by Liv Bennett
Scarlet shrugs and runs her hand along my arm. “I’m not saying we should fly to Las Vegas and marry right away. That’ll look just as impulsive as what you did with that woman. We can get engaged for the sake of your reputation and then see how well it goes.”
“Are you sure you’re absolutely comfortable with it if things don’t work out and we have to break off the engagement?” I know I’m being an asshole with my question, while all she’s trying to do is to help me out of a hairy situation.
Her lips part slightly, and I don’t miss the subtle tremble of her bottom lip when she says, “I am absolutely sure.”
My eyes search her face for a sign of hesitation that I know is there, but she artfully conceals whatever doubt she must have beneath a sweet, heartwarming smile and moves in for a hug.
“There’s not much left to discuss,” I say and turn to Julie. “I’m getting engaged.”
“Yay!” Julie claps her hands in the air, although her expression is anything but festive. She’s not as skillful at hiding her hesitation as Scarlet, and the little frown on her lips makes me wonder if her concern is limited only to the effectiveness of the plan.
CH 3 - JULIE
~
Yay to my lonely future where I’ll have to love Zane from afar! Watch him taste love and happiness out of another woman’s hand!
The sadness settling in my heart is heavy enough to leave me speechless and cold. My body hurts with a physical pain and anger rises in my chest.
I should have found a better solution to the video problem. If I had requested a court order from Judge Smith right away, things wouldn’t have come to this point.
Still, I can’t be mad at Scarlet for providing a better solution that’ll uproot the problem from within. Zane’s reputation is in danger and what could be better than to give him the best reputation he can ever earn by getting engaged to a respectable and well-known actress who has won the hearts of millions with her charm and hard work.
No one will suspect their move is a counterattack for the sex scandal, because Scarlet’s love for Zane shines through her face. Such deep emotions can’t be faked, and people will see it on her face and in her actions right away.
Sighing, I slip my phone into my purse and head for the door. “I’ll take care of the engagement ring,” I call out before closing the door behind me, but I’m not sure if they’ve heard me through their passionate kiss.
I drive to the home Zane and I grew up in. No one lives in it anymore since Michael’s death, but neither of the siblings wants to put it up for sale yet. I kept the housemaid on staff to come and clean it up once a week.
The sound of my heels echoes as I step into the wide foyer. It feels so empty and secluded, as if none of the sweet and sour memories had taken place. Tears pool in my eyes as I glance at the living room.
The little brown table where Zane and I used to play chess is still there in the corner. The pink, worn-out chair Irene used to crochet in. The Persian rug she bought with me. The small spot behind the leather couch where Zane and Ace spent hours wrestling, until Michael would interrupt them by pulling their ears.
One good thing about Michael was that he never allowed anyone to change a single thing in the house since Irene’s death.
Fearing I won’t be able to stop crying, I hurry up the long stairwell and head for Irene’s bedroom without glancing around. Still, I spot the door to my bedroom slightly ajar. My feet betray me and I find myself pushing the door open to my childhood. A small closet, a full-size bed with a pink comforters on it, a wooden table set. The dolls I shared with Chloe are probably still in that trunk by the end of my bed.
The sweet and sorrowful memories jump out at me. Chloe would come to comfort me some nights when she heard me crying. Ace would carry my bag to school. Zane would beat up the boys who’d dare to make fun of me.
And Irene…she became my mother and took better care of me than my own biological mother could have ever done. I miss her so deeply, I can’t stand the memories of her caring for me…loving me.
Wiping the tears with the back of my hand, I rush out of the room and hurry into Irene’s bedroom.
She kept a safe hidden in the wall behind one of the nightstands. The nightstand is as heavy as it can be and requires a lot of force and pushing to move it, for a good reason. Irene’s jewelry collection is in that safe.
Once I can move the heavy furniture, dust rises into the air and makes me sneeze. I assume the cleaners neglected to clean the hidden spots.
I type the code on the pad of the safe and open its small door. Three metal boxes and several rolls of papers crowd the interior of the safe. On the top shelf lies a blue glass jewelry casket.
Grabbing it with care, I open its lid and let my eyes indulge in the sight of the rare beauty sparkling before me. A pear-shaped diamond surrounded by light pink diamonds in a platinum mounting. A family heirloom that Irene received from her mom who’d received it from her own mother. I remember Irene being offered twenty thousand dollars for that ring, and that was sixteen years ago.
As per Irene’s request, this rare piece of jewelry will be owned by the woman who wins Zane’s heart. Irene let me try the ring on once, and I was dazzled by its beauty and heaviness around my small finger, but also felt jealous of the privileges it would bring to some lucky girl.
Probably already aware of my secret fondness for Zane, she joked, “Perhaps it’ll be yours one day.”
Well, so much for that idea. The only thing I can do now is to hand the ring over to Zane so he can give it to the woman who was brave enough to fight for his affection.
My heart sinking, I start to close the safe door. A black box, one that I haven’t noticed before beneath the metal boxes, snaps my attention back to the present. I remember seeing it once, years ago. My fingers trail over the fading letters handwritten obviously by a child.
I blink as confusion hits me. Irene and I were close enough that I was sure she’d never hidden anything from me. But, then again, she hadn’t opened up to me about her suicide plans, either. Am I allowed to sneak in the personal belongings she hadn’t let me in on when she was alive?
I almost put it back, feeling disrespectful to the woman who became my mother. But something about the familiarity of the letters stops me. I owe it to her, I remind myself. If there’s something related to Zane inside this secret little box, I need to know it so I can use it for his happiness.
CH 4 - JULIE
~
Careful not to step on the tail of my long, dark blue gown, I hold Nick’s hand and climb out of the stretched car he arranged for us.
“Be prepared to hear it several times tonight; you look amazing in that dress. You’ll steal the spotlight from everyone else.” Nick gently pulls my hand up to his lips and brushes my knuckles with a soft, endearing kiss. His eyes roll back as if he’s tasting an exquisite delicacy.
“You’re exaggerating.” I giggle with a quick wave of my other hand and run my eyes over his taut body that’s teasingly concealed beneath a dashing black tuxedo. He’s very easy on the eyes and a master at picking the right words at the right time. Perhaps that’s why I allowed him into my life, despite my permanently unavailable heart.
His eyes fall on my throat and then linger down my chest, the heat in his gaze making me suddenly very conscious of the low-cut design of the dress. I resist the urge to cross my arms around my chest to cover myself.
I’ve been trying to replace my dark and gloomy clothes with sexier and livelier ones to appeal to Nick’s liking. My efforts seem to be paying off, despite the utmost discomfort I sometimes feel when confronted with hungry eyes of men. Nick, though, has been nothing but a perfect gentleman regarding my outfits, save for his unruly gazes every now and then.
“You should stay by my side at all times so no one dares to steal you from me,” he says, obviously joking.
If anything, girls should be hiding behind bushes ready to jump on him at the first opportunity. I can already hear some fa
ns cheering at the front of the building. Thankfully, Nick offered to enter the hotel where the gala is taking place from the back entrance.
His light-brown hair is perfectly styled, not a single strand unruly. His skin is clean-shaved and looks soft and smooth. His jaw tightens as his chocolate-brown irises hold my gaze a little longer. Strangely enough, something about the way he looks at me, deep and full of yearning, tells me he doesn’t mean for me to stay by him just tonight.
Blinking, I pull my eyes away from the striking features of his face and glance at my metallic gray purse that has Zane’s engagement ring in it.
Zane should arrive any minute. The gala will start in half an hour, and Scarlet and he should walk down the red carpet to take questions from reporters and announce their engagement.
At least, that’s the plan, unless, of course, he breaks it off with Scarlet. I give my head a quick shake to dismiss that idea, however appealing it might sound to me. The solution to rescue his reputation was offered to him on a golden platter. He’d be a fool to turn it down, and I’d be a selfish monster to wish for him to do something that would only cost him public humiliation.
My hand snug in Nick’s, we walk together to the back door. He’s normally a head taller than me, but I make up for the difference tonight with my metallic-gray high heels.
When I glance back over my shoulder, I notice another car pull up, and Lindsay and Ace get out of it. I stop in my tracks and gesture them with my chin toward the door.
Lindsay walks toward me in her strapless, black mini dress and high heels and wraps an arm around my shoulder. Her dark hair is pinned up into an elegant bow, with only a few strands decorating her neck and shoulders.
Ace, on the other hand, has his long, light-blond hair down his shoulders, and looks dashing in his black tux. He nods with his usual cool, indifferent expression on his face. Only when he approaches me and leans down to give me a quick kiss on the cheek, do his lips stretch into a heart-melting smile. He’s a master at guarding his emotions and not letting anyone break down his guard except for his family and well, Lindsay.
Lindsay starts a small chat with Nick. She’s probably one of the biggest fans of Frat House and doesn’t shy away from striking up conversations with the actors of the show whenever she gets a chance. Taking advantage of Lindsay’s momentary distraction with Nick, Ace tugs at my elbow to pull me into a quiet corner to talk.
“I just heard about the McKenzie scandal,” he whispers into my ear while glancing at the empty hall suspiciously. “I’m going to sue her for breaching the confidentiality clause in the membership agreement she signed with us. It’ll be an example for the other clients who have a tendency to disclose confidential information.”
Oh, yeah. The orgy took place in the Pleasure Extraordinaire mansion and McKenzie Richmond is a client there. That woman must have sworn not to leave a man un-fucked, including those who get paid for it.
Not my problem, but Ace’s business could be seriously harmed by her indiscretion. I never understood why he chose to open up a brothel in the first place, but as long as he keeps it professional and legal, he’ll have my support for all his endeavors.
“Okay,” I say, not wanting to go into the details of his business.
He clears his throat, looking uncomfortable by whatever it is that he’s going to ask. “How did Zane take the news?”
I grin and shake my head at his obvious care for his brother despite his best attempts to hide it. “He was shocked at first, but you know him. He’s strong. It takes more than a stupid scandal to break him. Besides, he found a great solution to turn things around.”
“Oh?” His eyebrows rise in curiosity.
“He’s getting engaged to Scarlet.”
Somehow, despite the softness of my whisper and the sizable distance between us, Lindsay hears my comment and hurries to our side.
“Oh, my God! Zane is really getting engaged to Scarlet?” she screams loudly enough to turn the heads of the two men walking outside in the parking lot. Cameras show up quickly and flashes blind my eyes momentarily. “Ooops!” She covers her mouth in embarrassment and glances up at Ace, who has his cool expression on again.
“Yes, they’re officially engaged as of today,” I say, trying to hide my discomfort.
Lindsay knows about my feelings toward Zane, but I haven’t told Ace anything about my secret love for Zane, and I’d rather keep it that way. Not to mention, Nick, who’s within hearing distance.
“How do you feel about that?” Lindsay’s voice is thick with concern, and her eyes gaze at me with curiosity.
I shake my head nonchalantly and steal a glance at Ace’s face. “Good. He obviously cares a lot about her, and she has a great personality.”
“You know, you can talk to me anytime you want,” Lindsay offers and reaches for my hand to hold it with affection.
I feel my dress is getting too tight on me, and my cheeks turning hot in embarrassment. Nick is only a step away and won’t enjoy the idea of his girlfriend nurturing a secret love toward another man.
I cough and then smile and look up at Ace. “I’ve got your mother’s ring here. Zane will give it to Scarlet for their engagement. Want to see it one last time before it changes hands?”
Without waiting for his answer, I slip the box out of my purse and open the lid. Lindsay’s mouth drops open in complete awe of the sparking piece of jewelry in the box.
“I’ve never seen a more beautiful thing in my life,” she admits and lays her eyes on Ace’s face.
“It’s truly exquisite.” Nick approaches me, joining in our small group.
“Yeah. Irene initially wanted Chloe to have it, but when Chloe didn’t want it, she decided Zane’s future wife should have it.”
“Speaking of Chloe, have you heard anything from her?” Ace asks, cleverly maneuvering the subject into a safer one other than marriage proposals and engagement rings.
“Yeah. I talked to her yesterday.” Closing the box, I slip the ring back into my purse. “She and Dylan loved Barcelona so much that they’re staying there for another month.”
“She’s gonna miss Zane’s engagement,” Ace comments.
Lindsay snorts goofily and takes Ace’s hand between hers. “I don’t think she’s all that fond of Scarlet.”
“She’s not?” Ace frowns in confusion and looks at me for an explanation that I don’t have.
I shrug and turn my head to Nick, who is calmly watching us. “I think it’s time we go in and find Zane. I have an important delivery to make.”
Nick raises his hand in the air for me, and I catch it and lock my fingers through his. Right then, I spot Zane’s limousine pulling up at the back entrance. “Here he is.”
Zane comes out of the car in a sophisticated cream tux. I guess he’s decided on a lighter color to highlight his innocence to the public when faced with accusatory questions from the greedy reporters.
He leans forward to help Scarlet out of the car, and she steps on the sidewalk at least eight inches taller than her normal height in her golden high heels. Her flowing mermaid gown is the same hue of cream as Zane’s tuxedo. I’d laugh at their ridiculous partner look if Scarlet didn’t look unbelievably beautiful in her dress. Besides, they’re making a statement about their strong bond and unity. All the better for Zane.
Zane’s eyes find mine, and I see his face warm up with a calming grin. My heart skips a beat. He whispers something to Scarlet, eliciting a pang of jealousy in my chest, and she looks toward our direction, waving her hand to us in recognition.
Even her high-fashion, haute-couture gown can’t diminish the friendliness and approachableness she radiates. “Julie, your dress is gorgeous. Very Sandra Bullock. I love it,” Scarlet says.
“Thank you. You look great, too.” I smile sheepishly and turn to Zane. “You, too, Zane.”
He winks at me and gestures with his head. “Can I steal you for a minute?” His presence takes over all my senses and I hardly pay attention to Ace and Lindsay, wh
o excuse themselves and head for the reception area. Scarlet monopolizes Nick’s full attention as Zane starts walking away.
I follow Zane to a secluded spot, unable to keep my eyes off his tall figure and wide shoulders. He’s simply the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
When he stops and turns to me abruptly, breath hitches in my throat, my eyes growing large in astonishment. I wish he was a little shorter, a little uglier, and a whole lot more of an asshole, but he’s tall, dark, and beautiful with a heart as soft as a kitten.
“I got phone calls from L.A. Celebrity News and Movies Insider with quote requests regarding the video,” he says in a whisper, his deep, baritone voice vibrating through me.
“Did you give any?” I ask.
“No, of course not.” He pulls his eyebrows together to reprimand me for even thinking of the possibility.
“Good, good.” Inhaling a deep breath, I reach for my purse. “I’ve got the engagement ring here.”
His gaze is locked on my hand, while an expectant look tenses his features.
I pull the box out and hand it to him. As soon as he opens it, he closes it quickly and pushes it back into my hand. “I can’t give that to Scarlet. It’s Chloe’s ring.”
“I know. But, she doesn’t want it. Irene wanted you to give it to your future wife. And that is Scarlet.”
He shakes his head vigorously. “I can’t do it.”
Confusion clouds my mind. I thought he’d be happy about giving a family heirloom to Scarlet, the woman he’s planning to marry, even though it would be primarily to weather a sex scandal. He’s been over the moon the last few months with Scarlet, a rare occurrence for him, which goes to show how much he cares about her.
“You have to give her a ring,” I insist. “Tonight is the perfect opportunity to tell the whole world of your engagement before the scandal grows like a snowball. Tomorrow will be too late. Everyone will be talking about the orgies you engaged in. Let them talk about your engagement news instead. You can’t do it unless you put a giant diamond ring on Scarlet’s finger.”