’t be the cause of her heartbreak. It’s the one thing I despise the most.

So even though I have no clue on how to help her, I still nod and smile encouragingly. “I’ll give it a thought. I promise you’ll get your wedding like you’ve always dreamt, Vee.”

Jumping in excitement, she stands and wraps her arms around me while chanting, “Thank you, Vee. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She pulls back and the blinding smile on her face has me in a chokehold. It’s the one I haven’t seen in years pointed at me. She always brought out my elder sister's instincts to protect and love her unconditionally. Now, I must find a way to not break my promise.

Even if I have to sacrifice my own future.

****

ROSA: We’re going out.

ROSA: Wear something sexy.

My best friend’s texts came just at the right moment. I desperately needed the biggest distraction I could find after the bomb my sister dropped. So without any questions asked, I said yes and went into my closet to pick my most daring dress.

I want to forget that I have a big decision to make ahead of me. A decision that will change my entire world. Something I’m far from prepared for.

I want to forget I have responsibilities. A future that’s uncertain and murky.

Tonight will be all about bad decisions and regrets. Letting loose and enjoying my freedom before it’s captured.

Standing at my vanity, I stare at myself in the mirror as I tie my long wavy hair into a messy bun atop my head. I free a few curls so they frame my face, giving it a sexy yet girly look. My purple lace dress leaves little to the imagination as it molds to my curves with a sweetheart neckline and ends right below my ass.

My breasts sit high and perky and I love how the dress complements them. I paint my lips in pink with matching blush on my cheekbones. Bending down, I put on my favorite pair of Versace pink high heels.

Iris…the third of our trio…always says that sometimes all a girl needs is a hot little dress to make them feel at the top of the world. She may have been right, even though I won’t ever admit it to her.

My outfit fills me with confidence and power, making me feel there’s nothing I can’t handle.

I text Rosa on my way out after grabbing my car keys, purse, and phone and take the elevator. Another perk of having a penthouse is my private elevator which saves me time. One of my biggest pet peeves is being late, and I hate it even more when I’m on the receiving end of it.

The only exception is Iris, who for the life of her can never be punctual. God knows I’ve tried. But apparently, all of the mundane s**t happens to her.

Once the elevator stops at the parking lot of my building, I walk toward my BMW parked in my spot and press on the key fob until I hear the familiar beep. My heels clap on the cement with each step, which echoes loudly in the empty space.

Unlocking the door, I slide behind the wheel, connect my phone to Bluetooth, and drive into the starry night.

The low music playing in the background distracts me from drowning in my unwanted thoughts. I breathe easy once I finally reach my destination. It happens to be a tall building in one of the most expensive areas in the city.

The valet opens my door and I slide out while he waits.

“Good evening, miss.”

“Hello,” I softly greet while handing him my keys so he can park my precious car. It was the first thing I bought with my own money.

My job as an interior designer pays me well and when I got hired by one of the top firms in the country, it was the happiest day of my life. It had always been my goal ever since I could remember. I love turning a place beautiful and filling it with life. One day, I’m going to start my own company and live my dream.

“Ana.”

The sound of the nickname my friends gave me pulls me out of my reverie. My head jerks to my right and my gaze collides with Rosa’s. Her flaming red hair sparkles under the lights, making her stand out among the crowd. It matches her red lips while the rest of her is as dark as a beautiful night. Most girls are obsessed with pink but Rosa isn't.

She’s quiet and moody and has no filter.

And has a weird obsession with everything black.

We’ve been best friends since kindergarten with our families being in the same circle, and I’ve never seen her wear any other color. It fits her dark personality perfectly. She may come off as cold and a bit scary, but she has a heart of gold and is the most loyal friend anyone can have.

“You finally wore the dress,” murmurs Rosa while running her gaze over me appreciatively. A knowing look crosses her eyes before they narrow and she demands, “Something happened. Spill.”

Sometimes I hate how she can read me so easily. Still, I act nonchalant and retort, “It’s just a dress, Ro.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“Shut up.”

Her lips tilt into a smirk and she warns, “I’ll let it go for now, but you’re not off the hook.”

Wow! That was too easy. Instead of relaxing, it rattles me because she’s a hound until she gets to the bottom of the truth. It’s my turn to narrow my eyes and observe her closely.

She’s dressed similarly to me in a short corset dress, except hers is, you guessed it, black. It accentuates the shape of her waist and hips in an enticing way. Rosa is lean and has curves in all the right places, which she doesn’t even have to work for despite being a foodie.

I’m one of those girls who will drink water and somehow gain weight. It’s so unfair.

My attention goes to the drink in Rosa’s hand, and I ask, “Were you here already when you texted me?”

“Yep.”