FRANCE, PARIS
FIVE YEARS LATER
"So what Helena, are you coming for Vivianna's wedding or not. Your sister needs you here" my mother droned on me, just after I was done with my performance at a fundraiser in paris where I had been living since I signed those divorce papers.
"I'll think about it mama" I did not want to attend, neither did I plan on attending but I knew my mother's guilt tripping skills were going to come into play very soon.
"No Helena, there's nothing to think about. You take the next flight down here, Vivianna is getting married and the best part, she's marrying for love and not as a shady deal for your father's business, how can you miss that?"
I rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see me, I was walking down the street still mostly dressed in my ballet attire but I had switched out the shoes for a more comfortable converse shoes.
"Rub it in my face mama"
"Oh come on Helena, everybody misses you. This is your home, you can't run away from home forever, I thought you'll be done with this dance thing by now and besides I found someone for you"
"Oh mama – "
She didn't let me speak "He's real nice and you're going to like him" she said in an endearing tone that had me thinking, I haven't been with a man since Dante divorced, I had lived since then pouring my all into ballet and scared to give out my heart to anyone maybe. I had totally sworn off men and I had no desire to ever be in love but of course I was going to indulge my mother
"Who is he mama?" I said and she gave an excited squeal
"He's Vivianna's husband good friend and they're real sophisticated good men, you'll like him I promise and also no one is going to mention your divorce"
I rolled my eyes again "I don't care about that mama, and besides, who's Vivianna's husband?"
There was silence from her end and I wondered if she had gotten distracted or maybe by Vivianna's whining that she didn't like her wedding dress, but her voice sounded back in my ears with a sigh "Well, you'll see him when you come around"
I gave a tentative pause, her voice sounded final and there would be no point to push further "Fine mama, I'll be there – but I'm not staying and I'll leave immediately after the wedding, I have series of performances lined up for the summer"
Another pause before her breathy voice "Fine Helena, just come home"
***
"Paulo D'angelo? Really Vivianna, that's who you're marrying? Dante's cousin?" I threw my sister an unbelievable look when I found out the real nice guy she's marrying for love was my ex husband's cousin whom I have not seen or spoken to in five years since I signed those divorce papers, and then took the next plane to France. We were both in Vivianna's grunge looking room while we got ready for her engagement party. She sat in front of her large oval mirror, dressed in a red sparkling dress that flew to her ankles.
"Well he's different Vivianna – he's not into that those shady shit" she sounded, applying red lipstick to her lips that matched her dress and I made a sound that called bullshit, rolling my eyes in the process.
"Every guy in Algreen Cove is into that shady shit"
"Well he's not like Dante and I doubt he'd divorce me and run back to his ex the moment she came back into town whom by the way broke up with him and went back to New York to pursue an acting career"
"Oh – " I barely said, unsure of what I was going to say to that piece of information she had unnecessarily revealed out to me. She studied my face, fishing out the uncertainty that swirled within me.
"Well if you're thinking of going back – "
"No – never" I interrupted her immediately, I was no longer that insecure little girl who gave up her dreams to be with a man whom she thought would love her. I was a professional ballet dancer now and had healed her broken heart since then and never wants anything to do with another man especially Dante D'angelo.
Vivianna was about to say something when our mom waltzed through the door dressed in a flowing sparkling dress "You guys, the guest are arriving and Vivianna – "
"I know mama, I have to go welcome the guest" Vivianna got up with a groan and walking out the room leaving me with the somewhat pitiful look my mom was throwing me as she glanced at me
"Smile Helena – there might just be someone out there for you tonight"
"Mom – "
I could already hear the loud chatter of the party guest as they trickled into the house and I felt boxed in with nowhere to run to. I felt odd, mostly out of place or maybe it was the silent dread that brewed in my stomach from the thought of seeing Dante, maybe it was also the exhaustion of having to smile in the faces of people I did not give a hoot about. Instead, I grabbed a bottle of wine of the table, sneaking behind papa talking to a bald headed man dressed in a suit. I walked past a couple of people who looked a little eager to be here, from where I stood I could spot Vivianna giggling carelessly into Paulo's ear and I could say they looked a little in love. I didn't bother to gawk, I walked out the door, letting the cool air hit my face as I walked across the lawn towards the pool with the bottle of wine in my hands. I needed a moment to breathe, to feel something else even if it was just the cool night air on my skin and the taste of expensive wine on my lips. I corked the wine, admiring the moon's reflection on the water and then I felt a presence behind me, a familiar scent wafting through my nose and pulling me back into a sea of nostalgia but not a happy one, one that reeled my mind with memories that I'd rather stay forgotten.
"Helena" someone breathed behind me, his voice dark, haunting with a hint of danger flanking the aura that suddenly engulfed me. The hairs at the back of my neck prickled, and I froze, with the bottle halfway to my lips.
I knew who it was before I even turned around.
Dante.
And I couldn't face him. Not now, not ever, if I had my way. The memories were too raw, too painful. I took a step back, trying to slip away from him and run back into the party that I had been avoiding. But in my haste, my heel caught on the hem of my dress, and I stumbled. Before I could even register what was happening, his hand shot out and caught my arm, steadying me. His touch was firm, grounding me in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.
I looked up, and our eyes locked. For a heartbeat, everything else fell away-the party, the pool, the world. It was just him, and me, and I found myself falling back into the pit I had crawled out from.
"Wow Helena" he breathed, his voice low and rough