THE TRUTH
1273 Words
“Here. This lipstick is brighter, put some ice cubes on your t**s and make them perk up. That blouse?” She gave me a once over, unimpressed “it's not quite what I expected you to wear tonight”
“I don’t want to do that mum”
She scoffed “At least put on some lipstick, you look like an ugly widow in mourning”
I said nothing, just lightly caressed my stomach, my secret was safe and healthy.
She flung the lipstick on the bed and turned to her vanity mirror, powdering an already flawless face.
“You kissed Rio the other night and ran away like a coward, Jackson felt bad you didn’t stay for the rest of the party. I thought it was rude.” She jabbed and I sighed.
Rio was part of the reason I ran away. But the real and bigger issue was the man who put the rock she made sure to flash at everyone, on her finger.
“It won’t happen again,” I said flatly.
“Why not?” She turned to me with a soft chuckle “Make it happen again”
My brows creased too tight. “Why?”
“Well” she turned and elegantly folded her hands on her laps “I took it upon myself to do some… digging, and I found out, Rio Romero is wealthy enough to give you anything you desire, on a platinum platter, for the rest of your life”
“Mum, you hate Rio, and you saw what happened between us ten years ago, sometimes you make me want to believe you had a hand in it”
Celeste smirked “People change, Gia darling and so has his fortune and his influence. Ten years ago is the past, you should forget about it”
I opened my mouth to talk but she beat me to it.
“I heard he just opened a luxury hotel in Dubai. He isn’t some reckless little boy anymore, now he has power, he owns this high-end company that produces motorcycles. And last month he was featured on the cover of Forbes, can you imagine that? Besides, he is great friends with the president….”
My hand curled into fists “Mum, what is wrong with you?!” My voice went up in anger “You’re marrying his father, why are you…”
She cut me off with a lazy wave “We can make some arrangements” Celeste turned back to the mirror to continue peppering her face “People will gossip, sure, but what matters in the end is the money. It’ll keep you warm while they’re gone” she muttered quietly, enough for me to hear.
I rolled my eyes and stood up, being around her was toxic enough, and I was feeling suffocated. “I’m going to get a drink”
“Gia?” her voice floated to me and I stopped at the door “ Take something strong and unwind, I haven’t seen you drink all night. You sound tense. And stop frowning, it gives you wrinkles”
“Do something else with your free time mum, leave me alone” I said and slammed the door shut.
“Gia”
Ellen Connor caught me right outside the door, like she had been lurking, eavesdropping. She was one of my mum’s closest friends. A mischievous mother with a knowing smile, like Celeste.
She sauntered towards me with a glass of wine in hand and too many pearls dangling on her neck. “Hey darling, your mum was saying something about inviting you to our tea parties. We would love to have you.”
“And I would really want you to meet my son. He’s also a brilliant surgeon, my Bryan, such a good boy, really” the way she sipped her drink told me it was a lie.
She didn’t even know me.
I forced a smile “Thank you for inviting me Ellen, but I’m not quite at that level yet…”
“Nonsense” she said, grabbing my hand with a sly grin “Celeste told me you’d try to downplay your achievements, you’re too modest.” She laughed alone.
“Being in the medical field is not for the faint hearted. Bryan is always whining and complaining about how he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. You know, you should take credit for your good work and own your success. Honestly, I think you two should meet”
“Ellen, I’m ….”
“Please don’t say no, Bryan will be thrilled to meet you. In fact he’s having a conference next week, I could call his assistant and slip you into his schedule”
Fuck. No!
A stupid conference landed me here in the first place, it won't happen again.
“Ellen, I really don’t think…”
“Your mum tells me you’re ripe for marriage and I swear you’ll adore Bryan, he’s good with women. You should see how he takes care of me. Do you know he won an award for…”
“Mrs Connor, how are you enjoying the party?” A deep, smooth voice cut through us.
Jackson.
“Oh, Mr Romero” Ellen purred and let go of my hand with a flourish.
“I am enjoying the party as much as I can” her voice had dropped to a whisper, as her hand lightly brushed his chest with a smile too bright.
Oddly, that gesture made me feel an emotion I couldn’t quite name.
I wonder if my mum knew her best friend was hitting on her man.
“That’s wonderful” Jackson stepped past Ellen, walked towards me and took my hand in his. His hold was warm and somewhat… possessive.
I tried to get a hold of myself, being this close, his scent, everything about him was overwhelming “I’d like to steal Gianna away for a moment” he said and Ellen’s eyes widened in protest.
“Oh, but I was just telling her how wonderful my Bryan is…”
“Mrs Connor, I believe Bryan should be in a position to properly introduce himself to Gianna, I believe that’s the gentleman’s way. If you’ll excuse us” he gave her a quick smile and gently tugged me away.
“You left so abruptly yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to have a word” he whispered as we walked hand in hand.
“And honestly, I don’t want to be here today, at this stupid party either” I muttered as he pulled me out through the back door.
The cold air hit my face and I exhaled “f*****g Christ I needed this”
“You have a filthy mouth” he chuckled lightly but I was too wound tight to reply.
“It's your mum’s party. Do you want a drink? It might help you relax.
“No!” I snapped too fast “What’s this party for anyways?”
He shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets “I don’t know” he was too calm compared to what I was currently going through “Celeste likes throwing parties. I’m starting to get comfortable with the commotion”
I groaned and rolled my eyes “Tell me about it”
“She’s happiest when she spends money, I’m fine with it” he smiled and I turned to look at him silently for a while.
“Of course,” I smiled.
Jackson had no idea what kind of hell he had gotten himself into. “Do you love her?”
- Writer
