The Perfect Ruin

by Shanora Williams

  It screamed Ivy Hill, the real me, as you know, and I loved everything about it.

  “Do you want to try it on?” he asked.

  I thought he’d never ask. “Yes please.”

  Bobbi carried the dress by the hanger to one of the fitting rooms. As he hung it up, Lola came wandering out of her fitting room in one of the custom-made gowns, and of course it was stunning.

  Mine was so simple in comparison to Lola’s, but for once I didn’t care about hers being better. Lola had to be the star of the evening—the best dressed. It was her charity. Her event. If it weren’t for her, there wouldn’t have been a Ladies with Passion Gala to begin with. She needed to stand out the most.

  She waltzed out in a one-shouldered, sky-blue satin dress that was pinched at the waist to flaunt her curves. It appeared to be made entirely of sequins at the top, but slowly transitioned to sky-blue and white feathers at the bottom. A front side split revealed one of her long, slender legs and even her upper thigh.

  That dress screamed Lola. It was custom-made to appeal to her tastes. She’d mentioned wanting feathers on her dress, and Bobbi really came through with them. A train followed her, the feathers swaying beneath the golden lights as she walked.

  “You look amazing, Lola.” I fed her the compliment as she stood in front of the mirror.

  “You think so? I might have to get back with Dre, work on losing about ten to twelve pounds to fit better in this thing.” She picked up the dress at her thigh, ruffling the feathers.

  “Oh, stop it,” Bobbi said, fixing her train. “You look incredible. Just imagine you with some banging jewelry, your hair all done up, and your makeup on point, and everyone will be drooling all over you at the gala, Lady Maxwell.”

  I clenched my fist at that name. Lady Maxwell. Though this was nice, what Lola was doing for me, I couldn’t forget my plan. She still had Corey. She was definitely gorgeous in that dress. Corey wasn’t going to be able to keep his hands or eyes off her. I hated her all over again.

  Why couldn’t I just have him, Marriott? Why did she have to find him first?

  “Is this the one?” Bobbi asked her, his hands clasped in front of his face.

  “Yes,” she breathed. “This is the one, Bobbi.”

  “Yes!” Bobbi shouted, doing a little bounce on his toes. “Okay, so Ivy, go ahead and try on your gown,” Bobbi said over his shoulder to me. “I’m going to take Lola’s measurements and then I’ll come check on you. Be gentle with the zippers.”

  I entered the fitting room, and as soon as I got the door to close, I wanted to scream. I couldn’t let Lola win on gala night. My only hope was that I could get to Corey sooner—way before the night of the gala.

  She’d look great, have him on her arm for the photos, and as she introduced herself to the donors, but as long as he had my panties in his pocket, I didn’t care. I’d be winning.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  I’d gotten the perfect dress from Bobbi’s little boutique in New York City and was even more excited for the day of the gala to arrive.

  After returning to Miami, I kept my distance from Lola and only appeared when she needed me. She was busy with organizing the event, and I didn’t want to come off as clingy. Not only that, but I had to work too.

  Ladies with Passion needed me, and as easily as I could have sabotaged the entire gala by working for Lola, I needed this one night to work in my favor.

  I deserved to attend the Passion Gala. I deserved to dress up, look pretty, and mingle like a normal person . . . or perhaps I was getting spoiled with this new life of mine, becoming obsessed with material things instead of my original motive. Didn’t matter. I could take a little break from that. I wanted this night, and you know how I get when I don’t get the things I want. I work harder at getting it.

  But there was one little problem—well, a really big problem, actually—that I’d completely forgotten about until I saw Lola the next morning.

  Lola and I were supposed to be getting coffee and discussing the final itinerary for the gala. She wanted to know my thoughts on the schedule and wanted to ask my opinion on a pair of shoes Bobbi had suggested she wear with her dress.

  Instead of doing that, though, Lola bustled into the coffee shop, met me as I waited in line for a coffee, and said, “Guess what?”

  Confused by her excitement, I asked, “What’s up?”

  “You’ll never believe it, but I got a call from Keke’s mother this morning.”

  As soon as she said Keke’s name, my heart plummeted to my stomach. Fucking Keke. I’d forgotten all about her, Marriott!

  “Keke is finally awake!” Lola squealed.

  Shit. Those were not the words I wanted to hear that day, especially not a month before the Passion Gala. All those weeks spent building up to the gala and getting so much one-on-one time with Lola, and I’d let my duty of checking on Keke fail me. I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d wake up, but thought surely I’d get at least another week without issues.

  It was just like her to interrupt while things were finally running smoothly. I’d become the number one lady in Lola’s life, and now she was back. Just like that, ready to shove me out of the way and be in Lola’s face all over again.

  “That’s great, Lola!” It fucking was not. This was bad. Really bad. “Is she doing okay?” I started to ask, “Does she remember anything?” but decided against it.

  “Her mother said she’s doing fine but that she wants to see me. Let’s take our coffees to go and pay her a little visit. I’m sure she’d love to see you too.”

  “Keke hates me,” I said with a nervous laugh as Lola waved at the barista who was waiting to take our order.

  “That’s absurd. She’ll be happy to see you.”

  Shit . . . would she? Would she remember everything that happened? All the way down to the very last detail? She’d suffered a lot of head trauma from what Lola was told, but she was conscious, and there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t remember who pushed her.

  We took our coffees to go and I sat in the passenger seat of Lola’s Tesla, my heart banging hard against my rib cage and my palms sweaty.

  Lola was thrilled. All she kept talking about was how much Bailey had missed Keke and couldn’t wait to talk to her mommy again.

  When she pulled up to the hospital, my tongue felt swollen in my mouth. Lola parked and unclipped her seat belt in a flash. I unclipped mine slowly, pushing open the car door and stepping out.

  It was unbelievably humid and my tank top stuck to me like glue, my jeans feeling twice as heavy on my legs. My knees almost gave out on me, but I kept it together, following the ever-so-eager Lola to the entrance of the hospital.

  She checked in, and as soon as she had the green light, off she went, going straight down the hallway to Keke’s room.

  I lingered behind as everyone in the hospital moved in quick paces. Maybe if I’d made an excuse and told her I wasn’t feeling well, I could have avoided seeing Keke. I could have pretended to pass out. That could have worked, right?

  My heart was beating harder.

  I didn’t want to do this, but what could I say to get out of it? It would have been wrong not to show my face, pay a little respect to Lola’s dear friend who suffered a horrible fall.

  I drew in a deep breath as Lola knocked on the door, and as she went inside, I exhaled.

  This was it. I knew it.

  This was going to be the moment my entire plan fell apart.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Fresh flowers were on top of the counter. Dozens of them. They were the first thing I noticed as I walked into the sterile room. Apparently, many people knew Keke was awake and back in good health; there were cards attached to each bouquet, even boxes of chocolate stacked near them.

  “Keke!” Lola squealed, and I watched her run to the hospital bed to meet her old friend.

  “Lola! Goodness, girl, I missed you so much!” Keke cried out. Lola bent down to hug Keke tight around the shoulders
, and Keke returned a hug just as tight.

  Her eyes were closed as she did, but in a matter of seconds her eyes were open again, and they landed right on mine. She frowned then, pulling away from Lola rapidly.

  I waved at Keke. “Hi, Keke. How are you feeling?”

  “What is she doing here?” Keke demanded, focusing on Lola. “I thought it would be just you today.”

  “Ivy rode with me to come see you. I told her you were awake now, and that you’d love to see her. She was really worried about you.”

  I nodded and smiled. Did she know? Could she see through my smile?

  Lola looked between Keke and me, then she cleared her throat and pulled up a chair next to the hospital bed. “How are you feeling? How’s your memory and everything after the fall?”

  Keke sighed and rested her head against the bed. “I can’t remember shit.”

  Relief. Sweet, instant relief. She couldn’t remember, Marriott. This was good.

  I moved to a chair in the corner, allowing my heart to settle and my shoulders to relax.

  “Everyone tells me I fell, that I probably tripped. One of my shoelaces was untied and all that when they found me.”

  Lola rubbed her arm. “I was surprised to hear you’d fallen.”

  “I don’t think I fell,” Keke said, her voice serious and her eyes locked on Lola’s. “I don’t know why, but when the doctor was asking my questions, I kept getting this weird sensation that hands were on my back, like someone pushed me. But who would do that? A lot of those pregnant women have been through some traumatic shit, but a pregnant woman wouldn’t have been able to keep up with me on the trail.” Keke turned her head to look at me. “So, what’s going on? You two best buddies now? I checked out your Instagram, Lola. Y’all have been hanging out a lot.”

  Lola scoffed at Keke’s remark. “Ivy is a good friend, yes. Why do you sound so defensive about us hanging out?”

  “You just met her,” she answered without hesitation.

  “I’ve known Ivy for three months now. She’s a good friend to me, and she came here to check on you with me, Keke.” Lola gave her a sympathetic rub on the arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh, I’m fine. I just don’t trust her.”

  “Keke.” I stood up and moved closer to the bed. “I’m sorry if you feel like I’ve gotten in your way, or if my being here isn’t what you wanted. I didn’t mean to intrude. I just know how much you mean to Lola, and I know you had a bad fall, so I didn’t mind tagging along to say hello.”

  “Where did you even come from, Ivy? Huh?” Keke snapped. “Lola may have fallen for your sad-girl story, but I don’t fucking buy any of it.”

  We stared at each other.

  She was a miserable bitch.

  “Funny enough,” Keke went on, “I don’t remember much from camp, but I do remember telling you there was something about you I didn’t like, and I still stand by that. A little fall isn’t going to change my mind about you.”

  Oh, that bitch. If Lola weren’t in the room, I would have strangled her with my bare hands. But I was the victim here. She was attacking me, and by the looks of it, Lola was seeing it the same way.

  “Okay . . . you know what? I’m just going to give you some space. I can see I clearly overstepped,” I murmured, going for the door.

  “No, Ivy. Stop right there.” Lola’s voice was stern. She stood up from her chair.

  “It’s okay, Lo. She clearly needs some space.”

  “Lo?” Keke scoffed, looking up at Lola. “Now she’s got nicknames for you? I can’t with this girl.”

  “Keke, that’s enough!” Lola snapped. She glared at Keke, her eyes wide and partially confused. “We came here to see you, and to show you some respect, and you’re acting like a selfish bitch! I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but this is not the Keke I was expecting. Perhaps you need more rest, so I’ll visit you tomorrow.”

  “No, wait—Lola, I’m sorry. I just—”

  “No, Kee. Just . . . just get some more rest. I have to get Ivy back anyway. We have to discuss a few things for the gala next month.”

  “The gala? Next month already? Is she going?” Keke asked, her eyes misty now. She could feel the bond severing. Lola was letting go.

  Ha.

  Lola peered over her shoulder and exhaled. “She works for the charity now, so yes, she’s going.”

  “You mean she’s taking my spot?” Keke asked blandly.

  Lola paused. “Kee, you were in a coma. Even if you wanted to come, you couldn’t. You’d still be recovering, getting things in order with Bailey. Right?”

  Keke folded her arms over her chest. “Wow.” She was looking out the window now. “Replaced. Just like that. You know what, Lola, just take your new best friend and get the fuck out. Don’t even bother visiting me tomorrow. We’re done.”

  Lola was stuck for a moment, taken completely off guard. She looked between Keke and me, then she shook her head disappointedly and walked in my direction.

  “Let’s go, Ivy.” Lola’s heels clicked as she left the room and carried herself down the hallway. I gripped the door handle and looked back at Keke, but she was already glowering at me.

  “I know it was you,” she said, dropping her arms. “I know you pushed me, you dumb bitch.”

  I stood there a moment, staring right back at her.

  My heart was beating a mile a minute, my mouth dry, tacky.

  Then I said something I probably shouldn’t have said. Something I knew would bite me right back in the ass one day: “Prove it, bitch.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “I am so sorry about Keke’s behavior back there, Ivy.”

  Watching Lola drive away from the hospital in a mood the complete opposite of the way she’d arrived was somewhat comical. It was the end of a friendship . . . at least for now. She’d chosen me over Keke, and perhaps I should have been thankful for that, but I knew it wasn’t about one person over the other for Lola. It was about who was more emotionally available for her, and Keke wasn’t that person anymore. Not only that, but she needed me to make sure the boat sailed smoothly for the gala as I worked with Olivia and Noah.

  “It’s okay, Lola. Don’t apologize for someone else’s behavior.” I sipped my semicold coffee. “But I told you she hated me.”

  “Keke still needs to grow. She thinks everyone is after her because of the situation with Bailey’s father. She hates feeling replaced.”

  “What situation?”

  “Bailey’s father left Keke for another woman. Got married to her six months later.”

  “Really?” I gasped. This I did not know. I just assumed the father was a deadbeat, the way Keke talked about how independent she was.

  “Yes, but he’s good with Bailey, and so is his wife, and Keke can’t stand it. They share custody, so he gets Bailey every other week. Sometimes Bailey calls his wife Mom. Keke doesn’t appreciate it and teaches Bailey these awful habits. I can’t sit here and judge her for it. I know it must be hard raising a child alone, but the problem with Keke is she makes everything about her. If she’s not first, no one else can be happy. Her behavior today proved that. She should have appreciated that we came out of our way to see her at all, but instead she tried to berate you. I won’t stand for it.”

  Aww, how nice of Lola. Not.

  “Listen, I feel awful. I shouldn’t have made you go if you really weren’t comfortable about it. Let me set up dinner tonight. We’ll eat, have some wine, go over the itinerary, and hang out a while. Maybe take a swim today. It’s a nice day, right?”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “Sure. I’ll need to stop by my place for a bathing suit.”

  “Okay. I’ll take you back to the coffee shop, let you grab your car. Maybe I should follow you to your place and you can ride back with me. I’d love to check it out.”

  “Oh—no, you really don’t want to come out there. There is nothing spectacular about it.”

  “What? Do you think I’m going to judge you?” she asked, s
ide-eyeing me with a smirk as she turned into the parking lot of the coffee shop.

  “Not at all, I just don’t think you should be driving a Tesla through Liberty City is all. You can’t tell me you’ve never heard of Grand Theft Auto?”

  “Grand Theft Auto?” She frowned, confused.

  “It’s a video game where the characters steal random cars or, most times, rich people’s cars. One of the locations for the game was Liberty City.”

  Lola chuckled. “Ah, I see.” She parked the car. “Fair point. Well, meet me tonight around five thirty. I’ll have the wine and food ready.”

  Whew. That was a little too close. She could never come to my apartment. It was the only place I felt safe, the only place that didn’t have a touch of Lola. I always thought of it as my secret lair. The place where Ivy Elliot unmasked herself so Ivy Hill could come out and play.

  “Okay. I’ll see you tonight.” I smiled as I left, but that smile slowly disappeared as I made my way to my car. I was tired of smiling for her. Tired of playing nice and pretending I was hurt because her friend didn’t like me.

  My only hope was that Corey would be there tonight. He was in town. I knew because I’d driven by Maxwell Aesthetics before going to the coffee shop and seen his car parked in his assigned spot.

  It’d been three weeks since he last saw me. It was time to make another move.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Let me share a little memory with you, Marriott. A memory that I’ll never forget.

  Every summer in July since I was a little girl, my parents would take me to the water park. They’d pack a cooler full of cold cut sandwiches, juices, and freeze pops. I’d bounce out to the car from the apartment we lived in with my towel and my favorite doll, ready to enjoy a full day of fun.