Elena
“How do I look?” I asked Cheryl, as I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in her nighties.
“Sexy,” she beamed. I smiled wearily, taking another look at the nightie. There's a knot in my chest. Anxiety…
Cheryl had convinced me to spend the night here and return home the next day. I didn't want to, but she was pretty convincing. Now I can't help but fear what the outcome of my decision is gonna be.
“Elena, come sit with me.” She shifted on her bed and I joined her.
I was trying so hard to look less troubled but I couldn't easily hide it. She patted my cheek, with pitiful eyes.
“Are you okay, dear?”
“Mmm-hmm.” I nodded, muffling a smile.
“Are you really okay?” She repeated on a more gentle note. It hit right in my feelings, forcing me into an aching silence.
She sighed and bit out a smile. “It's obvious you're not. What's going on? What happened between you and Vince? Why did his driver bring you here and what happened to your dress?”
She was asking a million questions in a breath. Ever since I showed up, she's been curious to know what happened.
“I…uh…I…ran into Vince at the party. And…”
“And??” She pushed curiously, reading my expression with her assertive eyes.
“A waitress spilled a drink on my dress. I went into the bathroom to get it cleaned. Vince showed up. We kinda argued and…”
I went into an abrupt pause.
The guilt, cringe, and shame I was feeling didn't let me finish my words. And I could feel a harsh blush staining my cheek.
“And what happened?” She asked. My silence dragged on. But my gaze answered. She read it and gaped. Then immediately shut her mouth.
“Sorry.”
My face burned red with shame. “I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't have let that happen.”
“Why not? You both love each other. That's what happens when you're with someone you love.” She was being giddy about it.
“Yes, but…” I sighed, feeling the exhaustion all over again. “It’s not right. I mean, we're not…”
“Mates? So what? You're the one he loves. You know that.”
“Yes, but what about Aunt Vanessa?”
“What about her?” She asked with a nonchalance that had me feeling bewildered.
"Aunt Cheryl!"
“What? They're getting a divorce, Elena. I don't think you should worry about her coming between the both of you.”
“No, that's not what I'm worried about…”
“Then what?” She snapped calmly. “Honey, Vanessa hates you now. Even if you never get involved with Vince again, she's always gonna hate you. It's a done deal.”
Ouch. That sounded harsh. But deep down, I knew it was the truth. It was just hard for me to accept it.
Aunt Vanessa and I were the closest duo. Accepting that we were sworn enemies now wasn't easy.
“Don't you think you're the one complicating this?” Cheryl asked, placing a hand on mine. “You love him. We've all seen how much he loves you and everything he's willing to sacrifice for you. And at the end of the day, that's what matters. Having someone in our life who'd go far and beyond for us.”
“Even if that someone is my father's best friend and my mate's father?”
“Even if that man is Vince.” She concluded with a motherly smile, touching my face again. I miss when Mother would touch me like that. “I understand your worries. But pushing him away and making him suffer because you're trying not to hurt Vanessa doesn't really make sense.”
“Well, I didn't push him away anymore. He's the one who chose to keep his distance.” I pouted.
“Because he's worried about you. Because he doesn't want to expose you to public ridicule. But If you're ready to go public about your relationship and fight for what you both share, if you're ready to face the harsh public criticism, Vince wouldn't have to keep his distance. He'd unapologetically come for you. He'd fight for you. He'd stay by your side. You know that, honey.”
Deep down, again, I could feel she was telling the truth. I did know that. I was just too much of a coward to accept it.
I couldn't sleep and just stood on Cheryl's balcony, watching the dark skies and the gate.
Low-key, I was waiting for him. It was already past midnight and he wasn't home yet. I mean, this wasn't his condo but Cheryl mentioned he'd be spending the night here because he's working on some project with Uncle Leo. Both of them weren't here yet. I was beginning to fear they might not come.
Maybe he decided to spend the night at his condo.
Bored to death, I left Cheryl's room and went downstairs for a glass of water. I stayed in the kitchen for seconds, sinking in wild thoughts.
The faint creaking sound of the door got me hyper instantly. I raced to the sitting room, awaiting whoever was coming inside.
Uncle Leonardo staggered inside. His drunk eyes widened as he saw me.
“Elena?” He gasped.
“Yeah, very funny.” Vince slurred behind, giving a dry chuckle. Then he walked inside, too, and froze at the sight of me.
“I wasn't trying to be funny.” Uncle Leo laughed. “She's indeed standing here…in front of us.” He was drunk. Every word he said and the unnecessary laugh depicted it.
Vince, however, looked a bit tipsy, but sane. His eyes were still on me, shocked. Then he gave me a once-over.
“Who gave you that?”
“Cheryl,” I mumbled, feeling self-conscious. Didn't he like the nightie?
“Why?” He shook his head. “I mean, why are you still here? You're supposed to have left already.”
That was blunt. But he didn't seem like he was trying to hurt me. He seemed more logical.
“She said it was too late for me to leave…” I began but stopped as I realized that wasn't a good reply. I was pinning the blame on Cheryl and that's not right.
“I wanna spend the night here.”
Now that was a better reply.
His eyes widened. “Here?!”
“Yes.”
His eyes squinted. “Seriously?”
“Obviously.” Why the hell was he reacting that way?
“Don't you have a mate waiting for you at home?” That sounded sarcastically painful.
I wasn't sure what to answer. And thank goddess, I didn't need to answer. Uncle Leo had tried taking another step and landed hard on the ground, letting out a shriek.
Vince bent to help him to his feet while I watched them, befuddled.
“What's going on here?” Cheryl's sleepy voice had me turning around.
“What does it look like? Your mate is a fucking drunk.” Vince cussed, grunting as he pulled Uncle Leo to his feet.
He succeeded and Cheryl helped him as they took Uncle Leo upstairs.
I remained standing at the spot, reconsidering my life options, wondering if maybe I shouldn't have stayed.
Maybe I shouldn't have decided to spend the night here. He didn't seem happy with it. And that kinda…hurts.