I narrow my eyes at her. “I'm ignoring that comment.”
She giggles. “Why don't you change out of those clothes? The skirt's seen better days,” she says, scanning my attire.
For the first time tonight, I notice the shreds in the purple fabric.
“Oh, Alice. I'm so sorry.” A sob catches in my throat.
Instantly, she embraces me. “Hey, no. Don't be sorry. They’re just clothes.”
I bury my face in her hair. “He ripped your top too.”
She rubs my back.
As she leans back, she gathers my hands within hers. “Come on. Get changed. And seriously, don’t worry about the clothes.”
After helping me rise to my feet, she gathers the bowl and medical kit, and heads to the bathroom, while I retreat to my room.
I close my door and stumble over to my mirror. I twist my head to expose the right side of my face and see the large red patch covering my right eye and leading down my cheek. No wonder my face is throbbing.
By tomorrow, I'll have a giant purple bruise to disfigure my appearance.
Wonderful.
My gaze drifts up to the small bandage Alice secured to the wound. Though I'd like to see what’s under there, I leave the bandage intact.
After releasing a heavy sigh, I turn from my reflection and discard my tattered clothes. I want to shower and remove every trace of John from my body. Would that be considered inappropriate with Angelo sitting in the living room?
I slide into my pajamas, along with my midnight-blue hoodie, and open my door, only to regret it as I discover Angelo has removed his coat and now leans back against the sofa with his arm draped around Alice's shoulder. She nuzzles at his neck, while he whispers something to her.
The sudden observation of the two together takes me back to the movie theater, where I saw them kissing.
I choke back another round of tears. I can’t handle this on top of everything else tonight.
The moment they acknowledge me standing there, Alice jolts away from him, leaving a large gap between them. Her face glows crimson as she attempts to avoid eye contact with me.
“Hey, I recognize those Snoopy pajamas,” Angelo says, trying to defuse the situation.
To my dismay, it works; my face transforms into a glowing beacon.
Even Alice chuckles. “What? When did you see her in her jammies?”
“Oh, she never told you?”
I cover my face with my hands. “The night he came to take me to the club. Can we drop it now?”
“Come on, you,” Alice says, patting the seat between her and Angelo. “Take a seat and I'll sort your hair out.”
I lower my hands, only to hide them in the pockets of my hoodie as I force my feet to move and sit. The hummingbird returns.
Not now. Settle down, I silently berate her, though she refuses to obey.
As my gaze captures Angelo's, it only intensifies her frantic search for a way out. Another blush rises to my cheeks as he raises his eyebrows briefly, while the mischievous grin materializes on his lips.
I avert my gaze before Alice notices.
Thankfully, she orders me to sit with my back towards her before she combs her fingers through my hair.
On any other night, Alice playing with my locks would relax me. However, having the man I love so close by while his girlfriend is in the vicinity is far from relaxing. Worse still, Angelo leans close to allow his fingertips to caress the left side of my face, causing my muscles to tighten further. Though I want to avert my eyes, it's too late. He's already hypnotized me, and he knows it, as the corners of his mouth curve, causing the creases around his mouth and eyes to emerge.
Within the silent room, the beating of my heart echoes in my ears, and I fear I'm not the only one to hear it. When will this nightmare end?
“There,” Alice says. “I braided it for you.”
“I should probably head out,” Angelo says, rising from the sofa to don his coat. He offers his hand to me. “Can I get a hug goodbye?”
My eyes flicker towards Alice, who focuses on her fumbling fingers in her lap, and then flutter up to greet Angelo as I accept his hand. He draws me in close, wrapping his arms around my waist as I wrap mine around his neck and bury my face into the lapel of his coat, no longer able to resist the urge to inhale his fragrance. His lips caress the softness of my ear.
“Everything will be okay, angel. I promise.” He says something in Italian before leaving a kiss on my cheek. We remain in our embrace a few moments more before he pulls away and turns towards Alice. “Can we talk in private?”
“Sure,” she says.
This can only mean he wants to kiss her, causing a tear to open up in my chest and release the hummingbird.
“I'm going to shower now, so...” my voice falters and I scuttle away, closing the bathroom door behind me as I allow the sorrow to consume me.
As the morning sun spills in through my window, kissing my cheek, my eyes flutter open and welcome the new day. I stretch out my limbs before rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands, only to cry out in pain.
The memories of last night flood my mind and I throw the comforter from me as I scramble from my bed. I stagger over to my mirror to check the wound. The stinging intensifies as I observe the blood soak through the thin cloth. I release a heavy sigh before adorning my midnight-blue hoodie and exit my room in search of Alice.
“Hey, you're awake,” she calls from the sofa, with a cup of coffee between her palms.
I amble over to her. “Where are the bandages?”
She scrutinizes my face.
“What did you do?” she asks, resting her cup on the floor before rising from the sofa to inspect the blood-soaked bandage.
“I forgot all about this,” I say, pointing towards my bruised eye, “and rubbed my eyes.”
“Ouch. Well, sit down and I'll clean you up.”
“No, it's okay, I can do it.”
“Sit,” she orders and hurries to the bathroom, only to return soon after with the medical kit.
I perch on the edge of the sofa and allow her to clean and redress the wound.
“Be more careful,” she says.
“Yes, Mom,” I say, allowing a smirk to materialize on my lips.
After returning the medical kit, she returns to her original position. I join her side.
“Did you sleep okay?” she asks.
“Yeah. How about you?”
“After I calmed down over all this, I slept like a baby.” She gathers her cup and takes a sip. “He really worries about you, doesn't he?”
I glance sideways towards her. “Who?”
“Angelo. It's really endearing, actually. God, what could have happened if he wasn't around to rescue you?” She lowers the cup as she closes her eyes.
My hand flutters towards her, to clasp her shoulder. “It's not worth thinking about. Believe me, I'm trying to forget all about it.”
She sighs heavily as her eyes flutter open once again. “I'm just so grateful he was there for you.”
A curve dances along my lips as I recall the events of my rescue. “Me too.”
The memory of what Angelo witnessed once inside his car filters through my mind, bringing forth icy tendrils to wrap around my spine, spreading their vines throughout my body.
“He saw my scars,” I whisper, retracting my hand from her shoulder to lay my hand on my chest and grasp the fabric of my hoodie.
“Who?”
“Angelo. I hadn't realized my jacket was open with everything on display.” I close my eyes and shake my head.
“Eva. I saw how he was with you last night. I doubt he saw anything except your anguish.”
I sigh heavily. “I hope you're right.”
The ringing of my phone draws all my attention and I rise from the sofa to retrieve it from my nightstand. The hummingbird returns when I see who’s calling me.
“Morning, angel,” he says before I can even say hello.
I rest myself on my bed and car
ess the soft fabric of my comforter. “Hey. I wasn't expecting to hear from you today.”
“I had to check on my best girl. How are you feeling?”
“I'm okay.”
“That's great.” He sighs. “I was thinking about you all night.”
A hot blush rises to stain my cheeks. I moisten my lips with the tip of my tongue.
“I've been thinking about you too,” I whisper.
As I comprehend the words that spilled out, my cheeks burn. I slap my hand over my mouth, preventing any other confessions from emerging.
“Really?” he purrs, releasing a slight chuckle.
After uncovering my mouth, I babble incoherently. My palm slaps against my lips for the second time and Angelo chuckles more.
“Eva. I have to tell you something.”
My eyes widen, while the hummingbird pounds her wings against my chest as I anticipate him saying the words I long to hear.
“When I got back to the club last night, Frankie and Mario were there. I was fuming about what happened, so when they asked me what was wrong, everything poured out.”
Okay, not those words.
The disappointment calms the hummingbird but invites guilt to commandeer my thoughts.
What an idiot, Eva. He's in love with Alice, not you, I chastise myself.
“Eva?”
“I'm here,” I say, pursing my lips the moment the sorrow leaks.
“I'm sorry. It wasn't my place to tell them.”
“No, it's fine. I'd rather you tell them, actually.” I rest my elbow on my knee and nestle my chin in the palm of my hand.
“Well, that's good to hear. They worry about you as much as I do. Frankie and I discussed it and you don't have to come into work until you're ready.”
“Thank you, but I'd rather carry on like nothing happened,” I tell him. “Besides, I promised Alice last week to have a night out at the club tomorrow. I can't let her down. Um, Angelo?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you find John’s body?”
He falls silent.
Oh, gosh, he did, didn’t he?
Nausea penetrates my stomach.
“He wasn’t there,” Angelo finally says, so low I almost can’t hear him.
Ice slithers down my spine. “What?”
“I found the blood, but he was gone.”
“Okay,” I sigh, relieved. “I’m glad I didn’t kill him.”
“Be careful, okay?”
“I will. Hey, thank you for checking on me.”
“Anytime.”
“Bye.”
After the phone silences, I lay back on my bed and let the phone slip from my hand. I rest my hands on my chest, allowing the tears to slide down my face and soak into my hair.
After everything Alice has done for me and continues to do for me, here I am, betraying her trust with my indiscretions.
Yes, I witnessed the love expel from Angelo's eyes. I felt it in his touch. But it's love for a friend and nothing more.
My phone chimes, startling me, though I ignore the message for now since I have more pressing matters to occupy my mind. When my phone chimes for the second time, I order myself to roll to my side.
A stabbing pain penetrates my stomach before nausea hits and my body quivers. The thrumming of my heartbeat deafens my ears, while my breath shudders.
This isn't over, you little tease.
Watch your back. I'm coming for you!
I toss the phone away from me.
“How about I take you out for—” Alice pauses in the doorway, resting her palm against the frame. “What's wrong?”
I curl into a fetal position.
The bed creaks as Alice sits on it. She reaches out a hand to caress my shin.
“Check my phone,” I whisper, before sliding my eyes closed.
“What the hell? That's it, I'm calling the cops.”
My eyes spring open as I heave myself onto my elbow. “No, Alice, you can't.”
“Eva, he's threatening you,” she says, twisting the phone around for me to read the message again.
“If you call the cops, they will find me.”
Alice knows full well that I’m not talking about John. She lowers the phone to rest it in her lap.
“Well, we could tell Angelo,” she suggests.
“No.”
“Why not?”
I tuck my hair behind my ears.
“What if he…” I can't bring myself to finish the sentence.
“Kills him? He deserves it.”
“I couldn't live with that on my conscience.”
A heavy sigh escapes her lips. “All right. But if he contacts you again or does anything to you, I'm telling Angelo.”
All morning, Alice has worn an exuberant smile that only intensifies the closer the time comes for us to attend the club. By five o'clock, she's bouncing off the walls.
“You don't suppose it's too early to leave now, is it?” she asks the moment she emerges from the bathroom cloaked in a white towel.
My gaze drifts from the TV towards her. “You'd better ask Angelo. Besides, he may have something to say about that outfit.”
Then again, they are dating. He'd probably enjoy watching her waltz around in little more than a towel.
“What are you wearing tonight?”
I shrug. “I haven't decided yet. What about you?”
“Well, I thought I might inquire about that gorgeous green dress of yours.”
My lips curve.
“And you should wear your blue one,” she says.
“Green to match your eyes, blue to match mine?”
“Yes,” she squeals. “Wouldn't that be awesome?”
“Maybe I should wear black then.”
She furrows her brow. “Why?”
My hand flutters up to caress the bruise.
“Shouldn't you wear purple, then? It's more purple than black.”
“Yeah, but I don't own any purple dresses.”
“So, is that a yes to the green dress?” She flutters her lashes.
“Sure. It's in my closet.”
She performs a giddy tap dance before skipping to my room to retrieve the emerald green dress and gracefully dancing back to her own room.
I purchased the dress for her Christmas gift last week, only to have her rummage through my bags the moment I returned home.
“Oh, this dress is gorgeous,” she had cried as she liberated it from the box. “Can I borrow it sometime?”
At least I know she'll love it come Christmas morning.
While I wait for her return, I resume watching TV, though the images soon merge as my mind conjures up the events from two nights ago. The moment Angelo rescued me and brought me home, he portrayed such compassion, even in front of Alice. Though this may have been an act of friendship, my love for him has grown, but it’s also deepened the ache in my fragile heart.
Throughout my life, I've only experienced one kind of love, the kind I share with Alice. Since meeting Angelo, I've discovered something greater, something able to commandeer my thoughts and my actions. But life has yet again, played a cruel joke on me, offering something so precious that I can never hope to have, for he belongs to Alice.
Another half hour passes before Alice emerges from her room, decked in her emerald-green dress. She has straightened her hair and parted on the right and cascading around her shoulders. With glittering shades of silver, she’s accentuated the sea-green of her eyes, making them appear even more alluring, while applying a soft pink gloss to her lips.
“How do I look?” she asks, performing a twirl to allow her long hair to fan out.
I stretch out my legs before resting my feet on the floor. “Honestly, you're gorgeous.”
The comment provokes a grin to spread across her face. “Get dressed. Then I'll help you with your makeup and hair.”
“Even with your talent, what can you do to hide the bruise?”
“Well, I was thinking of painting the other side to match, to turn yo
u into an adorable panda.” She giggles.
I remain morose.
“Too soon?”
“Am I evil?” I ask her.
She furrows her brow. “No. Why would you ask?”
I lower my gaze to my hands that comfort one another.
The moment she sits beside me, she gathers my hands within hers. “No, you're not evil.”
I glance sideways at her. “Why did they abuse me if I'm not evil?”
“Babe, they're the evil ones, not you.”
“Why did John try to…” My eyes slide closed.
She releases my hands only to envelope me in her arms. Her sweet perfume imbues my nostrils as I rest my head on her shoulder.
“Neither of us can understand why they tortured you. We'd need to be as sick as they are to understand them. So that alone proves you're not evil. As for John, we can place him in the same category as them. Patsy too, since she lied to us about him.”
“What if Patsy doesn't know his true colors?”
She scoffs. “They've been friends their entire lives, like us. Of course she knows. Have either of them tried to contact you?”
“No. Only John yesterday.”
“We should block their numbers just in case.”
I nod. “Do you believe I'll ever find love?”
She giggles. “Of course. Remember what Mr. Thompson said, ‘Your true love is near.’”
“Yeah, but where exactly?”
“Maybe at the club somewhere? Maybe he'll walk in tonight and sweep you off your feet.”
“Maybe he's a zookeeper.”
“Why do you say that?”
As I shift away from her, she liberates me from her grasp. A smile emerges on my lips.
“If you're planning on making me a panda tonight, he better like animals,” I quip.
She giggles.
After putting on my blue dress with square-cut shoulders, I join Alice in her room, which resembles a beauty salon with all her hair equipment and makeup strewn across her bed. I find a clear place to sit and wait for her.
“How can we cover the bruise?” I ask the moment she combs my hair with her fingers.
Twisted City: (Twisted City Book 1) Page 27